The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater aka Pet Travel Show Inc. is a performance show combining animal and human performers. They perform comedy routines through a variety of skits that include clowns, acrobatics, juggling, and stunts under the direction of Gregory Popovich, the show’s creator.
Acts and Stunts
Popovich and his circus cats - Popovich Comedy Pet Theater Saturday, March 30 @ Tribeca Performing Arts Center - tickets at http://ticketsny.com.
Acts include pet fire marshals, dog football, Dr. Doolittle, and funny geese. Stunts include cats and dogs walking tight ropes, balancing on metallic balls, jumping through hoops, jumping rope, using scooters and playing football.
Animals: Lisa (geese), Jennifer (geese), Gabriella (dog), Robbie (dog), Maia (dog), Taylor (cat), Mia (dog), Giselle (parrot), Mabel (dog), Kevin (dog), Jenna (cat), Lily (cat), Lauren (dog), Sofia (dog), Tessa (dog), Keemia (cat), Olivia (cat), Kurt (goat), Helgo (goat), Mr. Diamond (miniature horse), Evie (dog), Kelsie (cat), Jordan (cat), Emily (dog), Talia (dog), Lola (dog), Harper (cat), Elena (cat), Georgie (dog), Brittany (dog).
Controversy
Animal cruelty allegations surfaced in May 2016, when video footage of the backstage conditions were released. Las Vegas TV station KTNV reported that "The video shows pigeons crammed in small plastic crates, two goats held together in such a small pen they can only move their heads, a wall of cats and lots of dogs barking. Elsewhere you can see animal enclosures stacked and packed on top of each other."
Mistreatment of animals was also reported by eyewitness audience members. For example, one audience member stated, "We were front row and able to see the offside of back stage. First horrifying thing, the goose was waddling off stage and stopped, a stage hand reached out and snatched the goose by the neck, yanking it off stage, no exaggeration. The white poodle has a significant ear injury and possible ear infection, kept pawing at it. The wire fox terriers seemed to have eye issues, perhaps conjunctivitis. The handling of the cats going into to apartment building was very rough."
The show received a USDA citation in June 2016 for mistreatment of animals.
Tour Locations
This show has performed in various countries including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Israel, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Canada. Additionally, the show was performed in US cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, and Miami in addition to Las Vegas.
See also
- Animal Show
- Animal cruelty
- Comedy
- Dog Sports
References
- Edson, Lauren. "Popovich Combines Human and Animal Comedy on Stage." News, Sports and Weather for Boise, ID| Idaho Statesman & IdahoStatesman.com. N. p., n. d. Web. 30 Sept. 2013. http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/12/14/2380565/theater-thats-gone-to-the-dogs.html
- “Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a circus show that’s gone to the dogs...and cats.†The Huntsville Times. N. p. 15 Apr. 2013: Print.http://www.al.entertainment/index.sst/2013/04.comedy.pet.theater-Weekly.pet
- "So Much More than a Pet Show â€" Entertainment â€" Montgomery News." Montgomery Media. N.p., 11 Feb. 2013: Print.http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2013/02/11/entertainment/doc5111408640ad3147942056.txt?viewmode=fullstory>.
