Nock sways above Bartlett show for 31 years
By Andy Steinke/Dells Events
The Tommy Bartlett Show is known around the world. But with Lake Delton being dry this year, the show lacks a waterski component.
Whereas sound machine Wes Harrison and juggler Dieter Tasso had to come out of retirement to fill the void left by the lake, Michelangelo Nock and The Nerveless Nocks have been a staple of the show since 1977.
Nock, a "young 42," has been coming with his family to Lake Delton to perform at The Tommy Bartlett Show every year for the last 31 years.
When Bartlett needed a new air act for his show in 1977, he called Eugene Nock Sr., Michelangelo's father, to come and perform. The Nerveless Nocks team auditioned for two weeks and have been welcomed back every summer since.
The Nock family name goes back further than the summer of 1977, however, much further.
The Nocks actually hold the distinction of being the first circus thrill show recognized by the Swiss government in the 1800s. And nine generations later, The Nerveless Nocks travel the world when they aren't at The Tommy Bartlett Show.
Michelangelo, wife Carolina, son Cyrus and daughter Angelina have traveled to the Middle East to perform for the sultan of Oman, toured the Hawaiian Islands and performed in Taiwan. And that was just last year.
Michelangelo has also personally performed for the queen of England and the president of the United States.
This summer at The Tommy Bartlett Show he is manning the sway pole, an 80-foot painted steel pole, which he said is the signature act of the show.
His father taught him the sway pole act in 1981 and his mother, Aurelia Nock, was able to perform it until she was 57.
"You know you're still in shape, if you can climb that pole," Michelangelo said.
Of the 20 acts he is able to do, Michelangelo said the pole is still his favorite, even though some of his other acts include riding a motorcycle in a steel globe, running on a rotating "Space Wheel" four-stories off the ground and riding a motorcycle on a high wire.
Michelangelo went to school in Lake Delton, but now calls Sarasota, Fla. home, even though he and his family spend less time there every year.
Last year, the family spent only three weeks at their home, affectionately dubbed the "stunt ranch and audition facility."
Being on the road doesn't leave a lot of time for practice, however, so the family has a lot of on the job training.
The Nerveless Nocks have been fortunate not to have had any major accidents in recent years, Michelangelo said.
Michelangelo has enjoyed coming to Lake Delton every summer to perform, and doesn't see any changes in the near future.
"What a great place to grow up in the summer," he said. "And my son and daughter get to have that same family summer experience."
