
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.
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine.
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings.
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram