The Enchanted World of the Big Apple Circus
The third poodle in the spotlight refused to join the lively conga line. While its fluffy companions pranced gracefully on their hind legs, this particular poodle darted from side to side, clearly hesitant to find its rhythm. The poodle’s trainer patiently coaxed and encouraged, but sometimes a dog simply prefers to sit out the dance.
This scene unfolded at the Big Apple Circus, an annual celebration of whimsy and wonder that sets up its vibrant big top in a cozy corner of Lincoln Center Plaza. The inaugural performance took place on the Saturday following Election Day, with the tent radiating a welcoming glow of nonpartisan red and blue. The city still bore an air of uncertainty, and even in this festive arena, things felt a tad off-kilter — acrobats stumbled, jugglers fumbled their batons, and a unicycle performer barely managed to stay upright for a heartbeat.
Yet, despite the quirks and stumbles, a circus is undeniably a circus. It remains a realm of joy and laughter, complete with buckets of buttery popcorn to munch on, colorful light-up toys to wave with glee, and clowns to cheer on. While this year’s performances may not push the boundaries of danger, many of us are grappling with enough stress in our lives and might actually appreciate the presence of a safety net, a cushioned mat, or a soft landing. With dazzling spangles, a hearty dose of escapism, and nachos drenched in vibrant Day-Glo orange cheese, who could resist the allure?
Rafael Abuhadba and one of his charming poodles at the circus bring an extra layer of enchantment to the experience. Credit: Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times
This year’s circus theme, Hometown Playground, invites spectators into a whimsical journey. Whether the two dozen or so performers and musicians genuinely hail from New York remains unaddressed, but the sight of several performers dressed as pizza rats (two pizza rats and one spunky pizza mouse) adds a delightful local twist, perhaps capturing the spirit of the city in the most playful manner.
In a relatively brisk two-hour show that foregoes the traditional ringmaster or mistress, the performance takes the audience on a tour of iconic tourist spots — from Central Park to Coney Island to Harlem. Various acts are loosely tied to the five boroughs, with one acrobat executing an impressive upside-down routine clad in a construction worker’s outfit. (Upside-down, they certainly don’t catcall!) This is followed by a trio performing on the Russian swing apparatus, also in construction attire, suggesting that the imagination sometimes walks a familiar path. The poodles, each a rescue from a shelter, make a grand entrance in a whimsical checkered cab, with a few of them donning costumes reminiscent of Ziegfeld girls, adding a touch of vintage glamour to this delightful spectacle.
