Chronicling the chaos of the Burnum and Bailout Traveling Circus, Newton Senior High School Drama Department is bringing the audience-participation comedy “Stop Sending in the Clowns!” to Newton this weekend.

The show begins at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday with pre-show activities beginning at 6 p.m. each night.

“Stop Sending in the Clowns!” unites comedy and mystery when a sheriff is forced to solve a series of crimes — including a smuggling ring, petty theft and a missing person case — while the circus is in danger of foreclosure.