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Review: Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center

Now through January 2015

By Bobbi-Jo Ryff, contributing reviewer October 28, 2014

Yesterday afternoon I took my 3-year old son down to Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center to see Metamorphosis, the all-new show put on by the Big Apple Circus.  This was our first time to this circus and we had a lot of fun.

Upon entering the tent where the box office is located, we were pleasantly surprised to see that there was virtually no line for tickets.  After grabbing some popcorn at the concession stand, we headed into the big-top tent where the show would be.  As soon as we entered the massive blue big-top tent, I immediately noticed how up-close and intimate the one-ring show was going to be.   All seats are located not more than 50-feet from the ring and I believe the view from anywhere would be great.  This gave the circus a more traditional, intimate feel than you get at some of the larger circuses.

Despite the relatively small venue, the show itself was amazing and featured many talented performers, including gymnasts, contortionists, aerial acrobats and trapeze artists, among others.  There was a living carousel of camels, horses, goats and dogs that my son loved, along with Francesco the Clown who was very funny.  The exact words of my son were, “He is the best clown I ever saw.”  My favorite act was probably the “spinning” Anastasini Brothers, who are 9th generation circus performers and gymnasts.  The quick-change act put on by the Smirnov Duo was also pretty impressive.  In addition to the performers inside the ring, the Big Apple Circus Band kept the audience entertained by their animated musical selections.

The show is 1 hour and 50 minutes long with a 15-minute intermission, which was just right.  The venue has easy access to porta potties and restrooms and a few basic concessions and souvenir stands.  All in all this was a great show at a great location and we hope to come again sometime.  The current show at Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center runs through January 11, 2015, so get your tickets today!