featuring & “Grandma” Welcome to the

of

1 Welcome to the

On behalf of all the performers, administrative staff, design team and crew, we welcome you to this very special production of the Big Apple . This year marks the 40th Anniversary of a beloved cultural gem that has delighted generations of families during its traditional holiday season at and cities up and down the East Coast and as far west as .

The 40th Anniversary celebrates the rebirth of a New York City and American cultural institution. After declaring bankruptcy in 2016, the seemed destined for extinction. Each of us in front and behind the curtain are honored to be part of this renaissance. The circus transcends all barriers bringing together children and adults of all ages, cultures and faith. For two hours, the world inside the Big Top transforms into a colorful kaleidoscope of wonder, amazement and laughter for all to of share. At the Big Apple Circus, we are committed to continuing the outreach programs so every child will have the opportunity to experience the wonder of the Circus. This year we will be expanding the number of shows adapted for children and young adults with Autism as well as those with hearing and visual challenges through our Circus of the Senses. In addition, we continue our commitment to provide children less fortunate the opportunity to attend the circus.

Welcome back and enjoy the show. All of us at Big Apple Circus thank you for your support and hope you enjoy the magic and thrill of this special 40th Anniversary Show.

Neil Kahanovitz Chairman Big Apple Circus

1 Neil Kahanovitz As a child, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, the answer never changed, “an orthopedic surgeon and a circus performer.” He achieved both dreams. While attending medical school, he took a leave of absence and began performing in a comedy act and later as an aerialist in across the country and Hawaii. Once he graduated, Kahanovitz went on to a distinguished career in the medical field. He has published over 50 articles in scientific journals, written about spinal disorders in eleven medical textbooks and published a book on the care and treatment of low back pain. He has served as President of the North American Spine Society and received the prestigious Volvo Award for Low Back Pain Research, as well as a Commendation from The House Physician’s Office for his care and surgery performed on members of the United States Supreme Court and Congress. He was also awarded one of the ’s most prestigious civilian honors, The Order of The Supreme Soviet Medal of Personal Courage, for organizing relief efforts following a devastating earthquake in Armenia. Despite the success of his medical career, his show business interests resurfaced in the late 1990’s. He has since produced plays and musicals on Broadway, in ’s West End, Chicago, Los Angeles and Off-Broadway. He is thrilled to bring the BIG APPLE CIRCUS back to its rightful place among the most cherished of New York City’s cultural icons. And for a chance to run away with the circus. Not once, but twice! Michael Couper Prior to joining the Big Apple Circus, Michael held leadership positions at Sony, Disney, NBC Universal and Miramax. He was also the founder of Magniture Capital Ventures, a successful New York based consulting firm. His 20 plus year history of consistently delivering stellar results comes from his ability to manage and motivate cross-functional teams, develop innovative opportunities, structure acquisitions, quickly assess and resolve the challenges of a new business venture and negotiate creative partnerships.

He has a B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University and a M.B.A. from Wayne State University. He currently resides in New York, NY.

Michael finds his oler as CEO of the Big Apple Circus as both exciting and rewarding and he welcomes all to the Big Apple Circus 40th Anniversary 2 Season. 3 Th is is Big Apple Circus’s 40th Anniversary Season, having been founded by Paul Binder & Michael Christensen in 1977. It’s modeled after the traditional European “One Ring” circus, where no one is more than 50 feet away from the ring The new chairman of Big Apple Circus is a spine surgeon and a former Circus performer – having performed a trampoline act and as an aerialist while in med school!

CIRCUS LEGACIES THE Nik Wallenda is a 7th generation circus performer and his career began at the age of 2, learning to walk BIG TOP TENT & the wire while holding his mother’s hand. BIG TOP VILLAGE Er endira Wallenda is – on her mother’s side – an 8th generation performer of the Ashtons of Australia, The Big Apple Circus’s tent’s masts and the third oldest circus family in the world. On her father’s side, she is the seventh generation of the cupola were created in Castelnuovo Scrivia, Italy Vazquez artists from Mexico, known worldwide as the first to successfully complete the The tent is outfitted with enough seats to sit quadruple somersault. 1,700 people! Gu iliano & Fabio Anastisini are 9th generation circus performers and learned the act from their There are 58 trailers that travel with the Circus, father 56 of which will be placed in Lincoln Center The Garcia brothers are 3rd generation circus performers. to house cast, crew, a box office and

concessions. Animal Trainer Jenny Vidbel is 3rd generation animal trainer and performer. Elayne Kramer is 6th generation and began performing at age 4.

THE ACTS Bi g Apple Circus will make history in their 40th anniversary season by featuring 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. Barry Lubin, who plays Grandma the , is the first professional clown to perform on all 7 continents Grandma has performed in over 25 Big Apple Circus seasons, making him the longest-running Big Apple Circus employee. Ty McFarlan served 13 years in the Army National Guard Headliner Nik Wallenda has broken ten , including the longest tightrope crossing by BICYCLE! Nik has “walked” over , the Grand Canyon, Chicago skyline (blindfolded), and atop the 400ft tall Orlando Eye. Er endira Wallenda (Nik’s wife) broke his record for “iron jaw” this past summer, by hanging from a helicopter, by her teeth, 300 feet above Niagara Falls. This record breaking moment commemorated the 5th Anniversary of Nik’s walk across the Niagara Falls. The circus acts in our show are truly death-defying. Of course, we are very safety-conscious with our humans as well, and have the best technical & safety team available.

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR! ANIMALS There are two sets of brothers in this year’s cast! For over 10 years, Big Thr ee brothers – the Garcias – are in three different acts. Apple Circus has maintained a vital Dandino (the oldest) is in the roller-skating act; Gamal (middle) is no wild or exotic animals policy, and the juggler; and Ammed is a flyer in the trapeze act. most of the animals in the featured acts The Anastasini Brothers (Guiliano, age 27 & Fabio, age 20) are rescues. have been performing professionally together for 10 years. The horses, ponies and dogs that There are 3 married couples performing in the show together: appear in the show are all a part of our 3rd generation animal trainer  Nik & Erendira Wallenda in the high-wire act (The Fabulous Jenny Vidbel’s family. Wallendas) Am med & Estefani Garcia in the trapeze act (The Flying Tunizianis) Dandino & Luciana Garcia in the roller-skating act. Se veral of the acts have young children, who live and travel with Big Apple Circus. This year, there are 7 children under the age of 5 and one teenager that will be along for the ride!

 2 3 ACT 1

Opening Rola Bola Grandma’s Back Horses Music Gag Trapeze

Intermission

4 5 Tyron “Ty” McFarlan Ringmaster

4 5 Jan Damm Rola Bola

6 7 Grandma Grandma’s Back

6 7 Elayne Kramer Contortion

8 9 Behind the Scenes

8 9 Jenny Vidbel

Horses

10 11 Grandma & Mr. Joel Music

10 11 Gamal Garcia Tuniziani

Juggling

12 13 Flying Tunizianis Troupe

Trapeze

12 13 The Cast Cast, Crew & Band

14 15 14 15 ACT 2

Lip Sync Roller Skating Horns Dogs Water Gag Risley Highwire Finale

16 17 ACT 2 Grandma Lip Sync

Lip Sync Roller Skating Horns Dogs Water Gag Risley Highwire Finale

16 17 Dandino & Luciana Roller Skating

18 19 Grandma Horns

18 19 Jenny Vidbel Dogs

20 21 Grandma & Mr. Joel Water Gag

20 21 The Anastasini Bros. Risley

22 23 The Wallendas Highwire

22 23 Big Apple is a touchstone of This circus means so much to New American circus. I couldn’t be York and the generations of families prouder to participate in the that have come back year after year. revival of a circus institution It feels amazing to simply say to them, that’s touched generations. “We’re back!” Let’s have fun! JOEL JESKE: WRITER/CLOWN JAN DAMM: ROLA BOLA

Finale

Circus artists are some of the most incredible performers I have had the pleasure of designing for. I couldn’t be more excited to help bring these acts to life and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Big Apple Circus. Thank you for letting me be a part of this great tradition and for keeping the circus alive. AMY CLARK: COSTUME DESIGNER

Over the past 10 years, much of the success of my career has been It’s like a dream come true to return to the Big Apple through individual walks and events, always with the focus of using Circus for the 40th Anniversary show. After 25 years technology, exotic locations, and daring stunts to bring the classic with the original company, I left in 2012 to pursue other circus arts to a new generation. I am exceedingly grateful for the dreams, but my dreams kept returning to the beautiful successes I have had, but at the same time, I was heartbroken as many ring we have all come to know and love. The finest traditional circuses closed their doors, culminating with the shuttering circus artists in the world, and our audiences of all ages of Ringling Bros, the very show that brought my family to the United will get to experience our joyful return to the great cities States. Perhaps that is why it was so special to me to be invited by the we played before, and to new places that have never Big Apple Circus to headline this 40th edition. The owners, producers, seen the finest circus in the world. I am excited, to say and performers share my passion for the circus industry, and they aspire the least. Grandma is thrilled to return to that familiar to bring to a new generation the true artistry of this profession. With place where dreams, fun, and a celebration of all that is the intimate setting of the single ring tent, I am excited to bring my possible come true. The thrill of the sawdust! The NEW family together to perform the 7-person pyramid for this tour, bringing Big Apple Circus. I dedicate my 40th Anniversary season the audience closer than ever before to this feat. On behalf of myself to my dearly departed friend, Joel Dein, who was an and the entire cast of the Big Apple Circus, we will never give up on our integral part of the Circus and my life for many years. efforts to inspire and amaze each and every audience member attending BARRY LUBIN: GRANDMA the Big Apple Circus. NIK WALLENDA

24 25 The Performers Ammed Tuniziani Elayne Kramer Ammed Tuniziani is the featured flyer and leader 25 year-old Elayne Kramer is a 6th generation circus of the Flying Tunizianis troupe. Hailing from performer from Argentina. She is a world-renowned a third generation circus family in Venezuela, contortionist/hand balancer. Elayne started her training Ammed is the youngest of 5 brothers and at the young age of 4. She was passionate about the founded the Flying Tunizianis. family business and was excited to perform in the circus ring. At 10, she made her debut as a contortionist and Since 2014, Ammed has continued the act with his wife began her career. At 12, she was invited to compete in Estefani Evans, who is also a featured flyer in the act. They have two her first circus competition in the international circus festival of Latina, children: 5 year-old Davi and 3 year-old Alysha. Italy, where she placed 2nd. She has performed in over 20 countries in circuses, circus festivals, dinner shows, and special events. She has Ammed has performed in a wide array of shows, including: Circus Circus appeared on TV shows, including: The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Kelly Casino; Circus Vargas; ; and for the last 4 years, Ringling Ripa Show, Super Humans, and many more. She has also appeared in Bros. Ammed has been flying for 17 years and has perfected some of the magazines and newspapers, such as People Magazine, Italian Fashion most difficult tricks on the flying trapeze, including: the double twisting Magazine La Republica, and USA Today. double somersault, the triple tuck and triple pike. In 2017, he began performing the seldom attempted quadruple somersault and is only the Erendira Wallenda ninth person in history to catch this trick which will be the main feature of Erendira Vasquez Wallenda is an eighth generation this year’s act at the Big Apple Circus. Ammed lives in Las Vegas, and is performer on her mother’s side and a descendent of the excited to be part of the new season with Big Apple Circus. Ashton circus family of Australia, which is the third oldest circus family in the world. On her father’s side, she is Barry Lubin / Grandma the Clown a seventh generation member of the Vazquez trapeze Barry Lubin has enjoyed 5 seasons traveling with Ringling artists from Mexico, who are known worldwide as the Bros., a three-year stand-up comedy stint in San Diego, first to successfully complete the quadruple somersault. Los Angeles, , and New York, and 25 seasons with Erendira is a member of the world famous “Fabulous Wallendas” circus New York’s famed one ring circus, the Big Apple Circus, troupe, which traces its performing roots back seven generations on her where he became the “Face of the Big Apple Circus.” husband Nik’s side to the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1780. Barry has continued to bring Grandma to audiences in theaters, on television, in festivals, and in other circuses Gamal Garcia Tuniziani in America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. In Europe, he starred in Stars en Gamal Garcia Tuniziani was born in Venezuela and is Der Manege, which was broadcast in 8 European markets. Barry twice a third generation circus performer. He is the son of starred in Circo Massimo in Italy, and has made numerous international magician Abdiel Garcia and acrobat Janet Tuniziani. television appearances. In the US, Barry has appeared on PrimeTime He started juggling at a young age and at 16, Gamal Live, and on national broadcasts of the morning programs on NBC, CBS, began performing in a flying trapeze act with his four and ABC. Additional television appearances include, PBS’ Evening at brothers who founded the Flying Tunizianis. His juggling Pops, four appearances on The Late Night with David Letterman, and a debut was with the famous Mexican circus, Atayde Bros. feature on PBS’s mini-series, Circus, produced by Show of Force, among Since then, Gamal has traveled around the world performing in a variety many others. of shows, including: circuses, theater, television, festivals, and casinos. Gamal lives in Las Vegas with his wife Marcela and their two children. Barry was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 2002, the Sarasota Ring of Fame in 2012, and the International Circus Hall of Jan Damm Fame in 2016. In 2007, he received the Lou Jacobs Lifetime Achievement With encouragement from his parents, Jan Damm began Award. Barry has twice appeared in the International Circus Festival of performing children’s juggling shows in central Maine Monte Carlo. He has also performed in International Circus Festivals in when he was 12 years old. As a young man, he trained Hungary, , Izhevsk and , Russia, and most recently in at Maine’s Celebration Barn Theater with Fritz Grobe the China International Circus Festival. Barry is one of only two American and Avner Eisenberg. After college, an impromptu street to appear in the 80-year history of the prestigious Wintercirckus performing tour in Canada kicked off an international of Circus Krone in Munich, where he was named, “The World’s Funniest circus career as a clown, acrobat and juggler. While Grandma.” Barry’s 15 appearances both live and on NBC in the Macy’s training in San Francisco, he developed his unique and exciting ‘rola Thanksgiving Day Parade earned him the Legend of the Parade award. bola’ balancing act with help from master coaches Lu Yi, John Gilkey He was the fifth person in the parade’s history to receive this award. and Jeff Raz. His credits include: headlining Silhouette, a show on Celebrity Cruises; ’s Festival Complement Cirque and Midnight In January 2017, Barry became the first clown in history to perform on all Circus; playing on Broadway with Cirque Mechanics; and performance seven continents after he sailed to Antarctica and performed a show on intervention work in Haiti and Lebanon with Clowns Without Borders. He’s the Antarctic Peninsula. been a coach for the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour, appeared on David Letterman, and worked with Circus Bella, Circus Zoppe, Tandy Beal, and Barry recently published his memoir, Tall Tales of a Short Clown, Flynn Creek Circus, among others. Jan is thrilled to tour with his wife and (amazon.com) about his remarkable life both inside and outside the performing partner, Ariele Ebacher, and their 1-yr old Timo. magical world of the circus. Jenny Vidbel Barry is most proud of being the father of two beautiful daughters, Jenny Vidbel is a third generation animal trainer. She Danielle and Emily, who have gracefully navigated the world having to learned the art of animal communication from her explain that their father is also a Grandma. grandfather, one of the greatest animal communicators of his time. While Jenny grew up among a wide variety of Dandino and Luciana Garcia domestic and exotic animals, her true love and passion Husband and wife team Dandino and Luciana Garcia was found in the equine family. She trained her first pony are multi-generation performers from Argentina and when she was nine years old. His name was Frisky, and Venezuela. Dandino hails from a third generation circus he was the greatest four-legged teacher she ever had. “He taught me family originally from Sicily. The two combine the worlds patience; he taught me to open my mind to a horse’s point of view, and he of art, dance, , and daredevil skills in their taught me humility,” says Vidbel. Frisky was the beginning of a wonderful original roller-skating act. The Garcias have been frequent adventure and career. Jenny has performed with her troupe of horses and performers in Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Mexico, ponies all over the country. She started adding dogs and farm animals to Hong Kong, Macau, and many other locations around the world. Dandino her animal family when she became involved in animal rescue. She has and Luciana are delighted to be in America performing in this year’s Big been a featured act at Madison Square Garden, and for the last 6 years, Apple Circus for the first time. Jenny and her team were a featured act at the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. Jenny and her animal family spend their time off at her beloved farm in the Catskill Mountains. This is where her retired animals will spend the rest of their lives enjoying 100 acres of green fields, forest and even an apple orchard. Jenny and her group of animal stars are very excited to return to the all-new 24 Big Apple Circus! 25 The Performers, continued

Joel Jeske Ty McFarlan has also tried his hand at acting. He can be seen as a Joel Jeske is delighted to be returning to the Big recurring actor on Warner Bros’ long running television series, One Apple Circus for his third season after creating and Tree Hill, where he plays a character named Charlie. He also landed performing in last season’s The Grand Tour and an episode in one of America’s favorite shows, Army Wives, on the hosting the 2006-2007 tour Step Right Up! Along Lifetime network, where he can be seen playing the character Paul with writing the show and clowning in this year’s 40th Broman. anniversary season of the Big Apple Circus, Joel is a physical comedian, director, teacher, writer, and creator Although Ty enjoys and wishes to continue acting on the silver screen of his own theater shows. With theater company Parallel Exit, he was and performing under the big top, he also plans to pursue his passion nominated for Drama Desk awards in 2006, 2011, and 2015 for creating for pattern-making and clothing design. He hopes that his fresh spin on the shows, Cut to the Chase, Room 17B, and Everybody Gets Cake! cutting edge fashion and movable fabrics will appeal to ‘on the move’ He has appeared on television in Sex in the City, Live with Regis and athletes and modern day daredevils. Kelly, and Late Night With David Letterman; and on film in Two for the Money with Al Pacino and Two Weeks Notice with Sandra Bullock. Internationally, he created and starred in the GOP Variete show EXIT!, and starred with Peter Shub in Shubidu at the Apollo Variete. Joel had the headlining show at the Festival Der Traume in Austria, was featured in the COS Festival in Reus, Spain, and performed at the AEMI International Clown Festival in China. Joel has toured and created clown acts for Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus and Cirque du Soleil. An encyclopedia of comedy knowledge, Joel is committed to passing on the clown tradition to future generations of performers.

Nik Wallenda Nik Wallenda is a 7th generation member of the legendary Wallenda family. Known worldwide for his incredible feats upon the high wire and beyond, Nik is the holder of 10 world records. He achieved the highest 4-level 8-person pyramid on the wire, the highest and longest bicycle ride on a wire, and he hung from a helicopter by his teeth. His career began at the age of 2, when he learned to walk the wire while holding his mother’s hand, which led to record breaking performances across the United Wallenda’s Seven-Person Pyramid States and around the world. In 2012, he fulfilled his lifelong dream In the mid 1940s, family patriarch Karl Wallenda created the Wallendas’ of becoming the only person to walk directly over the precipice of most defining feat on the wire, the 7-person pyramid. Continuing in his Niagara Falls, which was covered live by ABC. In 2013, he became the endeavor to create ever more daring and unique tricks, Karl modeled first person to walk a wire across the Grand Canyon. This epic event his vision for the rest of the family: 7 people, 3 levels. The pyramid was broadcast live by the Discovery Channel in 178 countries, which consists of 4 men on the wire connected by shoulder bars. 2 more men broke network ratings and social media records. During his 2014 TV stand atop those bars, which are connected by yet another shoulder special on the Discovery Channel, Nik set 2 Guinness World Records bar, and finished by 1 woman at the pinnacle. The mere assembly in Chicago for the highest incline and highest blindfolded wire walks. In of the pyramid on the wire requires the highest level of intricacy, and April 2015, he set his latest Guinness World Record, walking atop the crossing the wire requires all seven members to coordinate their 400ft tall Orlando Eye, which was broadcast live on the Today Show. movements as one. In 1947, the Wallendas premiered this epic feat, Nik’s motto is never give up, and he carries this positive message with and for 14 years, it was their defining triumph on the wire. However, him in every walk with the purpose of “inspiring people around the world in 1962, it also became the source of the Wallendas’ greatest tragedy. to follow their dreams.” The pyramid collapsed during a performance in . For years, the 7-person pyramid was relegated to the archives of Wallenda family The Anastasini Brothers lore. However, in 1999, it would again be at the heart of one of the The sons of Giovanni Anastasini and Irene España, Wallendas’ greatest triumphs. Returning to Detroit, to the same arena Giuliano and Fabio Anastasini are ninth generation in which the pyramid had fallen, the 6th and 7th generations of the circus performers. Giuliano and Fabio continue their Wallenda family joined together to pay tribute to the generations that family tradition by performing their amazing icarian had gone before them. They successfully performed the pyramid to the act, which they began practicing in 2004 (and have amazement of sold out audiences and worldwide media. Nik Wallenda, practiced every day since). Their performing has the youngest member in the pyramid at the time, now continues to carry brought them to Europe, Japan, and Australia. the legacy forward. He trains and leads his troupe in performing “the seven,” and he exhibits the spirit of the Wallenda family, who in triumph Tyron “Ty” McFarlan, Ringmaster or tragedy will never give up. Tyron “Ty” McFarlan credits his 13-year tenure as an officer in the Army National Guard and his strict ‘military brat’ upbringing with preparing him to be a ringmaster in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and the emcee of the Greatest Show on Earth.

Ty McFarlan graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in criminal justice and then followed his heart into a theatrical career that included local theatre, TV, films, and finally a stint with a national theater group. This ultimately led to his dream job of becoming the 34th ringmaster in Ringling Bros’ 138-year history.

Besides the thrill of performing live, the things Ty likes most about circus life are its family atmosphere and rich history. “When you think about it, few things in America have more tradition than the circus, which predates baseball, apple pie and Coca Cola.”

26 27 The Performers, continued The Creative Team

Amy Clark (Costume Designer) is a New York- Ragtime at the North Carolina Theatre (winner best choreography based costume designer whose work has been at Triangle Awards), Ragtime in Dallas (multiple nominations and seen on Broadway, regional theaters, television, and awards), Nunsense at Flat Rock Playhouse in Chicago, and Jesus arenas across the country. Amy’s costume designs Christ Superstar, Mamma Mia and Annie for the Engeman Theatre on for Broadway include: A Night With Janis Joplin and Long Island. At the Engeman, she also choreographed The Producers, Chaplin, which received Drama Desk and Outer Critics The Music Man, A Christmas Story, South Pacific, Hairspray, I Love Circle nominations. Other recent designs include: You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and Evita with great accolades Follies at St. Louis Rep, Carefree Dancing with Fred from The New York Times. In addition, Antoinette was the captain of and Ginger Northeast tour, Mr. Wolf at the Cleveland Playhouse, her co-ed cheerleading team, where she earned the title of national Himself and Nora at The Minetta Lane, Heathers The Musical at the champions, while also being an accomplished gymnast. www. New World Stages, Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus Presents AntoinetteDiPietropolo.com. Follow her @antoinettedip Legends, Circus Extreme, Chaplin in St. Petersburg Russia, My Life is a Musical at Bay Street Theater, Somewhere at Hartford Stage, Jeff Croiter ( Lighting Designer) is a Tony Award On Your Toes at City Center Encores!, and The Little Mermaid at the winning lighting designer with over twenty years Papermill Playhouse. Amy received the 2012 Theatre Hall of Fame experience working on Broadway, off-Broadway, dance, Emerging Artists Fellowship and received an MFA in Costume Design opera, special event and touring productions. He has from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. worked extensively for regional theatres in the US and companies all over the world. Broadway productions Anita LaScala (Set Designer) is a production include Bandstand; Falsettos; Holiday Inn; Something designer for live entertainment, theater, and special Rotten; Disaster; Penn and Teller; Peter and the Starcatcher; Newsies; events. She co-founded ARDA Studio with Rob The Pee-wee Herman Show; Mothers and Sons; and Next Fall. Bissinger, where they design scenery and concepts. Recent Off Broadway includes The Whirligig; Sweet Charity; Tiny Recent highlights include: Magic Mike Live at the Hard Beautiful Things; All the Fine Boys; Head of Passes; The Robber Rock Hotel Las Vegas, Brian Henson’s Puppet Up!, Bridegroom; Last Five Years; and Ordinary Days. Other projects Human Nature’s Jukebox at the Venetian Hotel Las include Penn & Teller Las Vegas and Jennifer Muller The Works. Vegas, Frankie Moreno’s Under the Influence, and Paul Zerdin’s Mouthing Off at the Planet Hollywood Hotel Las Vegas. Mark Lonergan (Director) is a New York-based She also worked on the 2015 Tornoto Pan American Games Closing director/creator and the Artistic Director of Parallel Ceremony at the Rogers Centre, which featured the musical talents Exit, a three-time Drama Desk Award nominee for of Kanye West, Pitbull and Serena Ryder. La Scala and Bissinger Unique Theatrical Experience. With Parallel Exit, he collaborated on the design concept for the Opening Ceremony at the has created many original and award-winning works Baku 2015 European Games in Azerbaijan. They led the production of physical theatre across the United States, Canada, design team of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Opening Ceremony, which Asia, and Europe, where he recently directed EXIT earned them an Emmy nomination for Art Direction. She is thrilled for an extended two-year tour throughout Germany’s to join the Big Apple Circus and become a part of its entertainment variety theatres. In New York, his productions have been seen at The legacy. New Victory Theater, Lincoln Center, 59E59 Theaters, Symphony Space, and the Guggenheim Museum. Most recently, Mark was the Rob Bessinger (Set Designer) is an Emmy- Guest Director of the Big Apple Circus’ The Grand Tour, which was nominated live entertainment production designer a New York Times Critic’s Pick, and will return this fall for its 40th whose works span 15 years. Millions have seen his anniversary production. He is also the Creative Director for Vermont’s work worldwide. Bissinger, along with his partner Anita celebrated Circus Smirkus. La Scala, co-founded ARDA Studio Inc, which provides production design and concepts for large-scale Thomas Owings-Batz ( Sound Designer), based international spectacles, as well as countless theatrical in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has worked with Big presentations of all sizes throughout the United States Apple Circus on the audio team since the 31st season and abroad. Highlights include collaborating on the design concept for production of Play On in 2009. He has also toured with the Baku 2015 European Games Opening Ceremony in Azerbaijan Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus on the and leading the production design team of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Blue Unit’s 136th Edition, and Cirque Production’s tours Opening Ceremony. He worked on the Toronto 2015 Pan American of Illumination and Holidaze. He is thrilled to be part of Games Closing Ceremony at the Rogers Centre, which featured the Big Apple Circus’ return as sound designer for season 40, and to be musical talents of Kanye West, Pitbull and Serena Ryder. Recent touring with his husband, Jon Batz-Owings. credits include: Curvy Widow at the Westside Arts Theatre in New York, Magic Mike Live, Brian Henson’s Puppet Up!, and Human Rob Slowik (Music Director) Born and raised in Nature’s Jukebox at the Hard Rock and Venetian Hotels in Las Vegas. Detroit, MI, Rob studied music at Eastern Michigan At the Planet Hollywood Hotel in Las Vegas, he worked on Frankie University. His eclectic career as a trumpet player Moreno Under the Influence and Paul Zerdin Mouthing Off. See www. includes work on over 40 Broadway Shows, most ARDAStudio.com for more. recently Hello Dolly and Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour. Rob has worked with Harry Connick Jr., Paul Anka, Antoinette DiPietropolo (Choreographer/ Associate Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers, Tito Puente, RBBB Circus Director) is ecstatic to be returning to the Big Apple and several Motown Groups. He has also been Musical Supervisor Circus family. She has been a director, choreographer, and Musical Director for Carnival Cruise Lines. Rob joined The Big dancer, singer, actor, gymnast, cheerleader, and dance Apple Circus in 1998, became its conductor the following season, and teacher throughout her career. Recently, she was the became the circus’ Music Director in 2000-a position he has held ever choreographer for the National Tour of Fame. She is since. also the choreographer for the ongoing bus tour, The Ride in New York City. Her choreography was seen Joel Jeske (Creator and Writer) Joel is one of the in the Off-Broadway show With Glee, which was named The New few writers in America who actually creates circuses. York Times’ Critic Pick BEST STAGING OF A BIG NUMBER IN A Starting his career 20 years ago as a producing clown PUNY SPACE. She was the choreographer for Annie at The Muny on Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, he has in St. Louis, starring Tony award winner Beth Leavel. Antoinette has written and created material for Ringling Bros., Cirque performed on stages across the country, including: Radio City Music du Soleil, Big Apple Circus, Circus Smirkus, Germany’s Hall (the tiniest tap dancer for Bernadette Peters’ concert), Madison GOP Variete, and the physical theater company Square Garden, The Pantages Theatre and Lincoln Center. She has Parallel Exit. Recently, he was the clown and movement consultant created events for Pepsi’s Super Bowl halftime contest, Nationwide on the development of SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL and continues and many major businesses across the country. Her new company, to create and teach clowning and physical comedy both internationally CustomBroadway.com creates concerts and performances around and right here in New York City. After writing and clowning in Big the world. She appeared on the Broadway National Tours of How Apple Circus’s THE GRAND TOUR; Joel was very excited to be able The Grinch Stole Christmas and Annie, where she also served as to return and been a part of the creative team for this year’s dance captain, associate director and associate choreographer. Big Apple Circus 40th Anniversary tour. 26 Other highlights of her directing and choreographing career include: 27 Administrative Staff High Wire/Seven Person Pyramid Executive Nik Wallenda, Troupe Leader Neil Kahanovitz, Chairman Erendira Wallenda, High Wire & Lyra Michael Couper, CEO Alec Bryant, High Wire Act Paul Iaconis, VP Sales Eric Allen, High Wire Act Suzanne Harbour, VP - Special Events Dieter Galambos, High Wire Act Michael Richter, Executive Assistant Henry Herrera, High Wire Act Our David Martins, High Wire Act Business Advisors Khera Lorraine, High Wire Act Guillaume Dufresnoy, Creative Consultant Taylor Spring, High Wire Act Cheryl Jones, Business Licenses & Special Permits “Family” Juggler Creative Staff Gamal Garcia Mark Lonergan, Director Antoinette DiPietropolo, Choreographer/Associate Director Program Joel Jeske, Creator/Writer/Performer Jack Weber / Karen Sailer, Program Editors Peter Bufano, Musical Composer Chris Palm, Program Consultant David Bandman, Musical Composer Maike Schulz, Show Photography Jeffery Holmes, Musical Composer Emmanuel José, Assistant Photographer Rob Bissinger, Set Designer Program Design: Uptown Press Anita LaScala, Set Designer Concessions Amy Clark, Costume Designer Larissa Arkhipenko, Stand Supervisor Ringmaster Heather Lockard, Associate Costume Designer Mike “Boston” Kunicki, Stand Supervisor Ty McFarlan Jeff Croiter, Lighting Designer Andy Diaz, Concessionaire Coby Chasman-Beck, Associate Lighting Designer Cristian Palm, Concessionaire Risley Act/Foot Juggling Jacquelyn R. Cox, Assistant Lighting Designer Mariela Cruz - Hernandez, Concessionaire Fabio Espana Anastasini, Risley Act Sean Beach, Moving Light Programmer Joseph Cox, Concessionaire Guiliano Espana Anastasini, Risley Act Rob Slowik, Music Director/Trumpet Elijah Henderson, Concessionaire Juliana Crawford, Stage Manager Andrea Villareal, Concessionaire Rola Bola Selena Wright, Concessionaire Jan Damm Community Programs Ariele Ebacher, Assistant Lisa B Lewis, Director of Community Affairs Cook House John “Uncle John” Montgomery, Manager Roller Skating Act Corporate Partnerships & Ticket Account Managers Ian Mills, Chef Dandino Garcia Andrew Certilman, Corporate Partnership Manager Luciana Hausenauer Ryan Shorr, Client Account Manager Electrics Yianni Karapiperis, Client Account Manager Raul Lancheros, Electrical Supervisor Ring Crew Abigail Howard, Assistant Electrician Matthew “Toystore” Zimmerman, Ring Crew Chief On Tour Management Benjamin “Bell” Spencer, Ring Crew Richard Curtis, General Manager Lighting Andrew “Tiny” Rumery, Ring Crew Felipe Teran, VP of Operations Matthew Tessenholtz, Lighting Assistant Jon Penalver, Ring Crew Chris Palm, Director of F&B, Merchandise, Catering Brendan Curran, Lighting Technician Jose Raphael Lara II “J.R”, Ring Crew Jon Batz - Owings, Production Supervisor Zachary Helvick, Lighting Technician Rodolfo Hipolita Garza, Ring Crew Melissa Bondar, Performance Director Zakery VanderLinden, Lighting Technician Jeannie Hamilton, Office Manager Site Superintendant Allison Dier, Box Office Manager Maintenance Juan Ramos Alex Barney, Company Manager Alfredo Garcia, Maintenance Supervisor Sarah Zacharevitz, House Manager Jennifer Plonka, Maintenance Sound Patrick Taylor, Purchasing & Procurement Marco Quiroz - Puga, Maintenance Thomas Owings - Batz, Sound Engineer Kallie Linsberg, Administrative Assistant Michael Murphy, Maintenance Elizabeth Turner, Assistant Sound Engineer Yulia Burtsava, Assistant Manager Concessions Beth Walters, Operations Office Manager Animal Acts Tent Jenny Vidbel, Trainer/Presenter Michael Leclair, Tent Master Band Emily Gruber, Groom Alejandro Vargas, Assistant Tent Master Rob Slowik, Conductor Jennifer Plonka, Groom Michael Heitman, Seat Boss Wages Argott, Trumpet Michael Bellusci, Drums Characters Ushers Jeffery Barone, Guitar Barry Lubin, Grandma Ryan Spencer, Head Usher Patrick Firth, Keyboard Joel Jeske, Mr. Joel Edward Ruiz, Head Usher Brian Killeen, Bass Ryan O’ Flaherty, Usher Kristine Norter, Woodwinds Contortion/Hand Balancing Zachary Meeink, Usher Robert Suttman, Trombone Elayne Kramer Shane Miller, Usher Roxanne Kramer, Assistant Box Office Wardrobe Sonya Teran, Ticketing Flying Trapeze Maria Vargas, Wardrobe Supervisor Silvia Lancheros, Ticketing Ammed Tuniziani, Troupe Leader Kimberly Curtis, Assistant Wardrobe Kaleigh Ferreira, Ticketing Estafani Tuniziani, Flying Trapeze Cassandra Daly, Ticketing Adriano DeQuadra, Flying Trapeze Kelly Spring, Ticketing Mauricio Navas, Flying Trapeze

28 29 forThank attending! You

photos of band stand and backdrop withe “Thank you for attending”

28 Tyron “Ty” McFarlan, Ringmaster 29 ONE HAPPY FAMILY

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