BIG APPLE CIRCUS to Welcome Global Acts for Return to Lincoln Center

BigTop Works, the new producers of BIG APPLE CIRCUS, have announced the full lineup of global artists and acts joining ten-time world record-holding high wire artist Nik Wallenda and fan favorite Grandma the Clown for BIG APPLE CIRCUS's triumphant return.

With its 40th Anniversary season, the circus returns to its longtime home at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, where it will begin performances on October 27, 2017, with an opening night celebration on Sunday, October 29. This season's New York City engagement runs through Sunday, January 7, 2018, and will continue all of the organization's special community outreach shows, for which the 'Circus With A Heart' has become known. The National Tour will launch immediately following The New York engagement.

World renowned for its one-ring, intimate & artistic style, where no seat is more than 50 feet from the performers, BIG APPLE CIRCUS is passionate about revitalizing the circus for modern-day audiences with unique and astounding human feats, innovative design and technology.

The 40th anniversary season program will feature the famous seven-person pyramid on the high wire with Nik Wallenda and The Fabulous Wallendas and the daring quadruple somersault attempted on the trapeze by The Flying Tunizianis - the first time in circus history that both legendary feats will be performed under the same big top.

The record-setting acts will be joined by BIG APPLE fan favorite Grandma the Clown and her comedic sidekick Joel Jeske, as well as Dandino & Luciana, a dynamic duo who combine speed, acrobatics and daredevil grace on rollerskates; award-winning contortionist Elayne Kramer; master juggler Gamal Garcia; Yeneneh Tesfaye's African Russian Bar act; acclaimed acrobats The Anastasini Brothers; Ringmaster Ty McFarlan; and circus trainer & presenter Jenny Vidbel, who will perform in the ring with 16 horses and ponies, as well as rescue dogs.

Outside of the ring, BIG APPLE CIRCUS will continue to honor the essential & iconic characteristics that have set them apart for the past four decades with multiple community outreach programs and a vital no-wild-animals policy. Circus of the Senses offers special enhanced experiences for audiences with autism, visual and auditory challenges. The special performances include ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices with live audio commentary, pre- & post-show touch therapy experiences, and a Braille program book. Sensory-friendly performances for Autistic audience members will feature lowered light and sound levels, a descriptive picture book showing the different areas and acts involved with the circus, and a "calming center" that can be accessed at any point during the show. As part of the Circus for All initiative, eleven performances throughout the ten-week run will offer $10 tickets for every seat in the house to underprivileged children and underserved schools.

The BIG APPLE CIRCUS 40th Anniversary season is directed by Mark Lonergan, artistic director of three-time Drama Desk Award-nominated physical theater company Parallel Exit, with choreography and associate direction by Antoinette DiPietropolo and music direction by Rob Slowik. Tony Award-winning Lighting Designer Jeff Croiter (Peter and the Starcatcher, Something Rotten!), Scenic Designer Anita La Scala and Rob Bissinger of ARDA Studio, and Drama Desk-nominated Costume Designer Amy Clark (Heathers: The Musical, Chaplin) come together to create a most vibrant environment to fit the momentous occasion of the circus's return.

Tickets are now on-sale at www.BigAppleCircus.com. The regular performance schedule is Wednesdays at 11am & 7pm; Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 11am, 3pm & 7pm; Saturdays at 11am, 3pm & 7pm; and Sundays at 11am & 3pm. As there are some schedule variances, please refer to the most up-to-date calendar on the website. Special holiday week schedule changes are as follows: from Monday, December 25-Wednesday, December 26, performances are at 12pm & 4pm; Thursday, December 28 & Friday, December 29 at 12pm & 7pm; Saturday, December 30 at 12pm & 4pm; Sunday, December 31 at 12pm & 9:30pm. The ticket range is $35 - $150 VIP Ringside tickets.

Cities and dates for the National Tour of the 40th Anniversary Season will be announced in early fall.

The official tent raising at Lincoln Center will take place on October 18, 2017.

BIG APPLE CIRCUS was founded in 1977 by circus performers Paul Binder and Michael Christensen with a mission to present authentic and thrilling circus arts, in the intimacy of the one-ring Big Top, where no seat is more than fifty feet from the performers. In addition to its world-renowned reputation for presenting exceptionally unique and astounding acts, BIG APPLE CIRCUS - known as the 'Circus With A Heart' - has distinguished itself by demonstrating a strong social conscience in its programming, maintaining a vital no wild or exotic animals policy. Additionally, BIG APPLE CIRCUS offers numerous community outreach programs including Circus of the Senses, sensory-friendly performances, and Circus for All, which provides $10 tickets to underprivileged children and underserved schools. BigTop Works, the new owners of BIG APPLE CIRCUS, share a passion for, and history with, the circus arts and look forward to honoring the legacy of its 40-year history. For more information, visit www.BigAppleCircus.com.