Atlas Circus Company Launches Debut With World Premiere Of THE OPTIMIST

The circus is coming! Atlas Circus Company (Noah Dach, Co-Founder/Artistic Director; Henry Evans. Co-Founder/Artistic Director) launches its New York debut and residency with the world premiere of a new work, The Optimist, written by Noah Dach, Henry Evans, and Tommy McCarthy, members of the company dedicated to reinventing the American circus, for two performances only, February 17 & 18, 2017 at 10:00 p.m. at Dixon Place (161 Chrystie Street). Tickets now on sale.

Directed and choreographed by Noah Dach, with creative director Henry Evans and assistant director Tommy McCarthy, the six-member ensemble of performers includes Leo Abel (Babel), Ivory Fox (Bindlestiff Family Circus), Matt Greenfield (Cirque du Soleil), Sarah Jean Kaye (Jacob's Pillow), Ara Kocharyan (Circus Warehouse), and Samantha Sterman (Ecole Leotard).

The Optimist tells the story of a man sitting in a bar waiting for his long lost love to return. He holds tight to his drink and reminisces about the night they first met at this bar. Peer through the lens of one man's memories as he grapples for a greater understanding of his past, and the twisted road that brings him to the present. Leap into the narrative of The Optimist explored through high-flying acrobatic feats, dart throwing, dancing, physical comedy, and magic. Join Atlas Circus Company to experience a world of imagination from a time gone by brimming with excitement, romance, comedy, sexuality, booze, and the beauty of life.

The creative team includes AnDrew Carey (Scenic Designer), Rebecca Bitondo (Costume Designer), with Cody Johnson (Production Stage Manager), and Amanda Moretz (Assistant Choreographer).

Atlas Circus Company challenges the current framework of circus by placing an emphasis on meaningful narrative. The company's artistic mission is to create works that will appeal to people of all ages by utilizing a unique combination of dance, theater, and circus arts as an artistic medium that audiences can connect to on a social, political and personal level. The company strives to be a leader in American circus and to facilitate the next generation of American circus artists. The goal is to bring circus arts to mainstream America and educate the community to the boundless possibilities that circus arts can provide.

"We are thrilled to be bringing Atlas Circus Company to New York audiences," stated Noah Dach, Co-Founder and Artistic Director. "We can't wait to take our company to the next level and continue the journey of reinventing the American circus."

Henry Evans, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Atlas Circus Company added, "The Optimist is the first of many projects planned for our New York residencies." He went on to add, "We also hope to implement education and outreach for circus in New York, then the rest of America."

Tickets for the The Optimist are priced at $15 in advance, $18 at the door, and $12 for students, and available online at http://dixonplace.org/performances/the-optimist/

For additional information on Atlas Circus Company, please visit www.atlascircus.com.