Metamorphosis
Opening Night: October 7, 2014
Closing: January 11, 2015
Theater: Damrosch Park
Be transported to a realm of enchantment and illusion, a dreamscape domain where no one sits more than 50 feet from ringside, and nothing is impossible! You will be thrilled by the Flying Trapeze, the razzle-dazzle of the Rolla-Bolla, the dynamo of the Diablo, the risky rhythms of the Risley team, the cunning conjurors of the Quick-Change, and the incredible flexible limbs of the Contortionists. See and hear the musical merriment of our featured clown and camels, horses, playful pooches and more. Immerse yourself in the wonder, joy and astounding magic of Metamorphosis!
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October 20, 2014
For its 37th season Big Apple Circus is presenting Metamorphosis, an extravaganza directed by West Tyler and filled with magic, illusion and feats of dexterity and daring. And, as always, it all happens in one ring, which makes it perfect for children and the adults whose laps they may be sitting on. Jugglers, contortionists, acrobats, animal trainers and aerialists will have the little kids gaping and the big kids scratching their heads, wondering how anyone can balance on a bunch of tottering cans while juggling with her hands and feet (Tatevik Seyranyan’s Rolla Bolla) or how two people can change entire outfits in the blink of an eye (the Smirnov Duo’s Quick Change). Jenny Vidbel, a third-generation animal trainer, brings into the ring an assortment of animals that are adorable and more obedient than most children. The Aniskin Troupe flies through the air with the ease born of many years training in the Moscow Circus School.
READ THE REVIEWOctober 27, 2014
Big Apple Circus’ Metamorphosis is a ring-a-ding-zinger of a show that wows by thinking out of the box — and inside it. The theme of this family-friendly production, now in its 37th year, is transformation. Butterflies loom large. A big red one adorns the jacket of amiable ringmaster John Kennedy Kane. A swarm of them is projected on the tent walls encircling the signature single ring. In keeping with that motif, elasticized contortionist Odbayasakh Dorjoo pulls what could be called a reverse butterfly. From a standing position she folds herself like a napkin and tucks herself into a snug see-through plastic cube-shaped cocoon that’s not much bigger than a breadbox. Things turn even more jaw-dropping when Tatevik Seyranyan, another living pretzel who also does a fab balancing act, joins in.
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November 2, 2014
Metamorphosis is the theme of the latest edition of the Big Apple Circus, now nested at Lincoln Center for the holidays. And considering the scale of this troupe — more intimate, in the European tradition, than the Ringling Brothers behemoth — you could say this impressive production starts modestly, only to spread its wings and soar. Amid soft fluorescent colors, you hear the Big Apple Circus Band, a genial engine of musical bounce, perched above a tendril-covered archway. Soon, you meet Francesco, a clown in coattails not above pulling audience members into the ring for bits of business or pouring confetti on spectators. He warms up the crowd in tandem with John Kennedy Kane, an ebullient, mutton-chopped ringmaster handy with doves, rabbits, ferrets and wisecracks. The lithe Mongolian contortionist Odbayasakh Dorjoo somehow folds herself into a transparent box, where she is joined by the Armenian juggler Tatevik Seyranyan, in a green outfit recalling chaste bathing suits of the 1920s. Then the animals take over, as the trainer Jenny Vidbel parades miniature horses, goats, an African porcupine and various dogs (including a shamelessly crowd-pleasing sheepadoodle named Sophie) on a “living carousel” around the ring.
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