October 5 at 1:00pm
The Flight Fantastic

This fascinating look at the world of the flying trapeze centers on one of the greatest acts in circus history, The Flying Gaonas. First performing on a trampoline, the Gaonas went on to become a star attraction for the best circuses in the world, including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Longtime Broadway, film and TV director, trapeze flyer, and former Players' Artistic Director Tom Moore brings their story to life through interviews with family members and colorful archival material. The Gaonas fill the screen with their dazzling skills and charisma, qualities that are undiminished in their “second act.” Having left the center ring, we see them pass the torch through teaching and coaching to new generations.

​Special note: Tom Moore will be here for a talkback.
Director Tom Moore is a former Artistic Director of the Peterborough Players. The Flight Fantastic is his first documentary feature, although he has had a long career in theatre, film, and television. He directed the film of 'Night Mother with Sissy Spacek and Anne Bancroft, following his direction of the Broadway production with Kathy Bates, which was awarded the Pulitzer prize, and for which he received his second Tony nomination

In the theatre, Mr. Moore is best known as the director of the original production of Grease, which ran for eight years and is one of the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. His first directorial Tony nomination was for the direction of the Big Band Musical Over Here!, which brought the Andrews Sisters out of retirement. 

On television, he directed Disney’s first original musical for television, Geppetto, starring Drew Carey and Julia Louis ­Dreyfuss. He has helmed episodes of ER (Emmy nomination), Mad About You (Emmy nomination), L.A. Law (Emmy nomination), Cheers, Ally McBeal, Gilmore Girls, Thirtysomething, Cybil and many others.

He was a fellow at the American Film Institute, and he holds a B.A. from Purdue University and an M.F.A. from the Yale University School of Drama. He was also awarded the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, by Purdue University.  As an avocation, Mr. Moore is actively involved with the Circus Arts, and spends as much time as possible on the flying trapeze. 

Critics say...


"Magnetic...propelled by archival footage and vivid recollections, The Flight Fantastic moves engagingly from the early days to the spotlight years. Tito Gaona's quest to become the first aerialist to execute a quadruple summersault in performance makes an especially compelling segment, And the family's work in more recent years to pass along the art form is a nice coda." - The New York Times

"Exhilarating...The Flight Fantastic is both a lively biography of the Mexican circus family and a primer on trapeze as both art form and joyous expression... While detailing the Flying Gaonas' fame and influence, Moore emphasizes that they're part of a continuum: trapeze performers who perfect their soaring artistry then teach earthbound enthusiasts how they, too, can take flight." - Village Voice