It’s no longer Christmastime, but a circus is coming to town, bringing with it so much sparkle and commotion that people may still feel as though they are caught up in holiday excitement.
The characters residing on the Island of Sodor will spread tons of glitter, light up trees and hang banners to prepare their village for its annual visit from a circus troupe.
As a result, Comcast Arena’s stage will be action-filled when Thomas the Train, Percy, Gordon, James and their friends demonstrate how it takes cooperation from everyone to make such an event successful.
The shows are at 7 p.m. Monday and 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday.
“Thomas the Train Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes to Town” is 90 minutes long with a 20-minute intermission, and is aimed at families with young children.
“The entire show is interactive,” said Andrea Kovelman, who plays the circus’ acrobat.
Specifically, Kovelman said, the dialogue is alternated so that nearly every other line turns into a question for the audience to answer.
“We ask the kids things like who they want to see (come out on stage),” she said. “I’m in the audience for half of the show, doing movements with the kids for some of the songs, like one song called ‘Fun in the Rain,’ where glittery sparkles come down and we do things like stomping our feet in the mud and splashing through puddles.”
For the acrobatic part of her performance, Kovelman, 21, who has had some prior dance and musical theater training, said she uses an aerial hoop to keep her up in the air as she completes various spinning routines.
A strongman and a clown will appear on stage with her.
“The strongman lifts me up so I can dismount the hoop,” she said.
“I’m not that scared of heights,” she said, “but it’s terrifying when you’re spinning. At the same time, it’s so exciting that I actually feel like I want to join the circus after doing this show.”
Though preschoolers and their parents likely would be most familiar with the characters and the setting, viewers of all ages will get something out of the performance, Kovelman said.
“During every show, I’m as excited as the kids are,” she said. “It’s just so family oriented; there are even jokes for the adults.”
Thomas &Friends Live!
7 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday; Comcast Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett; $15 to $30 adults, $10 to $25 children, plus service fees; 866-332-8499, 425-322-2600, www.comcastarenaeverett.com
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