Some people might argue the presidential election campaign has been the very definition of circus-theater. But a new show coming Wednesday to Penn State's Eisenhower Auditorium is the real deal.

An international cast of dancers, acrobats, jugglers and clowns comes together to perform Donka: A Letter to Chekhov, a show created by Daniele Finzi Pasca, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7.

Finzi Pasca, who has authored productions for Cirque Éloize (including Rain performed at Eisenhower in 2007) and Cirque du Soleil, spent countless hours seeking inspiration from Russian writer Anton Chekhov's public and private writings.

Donka, in Russian, is a small bell attached to a fishing rod. Chekhov enjoyed fishing and the time for meditation it afforded him.

Finzi Pasca, inspired by the writer's pastime, fishes in a pool of circus fantasy to give life to a visual poem of suspended objects and bodies.

Recorded symphonic and live music, composed by Maria Bonzanigo, spreads beneath the Company Finzi Pasca production like a carpet for a parade of colorful Chekhov characters.

Tickets are still available for the show.

Read an in-depth article, written by my colleague Jennifer Pencek, about Finzi Pasca and his creation.

Watch a video of excerpts from Donka.

Artistic Viewpoints, an informal moderated discussion featuring Donka stage manager Caruso Saturnino, if offered in Eisenhower one hour before the performance and is free for ticket holders. Artistic Viewpoints is available on a first-arrival basis.