MICHAEL ELKIN,

SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

ena Shvartsman doesn't have a hard time balancing childhood and a ca-
reer.
After all, she's a professional juggler.
"I want to do this my whole life," says the 13-year-old, teeming with en-
ergy as she talks about life under the Big Top; Gena is fourth-generation circus folk.
She and her parents will be showcasing their juggling talents with the Ringling
Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus when it comes to Joe Louis Arena Oct. 2-6.
Perhaps the biggest juggling act the Shvartsmans have faced as a family is the
one of freedom vs. the realities of rigid Russia. Originally from Chechnya, the Shvarts-
mans made their way to the United States in 1991, citing political and economic
reasons for their refugee status.
"Everything was so hard in Russia," says Gena, including "being Jewish there."
But her frown was turned upside down when she arrived in this country. The
family settled with other relatives in Queens, N.Y. Now, they get the royal treat-
ment touring the country as top-flight — Mom Viktoriya is also a trapeze artist —
circus performers.
"Everything's great here," says Gena.
Including the movies. "I like a lot of the old movies," says Gena, who relaxes while
watching films.
Like?
"Like, maybe you've heard of it, Singin' in the Rain?"
Perhaps it is not surprising that the seventh-grader's favorite current film is one
in sync with her other talent as a human pretzel.
"What other movie do I like?" asks the teen-age contortionist.
"Twister!" Ill

G

0 The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus comes to town 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday-Friday, Oct. 2-4; 11:30 a.m., 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5;
and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. Ticket prices are $14.50, $12.50 and $10.50
and are available at the Joe Louis Arena, Fox Theatre and all Ticketmaster out-
lets. (810) 645-6666.

Gena Shvartsman, 13, is a fourth-generation circus performer.

Michael Elkin is entertainment editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia.

THE DETR OI T JEWIS H NE WS

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