Here’s an atypical night for you: Flying Scarab beetles, juggling ants, sassy ladybugs. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of life-size insects, this is not the show for you. Ovo is the new production from the Montreal-based performing arts group, Cirque du Soleil, about the story of Flipo, an oaf-like arachnid who chased after a giant egg—mixed in with the usual jaw dropping “how’d he do that?” theatrics.
From the costumes to the set design and American circus clown-esque antics, you quickly realize that there are few places on earth as entertaining as under the Cirque’s grand chapiteau.
You’ll find yourself wanting to join the trippy insect’s world, with its giant glistening spider webs, silk cocoons, prodigious tropical flowers, and that sweet scent of honeysuckle. The artistry and magnitude of the acrobatic performers in OVO is what the show is all about. With every act the intensity grows. Remember to breathe when Spiderman, a tightrope walker, is slowly lifted 30 feet into the air while balancing in a handstand on the pedals of a unicycle. The trapeze artists blindly catch each other mid-air at what seems like the very last second. A mob of crickets leaps and flips across the tent. It might just be what happens in nature when you’re not around.
The show runs through June 6 on Randall’s Island. For more information about Ovo and purchasing tickets, visit cirquedusoleil.com.
How to get there: Take the 4/5/6 or MTA Metro-North to 125th St, then take the X80 express bus on Lexington Av between 126 and 125 Sts, which runs non-stop to and from Randall’s Island. A $5.50 round-trip fare is collected going to Randall’s Island. If you transfer from the subway or bus with your pay-per-ride MetroCard only $3.25 is deducted. The 7-Day Express Bus Plus is the only Unlimited Ride MetroCard accepted on the X80.
NEW YORK WATER TAXI: New York Water Taxis will be providing round-trip ferry service for every performance of OVO. Departures points include Pier 16 at South Street Seaport (for weekday evening performances only), East 35th Street, and East 90th Street. Tickets cost $15 one way, $20 round trip. Departures start approximately 90 minutes prior to showtime. Check the schedule for exact times and additional information. The NY Water Taxi service will begin on Friday, April 9th, 2010. To purchase a special discounted Ovo ferry ticket, visit nywatertaxi.com/ovo. See Packages & Offers tab. (?Please note there will be no ferry service on April 8.)
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
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