If Giovanni Zoppe tells you his family has been in the business for many years, he’s not talking about inheriting a shoe repair business or a bakery on the corner of a busy street.
Zoppe is pointing way back more than a century and a half to 1842 — the year when his great, great grandfather founded the Zoppe Family Circus in Italy. Back to the days when entertainment meant more than watching “The Office” on an iPod.
Days when entertainment was live and in-person.
“We are the essence of the circus,” says Zoppe, 43.
“In some ways we’re more theater company than circus. There is suspense and romance and adventure.”
The circus comes to the Mile High Marketplace Aug. 28 through Sept. 13, and Zoppe will tell you there’s not a bad seat in the house.
No one sits farther than 20 feet from the ring, he says. Guests in the audience will see everything from folk dancing to clowning to acrobats.
Though Zoppe admires Cirque du Soleil, performing under a big top near the Pepsi Center through Sept. 27, and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which arrives at the Denver Coliseum at the end of September, the Zoppe Family Circus has its own style.
“First, we’re affordable,” he says. “And really, we are truly family. Of the 22 people in the show, most of us are related,” Zoppe says.
“If we hire someone — and we have performers from all over the world — they become part of our family. So does the audience. They are there, so close to us, and we welcome them in. We include them in our show.”
Giovanni Zoppe is “Nino,” a character who represents childhood innocence.
“I’m a clown, but I’m not scary, I promise,” says Zoppe, laughing during a phone conversation on the long trek from Chicago, his hometown, to Denver.
“This truly goes back to the roots of the Italian circus.”
Zoppe and his family members are on the road on a 13-city tour in a caravan that includes a pack of dancing dogs and a team of powerful horses.
His sister, Tosca, inherited the equestrian skills of her father, Alberto Zoppe, who died last year.
“We have dedicated this show to my father,” Zoppe says.
“My father was an inspiration to everyone. His knowledge of circus life was amazing. He touched people in so many ways.
“He was born in Italy and raised in the circus life. It’s one of my dreams to take this show back to Italy one day.”
Zoppe Family Circus
Where: Mile High Marketplace, an 80-acre shopping and entertainment complex, just off Interstate 76 at 7007 E. 88th Ave.
When: Friday to Sept. 13. 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sundays; additional performances 5 p.m. Sept. 6; and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sept. 7.
Tickets: $20 adults, $10 children, free for children under 5. Bring a canned food item to receive $1 off ticket when purchased on site. Available at the entrance, online at or at select King Soopers stores.
Information: milehighmarketplace.com; 303-289-4656
