Big Apple Circus has returned to New York City with its 2025 production, bringing a completely refreshed lineup and an artistic theme designed to delight modern audiences while preserving the intimate magic of the classic one-ring format. This season, the show is anchored by a new artistic direction titled “The World’s Best Under Our Big Top,” promising a mix of unique, astounding human feats and playful artistry.
The 2025 Production: New Acts and Artistic Vision
Revitalizing the Circus for All Ages
“We make changes every year to keep things fresh,” states the producer of Big Apple Circus “This year’s theme is ‘The World’s Best Under Our Big Top,’ and it was designed to revitalize the circus for modern-day audiences. We wanted a mix of unique and astounding human feats that offer the perfect blend of gravity-defying performances combined with playful artistry and creativity. Big Apple Circus is proud to lead in providing ‘Family Entertainment.’ There is so little today where adults can enjoy the show with their children. So often, the parent is solely the chaperone and does not take enjoyment from the performance. At Big Apple Circus, we strive to provide entertainment for all ages.”
World-Class Talent and Brand-New Acts
For the 2025 season, Big Apple Circus has delivered on its promise of an entirely new program, showcasing world-class talent that has never before performed in this production. “Every act is brand new to the show this year!” Big Apple Circus confirms. “Among the performers are the high-flying Bingo Troupe, the body-bending Bone Breakers, Johnny Rico from the Popey clown dynasty, the Kung Fu Boys, the gravity-defying Nicolodi Brothers and The Flying Maluendas, as well as the Olate Family and their beloved pups, who previously won America’s Got Talent.”
The Intimate One-Ring Experience
Closeness and Audience Connection
A key element distinguishing Big Apple Circus is its commitment to the intimate, single-ring format. This design choice dramatically changes the relationship between the audience and the performers, fostering a sense of closeness rarely found in large arena shows. “The shift to single-ring comes from our founder, Paul Binder. He said that he wanted a one-ring circus because the three-ring circuses were too glitzy and not as intimate as the smaller, one-ring shows. These have been popular in Europe for generations because they bring the action closer to audiences,” the team explains. “We want our guests to feel like they are more than just spectators. The guest can appreciate the skill and artistry of each performer.”
Location and Logistics in a Major City
Setting up the Big Top in a major metropolitan hub like New York presents unique logistical challenges, but the benefits of accessibility make the effort worthwhile. “We are fortunate to again have great partners like Lincoln Center. We’ve been working together for years, and they’ve continued to make it easier and easier to launch and maintain the Big Top. It’s definitely something we’ve had to take into account in the past, though, given the layout of New York City, but the trade-off is being more accessible to our audiences, which has always been a goal,” the team at Big Apple Circus notes.
The focus on an all-ages experience, where parents and children enjoy the performance equally, is central to this commitment. “Big Apple Circus combines world-class artistry, death-defying stunts, cutting-edge light and live music, all designed to give the public a great experience and family memories that will last a lifetime,” the team at Big Apple Circus concludes.
NOVEMBER 7 – JANUARY 4 Under the Big Top at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park at 62nd Street and Columbus Avenue www.bigapplecircus.com
