The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a performance act featuring cats, dogs, and other animals carrying out a variety of stunts under the direction of Gregory Popovich, the show's creator. It combines human and animal actors who perform comedy routines through a variety of skits which include clowns, acrobatics, and extraordinary juggling. Since 2006, when the show opened for the first time at the V Theater in the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Comedy Pet Theater has provided family entertainment across the country and around the world.
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
Early days
In 1992, Gregory Popovich, was invited to perform at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. With his wife as an accompanist, who is also a circus performer, he included their pet cat, Snowbird, in the act. With the audience responding favorably, Popovich began to consider adding more animals to the act. After searching for the right animals and providing the proper animal training, Popovich was able to include more cats in his show. In 1995, Popovich took his cat show on tour to Japan where he experienced huge success. When he returned to Las Vegas he decided to expand the performance by introducing dogs into the act. He recruited and trained more animals. First playing to the audiences in Las Vegas and receiving "Best Family Attraction in Las Vegas," Popovich then took the show on a world tour including stops in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Israel, Chile, Mexico, and Canada as well as numerous U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, and Miami. Again returning to Las Vegas in 2005, Popovich began to add more animals to his show to include doves, white rats, and ferrets. It was at this point that he began training all of the animals for a new production. In June 2006, the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater performed for the first time at the Aladdin Resort and Casino (now called Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino).
Creator
Gregory Popovich, born in 1965, is the child of Russian circus performers, Alex and Tamara Popovich. Since his parents were jugglers as well as dog trainers, Gregory gained an interest and a talent in juggling at age six and developed a bond with the animals. At age 14 he performed his first solo act as a juggler using a ladder to perform. He became a member of the Moscow Circus Group at 17 years of age. Traveling the world with the circus, Popovich soon became the star of the show and performed in a variety of competitions in Paris, Brussels, and Monte Carlo. While he continued to be a circus performer, he also starred in three Soviet films. After winning a number of awards in the international competition, he was invited to the United States to perform with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1990. Two years after that Popovich was invited to Las Vegas and that ultimately lead to the beginning of what is now known as the Comedy Pet Theater. Popovich and his wife, Izolda and their daughter, Anastasia, all perform in the show. When they are not touring, the family resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Animal Performers
The Comedy Pet Theater, at any given time, has approximately 12 cats, 10 dogs, two geese, two doves, one parrot, and a few mice. All of the animals, except the parrot, have been rescued from animal shelters. In 1992, Popovich, after seeing how well his cat, Snowbird, was received, looked to find more cats. A friend suggested he try an animal shelter to look for new performers. Since there were no animal shelters in Russia, Popovich started his search in Las Vegas. He subsequently adopted all animals from shelters and designed a training program for each of them placing them in the show as they were ready. The animal performers live with the Popovich family on their farm-like property. When the pets prefer not to perform anymore, they are said to be retired. Some of the retired animals still travel to the shows just to watch.
Animal Training and Types of Tricks
Popovich begins training with the animals when they are about six months old. His training sessions last for not more than 20 minutes. He spends a month to three months teaching an animal to do what he wants him to do. Popovich first recognized that the animals he rescued each had their own personalities and habits. He spends time observing the animals before he begins the training. Popovich claims that he doesn't actually train the animals to perform but that he allows them to show off their individual personalities and talents. If the animals appear comfortable, he continues to work with them and gradually adds more lights and music as he practices with them. Popovich designs the performances so that the animal tricks match the animal's natural skills and talents. Acts include Pet Fire Marshalls, 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, and cats pushing a dog in a baby stroller. Popovich's technique centers on positive reinforcement and compassion and he rarely gives food as a reward. To motivate his animals Popovich changes the pitch in his voice to give verbal praise and then gives them much attention. He believes that animal trainers have to take time to get to know their animals and learn how they like to be rewarded. Trainers have to find out how their behavior affects the animals and from there they can better work with them, "Pet them, kiss them and talk to them," he says. "Yelling will upset a cat, and a cat holds a grudge."
Philosophy
Popovich's speaks of his goal which is to teach the public that every animal has value and is unique. He believes that animals have a positive effect on humans and that we must take care of them. He states that humans have a large responsibility to their animals. He is a proponent of spaying and neutering pets. He has a lifelong commitment to helping rescued animals and advises people to look for their pet at the animal shelters.
Fundraising
Popovich continues to support animal shelters, animal sanctuaries, and other animal organizations with his visits to centers and also with his fund raising activities. He participates in fundraising activities, community awareness initiatives, and cooperative opportunities in the cities he tours. He states he has a mission to pay back the animal shelters and try to help other animals. Often he asks the audience to bring a can of pet food to his shows to donate to the shelters.
Tour Locations
The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater plays to sell-out and record breaking crowds. It has provided performances in countries all over the world including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Israel, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Canada. Additionally, the show was performed in numerous US cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, and Miami in addition to Las Vegas.
Awards
Gregory Popovich has received a variety of awards from many different places and competitions. Here are some of them: o World Records in Juggling o Grand Prize - Cuba International Circus Competition o Gold Medal - Juggling World Championships, Belgium o Gold Medal Winner for the International Circus Competition, Cirque de Demain Festival, Paris, France o 1st place Russian Circus Act Competition o Award of Excellence as the Greatest Technical Master of all times, International Juggling Association o Special Prize - World Circus Competition, Monte Carlo o Best Act of Season - Mexico City, Mexico o 2009 Entertainer of the Year Award, Circus Fans Association of America (14)
Additional information
Popovich has been a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He has appeared on television shows "Live from Las Vegas," "Thirty Seconds to Fame," and "Animal Planet." He also has been filmed with his animals for an Arm and Hammer Carpet Cleaner commercial. In 2009 Popovich published his first book You Can Train Your Cat.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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