Popovich Comedy Pet Theater October 24, 2010

Lakewood Cultural Center
presents
Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
From Las Vegas and around the world, the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater creates a perfect family show, blending unique comedy, world-championship juggling, and the extraordinary talents of performing pets. The amazing cast of dogs and cats have been rescued from animal shelters and transformed into Vegas stars.
As seen on the “Tonight Show,” “ Letterman,” and “America’s Got Talent,”Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater returns to the Lakewood Cultural Centerat 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 24. Tickets are $25 available by calling 303-987-7845, online at www.Lakewood.org/CulturalCenter or at the Lakewood Cultural Center Box Office, 470 S. Allison Parkway (Wadsworth Boulevard and West Alameda Avenue). Senior, student, child and group discounts available. Ample, free on-site parking available.
Gregory Popovich grew up in a unique environment as the child of Russian circus performers. In addition to their juggling and performing skills, Gregory’s parents were dog trainers. From a young age, Gregory formed a special bond with animals. At age 14, he prepared his first solo act – juggling on a free-standing ladder and became a member of the great Moscow Circus Group at the age of 17. For the next few years, Gregory traveled the world with the Moscow Circus as a star performer and appearing in Soviet films.

In 1990, Gregory was invited to join the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the United States. He performed his juggling act in the center ring, the first Russian artist to ever appear in the “Greatest Show on Earth.”

In 1992, Gregory was invited to Las Vegas as a featured performer at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. While practicing for the show, Gregory and his wife, Izolda, who was also a performer, decided to use their family kitten, Snowbird, in Gregory’s clown act. The audience response to the kitten act was consistently so great that Gregory began to consider building an entire routine based on performing cats. Now, it was just a matter of finding the right cats.

A friend encouraged Gregory to visit an animal shelter to look for cats that could become the additional performing pets. Upon his visit, Gregory was dismayed and stunned to see so many animals without a home or a loving family, animals that had so much potential but had been discarded. He began to adopt and train cats from the shelter, and when they were ready, he introduced them as a part of his show. This venture eventually became the amazing “Cat Skills” act.

When Gregory returned to Las Vegas and Circus Circus, he wanted to expand the animal portion of his show and began building an impressive dog act. Gregory again adopted all the show’s dogs from shelters and incorporated their unique talents into his show. The show played for the next several years and was voted “Best Family Attraction in Las Vegas.” In 2000, Gregory took his show on the road, or rather the world, thrilling audiences in over 20 countries including a stop in Lakewood.

During the tour, Gregory adopted a few more cats and dogs, and he has created a new production. In June 2006, the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater made its debut at the V Theater in the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. For more information about the theater, visit www.comedypet.com.

The 2010 - 2011 Lakewood Cultural Center Presents Season is generously supported by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) – with appreciation to the citizens of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District – Aura Spa and Wellness Center at the Sheraton Denver West, The Denver Post and KOA Radio.