The Big Apple Circus

The Big Apple Circus is not a grand scale event, but it is a very good natured one. At several junctures the clowns include audience members in the show.  Nice touch.  While Sarah Schwartz’s wire is only about six feet from the floor rather than the more common twenty-five, she is a talented wire-walker and entertaining to watch.

There are no wild animal acts, fortunately–such animals often receive harsh treatment–but there are dogs and horses.  Horse people I know love their animals so let us give Christine Zerbini and Sultan Kumisbayev the benefit of any doubt.  And surely Luciano Anastasini’s dogs don’t seem stressed in any way as they jump through their hoops and otherwise amuse.  All of Anastasini’s dogs are rescues from pounds, by the way.

The two men and women trapeze artists are great as are the juggling brothers and, well, I could go on.  They were all good.  It was all enjoyable, and the Big Apple Circus’s community service programs are admirable as well.  They perform for chronically ill children at their bedsides, for vision and hearing impaired children and are generous in bringing economically disadvantaged children under their tent as well.

This is their 31st season.  It plays until January 18.  Their tent is set up at Lincoln Center and they can be reached at (800) 899-2775.  I recommend the show.