Live Shots: Circus Bella’s free park romp provides ‘AH HA!’ moment

Circus Bella makes magic with its cheerful community—and its forever-free summer in the parks show AH HA!, through Sun/26, captivated both children and their adults on July 17 at North Beach’s Salesian Boys & Girls Club. (Read the full 48 Hills review here.)

Written and directed by Abigail Munn, the al fresco extravaganza focuses on clown Didi (Tristan Cunningham), who unwittingly allows her laughter to be captured. Didi’s laughter recovery mission is the through-line for delightful acts of aerial rope, juggling (foot, solo, ensemble, duos), contortion, acrobatics, hula hoop, feats of strength and grace, and slapstick trapeze (phew)!

As always, the troupe showed its commitment to featuring the local artists through its Circus Bella All-Star Band, original music composed by Rob Reich, and with Ian Carey and Autumn Adamme’s colorful costumes. Circus Bella’s ensemble nature enhanced each individual act. The Charivari opening and the big juggle closing showcased the entire company, and along the way, everyone moved props and supportted skits. A special shoutout to Jack Weinstock, whose facial expressions perfectly complimented Didi’s antics.

Kid-friendly and kid-forward, AH-HA! had the smaller folk enraptured, perched at the edge of the stage watching the adults and even some of their own among Bella’s performers, including duo jugglers Kai Huang and Paige Grieco making their debut, Mini-Boss Giusy Gentile, and a wee one who delights at the end of the show. Many kiddos got inspired by Circus Bella throughout the course of the show, and at least one got a start on a costume of his own by craftily repurposing an orange traffic cone as a hat. (For those who want to develop their own circus skills, Circus Bella offers free juggling lessons at the Weekly Juggle session most Saturdays at 2026 Union Square, from 11:30am to 1:30pm.) —Patty Riek

CIRCUS BELLA’S AH HA! will play Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose Thu/23 and Fri/24; Burlingame Town Square on Sat/25; and Union Square, San Francisco on Sun/26. More info here.