By Marc Berman
Tuffy Nicholas is the owner, producer and ringmaster of the Super American Circus and Cirque Risque, both coming to Atlantic City, beginning July 1st. Shore Local’s Marc Berman sat down with Tuffy Nicholas recently.
Marc: Let’s start with your background with the Circus.
Tuffy: My father was the Ringmaster of the Ringling Brothers Circus for decades. My mother was a bear trainer they brought over from Germany. She trained polar bears. I grew up in the Circus. My sister and my entire family also grew up in the Circus. It is what we do. We also ran a Carnival in Philly, the James & Strates show. Back then, it wasn’t all about the rides. It was a show!
My dad ran a snake show. You’re going to love this story, Marc… I came home from school one day in second grade and my dad said “Well, Son, it’s going to be me or you in the snake pit tonight.” I said “Why? What happened?” He said “I had to fire the woman because she was always drunk, so it’s just you and me. I’m a better talker than you.. so I think you need to go in the pit.”
So I’m eight years old and I go into the snake pit with 120 snakes from all over the world. Yes, I got bit. I still have the scars, but they were mostly constricting snakes: boa constrictors, anaconda, grass snakes, tree snakes, etc. The anaconda was about 20 feet long, not a 40 foot one like they had in the wild. So I learned how to pick up the anaconda. The audience threw in quarters like crazy! I bought a twin engine go-kart at the end of that show. I was the snake boy! We also had the Gorilla Girl with the Carnival — “Before your eyes she will change..”
Marc: Wow! You are bringing all of this background to the tent at Showboat, inside the Big Top! So you have two Circuses. In the afternoon, it is the family friendly Super American Circus.
Tuffy: It’s not called the average American Circus, it’s called the SUPER American Circus because it is! We brought in performers from literally around the world. Think about it. Ringling Brothers closed a few years ago. Cirque Du Soleil is closed right now. They are only planning to bring back two shows in Vegas out of all the shows they had around the world. So we brought in performers from Ringling Brothers, Cirque Du Soleil and America’s Got Talent. Our singer, Robert Hatcher was on America’s Got Talent and American Idol, a finalist in both. I think he came in second in one and third in another. He is a great singer and performer with a strong presence. These artists are the best of the best! We are very lucky to have been able to put them together and bring them to Atlantic City.
Marc: Cirque Risque is at night for the more mature adult audience. I remember when you brought that to Atlantic City 10 years ago. Now…New & improved! What do you got?
Tuffy: Well, this is another cast of amazing artists from around the world, but mostly from Las Vegas and Florida. Burlesque artists and some comedians. The last show was very well received, given four stars in the New York Times. This show is twice as good! I’m so proud of it. Our choreographer from Las Vegas, LeAnn Alcorn put together a show that is amazing!
Marc: Wow! And your ribbon artists?
Tuffy: Aerialists, Contortionist, Dare Devils…
Yes, it is sexy, but it is more about comedy. It’s such a funny show with slap stick acrobatic comedy along with adult comedians. It’s an amazing show and I’m so proud of it!
Marc: Tuffy Nicolas, thank you for talking with us. We are looking forward to the Super American Circus and Cirque Risque.
The Super American Circus is every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday beginning July 1, 2021
Super American Circus: 4:30 p.m.
Cirque Risqué: 8:00 p.m.
The Big Top tent is located between Showboat and Ocean Casino Resort
(Showboat Resort and Convention Hotel
801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City 08401)
Visit www.superamericancircus.com for tickets and more information.
