As my son gets older, I am always looking for new and exciting theatrical experiences to engage his very active imagination while taking advantage of the culture that New York City has to offer. I have also been hearing a lot of great things about the New Victory Theater, so I was thrilled when we were offered tickets to see the contemporary circus show “42 FT – A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels” performed by Cirque Mechanics at the popular children’s theater last Sunday.
I have never really been a circus fan, but I was intrigued by the possibilities of contemporary circus. I went to a “real” circus once as a child, but remember very little other than an overwhelmingly large tent and intense crowds. Fortunately, the Cirque Mechanics show was a much more manageable experience – thanks in part to the venue. The New Victory Theater does a great job of creating an authentic Broadway experience that is still comfortable and enjoyable for families with young children. They also offer arts activities inspired by the show in their lobby and a well-curated selection of children’s items in their store.
As promised, the Cirque Mechanics show was a “stunning spectacle.” While there were a few mechanical marvels, the name of the show felt a little misleading since the most impressive aspect of the show was the human artistry and the performers’ incredible feats of strength and acrobatics. At one point – as bodies were casually throwing themselves around the stage in what almost felt like an acrobatic dance – my son asked “Are those real people?” The dazzling acts of trapeze, tightrope walking, and acrobatics were so perfectly executed that it was hard to believe that human beings could pull them off. I also loved the charmingly retro 1930s aesthetic, which was enhanced by the ornate and old-fashioned beauty of the theater.
We appreciated the narrative of the clown discovering the circus, and my son’s favorite part of the show was the comedic and interactive elements that the character brought to the show. His only complaint was that the show was too long. While I don’t entirely agree (he has a short attention span for a five year-old), I could see why he felt that way. After an hour and forty-five minutes, you do become a little numb to the spectacle and it can be a little bit of sensory overload for certain kids. I also started to crave a little more narrative and wanted to get to know the characters more… but maybe that’s just me!
In the end, it was hard not to smile and clap along with audience while watching the performers pulling off nearly-impossible stunts with such contagious enthusiasm. And while it was not exactly a holiday show, I felt the joy and wonder present in the revolving ring; it was an appropriately festive and magical experience to have during the holiday season. It was also a welcome reminder of the possibilities of human strength and spirit. I just hope that my son was able to absorb that ever-important lesson of human ingenuity: people are capable of almost anything if they try.
The show is recommended for ages 5+ (though might work better for slightly older kids) and will be playing at the New Victory Theater until January 6th. Tickets start at $22 and can be purchased on their website.
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Margel Nusbaumer is a local writer and mom in Brooklyn. Thoughts? Reach out to margel@achildgrows.com.
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