Susan Granger’s review of THE BIG APPLE CIRCUS: METAMORPHOSIS – Lincoln Center (2014/15)
The Big Apple Circus has never been more magical than this all-new show, “Metamorphosis” – which means “possibility.” It is the power that turns the everyday into the extraordinary, like when the lowly caterpillar wondrously becomes a butterfly.
Butterflies are everywhere in this family-friendly production. There’s a big one on the jacket of ringmaster John Kennedy Kane, another on cavorting Francesco the Clown, and a swarm of illusionary butterflies projected on the tent walls, as the Circus Band plays high above the signature single ring.
First, Mongolian contortionist Odbayasakj Dorjoo gracefully folds herself into a tiny Lucite cube. Then Jenny Vidbel frolics with playful farm animals, followed by an astonishing aerial act as Giovani Anastasini & Irene Espana spin with a whirling spaceship and their sons Guliano and Fabio are a wonderful diabolo juggling duo. And that’s just the first act.
After intermission, Jenny Vidbel returns with a Living Carousel (the exotic alpacas, loping camels and scuttling porcupine elicited the most murmurs) and clowns indulge in Musical Moments. Founded by graduates of the Moscow Circus School, the amazing Aniskin Troupe has added a trampoline act to their repertoire. Also from Russia, quick-change artists Olga and Vladimir Smirnov entertain. But the biggest thrills come once again from the fearless Aniskins with their skillful trapeze act. The entire show runs 2 hours, including a 15-minute intermission – and every seat is a good seat.
Now in its 37th year, the not-for-profit Big Apple Circus provides entertainment year ‘round to thousands who are not able to get to the show. There’s Clown Care, as professional clown doctors bring laughter and joy to the bedsides of 250,000 acutely and chronically ill children in 19 leading pediatric hospitals nationally. Circus of the Senses is a unique performance for children who are vision or hearing-impaired. Circus After School gives at-risk children the opportunity to develop teamwork and commitment skills by learning and performing circus acts. And Circus For All annually distributes 50,000 free and discounted tickets to public schools and organizations serving economically disadvantaged children.
Catch the Big Apple Circus: Metamorphosis at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park through Jan. 11, 2015. Learn more at www.bigapplecircus.org.