Big Apple Circus comes to Beantown

The Big Apple Circus has been around for over 35 years amazing audiences with their circus acts. There are only about 15 rows under their small tent giving every seat a great view. Every seat is within 50ft of the ring. I have been many times over my past 34 years for my birthday.

This year was no different and I got a chance to see their new show Luminosity which celebrates the 24/7 hustle, bustle and vitality of life at the “Crossroads of the World”. The show is designed to take place in very crossroads of the world we all know as Time Square. 

We got there a little early and were one of the first to take our seats under the big tent. It's a cool experience being under the big tent almost completely by yourself. The rows of seats cast in the blue glow from the light is very cool.

If you have every been to NYC then you know getting around the busy intersection requires a fair amount of skill and coordination. Many of the characters you meet are represented by performers such as Japanese juggler Ty Tojo. His character runs a hotdog cart. Like the real vendors who juggle customers and product Ty handles first three, then four, five, six and seven balls effortlessly. This 2014 Guinness Book of World Record holder didn’t disappoint as he dazzled the audience with his uncanny ability.

Between acts we were entertained by the amusing and talented clown Rob Torres. His humorous skits definitely kept us well distracted from the preparations for each act. What I enjoyed most was his ability to get the audience to participate using props such as the cheer box.

He also made a variety of interesting balloon animals for the younger audience members such as a question mark and Sunglasses.

What city isn’t always under some kind of construction and repair man can be found everywhere. The circus portrays French circus pro Daniel Cry as a paint splattered ladder carrying repair man who channels Fred Astaire with his gravity defying latter act. It was awe inspiring to watch him balance effortlessly on his ladder.

As amazing as he was the next act stayed mostly on the ground but balance and strength are just as important. The Acro-Duo show up like construction workers and proceed to build mind boggling examples of balancing city life with their bodies as the medium. Their hand-to-hand, hand-to-feet, shoulder-to-shoulder and hand to head poses are an impressive feat of human skill.

As preparation for the next act took place we were entertained by Pierre Ginet who showed us that slight of hand can help you take anything from anyone. His flimflam abilities on one unfortunate audience member had us all amused and the victim wondering what happen.

By the end of the act the poor guy had empty pockets and a confused look on his face. It was amazing to see how easily a person can be pickpocketed by a skilled professional.


Next we meet the local dog walker and her four legged companions. Jenny Vidbel treated us with a performance by her perky pooches. Try to stir clear of those leashes. My favorite part was the miniature horse who acted like a taxi cab for his other four legged friends.

High above all the fray in any city are those who wash the windows of our high rise office buildings and keep our views clear. Many of them are aerialist themselves and the Mongolian Angels represents their contribution to city life. Without fear they ascend 20 feet up and perform a series of high flying stunts sure to make anyone hang on the edge of their seats.

After the intermission we got to see Jenny Vidbel once more with her amazing horses. These large animals sashayed their way around the ring like synchronized swimmers. Each following the lead of the other in a perfectly choreographed production.

Rob Torress returned once more with a series of amusing and audience capturing gaffs designed once more to distract from the setup for the high wire act of Duo Guerrero. They represent the many skilled construction workers building those gleaming glass towers and balancing on steel girders high above our heads. Once preparation was completed they ascended to their perch high above. The female member of the group serenaded us along the way.

Once high above she performed a series of daredevil acts such as balancing on a chair, walking blindfolded across, sitting precariously while her male counterpart danced his way effortlessly and even jumped over her. As they wrapped up their skilled performance they descended gracefully with her standing balanced on his shoulders. It certainly was a great experience.

The final act was the Dosov Troupe. They represent everyone in the city trying to make their way to their destinations. Navigating the crowded streets requires skill and precision. Their teeterboard performance not only had their flying cast members soaring high but each and every audience member mesmerized by their flips and spins as they spun and flipped their way back to the ground. Their sculpted lean muscular bodies helped them twist and flip in unimaginable ways and like a cat landing perfectly on their feet.

One of the most important people however is the ringmaster John Kennedy Kane who throughout the performances introduces and delights. His relationship with the two clowns both amused and intrigued the audience and provided perfect transitions between the bigger acts. The first of the clowns was an adorable goofball named Rob Torres who seemed to collect the energy of the crowd in a box while his cohort Pierre Ginet spent his evening pick pocketing unsuspecting audience members. 

The whole show is designed to remind us that Luminocity is the City of Life and while the reality of life in the big city can be daunting it is all still just the circus of humanity. All the performers came out for one final bow at the end while the audience showed their appreciation with a hearty applause.