McPHERSON — Advocate of homeless pets and International Circus Star, Gregory Popovich, and 30 shelter-rescue pets star in “Popovich Comedy Pet Theater” with two performances at 7:30 p.m. April 19 and April 20, at the McPherson Opera House. The show is a unique blend of physical comedy, award-winning juggling, and the extraordinary talents of more than 30 rescued performing pets. Voted Best Family Show in Las Vegas! The New Yorker magazine named Gregory Popovich “one of the world’s best physical comedians.” Popovich has performed on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Late Night with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with David Letterman and then Craig Ferguson, and was a finalist on the hit NBC show “America’s Got Talent.”
Comedy Pet Theater is a family-oriented theatrical circus blend of unique physical comedy, starring the extraordinary talents of rescued performing pets saved from animal shelters across the country.
During the live show, audiences will witness acts such as the Dog Classroom, the Amazing House-Cats, the Animal Train Station, and others that will treat audiences to surprise appearances from more animal performers, including trained doves, parrots, goats, and even a miniature horse named Diamond, along with acrobats, mimes, contortionists and jaw dropping juggling by Popovich. Currently, he holds the world record in a balancing/juggling feat in which he stands atop a nine-foot free standing ladder and juggles nine rings.
Popovich is a lifelong advocate of animal rights. He has participated in fundraisers for animal shelters and neutering programs across the nation. Public-service announcements promoting responsible pet adoption are staples of Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater. All pets that perform in Comedy Pet Theater are rescues from shelters — and serve as furry ambassadors for animals seeking homes. “When people see these amazing, healthy animals on stage and decide to adopt an animal from a shelter themselves, my main message has reached the audience,” says Popovich — who grew up backstage where his parents performed in circuses, with pets frequently his only playmates.
Popovich is a master animal trainer who employs positive-reinforcement techniques in his training — coaching individual animals to perform tasks based on their natural habits. He has shared his expertise for raising, training and living harmoniously with pets in two books: “You CAN Train Your Cat: Secrets of a Master Cat Trainer,” and, “Doggy Gone Good: A Master’s Guide to Teaching Manners, Tricks and Healthy Habits.”
“Last spring, and for the first time, the Opera House presented a show that featured live animals – all dogs – on stage. The show was a sell-out and it was so much fun! It’s amazing to see what these animals are capable of doing. We think it will be even more fun this time around with Gregory Popovich’s menagerie. We’ve seen what dogs can do, but cats, geese, and a Shetland Pony? We can’t wait!” said Opera House Business Director Diane Fallis. “It will be a fun time for the whole family.”
Ticket prices range from $22-$32, plus a $4 preservation fee. Student tickets are all-inclusive $12. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.mcphersonoperahouse.org, call 620-241-1952, or visit the box office at 219 S. Main Street, McPherson. Call or visit the box office for student ticket pricing.
