The New York Times - Highly Recommended
"...The big top of the Big Apple Circus, crammed into a corner of the Lincoln Center plaza, is not exactly gargantuan. But it's large enough to host prancing stallions, capering dogs, a couple of clowns, a score of swirling hula hoops and throngs of leaping acrobats. If Big Apple lacks the scope and scale of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey juggernaut, it neatly avoids bombast and overkill, too. This year's show, "Big Apple Circus: The Grand Tour," is friendly, beguiling and emphatically humane, from the smallest poodle to the tallest stilt walker."
NY Daily News - Highly Recommended
"...Stopovers in London, Asia, Arabia and beyond cue up a stream of routines. Hip-swiveling hula-hooper Chiara Anastasini gets things going by turning herself into a giant Slinky. Don't try that at home, kids. Juggler Alexander Koblikov is so elegant and flawless he looks like he's CGI, but it's really him."
Village Voice - Highly Recommended
"...This season's version of the homegrown, one-ring Big Apple Circus, The Grand Tour, is unusually sophisticated and beautiful, due in no small part to Oana Botez's costumes, Maruti Evans's set designs, and the thoroughly integrated conception of Joel Jeske, one of the clowns, and director Mark Lonergan. Jeske and Brent McBeth, along with ringmaster John Kennedy Kane, shepherd spectators in high Roaring Twenties style, making stops for dog-and-pony shows, juggling, hyper-Hula-Hoops, and other sleek attractions."
TheaterScene.net - Highly Recommended
"...Enthralling highlights of this two-act extravaganza included Chiara Anastasini in a black Senorita dress twirling a hula-hoop and then many of them, resulting in a giant Slinky. Jenny Vidbel in a gold flapper dress assisted by Emily McGuire with a multitude of adorable dogs who danced, ran, jumped through hoops, and a poodle who rides a scooter. They later returned with a six Arabian horses that strode and pranced with precision. Sailor-suited Alexander Koblikov performed an incredible ball juggling act. Wearing floral frock coats that they shed and Oriental beanies, the Asian Energy Trio did amazing handstands. Eric and Jayson Dominguez performed death-defying feats on a swirling wonder wheel. Sergey Akimov breathtakingly flew through the tent on aerial straps. The athletic Dosov Troupe performed amazing stunts on a teeterboard and mats."
Stage Buddy - Highly Recommended
"...Director Mark Lonergan has crafted a tight, fast-paced show, with no dull moments. An outing with The Big Apple Circus will not disappoint, whether your aim is to laugh, be amazed, or introduce your children to the circus. Just don't deny them one of those plastic spinning flashing toys; that's all part of the magic."
Mom In The City - Highly Recommended
"...My family loves the Big Apple Circus. I am constantly amazed at how the producers are able to pull together such wonderful new programs each year."
