A new kind of circus is captivating audiences in Fort Myers, promising a blend of horror, comedy, and classic circus acts. Paranormal Cirque II has arrived at JetBlue Park, offering a unique experience that combines laughter with chills.
“Fear and comedy, horror and comedy have a lot in common,” said Steve Copeland, the host and comedian of Paranormal Cirque II. “They’re both about the build-up of tension and then the release. With horror, it’s a scream. With comedy, it’s a laugh. So they go together very well.”
Sophia Marks, a ticketholder, shared her excitement. “Last night, we found out that it was paranormal, so now we’re, like, freaking out, but I’m kind of excited,” she said.
Another ticketholder expressed enthusiasm about the show. “Paranormal means it’s not normal, so it’ll be cool. My girlfriend came a week ago, so she said it was really good,” they said, adding, “No, you can’t scare me.”
“This is our show’s first time in Fort Myers,” said Copeland. “They’re going to scare the heck out of you, and then they’re going to amaze you during our show.”
Stacy Brucci, another audience member, shared her curiosity. “I can’t imagine Cirque du Soleil with all the horror. So it’s gonna be interesting,” she said.
Copeland explained the show’s appeal, saying, “There’s a little bit of everything. Here’s a little bit of something for everyone. It’s scary, it’s sexy, it’s funny, and that’s paranormal Cirque.”
He also reflected on the joy of entertaining. “I get to make people laugh and forget about all the terrible things going on in the world. They can come enjoy some controlled fun horror, and I get to laugh and make them forget their problems for a couple of hours,” said Copeland.
Paranormal Cirque II will be at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers through Monday.
Tickets are available online at paranormalcirque.com or at the box office. The show is open to adults, with teens ages 13 to 17 allowed, but children under 13 are not permitted.