Drawing on its Circus Arts school of more than 2,500 children of various ages trained in everything from acrobatics and balance to aerial techniques, juggling and more, “Wonderland” will feature the school’s most advanced 100 performers. Add choreography and theater to the mix, along the magical sets, costumes and music, and the production is guaranteed to enthrall those willing to journey to a strange land of riddles, poems, and wonder, a dream-like place where not everything is as it seems.

Circus Juventas’ summer shows feature a select cast of their most advanced performers and are elaborate spectacles in the tradition of Cirque du Soleil. Circus Juventas productions represent the best of contemporary circus arts, combining evocative music, extraordinary sets and costumes, and stunning theatricality, dance and athletic artistry with a global flair.

…Circus Juventas performances are not quite like the professionals, but they’re pretty close… The featured performers of the show (older kids who have been training for a while) are captivating and the major acts are incredible. The show includes the Walendas’ spectacular seven person tightrope walk as well as flaming whips, balancing acts and unicycle stunts…

…It’s great to watch these kids maneuver through a web of bungee cords with the dexterity of Spider-Man, or thrill us with spine-tingling drops and rebounds. This year’s extravaganza explores the lighter side of the Wild West with plenty of wholesome saloon girls, high-flying outlaws, and mail-order brides who can handle a bicycle built for 10 with aplomb…

… Drift back in time and enjoy all the daredevil aerial feats, bizarre side shows, amazing animal acts, clown antics, and one-of-a-kind glamour from a bygone era, experienced through the eyes of two young dreamers. Part coming-of-age tale, part action-adventure, this performance will surely inspire a few more intrepid souls to run away—if only for a few hours—to experience the fantasy life under the spotlight…

… Circus Juventas presented its stunning take on the classic children’s story with high-flying acts over Peter Pan’s Neverland. Emily, who’d been my date to last year’s summer show OZ, was on the edge of her seat during the entire spectacle. (We’re talking a 3-hour evening show with intermission!) The tale lends itself beautifully to soaring acts using the trapeze, silks, trampolines and tumbling…

Clearly I didn’t do my research before attending the opening-night performance of Circus Juventas’ summer production Oz. It wasn’t much like I’d imagined it would be. It was so much MORE! The show had more of everything – dozens of jaw-droppingly talented youth and young adults, a ceaseless assortment of acrobatic apparatus, and a running time just over three hours – than I’d gone in expecting. It all added up to a smashing night out at the circus with my oldest daughter… My daughter and I genuinely thank Circus Juventas for providing us an opportunity to experience this St. Paul gem.

Cirque du Soleil, the famous acrobatic troupe that inspired Circus Juventas, changed our idea of what a circus can be. Now Circus Juventas has transformed our image of the land of “Oz,” tweaking the tale and telling it with an amazing mix of aerial and earthbound acrobatics, graceful ballet moves, contortions, fire juggling, clowning and over-the top theatrics.

Dare I say Circus Juventas is more exciting than the troupe that inspired it? Under their custom-made big top, you get to sit much closer to the action. And you’re always aware that these are young nonprofessionals (mostly teens) doing impossible and dangerous routines — some without a net, a safety line or mats underneath. It makes you hold your breath frequently…

Like the hugely popular Canadian company Cirque du Soleil, Circus Juventas is a departure from the three ring/animal acts fare of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Instead, the school brings together a melange of traditional circus arts from around the world, accented with dance, drama, acrobatics, music and fantastic set design. The result is pure spectacle… My 5-year-old and I took in this year’s summer production, “Grimm,” a few days ago; it was my son’s first circus and my first time seeing Circus Juventas. I’d heard these folks put on a good show, but we were still both gobsmacked by the experience…