Big Apple Circus
The American circus has a long history, and Paul Binder has lived a colorful chapter of it. For three decades he’s been ringmaster of the Big Apple Circus. Top hat. Tails. Booming voice. Flying trapeze, horse, clowns, lights, dogs, and dazzling oom-pa-pa.
In 1977, a young Paul Binder had come home from Europe with the dream of launching a new, old-style one-ring circus in America — and he did it. On a stretch of landfill in lower Manhattan, the Big Apple Circus was born.
Lots of people dream of running away to join the circus. Binder started his own. Now, after three decades as ringmaster, artistic director, and circus boss, Binder is hanging up his hat.
This hour, On Point: A life in the circus — the Big Apple Circus — with Paul Binder.
You can join the conversation. Do you still fall for the magic of the circus? The Big Apple Circus? In the era of MP3s and DVDs, can the circus still compete?
-Tom Ashbrook
Guests:
Joining us in our studio is Paul Binder, founder and artistic director of Big Apple Circus. He joined the circus as a juggler in Europe with the Nouveau Cirque de Paris in the 1970s. In 1977, with juggling partner and co-founder Michael Christenson, he launched the Big Apple Circus. He is stepping down after 31 years as ringmaster.
Gladis Espana, member of the famed Flying Espanas, who have appeared in circuses in Mexico and the U.S. She is known for her work on trapeze, and has now retired from high-flying work.
Alida Wallenda-Cortes, a 7th generation performer from the Flying Wallenda family. She has performed in circuses since the age of three, and currently performs in The Flying Cortes trapeze act for Big Apple Circus.
Tags: arts, circus, Paul Binder
This morning’s second hour of On Point has been some of Tom Ashbrook’s worst interviewing I’ve heard. I’m a huge fan of his and of the show as well as a longtime fan of the Big Apple Circus. But Mr. Ashbrook frequently interrupted his guests and unnecessarily reworded their comments on a few occasions. I was looking forward to this program and have been disappointed.
Posted by Matt, on November 24th, 2008 at 11:37 am ESTI’ve played as a substitute musician in the Big Apple Circus as well as some of the other circuses. Mr. Paul is the only circus owner who ever made a point of coming up onto the bandstand during the show to hear his band and then again to thank us at the end of a run. His is the best show.
Posted by Peter, on November 24th, 2008 at 12:03 pm ESTThe interview with Paul Binder was wonderful. Thanks.
I enjoyed this morning’s interview with Paul Binder. I never liked circus; in fact, I avoided them after being taken by mom for years to Ringling. I hated the arena setting, the loud music, the cage acts. I walked over to the BAC 3 years ago when they were at Lincoln Center, after listening to friends rave for several seasons. I was blown away by the setting, the artists, the live music and yes, the intimacy. Mr Paul in his red ringmaster get up is indeed tall as was pointed out during the interview but what I noticed was his apparent pride and caring about each act. I am a huge fan and hoping that Big Apple remains true to his style.
Posted by Susan, on November 24th, 2008 at 5:54 pm ESTI’d have liked to hear more about how the artists and staff live on the road.
Good interview.
We loved this chance to hear about the how Big Apple Circus came to be and to experience Tom’s great excitement and enthusiasm. He sounded at times like a kid who has just been to stand by the ringmaster at the circus, and why not? He was, and we were completely a part of it, too. Thanks for an uplifting and informative show.
Posted by Kate and Leon, on November 25th, 2008 at 3:29 pm ESTGreat interview.
Steven Santos
Posted by Steven Santos, on November 25th, 2008 at 9:51 pm ESTSimply Circus
I agree with the critique of Tom Ashbrook’s interviewing style in this context.
I don’t think it is unusual for Ashbrook to interrupt guests, and that style can create good conversational energy. But the circus seems too wily a subject for that kind of muscley moderation.
Posted by Alison, on November 26th, 2008 at 12:58 pm ESTI would have preferred to listen to the entire program but got so tired of listening to Tom I gave up and turned it off before I made it to the end. I love the show but I often want to hear more of what the guests have to say.
Posted by ronruck, on November 27th, 2008 at 9:02 am EST