Vaudeville SRQ turns back the clock on entertainment

Ah, Vaudeville — the heart of American show business. Where else can you see jugglers, acrobats, feats of strength and musicians, all in one performance? Well, for the last 100 years or so, you'd be hard-pressed. What was once one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the country has been on the proverbial back burner. This Friday, April 18, at the Sarasota Opera House, the genre is set to make a comeback with the world premiere of Vaudeville SRQ. The show features four performances, spanning two days. Tickets range from $35 to $50.

The show will bring back the popular entertainment of yesteryear with performers including dancers, harpists, comedians, acrobats and more. We caught up with foot juggling (known as Risley or Icarian Games) artists George Coronas and Miles Ashton for a sneak preview of their upcoming performance. Seventh generation circus performers, they're the only known performers who have switched partners mid-career.