BELLO MANIA to Return to New Vic, 4/15-5/1

The world-renowned gravity-defying comic daredevil with the foot-high hair returns to The New Victory Theater in Bello Mania, now with even more derring-do! Bello Nock, named "America's Best Clown" by TIME magazine, will loom over the audience on a 44-foot sway pole in one of his many eye-popping stunts. This revamped incarnation of Bello's Drama Desk-nominated spectacular comes to the New Vic April 15 - May 1.

Bello Mania-the only circus of its kind appearing in Manhattan this spring-will feature aerial acts, mystifying magic and more, including awe-inducing crowd favorites like topsy-turvy tricks, high wire hijinks and, of course, audience participation! Bello Mania will also showcase the superb talents of Bello's daughter, Annaliese Nock, who recently set an inspiring Guinness World Record when she completed four somersaults in the Wheel of Wonder over the course of one minute, making her the first female ever to successfully attempt this impressive feat.

Hailed for his physical and comedic prowess, Bello-whose repertoire includes virtually every major thrill act possible-redefines what it means to be a modern-day clown. "I have never been one to follow the norm. I don't expect up-and-coming performers to do the crazy sort of stunts I do, but my hope is to inspire new generations to find what makes them unique and push the boundaries of what they can offer to this wonderful art form called the circus," says Bello. An honorary New Yorker, Bello's unique connection to the City is drawn from his long history as a circus performer, as well as his appearances in nail-biting stunts at popular New York City landmarks. Bello has hung by his toes from a helicopter flying over the Statue of Liberty, walked a high wire from the New York City Ballet to Avery Fisher Hall, rappelled off of Madison Square Garden and even ridden an elephant through the Midtown Tunnel.

Bello, who also designs and constructs all of his equipment, was featured in The New York Times for his one-of-a-kind thrill creation, The Double Wheel of Steel. Another one of Bello's creations, the Aqua-trap, is in its seventh production at SeaWorld San Diego. Recently, Bello appeared on the Impractical Jokers Live Punishment anniversary special on TruTV, where he designed, rigged and trained the Jokers for their High Wire competition. Additionally, Bello writes, produces and directs. Most recently, he was a producer on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Cheap Trick's Dream Police Live. Nock was also creative director and talent provider for Universal Studios Japan's Rainbow Circus, which won a Brass Ring Award in November 2013.

In Bello Mania, Bello and his daughter Annaliese Nock are joined on stage joined onstage by show host Dinny McGuire and performers Shawn Roth and Michael Karas. His wife, Jennifer, is the writer and director while David Miller is set designer, Guido Naus is musical director, Kay Torralva and Wriic's Costume Arts designed the costumes and Steve Curtis is safety officer and technical director.