Big Apple Circus Returns to Lincoln Center, Closes 1/9/2011

The spectacular Big Apple Circus leaps into its 33rd Season with a thrilling All-New Show, Dance On! The World's Greatest Circus artists swing into action in the spotlight under our intimate Big Top, where no seat is more than 50 feet from the ring! Invited to the dance: an awesome troupe of monocyclists and lasso twirlers from China! A mind-bending group of Mongolian contortionists! A kinetic collection of Kenyan athletes who shimmy up a pole as though gravity were a joke! A herd of hoofers - twelve miniature horses in an equine chorus line! And an Ethiopian juggler with a lively up-tempo act that's hard to beat! Your Host is our charming and charismatic Ringmaster Kevin Venardos, aided with antic abandon by star clowns Rob Torres and of course, our leggy, lovable laugh-riot Grandma! With live music by the Big Apple Circus Band, there'll be cavorting in the aisles - and even the audience will be dancing in their seats! The last performance will be January 9, 2011. 

"The Big Apple Circus is YOUR circus! Big Apple is back in town!"

Show Information:

Performers from around the globe gather at the Big Apple Circus under the artistic direction of Guillaume Dufresnoy for this 2010-2011 season's show:

• From China, the Hebei Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe - the highly skilled and superbly talented troupe perform a powerful lasso act and an acrobatic ensemble on monocycles!

• From America, the talented, irrepressible, delightful comic Mark Gindick takes a witty turn under the Big Top as the Man Who Dances!

• From Ethiopia, Girma Tshehai - a charming performer who excites with an act of juggling and percussion combined!

• From America, the beautiful Jenny Vidbel fills the ring with a playful chorus line of 12 white mini-horses!

• From Africa, the African Acrobats/ Acrobats Internationale pump up the fun with a high-energy dance and pole act with feats of incredible strength and agility preformed to the contagious rhythms of world beat music!

• From Russia, lovely and graceful Regina Dobrovitskaya embarks on a romantic trip to the heavens on her cloud swing!

• From America, Rob Torres - the sweet and playful "International Man of Mirth" pokes fun and laughter throughout the Big Top!

• From Mongolia, X Bud Roses Troupe - these five mysterious young ladies dazzle and amaze with a contortion act of strength and flexibility that will leave the audience spellbound!

• From America, versatile and charming ringmaster Kevin Venardos returns for an encore performance!

• From Bulgaria, Big Apple Circus company member Andrey Mantchev gives a phenomenal hand-balancing performance!

• From America, Barry Lubin, a.k.a. Grandma, presents a lively and lovable grand lady of belly laughs!

A dream-team of some of the best creative minds in showbiz comes to the Big Apple Circus this year with a show that will get the toes tapping and fingers snapping. Broadway sensation and singer/actor extraordinaire Eric Michael Gillett takes the reins as stage director. Award winning choreographer Peter Pucci spices things up with some fancy footwork. Tony®-winner Ann Hould-Ward joins the Big Apple Circus for her first time with an alluring ensemble of costumes. Tony®-winning scenic designer Todd Rosenthal returns to create a dazzling new set. Rob Slowik returns as musical director with the brilliant Big Apple Circus Band performing new compositions by five composer/arrangers, including Dan Furman, who wrote the show's theme "Dance of Life," and Emmy® award-winner Paul Rolnick. Sound designer JP Perreaux handles resonance with elegance and lighting designer Brian Nason brightens the tent with flashes of life and energy. And, as always, creative consultant Barry Lubin adds his cosmic comic expertise.

Ticket & Listings Information:

Performances of Dance On! begin on Thursday, October 21st and run for 123 shows through Sunday, January 9th under the Big Top at Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center (62nd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues), the second stop on the Big Apple Circus's tour, following its world premiere engagement in Manville, NJ. Tickets for Dance On! start at $15 and are available by calling (888) 541-3750 or at www.bigapplecircus.org. The Circus Box Office, located in front of the Big Top, will open Tuesday, October 19th; there is no service charge for tickets purchased at the box office. Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday and Monday from 10 AM to 6 PM. The 1,619-seat Big Top is air-conditioned in warm weather and heated during cold months for all-season comfort. For groups of 15 people or more, for inquiries about wheelchair-accessible seating or for any additional information please call the Ticket Info Line at (800) 922-3772.

This fall, be sure to watch CIRCUS, the multi-part documentary premiering November 3rd, 9-11 PM ET on PBS stations. It's an intimate six-hour behind-the-scenes look at the lives of Big Apple Circus artists and staff during the 2008-09 season, produced by the award-winning documentary team Show of Force.

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