<a id="aptureLink_35fQBg5I7t" style="float: left; padding: 0px 6px;" href="http://apture.s3.amazonaws.com/0000012b83fac297ff9b7fad007f000000000001.Rob%20Torres%2001.JPG"><img class="alignleft" style="border: 0px none; margin: 8px;" title="Big Apple Circus" src="http://apture.s3.amazonaws.com/0000012b83fac297ff9b7fad007f000000000001.Rob%20Torres%2001.JPG" alt="" width="300px" height="200px" /></a>Can you recall the last time you saw acrobats?  Or dancing horses?  What about the last time you ate cotton candy?

One of my favorite activities as a kid was going to the circus with my family.  The lights, the sounds, the performers (animals, too!) -- absolutely everything was marvelous!  It was everything the big-time three-ring circus company promised it would be; each time, I was on an emotional high for days afterward.

It was only natural then, after being alerted to New York's original one-ring show, <a id="aptureLink_plmupfXQzb" href="http://www.bigapplecircus.org/">Big Apple Circus</a>, that I would be willing to take my own kids to see some of the hottest performers.  Watching a show under a Big Top where all seats are no more than FIFTY FEET from the ring?  What're you kidding me??  No-brainer, there, so I dragged my two kids and my parents to the show in <a id="aptureLink_oYgKr7UXQF" href="http://www.bigapplecircus.org/tickets/venue.aspx?id=5818">Manville, NJ</a>.

Three words to describe the experience, according to my 9-year-old son:

<strong>BIG.  AWESOME.  FUN.</strong>

Leading the pack was <a id="aptureLink_pOohxBlmI6" style="float: right; padding: 0px 6px;" href="http://apture.s3.amazonaws.com/0000012b8439c37afb60f258007f000000000001.Kevin%20Venardos%2001.JPG"><img class="alignright" style="border: 0px none; margin: 8px;" title="Kevin Venardos" src="http://apture.s3.amazonaws.com/0000012b8439c37afb60f258007f000000000001.Kevin%20Venardos%2001.JPG" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a><strong>Ringmaster, Kevin Venardos:</strong> Although he exudes charisma and is quite possibly the tallest guy I've ever seen, I was sorely disappointed not to have had <a id="aptureLink_E4zspFGLuQ" href="http://www.bellonock.com/">Bello</a> in that spot.  Sorry, Kevin.

Definitely worth noting:

The <em>Hebei Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe</em> from China — My family was super-impressed by their lasso act!

The <em>X Bud Roses Troupe</em> from Mongolia — WOW!  Some of the best contortionists I have ever seen (which isn't many, but.. still...); although, I don't really want to know how they are able to get their bodies to do that.

My favorite performer, hands-down, was "International Man of Mirth", a rather simple (but highly enjoyable) act performed by Rob Torres.  (You can see Rob in the picture at the top of this post.)  His voice was <span class="removed_link" title="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV_r7OXPhkI">Bean</span>-like, and his facial expressions and body movements were gut-busting.  One of the funniest parts of the act was when Rob picked a tough-looking guy out of the audience to take part with him.  Hilarity ensued!

My only complaint is that the Junior Mints were OLD.  And, by old, I mean VERY OLD.  I opened a box of what should have been a tasty treat, I was greeted, instead, by a stale mess of yuck.  I did attempt to exchange them, but the next box was just as bad.  I ended up getting two mini-bags of Cracker Jack instead.

Junior Mints aside, my kids and parents and I enjoyed ourselves so much, I plan on going every "season"... maybe next time I'll try the show at the Lincoln Center in New York City!  This relatively small company of performers amazed me that could do so much!

<strong>New Jersey friends ONLY: Use promo code MOMMY11 for a sweet discount when ordering your tickets in the mezz, box and (some) ringside seating!  <a id="aptureLink_eUETyoI468" href="http://bigapplecircus.org/mommyNJ.aspx">Save up to $25 when you buy your tickets now</a>!  Would you rather call?  Dial 1-888-541-3750 and mention code MOMMY11.</strong>

<strong>NEW!  For New York friends: <strong>Use promo code MOMMY11 for a tasty discount when ordering your tickets online</strong>: <a href="http://bigapplecircus.org/mommy11LC.aspx" target="_blank">http://bigapplecircus.org/mommy11LC.aspx</a>.  Or, call <strong> </strong>1-888-541-3750 and mention code <strong>MOMMY11.</strong></strong>

<em>The Big Apple Circus Dance On! is in New Jersey for a few more days!  Catch them in Manville through October 11, 2010.  After the New Jersey tour ends, join the performers at New York City’s Lincoln Center, from Thursday, October 21st through Sunday, January 9th, 2011. Further dates and venues for the tour will be announced at a later date. Tickets for Dance On! are available by calling (888) 541-3750 or at </em><a id="aptureLink_HjMX7HmTpk" href="http://www.bigapplecircus.org/">www.bigapplecircus.org</a><em>. For groups of 15 people or more, for inquiries about wheelchair–accessible seating or for any more information please call the Ticket Info Line at (800) 922-3772. The Big Top is air-conditioned in warm weather and heated during cold months, for all–season comfort.</em>

<em>Disclosure:  I received five tickets from Big Apple Circus to the NJ show at no cost to me in exchange for an honest review and to introduce my readers to the shows in NJ and NY.  All opinions are my own.
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