'BARNUM' Amazes Audiences with Pint-Sized Perfection

I have one word to describe BARNUM, Le Studio LA’s latest show featuring "cirque-style" aerial arts theater: magical.

If you think that Cirque du Soleil talent, professionalism and savvy can’t come in a pint-size, think again. BARNUM—which is a musical retelling of P.T. Barnum’s story and his partnership with James Anthony Bailey—found its way to Culver City through the vision of , who has a passion for bringing the best out of every child she has a chance to wrap her arms around.

The cirque lover, who has been in the world of performing arts since age 14, began BARNUM Saturday afternoon with her motto explaining the aerial arts studio she has created on Jefferson Boulevard: “What you see is just a backdrop. It’s really about .”

As the lights dim, a young man by the name of Jordan Gipson steps on stage, introducing his witty tale by saying, “Barnum’s the name, and miracles are my game.” Barnum, played by Gipson, captivated the audience during the entire show—showing the same cavalier swagger as Chicago’s “Billy Flynn,” encouraging us to believe his Razzle Dazzle fibs or what he likes to call “humbug.”

During “BARNUM,” children flipped, contorted themselves into impossible shapes, juggled and did tricks on trapeze and silk. The oldest woman in the world sang, “Thank God I am old,” the tiny General Tom Thumb made an appearance, and there was so much acrobatic eye candy going on at one time that if you blinked, you might miss an amazing gravity defying act.  The oldest performer in the show is 13 years old; however, this talented group of children easily carry the mature content forward, telling the story of Barnum’s rumored affair with a Swedish singer, marital problems between Barnum and his wife Chairy, and the fiscal busts involved in building what has become one of the most famous circus shows on earth.

It seemed fitting that I would spend a Saturday in June at Le Studio, as the young studio’s opening last June was one of my first stories on Culver City Patch, and Gaulthier’s fearless team of trainers convinced me to climb the trapeze 12 feet in the air and dangle by just my knees. But that is the Gaulthier way, which convinces anyone who walks through her colorful doors to try the impossible.

After the stilts, balls and trapeze were put away, children bent back into normal shapes and curtain calls conducted, the children sat on the floor facing the audience as Gaulthier gave a final admonition to the viewers who laughed and admired the innovative two-hour show.

“If you have a dream, do it, she said with a smile. “Because this was mine.”