Theron said he would like for Anthony to begin his career by appearing with circuses in Europe , because he says the sophisticated audiences on that continent will appreciate his skill more than American crowds. "In Europe , they watch the circus like they are watching the Bolshoi Ballet," he said.

 

Anthony's path to stardom was paved by his parents, both of whom were professional performers before settling down to civilian jobs in Ellicott City . Beginning at age 18, Nick performed until 1968 as a juggler and one of three acrobats comprising "Los Gattos," a troupe that appeared in Broadway shows and twice on the Ed Sullivan television show. Barbara performed on the flying trapeze for two years in the New York City area with "The Leonardos. ' ,

 

Barbara remembers the family passing clubs in the kitchen of their home and baby Anthony coming in to say, "Me too!" They told him he was too young, and gave him a paper cone to practice balancing on his nose.

 

Anthony soon progressed to balancing a broom on his nose in the pipe shop, where people would protest, "That kid's going to get a flat nose!"

 

When he was five, he learned to cascade three balls. Since then, he has practiced at least two hours a day after school in a small 10-by-25 foot area between a glass display case and the back wall in Nick's pipe and tobacco shop. The ceiling is only 10 feet high, fragile objects surround him and people always gawk, but these less-than-ideal conditions haven't slowed Anthony's progress a bit.

 

Aside from natural talent, Anthony has an able coach. A professional performer himself, Nick has been able to direct his son's practice toward saleable tricks. As a former physical education instructor in the Baltimore YMCA, Nick knows the value of a strict physical regimen.

 

People passing by might wonder at Nick's strident instruction. He expresses his disappointment when Anthony falters, painfully urging him, "C'mon, honey, c'mon! Line' em up good! Come on now, concentrate! That's no good! I wanted you to finish the last two tricks with no misses and you've missed them both! That's no good!"

 

Anthony shows no resentment toward his coach. When asked if he ever gets mad at Nick, he said, "No, I get mad at myself for missing, not him."

 

Anthony was apparently born with extraordinary powers of concentration and an inner calmness that have facilitated his rapid development as a juggler.  Unlike most children his age, he can sit quietly through a two-hour meal at a grown-up restaurant. Before performing recently for a Westinghouse Corporation Christmas party, he sat alone behind stage, passing an hour's time before his act largely in silence and immobility.

 

On stage, he seems almost dazed, ritualistically tossing balls and clubs into the air with small hands and following their flight with wide, steady eyes. He goes straight to work, never smiles, and only recognizes his audience with an awkward and nervous-looking bow at the end of the act. Nick claims that Anthony's calm demeanor aids his juggling. "You have to keep your emotions under control," Nick says. "If your adrenaline starts flowing, that 12-ounce club in your hand becomes nothing, you get too strong and make mistakes."