Big Apple Circus is coming to Oaks
Dogs, ponies that will perform are all rescued animals
UPPER PROVIDENCE >> Horses, ponies, and dogs that have been given a second chance in life — just like their owners, who are coming out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy — will show off the fanciest tricks of their trade when the Big Apple Circus makes its way to the Expo Fairgrounds at Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks May 16 through June 16.
The animals that perform in the show are all rescues and now beloved members of third-generation animal trainer Jenny Vidbel’s family, according to a press
release.
For more than a decade, Big Apple Circus has only featured rescue animals and maintained a vital no wild or exotic animals policy.
Other performers in the show include Ammed Tuniziani of the Flying Tunizianis, one of only two living performers to successfully land the quadruple somersault on the trapeze. Valeriy Sychev of Desire of Flight, a former competitive gymnast and member of the Russian National Gymnastics Team. Emil Faltyny, who holds the Guinness World Record for longest duration juggling five objects while standing on footplates on a free ladder – 57 seconds. And, performing for the first time ever in the United States, horizontal juggler Viktor Moiseev, who has performed for royalty, including The Prince of Wales and Prince William and The Duchess of Cambridge.
In keeping with its name, the Big Apple Circus originated in the Big Apple itself, New York City, where the first show took place in 1977. This year will mark the 41st season, with all shows starting out in NYC with a premiere performance at Lincoln Center.
“We are so proud to welcome Big Apple Circus for the first time ever to Montgomery County,” said Mike Bowman, President & CEO of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. “It’s such a unique show, and one that sets amazing records wherever it goes. Arts and culture are huge here, and we know that Montco is a great spot for large entertainment like this. So, we just know that families, kids, and adults alike are all going to love coming to the circus.”
In 2017, the Associated Press reported that a judge had approved a deal that would save the circus by selling its tents, equipment and intellectual property to Big Top Works, an affiliate of the Florida-based investment firm Compass Partners LLC. Compass was the previous winning bidder at an asset auction with a $1.3 million offer.
The nonprofit Big Apple Circus had filed a Chapter 11 petition in 2016.
Ironically, the company was experiencing a rebirth the same year that Ringling Bros. announced it would close in after 146 years, citing falling ticket sales, high operating costs and changing public tastes in entertainment.
“The Big Apple Circus is thrilled to be returning to Pennsylvania for the second year in a row and for the first time ever in Montgomery County,” said Big Apple Circus Chairman Neil Kahanovitz. “In our 41 years of presenting the finest quality family entertainment in America, this year’s 41st Edition may be the best we’ve ever had– from world-class aerialists to the world’s strongest mom, there’s something to delight everyone, young, old, and in between. It’s a jawdroppingly, entertaining night out from the minute you enter the tent through the last somersault on the flying trapeze.”
The release noted that the Big Top can seat 1,700 people and is modelled after the traditional European “One Ring” circus, an intimate setting where no one is more than 50 feet away from the ring. This year features a new VIP experience in the Mirror Room, a rare and beautiful circus spiegeltent imported from Denmark. In the Mirror Room, circus-goers can enjoy unlimited all-natural popcorn, cotton candy, the Big Apple Circus specialty cocktail and other amenities.
For more information, visit www.valleyforge.org/ big-apple-circus. Tickets are available at https:// www.ticketmaster.com/ venue/16892.