Malden resident clowns around for Shriners Circus

  The Shriners Circus is back with an “all new” show. Presented by the Aleppo Shriners at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, the circus will be held for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Malden resident Ernest “Rollo” Pearlstein will also be back. Many Malden residents have seen Pearlstein – as Rollo T. Clown – roller-skating in parades and festivals over the years. Pearlstein has been a Shriner (and a clown) for 43 years and has been part of the circus planning committee for over a decade.

  “Many years ago I watched the Shriners clowns at a parade and saw how much joy they brought to the faces of the children that were in the crowd,” said Pearlstein, who has lived with his wife, Marjorie, in Malden for 38 years. “Almost immediately I became a Mason, which is required to become a Shriner, and then as soon as I was eligible, I became a Shriner.”

  Pearlstein’s involvement as a member of the circus planning committee prevents him from performing as Rollo as much as he would like, but the father of six and grandfather of 10 said he hopes to put on the face paint, red nose and possibly even his roller skates for at least one of the performances at this year’s Shriners Circus.

  The Shriners Circus will offer 12 performances during school vacation week from Wednesday, April 20 to Sunday, April 24. Highlights of the 2022 Shriners Circus: aerialists, dancers, acrobats, death defying stuntmen riding four motorcycles at the same time in the Globe of Death, and a man being shot out of a cannon. Of course, the famous Aleppo clowns will spread laughter and silliness throughout the arena. No exotic animals will be performing at the circus.

  Tickets can be purchased at www.AleppoCircus2022.Eventbrite.com. Parking is free.