This season, the Big Apple Circus presents “The Grand Tour,” a show set in the 1920s that takes the audience on an exciting journey around the world. The modes of transportation in the decade, including ships, automobiles, trains, and airplanes, will form the backdrop of the show.
According to director Mark Lonergan, the 20s theme was inspired by this golden age of transportation.
“We wanted to capture some of that excitement about getting on a beautiful, luxurious train or people getting on a passenger airplane for the very first time,” he says. “That kind of excitement around travelling, which we take for granted today but we know was very present and very interesting to people in that time frame.”
All of the show’s design elements also reflect the 1920s. The music is influenced by the hot jazz of the decade, the costumes encompass both the era’s luxurious formal-wear and different locations along the show’s journey, and the set is adorned with travel posters from the era. All of this “Really gives us the feeling of the roaring twenties, of people at a nonstop Great Gatsby party,” Lonergan says.
Since the Big Apple Circus is a family tradition, the team has been careful in making sure there is something for all ages to enjoy. For instance: The clowns act as the tour guides for the show.
“We’re very proud to say our clowns are funny and are not scary in any way,” Lonergan says. “They’re very warm and they’re very embracing of the children. In fact, they start the show before the show has even begun–they go out into the audience and they greet people and make people feel really welcome.”
In addition to the clowns, young children will also enjoy the animal acts. The Big Apple Circus only uses dogs and horses, and ensures that their animals are happy to perform and well taken care of. Most of the dogs are domestic and rescue dogs from shelters and homes that could no longer care for them. They do tricks like jump-roping, leaping over obstacles, and there is even one who rides a scooter. The horses come out in the second act and, depending on where you are sitting, they are almost close enough to touch. And as a special treat, during intermission and after the show the circus is offering pony rides this year!
For the older audience, “there are thrilling acts, which I think are really exciting for the adults,” Lonergan says. These acts include jugglers, acrobats, and aerialists from all over the world.
“The Grand Tour” will be at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center until the 10th of January. “We think it’s a great holiday tradition,” Lonergan says. “We hope people will join us as part of their plans over the Thanksgiving Break or Christmas, or whatever they celebrate and of course any date here and in between.”
To learn more about the “The Grand Tour,” visit bigapplecircus.org!
