My kids look forward to going to see The Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center every winter. Here is my review of the show this year (2019):
Acts at The Big Apple Circus
- Aerial acrobats were awesome to get the show started!
- Very cool equestrian does tricks on and between two horses.
- The juggling act was strange because it featured a ballerina (?!) assistant and the song “Something” by the Beatles. This did not make sense to me at all.
- I did really like the way the juggler made umbrellas seem to float in the air!
- The wheel performance at the end of the first half was thrilling!!! When the acrobat completed a somersault above the ring, I could feel the tension in my shoulders and neck increasing….OMG now I need a massage!
- The upper body strength of these performers is incredible!
- Saving the best for last as always: the flying trapeze. Watching these artists swinging and spinning, and being thrown around like rag dolls and yo-yos never gets old. The music, costumes and lighting just enhanced the beauty of this performance. It was my favorite act.
The hosts of the Big Apple Circus
- I LOVE that the Ringmaster (Ringmistress?!) was a Latina and a New Yorker! Storm Marrero was wonderful! (Sorry that I didn’t get a photo.) It was great that she sang and spoke in Spanish during the show. Kudos to The Big Apple Circus for diversity!
- There were no clowns this year: the second in command was a Pigeon character. She was in charge of entertaining the audience while the crew set up for the next act. The pigeon has an obnoxious, exaggerated New York accent (and said stereotypical things like “fuh-ged-abou-it”). IMHO, her lines were mostly sad attempts at being funny, especially the several (unnecessary!) “jokes” about poop. The pigeon character was extremely off-putting for this native NYer.
General notes:
- I think the music was updated this year. Its very good and includes Uptown Funk, Living on a Prayer and Corner of the Sky (from Pippin!)
- The circus run time is more than two hours, including a (way too long!) 20 minute intermission.
- I always thought it didn’t matter where you sit for The Big Apple Circus since its a relatively small space, but I was mistaken. We got the cheap Groupon tickets this year and our view of the tight rope was obstructed. This was super disappointing. It’s definitely best to sit in the center of the tent.
- There are tons of snacks available. We felt the popcorn and soft pretzel needed more salt
- It’s warmer in the tent this year than it has been previously (so we didn’t have to watch the show in our jackets!)
- There seems to be an improved stroller parking situation (it’s outside of the tent this year).
To read about more adventures in our home town of NYC, check out:
