The Wheeler Opera House is going to the dogs \u2013 and the cats, the doves, and other members of the animal kingdom \u2013 as famed animal trainer and circus performer Gregory Popovich brings his Comedy Pet Theater back to town on Friday.<\/p>\n
The cast of the family-friendly show includes cats, dogs, parrots, doves and a mini horse.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try to open the personality of each pet,\u201d Popovich said during a 2015 swing through Aspen.<\/p>\n
Skits include a dog classroom, where dogs act as Popovich\u2019s students and \u201cAnimal Train Station,\u201d where he acts as a train conductor collecting tickets from animals.<\/p>\n
This winter, Popovich is on a national tour with his cast of 30-some animals. They travel in a custom-made trailer that includes heating, air conditioning, water and other amenities to keep his four-legged supporting cast comfortable, Popovich said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur main message is that animals are people, too,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt\u2019s not just pets doing simple tricks. I\u2019ve found different ways to have pets in situations where it looks like pets are acting \u2013 they are acting.\u201d<\/p>\n
His castmates aren\u2019t groomed, specially bred performers or show animals. They\u2019ve all been adopted from shelters. The love and camaraderie of traveling and performing, Popovich said, helps rehabilitate animals that might have had difficult beginnings.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes weeks to rebuild communication and trust,\u201d he said. \u201cComing out of shelters, many of them have lost their trust in humans.\u201d<\/p>\n
And cats \u2013 those divas of the animal kingdom \u2013 tend to pose some extra challenges, even for Popovich, author of \u201cYou CAN Train Your Cat: Secrets of a Master Cat Trainer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCats are difficult animals and you can\u2019t push them to do anything they don\u2019t like,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
A fifth generation circus performer and Russian native, he grew up in the world of animal training and juggling (he\u2019s in the Guinness Book of World Records for juggling nine rings while standing atop a nine-foot ladder). He began performing in Las Vegas in the early 1990s with his wife and their pet cat. As they got involved in pet adoption advocacy work, they added to the animal cast and repertoire of tricks, becoming a hit in Vegas and around the world \u2013 soon landing Popovich and his furry friends on \u201cThe Tonight Show\u201d with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, \u201cThe Late Show with David Letterman\u201d and \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Showbiz is in Popovich\u2019s blood. But his heart is in finding good homes for good animals.<\/p>\n
\u201cOrdinary pets can do interesting things,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re talented. And if anyone adopts a pet after our show, then our message is being heard.\u201d<\/p>\n
atravers@aspentimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n IF YOU GO \u2026<\/p>\n What: Gregory Popovich presents Comedy Pet Theater<\/p>\n Where: Wheeler Opera House<\/p>\n When: Friday, Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Cost: $25\/adults; $17\/children<\/p>\n More info: wheeleroperahouse.com<\/a><\/p>\n Tickets: Wheeler box office; aspenshowtix.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n