Culture

Circus

CIRCUS is a six-hour series that takes you on an unforgettable trip with the legendary Big Apple Circus. From the big top to the "back lot," explore a distinctive world with its own rules, lingo and no fixed address. Follow the diverse characters who make up the Big Apple family and find out what it really means to live life in the ring.

Down the Road

53m 11s

Amid the final performances, we hear about everyone's plans for the future. Many will be leaving Big Apple Circus. Some have consciously chosen a different path. Others have no idea what they're going to do next. As the trailers pull out of the lot, and the tent comes down for the last time, we join in the time-honored circus farewell: not "goodbye," but "see you down the road."

Episodes

  • Down the Road: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Down the Road

    S1 E6 - 53m 11s

    Amid the final performances, we hear about everyone's plans for the future. Many will be leaving Big Apple Circus. Some have consciously chosen a different path. Others have no idea what they're going to do next. As the trailers pull out of the lot, and the tent comes down for the last time, we join in the time-honored circus farewell: not "goodbye," but "see you down the road."

  • Born to be Circus: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Born to be Circus

    S1 E5 - 53m 41s

    Many performers who grew up in the circus find it difficult to imagine another kind of life. Luciano and Gladis Anastasini who are in charge of this year's dog act, are no exception. Seven generations of circus performers have preceded them. Both grew up in the circus, and it is the only life they have ever known. The question is, will their sons Adriano and Brando carry on the family legacy?

  • Survival of the Fittest: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Survival of the Fittest

    S1 E4 - 53m 41s

    We're in New York's Lincoln Center. The snow is coming down and the garden hoses that supply running water to the trailers are frozen solid. Still, the show goes on. Circus life can be a grind - and it isn't for everyone. A crewman, a trapeze artist, and even Artistic Director Paul Binder weigh their options and contemplate making a transition to the "real world."

  • Change On!: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Change On!

    S1 E3 - 53m 41s

    On the eve of the first performance, a pivotal act is cut and the performers sent packing. Tensions are running high. Making matters worse, a seasoned company regular has been diagnosed with cancer and will drop out of the show. Lackluster ticket sales are not helping the situation. The next stop is New York City and as the trailers hit the road again, everyone knows what's at stake.

  • One Ring Family: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    One Ring Family

    S1 E2 - 53m 41s

    The clock is ticking down to the first full dress rehearsal in Walden, but the show is nowhere near ready. As the pressure ratchets up, and the fate of the performers and the show hangs in the balance, we get inside the dynamics of the Big Apple family, watching relationships begin to gel, and tracking developing rivalries and romances.

  • First of May: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    First of May

    S1 E1 - 53m 41s

    Walden, New York is home base of the Big Apple Circus. Here, the 150 members of the company gather from all over the country and the world to put together a new show for their year-long, town-to-town tour. As the sets are built, costumes designed and fitted, acts rehearsed and refined, we get acquainted with the members of the Big Apple family.

Extras + Features

  • Walden Is...: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Walden Is...

    2m 17s

    The company talks about the town of Walden, New York, home base of the Big Apple Circus.

  • The Early Years: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Early Years

    4m 28s

    Get to know co-founders Paul Binder and Michael Christensen, as they take you down memory lane to the early days of their partnership, long before the Big Apple Circus ever existed, when they were just a pair of street jugglers.

  • Meet La Luz: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Meet La Luz

    3m 4s

    Big Apple Circus electrician Raul Lancheros, affectionately nicknamed "La Luz," used to fly trapeze before a career-ending injury forced him to find other means of work. As a teenager, La Luz ran away to join the circus, and hasn't seen his family since. After years of searching, La Luz finally locates his family and anxiously looks forward to a reunion that's 50 years in the making.

  • Tommy Gets a Tattoo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Tommy Gets a Tattoo

    4m 13s

    Tommy Decoteau is known for his body art. The tattoos are memorabilia from important times in his life... and now, he's ready to get one that commemorates his new home, the Big Apple Circus.

  • Meet Paul Binder: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Meet Paul Binder

    1m 9s

    Big Apple co-founder "Mr. Paul" is both the leader of the troupe and one of its most recognizable personalities in the ring.

  • Show of Force on the Lot: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Show of Force on the Lot

    5m 30s

    Behind-the-scenes moments of the Show of Force production team as they undertake a year-long endeavor to make the series CIRCUS.

  • Meet Glen Heroy: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Meet Glen Heroy

    52s

    Circus clown Glen Heroy is starting his first season with the Big Apple Circus. He talks about realizing his dream of performing in the ring and how he tries to project his clown personal while performing.

  • Meet Sarah Schwarz: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Meet Sarah Schwarz

    1m

    Sara talks about the feeling of wire walking and the moment she fell in love with the circus.

  • The Heart of a Clown: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Heart of a Clown

    2m 53s

    There are many notions and misperceptions about clowns, when in fact, they are characters with a depth beyond the makeup or wig they put on. Find out how Big Apple clowns Barry, Mark and Glen discovered their inner clown.

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