Paranormal Cirque comes to SoFlo (plus details on four other circus shows)

You’ve probably never cirque-d like you can with Paranormal Cirque.

The human circus — eschewing animal acts for dazzling derring-do from acrobats and athletes — is making its South Florida debut Jan. 9-19 in a big-top tent to be set up in Miramar Regional Park. And unlike other circuses that crisscross Broward and Palm Beach counties, Paranormal Cirque is not for the whole family.

“We’re bringing our R-rated horror circus with a haunted attraction pre-show,” says Steve Copeland, a comedian and spokesman with Cirque Italia, the show’s Bradenton-based producer. “It’s rated R cuz there’s lots of bad language, there’s adult humor, there’s skimpy and revealing costuming. No nudity, unless you maybe buy the performers a couple drinks, but no nudity in the show itself. Miramar better get ready for a heck of a good time.”

According to Copeland, some of the acts include:

• A juggling Beetlejuice.
• A motorcycle on a thin wire “… high above your head with a lovely lady performing on a trapeze hanging underneath.”
• “A woman who can shoot a bow and arrow with her feet.”
• “A woman hanging by her hair.”
• “A duo performing amazing acrobatics on roller skates.”
• There will also be comedy, magic illusions and more.

“We’re a strictly non-animal circus, although some of our performers do eat like animals,” he adds. “You’re going to see awesome acrobatics, beautiful aerial acts, you’re going to see feats of strength and daring and death-defying death stunts — all with a horror theme. So all of the acts are performed by zombies, by ghosts, by werewolves, by vampires. There’s also a lot of comedy, which people don’t expect. In fact, a lot of the R rating comes from the comedy.”

Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to see Paranormal Cirque, but teenagers (ages 13 through 17) can attend as long as they have an adult guardian.

Copeland continues, “And in addition to two hours of Vegas quality R-rated power circus entertainment, you get a haunted attraction free show that begins an hour before show time and it’s free with the admission ticket. So, you don’t have to pay anything extra, it’s included in the price of the ticket. And it’s a walk-through haunted house starring the same performers that you’re going to see in the show. They’re going to scare the heck out of you. So, maybe bring a change of underwear.”

The show’s parent company, Cirque Italia, was started by Manuel Rebecchi in 2012 and now has seven touring companies. Rebecchi is the nephew of the late Moira Orfei, a famous Italian circus performer and actor.

Paranormal Cirque runs Jan. 9-19 at Miramar Regional,16801 Miramar Parkway. Tickets range from $20-$65. To purchase, go to paranormalcirque.com.

AND HERE ARE MORE CIRCUSES COMING SOON TO BROWARD AND PALM BEACH COUNTIES

• Water Circus Atlantis (also a Cirque Italia production): Jan. 2-12 at Broward Mall, 8000 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation. Tickets are $15-$65. cirqueitalia.com/Water-Circus.
• Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey, Jan. 23-25 at Amerant Bank Arena, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise. Tickets are $38-$83. amerantbankarena.com.
• Luzia by Cirque du Soleil, Feb. 19-April 25 at Gulfstream Park, 901 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach. Tickets are $38-$310. cirquedusoleil.com/LUZIA.
• Shen Yun Performing Arts
  — Feb. 2-3 at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Tickets are $103.50-$230. kravis.org.
  — Feb. 17-18 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $106.20-$236. browardcenter.org.