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  • 11.06.2016

    what’s the big apple without the circus?

    • Description

      There’s a whole lot of talk these days in the circus industry about the price of bagels. “What the heck do bagels have to do with the circus?” you may ask. Well, quite honestly, nothing. But they are indeed an excellent metaphor. In 1981, the first season that the Big Apple Circus played its yearly engagement at Lincoln Center, the price of a bagel was 35¢ at New York City’s own Zabar’s. The price of admission to the Big Apple Circus? $25. Present day, that very same bagel costs $1.66. Which, through a handy mixture of math and reading other articles, mostly the latter, means that admission to the circus is now $118. Right?

      Wrong.

      A ticket to the Big Apple Circus currently averages just $50, and it’s a great value for a greatshow.


      But with handling of the financial crisis and natural disasters that admittedly missed the mark, the Big Apple Circus, the tri-state area’s very own circus, is in very serious trouble. So much trouble, in fact, that if they are unable to raise $2 million (yes, MILLION), their tent will not be raised another season. How can we let this happen? Quite simply, we can’t.

      For my money, the Big Apple Circus is the best show around. A classic European style one-ring American circus (trust me, that makes sense) under the big top, your senses come to life as soon as you enter, as an innate air of tradition fills you with wonder and anticipation. The well crafted sets, along with the best live band in the circus industry, are clear indicators of the product which the folks at Big Apple plan to display year in and year out. And then there’s the cast; Big Apple searches the globe each year to bring in the freshest, most talented acts each and every season. They also have a history of employing some of the best clowns in the business, from Barry Lubin, Dick Monday, Tiffany Riley, Jeffrey Gordon, Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone (the Acrobuffos), Glen Heroy, and Mark Gindick, all the way to this season’s featured funnymen Joel Jeske and his right hand fool Brent McBeth. You’re always in for a good bit of comedy relief.

      This season’s The Grand Tour (coincidentally created and written by Mr. Jeske), has received rave reviews. I can tell you from my own experience, as it was our first official family circus trip, that it was absolutely wonderful. With so many changes going on in the circus world nowadays, it would be a huge loss to no longer be able to visit the beautiful Big Apple Circus tent. Those in the know have been aware that Big Apple has been hurting financially for several years now. They’ve fought, valiantly, to continue to bring us the very best circus one can witness. But now they’re standing on a steep edge, and the wind is picking up. The time for action is now.

       

      The Cobblepot family on our first group trip to the Big Apple Circus

      So… what can you and I do? In short, make a (tax-deductible) donation. The Big Apple Circus has set up a fundraiser at www.SaveTheCircus.org where you can go donate any dollar amount to the cause. In a few short days, they have already raised about 25% of the money needed, so I’m very hopeful. But donating may also not be enough. Without spreading the word, their efforts could still fall short. So please, donate if you can, but by all means share this blog and the Save The Circus link on your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds. Tell your friends about it in conversation. Do whatever you can to get the word out there.

      The twinkle of amazement and awe I saw in my children’s eyes when they were watching the show still puts a smile on my face almost four months later. I want to be able to see that same twinkle for many years to come, as I’m sure any parent would. And, frankly, I’m sure the very same twinkle is in my eyes every time I enter their big top. So let’s all join together and help the Big Apple Circus. They’ve always been there for us, haven’t they?

      To read the NY Times article on this story, click here.
      To read founder and artistic director Paul Binder’s blog on this story, click here.

      On a personal, separate note, I have been training to run in my first ever 5k. I’ve decided that the right thing to do is try and raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If you would like to contribute to Run With Archie, you can do so by clicking here. Thank you!

      ARCHIE COBBLEPOT

      https://archiecobblepot.wordpress.com/2016/06/10/whats-the-big-apple-without-the-circus/