Entertainer shows off a circus of juggling skills

Combining the quick wit of stand-up comedy with the dexterous feats of the circus, Rhys Thomas brings Jugglemania to the O' Shaughnessy Center on April 23 at 7 p.m.

The Whitefish Theatre Company is bringing Thomas back for an encore performance.

"Of all the family shows that we have sponsored in the last seven years, Rhys is one of the most entertaining," Carolyn Pitman, executive director of the Whitefish Theater Company, said. "We couldn't pass up the opportunity to bring him back for this evening show as well as his excellent educational outreach programs."

According to the Wall Street Journal, watching a performance by Thomas, a former junior high school teacher, is synonymous with getting "in touch with your inner buffoon."

The Portland-based entertainer has served as Artist in Residence at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. as well as traveled and performed throughout the United States and Canada. He was the featured cover story for Juggle Magazine for May/June 2004.

During his performances, he demonstrates his amazing juggling and acrobatic skills while blending these with an irresistible force of levity.

"I learned to juggle to impress a girl, then lost the girl and juggled to forget," Thomas has said.

Thomas will perform his educational show, "Science Circus," for Helena Flats School and Muldown Elementary School on April 22. In this show Thomas demonstrates and explains the physics of motion and balance through juggling and acrobatics.

The April 23 evening performance of Jugglemania is $10 for adults and seniors and $5 for students with reserved seating.

Whitefish Theatre Company box office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours before a performance, or call 862-5371 to purchase tickets.

For information on this and other upcoming events, visit www.whitefishtheatreco.org.