Purrfect puns aside, there’s a serious side to the Amazing Acro-cats Christmas show premiering this Friday at the Marigny Theater behind the AllWays Lounge. All former orphans, rescues and strays, the 14 purrformers (sorry, dear reader) will help raise money for the Jefferson SPCA by jumping through wreaths, rolling on ornaments and playing instruments in a live band.

Photo by Joy Schmoll.

OffBeat reached Samantha Martin, CEH (Chief Executive Human) and self-described “mind behind the madness” by phone as she was herding cats onto her 1962 tour bus on Tuesday.

“We train them from the time they’re kittens,” she said. “And if they do their tricks right, they get paid in salmon, tuna or chicken liver. The trick to training them is lots of tasty rewards.”

Martin would know. She used to run a rat circus, the Amazing Acro-rats, which met with limited success. But despite what you might imagine, the new show did not eat the old one.

“People just love cats and New Orleans is a cat-loving town,” Martin said. “When I did the rats, however hard we tried, we just couldn’t make a living off of it.”

Acting as a tour manager for cats comes with its own set of challenges, as well as a lengthy rider.

“No balloons, no dogs, no large animal costumes,” Martin said. “The cats will freeze if people in the audience crinkle paper or women walk around in high heels. They each have their likes and dislikes. Buggles doesn’t like babies crying, and Wiki can’t stand big, white hair.”

Santa might be an unwelcome guest at this Christmas show, but he can give in other ways. Martin is currently raising money for a new tour bus on Kickstarter.

The Amazing Acro-cats with Tuna and the Rock Cats Meowy Catmas in Mew Orleans premieres this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Marigny Theater behind the AllWays Lounge at 2240 St. Claude Ave. Shows run December 4-20. For tickets and more info, go to www.circuscats.com.