Come One Come All – To the Big Top at Lincoln Center

Dec 23, 2024 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Two Sues on the Aisle, Susie Rosenbluth and Sue Weston

The Big Apple Circus brings amazing acts to the heart of New York City under a traditional circus tent at Damrosch Park by Lincoln Center. This year’s performance is entitled Hometown Playground and celebrates the joy, wonder, and amazement of New York City told from the perspective of three comedic ‘rats’ looking for the Nutcracker.

This performance is for children of all ages and lasts approximately two hours (including a 20-minute intermission). It provides non-stop entertainment including 14 traditional circus acts, along with local dancers, musicians, and silly slapstick comedy routines.

While the traditional three-ring circus can be overwhelming, The Big Apple Circus, created in 1977 by Michael Christensen and Paul Binder, provides a European-style one-ring circus. Now, almost 50 years later, performers from around the world come together under the Big Tent in an intimate setting (every seat is under 50 feet from the ring) – providing the ultimate family-friendly entertainment where every bite-size act is center stage.

The preshow entertainment begins with a clown dressed as a construction worker standing mid-stage, delighting the kids as he struggles to control a bucket.  Behind him, above a raised arch the band dressed in tuxedos can be seen preparing for the show. Instead of a Master of Ceremonies wearing a top hat and tails, three large pizza-eating ‘rats’ provide the narration and distraction between acts.

The only animal act in the show is the Cartoon Poodles. Trainers, Rafael and Isabel Abuhadba are from a 6th-generation circus family from Chile. They enter the ring in a taxi with eight trained poodles who conga dance, jump rope and dive off a tower. The dogs, many were rescue animals were trained with love and treats.

Hold Your Breath

The show opens with an acrobat dressed like a construction worker clowning around and walking upside-down high above the crowd. Performed by third-generation Bulgarian circus performer, Alex Petrov. This transitions into an amazing performance of the Russian swing where the acrobats launch into the air from an enormous, floor-mounted swing, executing aerial stunts, and flips. In another act, the multi-talented Antoly Brazzan runs inside and outside the Wheel of Destiny, a human-sized hamster wheel rotating high above. Brazzan climbs on top and jumps rope, almost slipping before righting himself.

Other amazing performances include Sofia Petrov, suspended above the crowd, executing elegant flips, spins, and poses. Later, acrobats Alec and Daniela Bryan perform a beautiful aerial tango.

The finale is the ageless circus classic, the gravity-defying trapeze performed by The Flying Poemas [Adrian (Gordo) Poema Jr, Antoly (Toly) Brazzan (the catcher), Lucian Balsanulfo, Lexi Eakin, Kaity Mussio] execute intricate aerial maneuvers, and seamless acrobatics, including their legendary triple somersault.

Professional Performers

Unlike traditional circuses where the audience observes from afar, these performers are almost above our heads. The trapeze was strung above our seats, so close we could see the sweat on the performers’ brows and the intense focus as they executed flawlessly.

Many stunts are performed without nets or wires, using spotters who watch vigilantly from below. The crew may be the unsung champions of the performance, working behind the scenes to ensure everything was properly placed, cleaned, and ready. Spotters play a vital role, letting the performers focus on execution without fear. We noticed their watchful oversight, and drew a sign of relief when they relaxed, knowing that everything was going as planned.

Prepare to Be Amazed

Jugglers dressed as Barbie and Ken from Budapest, Hungary, Zsilak Trio Jugglers (Viktoria Zsilak, Richie Zsilak & Sofia Petrov) demonstrated skillful coordination and synchronized juggling. Ethiopian Slack Wire balancer, Mihret Mekonnen, performed on a high swaying wire, showing amazing balance and agility, even riding a unicycle and climbing a ladder on the wire. And a contortionist, seen on America’s Got Talent, Emerald Gordon Wulf showed her ability to twist and bend into seemingly impossible shapes.

Laughter and Silliness

We were delighted by the performance of Michael Halvarson from Sweden, a premiere pickpocket who selected an audience member and showed his comic sleight-of-hand magic by removing his watch and tie.

In what may have been the funniest act, The Human Fountains (seen on America’s Got Talent), channels our inner child. These performers spit water a la Bellagio, creating human fountains. Their endless water tricks, even involve a brave audience volunteer. Adults and children laughed and groaned as the performers spit water from one mouth to the next until the last in line swallowed and wiped their mouth – disgusting yet hilarious.

In the style of a classic circus, between acts clowns, including a sword swallower, and a strong man walked through the audience. Their hijinks provided a distraction while the crew prepared the ring for the next performance.

Family Friendly Fun

The Big Apple Circus is a charming production with high-quality, skilled performers dazzling the audience. It is not the death-defying circus of our youth where performers appeared to risk their lives, instead, it is a series of well-rehearsed and deftly executed routines. During transitions between acts, a screen surrounds the ring, displaying images of New York City that give the show a distinct flavor of the wonder of New York City.

While there are no age restrictions, parents should be advised there are loud noises and darkness that can be scary for small children. But, this show is intended for families – it is both kid-focused and friendly.

The Big Apple Circus is a perfect introduction to the magic of the circus. It includes a mix of classic circus and emerging talent all delivered in a New York minute one act flowing into the next.  The adventure begins upon entering the Big Top, an enormous heated white tent located in Lincoln Center, and continues until the final bow.

The Big Apple Circus is in town through January 5 with tickets available online.

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Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, book, or exhibit being reviewed.

The Big Apple Circus Received 4 Challahs