Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Big Apple Circus 
from:  publishersfeatureservice.com
by RJH • February 3, 2014


Big Apple Circus 
Verizon Amphitheatre 
through February 17, 2014 

What a treat to have the Big Apple Circus in town once again. As you may know they moved their venue last year to Alpharetta and it’s just as easy to get to as their previous locations east of town. There are plenty of specific directions to the facility on their website.

The show is not performed on the main stage; but is in the big tent as always. They have camped out at Lot A on the west side of the Amphitheatre facility with plenty of parking immediately adjacent to the entrance.

The Big Apple is an unique company in so many respects. It is a non-profit which expands their activities to help children, provide services for those with handicaps, and also helps to entertain older folks in various facilities. They also run with few animals, primarily fewer than ten horses and a few dogs. No elephants nor endangered species. Most of the performers are true circus folk, some Asian, some eastern European and almost every one of them a second or third generation performer. But, each a real master in his own right.

This program started off with Ty Tojo, and incredible young juggler, and included a balancing act on a device known as a free ladder performed by Canadian Daniel Cyr. The stage set is more or less about being in Times Square at the start, where street vendors and buskers may be seen and heard. Each act is unique, such as the Acro-Duo from Russia and Ukraine whose hand balancing is going to stretch your mind when you see them perform. There is one high wire act with husband and wife, Werner Guerrero and Aura Cardinali. They don’t climb up any ladder to get to the top, they go up from a slant wire as she sings several numbers while you hold your breath.

The animals are handled by Jenny Vidbel, a young woman who is a third generation circus gypsy. The horses and dogs seem to love her as much as she does them, and the audience gets a real pleasure from her two acts. The big act in the show is the Dosov Troupe which is the final spectacular balancing act put together and managed by Bulgarian Dzmitry Dosov. Men and women fly from springboards 30 or more feet into the air, every time landing spot-on to great applause.

There are the usual intra-scene schticks involving a comedian who works the audience. These days it is Rob Torres who has taken over after Grandma’s many years of pleasing audiences. I guess the bottom line is that these are a very professional troupe of wonderful human beings who do good work, and whose purpose in life is to enjoy their lives by bringing joy into the lives of others. They never fail.

I know we have other circuses coming to our area. But, trust me. This is the one for any family which wants to feel connected. You will always be seated close to the one-ring facility and every seat in the house has unobstructed view of the action. And a live band is right in front of you at all times. For tickets, driving directions and parking info you can visit their website at BigAppleCircus.org


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