New York has a lot of traditions in this annual season of peace and joy such as the Macy's Parade, the big tree on Rockefeller Center, the holiday windows at Macy's and Bloomingdale's, but there's one big tradition that has taken place in good old Lincoln Center since 1981 and that's is the Big Apple Circus. In its 37th annual edition, the theme of this year's show is Metamorphosis. The meaning of the title means transformation and that term can sum up the show as a whole since it delivers big top fun on a high equivalent to being on a hot air balloon flight.
Many of the acts and performers throughout the show are excellent. This year's star clown, Francesco is fine, doing a French Cab Calloway impression and even interacting with the audience. But he leaves little of a mark unlike the legendary and currently retired star clown of the circus, Grandma. A contortion trick in the first act features performers Odbayasakh Dorjoo and Tatevik Seyranyan and they both get in a little box together. This wow of a trick will make you think about "how they do that?" Seyranyan is even a great sport, returning in the second act to juggle some long and small hoops, while balancing on top of so many stuff. There's also a dazzling aerial performance from Giovani Anastasini and Irene Espana.
For me, the high point of the show was the human juggling Anastasini brothers and they both give a stunning performance that will make you amaze. There's also good work from the Smirnov Duo, who changes clothes quick with magic, Jenny Vidbel, who splendidly put two dogs and two emus on top of four ponies and the Aniskin Troupe, who makes a top-notch trapeze act at the end of the show. A special mention goes to the show's ringmaster, John Kennedy Kane, who leads this marvelous cavalcade of whimsy.
My compliments goes to the director West Hyler, keeping things on a smooth and steady pace here. This one-ring circus is a perfect holiday treat for both the young and the young in heart. Even Houdini could have enjoyed this much sheer pleasure. Go see it, but if you miss it during this holiday season in Lincoln Center, you can see it when it comes to Cunningham Park here in Queens next year early in the summer (May 17th thru June 14th).
Rating: ***1/2
Parent Advisory: Suitable for all ages
Big Apple Circus: Metamorphosis is now playing thru January 11th at Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center between Amsterdam Ave. and West 62nd Street (the Circus entrance is located between the Metropolitan Opera House and David H. Koch Theater on Columbus Ave. and West 63rd Street). For tickets, go to bigapplecircus.org.
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