Spell serendipity Sting, David Serero and the Big Apple Circus

’Tis the time to give thanks for special moments that enrich the quality of all our lives. Here are a trio of treats sure to bring joy in this holiday season.
Extra! Sting to sail “The Last Ship.” Anyone whose already visited “The Last Ship” knows it’s heart-warming saga of a community determined to preserve the dedicated world of shipbuilding that has shaped their lives. With a thrilling score by Sting, and brimming with heart, Broadway headline news is that the iconic performer will now return to the stage to play the lead of Jackie White from Dec. 9 through Jan. 10. The latter is foreman of a shipyard who rallies his fellow workers of industrial Wallsend, England to commemorate their world by building one last ship in a shifting economy. If you haven’t yet visited this soaring joy of an evening at the Neil Simon Theatre the time to book your voyage to serendipity is right now at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000. (Also catch Sting and cast performing in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!)

Spell ‘Serendipity” David Serero!
Unfortunately felled by a post-performance fall last week, I was unable to attend a much anticipated Nov. 20 return visit to “A Night with David Serero,” whose awesome concert some months back had been among this critic’s most joyous, memorable evening’s ever. Fortunately, Helen Freedman, one of the friends due to join me (also the beloved long-time Five Towns adult education leader of a course that included visiting off-Broadway performances), and more recently filling the same role for The New School and NYU, agreed to be my “pinch-hit critic.” Here, somewhat condensed, is Helen’s thoughtful review:

“From the moment David Serero appeared onstage at the Snapple Theater in NYC, carrying his mike and singing “New York, New York” the audience was his. People were cheering, swaying in their seats from side to side while David’s voice soared above it all. What charm! What a performance! He continued singing with “Toreador,” “If I Were a Rich Man” and an amazing version of “Ol’ Man River” which enabled him to show off his remarkable vocal range. “Singin’ In the Rain” brought out audience participation again — then Serero pulled over his bar stool, sat down and told a few jokes. Familiar or not, it didn’t matter. His warm style made his personality the dominant force — the comedy an interlude in his music. He resumed with “Love Me Tender” and “Bésame Mucho,” then Sinatra’s “Fly me to the Moon” and “I Did It My Way” with the audience again joining in. Halfway through “Autumn Leaves” he switched to French — then brought up to the stage a Russian girl so they could do a duet in that language.
This huge talent’s ability with languages (he speaks 15!) stems from his Moroccan father, Iranian mother and being raised in Paris. His Jewish roots also gently enhance his program. After the show David greeted audience members, thanking them for coming. Again his warmth, energy and charm left everyone feeling they were important members of his instant fan club! David Serero will be performing again at the Snapple Theater on Dec. 17. Do be in the audience then. It’s a feel-good experience hard to match! (Tickets for the coming performance, where Serero will add Christmas, Hanukkah and some traditional Russian holiday songs are available now at ticketmaster.com, (866) 820-4553, or the Snapple Box Office at 1627 Broadway.

Big Apple Circus beckons
The tent is up. The “joint is jumping (literally!) and children from age three to grandma should be heading to “Metamorphosis,” the wondrous newest annual edition of this best of all possible family excursions. For more than 30 years Big Apple Circus has been sharing circus talents from all over the globe — and this season’s delight — with a metamorphosis-defining theme of “turning the everyday into the extraordinary!” is accomplished by one of the most thrilling, mind boggling and heart pounding troupes in memory.
With my 10-year-old granddaughter and her mom visiting to celebrate the former’s birthday, the afternoon we attended turned out to be a special gala in support of this nonprofit’s many committed programs for children, special-needs children, and, through its Clown Care program bringing magic, music, humor and circus arts to those “who cannot come inside our tents.” These include visits to children’s hospitals, nursing homes, and a new “autism reach-out program”— all of which make a visit to Big Apple Circus include doing good as well as two magical hours of mind and eye boggling delight.
This year’s standouts, according to my granddaughter, were, in addition to rollicking ringmaster John Kennedy Kane and clown/fantasy fulfiller Francesco, Tatevik Seyrenyan’s Rolla Bolla Act; and, literally above all, the magnificent, Anaskin troupe’s breath-catching display of high-wire and trampoline catch-your-breath dazzlers — the perfect Big Apple Circus ‘s memory to take home.
Make this holiday season extra-special with a visit to Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, with tickets at bigapplecircus.org,ticketcenter.com or 1-800-322-2861 or the BAC’s box office.