THE BALLOON MAN

 Circus Oz: Fun 'From the Ground Up’
Aussie production takes its inspiration of an iconic 1932 New York photo

 

Working out their trapezius muscles: Mason West (l.) & Shane Witt hit the heights for Circuz Oz.
from:  nydailynews.com
by Joe Dziemianowicz
November 30, 2012
I f the visuals in “Circus Oz: From the Ground Up,” starting Friday at the New Victory Theater in advance of a U.S. tour, look familiar, there’s a good reason.

The Australian production’s imagery, set and costumes seize their inspiration from Charles C. Ebbets’ 1932 photo “New York Construction Workers Lunching on a Crossbeam,” also known as “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper.”

No matter what you call it, the spectacle of men roosting like birds, without a tether or, seemingly, a care as they tuck into a midday meal, on a steel girder 800 feet above the city street might make your belly do a flip-flop.

In the show, set to live rock music, a huge construction beam spanning the New Victory stage is where aerialists and other daredevils will do their high-flying somersaults.

“The theme of the show takes us back to our own identity,” according to Mike Finch, artistic director of the 34-year-old globetrotting Circus Oz. “What does it mean to be Australian? We’re all really into the idea that we’re still building it from the ground up into a diverse community of people.”

The notion of construction is also intended to advance the idea of building a society where are all welcome and appreciated.

“Ground Up” relies on muscle, grace, cheeky humor and multitasking. Musicians double as acrobats, acrobats double as jugglers, jugglers double as trapeze artists and everyone gets a go at comedy.

“Circus Oz” runs through Dec. 30 at New Victory, 209 W. 42nd St. Tickets: $11-$36; (646) 223-3010.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/circus-oz-offers-fun-ground-article-1.1210382#ixzz2DnmsYI00