2/27/14: Circus Oz From the Ground Up

We love going to all types of shows and I love exposing the kids to all kinds of shows.  Recently we were invited to see Circus Oz: From the Ground Up.  It was presented at the Citi Shubert Theatre and presented by Celebrity Series of Boston.  I didn't really know what to expect as I had never really seen a circus in a theatre but we all loved it.

It is inspired by a construction site which was really cool.  It was fun to see them using a giant swinging steel beam and the whole cast as construction workers on this high girder.  

The show started even before the show.  The performers were all amongst the audience.  One of the performers was in our area telling us he was checking how sturdy the chairs were and then proceeded to do a handstand on one.

Then he was balancing this on his nose.  It is always fun to see the performers up close.  The kids thought this was really cool.

There are some really cool parts of the show.  There is one performer that juggles with her feet which I had never seen before.  There was even a guy that did baton twirling with two batons.  Lauren and I both are twirlers so we were excited to see that part!  There are acrobats, aerialists and the show is very fast paced.

Action Photos during the show provided as Press Photos.

I love seeing people balance on these cans.

 So fun to watch.  All of the performers were such athletes and so talented.

 Circus Oz was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1978 and their 35th birthday year marks decades of mounting extraordinary shows and successfully touring both nationally and internationally. As Australia’s National Circus, they have toured from New York to South American rainforests and Madrid to outback Australia. Circus Oz has taken its self-crafted performances of wit, grace and spectacle to 26 countries across five continents, to critical acclaim. Credited with revitalizing a traditional art form in a uniquely Australian way, Circus Oz is a rock ‘n’ roll, animal-free circus that has influenced the development of circus arts around the world since its foundation. Circus Oz promotes the best of the Australian spirit: generosity, diversity, death-defying bravery, and a fair go for all.

I personally also enjoyed the music.  At one point they even used one hand to play each other's instruments which I thought was really cool.  The first leading person juggled with one hand and the person next to her played her instrument as she blew in to it.  It was really neat.

Artistic Director Mike Finch states, “Making a Circus Oz show is always three parts getting the right group together, two parts experimentation, four parts saying yes to absurd ideas, while trying not to injure anyone along the way. This year we have a continuing ensemble who have seen the inside of lots of theatres, thrown a multitude of tricks, stunts, and gags, and brought a lot of people to their feet. This mob have a totally unique mix of physical, musical and comic skill with the feel of a family of friendly weirdos all trying to outdo each other.” Circus Oz Artistic Director, Mike Finch About Celebrity Series of Boston Celebrity Series of Boston was founded in 1938 by pianist and impresario Aaron Richmond.  The Celebrity Series has been bringing the very best performers–from orchestras and chamber ensembles, vocal and piano music, to dance companies, jazz, and more–to Boston’s major concert halls for 75 years. The Celebrity Series of Boston believes in the power of excellence and innovation in the performing arts to enrich life experiences, transform lives and build better communities.

The show is so much fun for the entire family, I highly recommend it.

Find Circus Oz Online:  http://www.circusoz.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/circusoz

Twitter: @circusoz

Find Celebrity Series of Boston Online:  http://celebrityseries.org/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/celebrityseries

Twitter: @celebrityseries

Disclosure:  I was provided tickets for my family and I to attend Circus Oz.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.