By Karen Bloom
It's a palette of movement, rhythm and color in an intimate, one-ring setting.Now in its 27th year, the troupe showcases its amazing feats of acrobatics and theatrical circus acts, in a production that pays homage to the visual arts. Combining circus skills with eye-catching costumes and scenery, the visions of the world's greatest artists come alive. "It's a wonderful show that reflects the spirit of the artists that have been inspired by the circus," proclaimed founder and artistic director Paul Binder. "We've taken the pleasure and joy that artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, Chagall, and Calder found in the circus and have created a feast for the senses.""We are always looking for new approaches to present to our audiences," Binder noted. "It's about having a good time and for families to enjoy being together. That's what's happening here." In a setting, which includes a Chagall-like village, designed by Dan Kuchar and costumes by Mirena Rada, are Magritte's bowler-hatted men, Toulouse-Lautrec and the can-can dancers of Montmartre, and Degas' ballerinas.Against that backdrop, the international cast of circus luminaries entertain with their awe-inspiring feats. There is GuiMing Meng, a Chinese acrobat who balances ceramic pots on various parts of his body in the style of the celebrated Chinese circus. Another performer, Mei Ling, a "hand balancer, " gracefully twists her body into a series of angular shapes, appearing like the outline of an Alexander Calder sculpture.For those juggling fans, Picaso Jr. is on hand with act in which he juggles five Ping Pong-size balls blown from his mouth. Another audience favorite, the 13-member Russian Kovgar troupe performs high-flying acrobatics launched from teeterboards, along with a somersaulting routine on stilts.More derring-do is seen in the form of the female gymnastic duet, the Mongolian Angels, who flip, dive and catch each other on a single, swinging trapeze. Others in the cast, including Binder's 18-year old son, Max Binder, perform a crowd-pleasing floor balancing and leaping routine.Of course, no circus is complete without animals. For many, the highlight of the show comes in the form of Svetlana Shamsheeva's act, in which birds, dogs, and (yes) cats share the spotlight. Who knew a cat could be trained to perform? Well, Shamsheeva has found a way! Not to be outdone, equestrienne star Yasmine Smart shows off her stately Arabian stallions, who do much more than horse around."It's all good fun," declared Binder. Come and you'll see the beauty and extraordinary ability of human beings and how they relate to the rest of nature."
The Big Apple Circus
Friday, June 3 through Sunday, June 12; 17 matinee and evening performances. Tickets range from $18 to $48; available from TillesCharge at (516)-299-3100 or www.tillescenter.org.
Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, C.W. Post Campus,
Rte. 25A, Brookville.
