Cirque du Soleil on Elm Street

Clowns are scary enough as it is. But throw some ravenous yellow teeth on them and make them speak in tongues (OK, it’s just Spanish), and the result is positively poltergeist-like. If you’re having trouble picturing this, you’re forgiven. The United States has never before been privy to the likes of Circo de Los Horrores. The Cirque du Soleil-esque show comes from Spain rather than Canada, and though it toured successfully across Europe and South America, it never landed on U.S. soil until now.

The master of ceremonies is a Nosferatu look-alike who will introduce a handful of Frankenstein’s brides and an Exorcist-worthy contortionist who can bend in ways that would make Linda Blair jealous. It’s not all terror, though. There’ll be plenty of audience participation and comedy including a classic sword-in-the-butt gag. As for acrobats, they’ll amaze more than horrify, unless someone gets a flaming stick in the crotch. The blood-congealing screams will start this weekend and continue through October 17 at the James L. Knight Center . This Friday’s show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20 to $80. And we suggest you keep the young kiddies away. Visit circodeloshorrores.com

Tuesdays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Starts: Oct. 8. Continues through Oct. 31, 2010