Flooding Halts Cirque Shows

Cirque du Soleil’s “Ovo,” scheduled to run April 21 through May 15 at Coney Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati had to cancel seven opening-week shows after heavy rains caused the Ohio River to overflow its banks.

The production didn’t sustain any damage as staff worked “around the clock” to store all costumes, props and circus equipment up on a stage above the water level that reached 55 feet, tour manager Peter de Baaij told the Cincinnati Enquirer April 25.

“We’ll re-assess everything in the morning,” de Baaij told the paper. “We’ll wash it down, we’ll do what we need to do as quickly as possible.”

Performances are expected to resume May 3.

The Ohio River also flooded the Riverfront Amphitheater in New Albany, Ind., reportedly putting its parking lot under water and nearly covering its stage but no events were scheduled.