Paul Binder

Paul Binder is the founder of the Big Apple Circus. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he graduated from Dartmouth College and earned an M.B.A. at Columbia University. Binder worked at WGBH-TV in Boston (stage-managing for Julia Child’s The French Chef) and as a talent coordinator for Merv Griffin, before heading West and learning juggling with the San Francisco Mime Troupe—where Binder met Michael Christensen. Together, Binder and Christensen traveled through Europe and earned their living by juggling on street corners. Their act landed them on the legendary stage of the Casino de Paris, on French television and, eventually, in the ring of Annie Fratellini’s Nouveau Cirque de Paris. Binder returned to New York with a dream—to create an American circus with the same dedication to theatrical excellence and artistic intimacy that he and Christensen had experienced in Europe. He found the people who would share his dream and implement his vision and, in 1977, the Big Apple Circus was born. Founder, Founding Artistic Director of the Big Apple Circus, and a gifted performer, Paul Binder was recently honored by ABC-TV World News with Charles Gibson as "Person of the Week". In July of 2009 Mr. Binder "stepped out of the ring" but continues to work with the Big Apple Circus as a senior advisor. He is currently in demand as a guest speaker, having spoken and led seminars at Dartmouth College, Harvard University, University of Virginia and Barnard College. Paul has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Fine Arts from his alma mater, Dartmouth, Pratt Institute, and Rhode Island College, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Long Island University. In 2001 he was given the honor of "NYC Living Landmark," by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. He is the proud father of Katherine, Max, Adam and Anais.

Facebook

Parallel Exit’s “An Intimate Evening with Paul Binder”

Oct 152013

Parallel Exit

Last night I had the enormous pleasure of being the guest of honor at “An Intimate Evening with Paul Binder” at the home of a Parallel Exit board member. Parallel Exit is a Drama Desk Award-nominated physical theater company in the great tradition of Chaplin, Keaton and Harold Lloyd. Last night’s event, a fundraiser for the company, was hosted by company Artistic Director Mark Lonergan. I told some colorful stories from my memoir Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion (and other uncommon tales from the founder of the Big Apple Circus) and stuck around for a long Q&A moderated by Lonergan that could have gone on well into the night. It was truly a treat to speak with Parallel Exit fans and board members. Having an audience which included a group of physical comedians made it a gas. Was it fun for all? There’s an old vaudeville adage that I often strive to live by, and it’s certainly a part of the Parallel Exit mission, and that adage was in full effect last night: always leave ‘em laughing.

Circus of the Senses

Oct 082013

One of my greatest joys as a performer in the Big Apple Circus was being able to experience the audience’s reaction. Whether it’s seeing the excitement of a clown moment light up a child’s eyes, or hearing a great big roar of laughter from the crowd, I’ve always found immeasurable happiness in those moments. Around thirty years ago, after many years in the ring, it occurred to me that there were some folks whose visual and hearing impairments were preventing them from experiencing the enchantment of the circus. Along with our Founding Chairman, Alan Slifka, I decided to do something about it.

Circus of the Senses premiered in 1987. It serves hearing- and sight-impaired people. We set out to create a show that everyone, regardless of physical ability, can enjoy. American Sign Language interpreters are placed throughout the ring, in order to sign what some audience members can’t hear. We distribute large-print or Braille programs which describe the various acts in detail. We also have headsets for visually impaired audience members, where they listen to a play-by-play description of the acts in real time while hearing the music, announcements and ring sounds like hoof beats.

Paul Binder and Michael Christensen at Circus of the Senses

I am proud to say that I am always the one behind the mic, describing each of the acts in detail as they happen, with Michael Christensen as my co-narrator. The very first time we premiered Circus of the Senses I had the pleasure of partnering with the legendary sportscaster Marty Glickman, one of my childhood heros (and also the subject of a recent hour-long HBO Documentary). His uncanny voice was perfectly suited to the task, and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

After each performance, visually impaired kids get to come into the ring for a “touch session.” They speak to the performers as they touch costumes and animals and props. They even get to swing on trapezes.

After-show “touch session” with performers

I’m happy to report that I have never once missed a Circus of the Senses performance. This past Thursday, October 3, I went to Dulles, Virginia, where I narrated the performance with Bill Boots from our Clown Care Unit (substituting for Michael). I can honestly say that Circus of the Senses is probably the most gratifying aspect of my involvement with Big Apple Circus. To be told by a visually impaired kid that they “saw” the horses galloping around the ring, and to know that if even for just a few moments, they left behind the everyday world and just enjoyed the circus… for that, I feel incredibly grateful.

Presenting: Luminocity!!!

Oct 012013

As I mentioned in my last blog entry, I was lucky enough to watch a few dress rehearsals of the new Big Apple Circus show Luminocity. They’ve taken this show on the road to Dulles, Virginia, where I’m sure they’ve already wowed audiences with the beautiful acrobatic feats, exciting animal performances, eye-popping juggling acts, and of course humor that every Big Apple Circus fan has come to anticipate. This show will not disappoint!

Luminocity takes place in exciting Times Square, New York City. Audiences can expect to witness a smorgasbord of all the usual Times Square suspects: the classic hot dog vendor, the stately mounted police, noisy New Years Eve revelers, and of course, a sneaky “flim-flam man” (can you say “pickpocket?”). The acts are simply wonderful. A hand-to-hand duet masterpiece from the Ukraine. A two-woman trapeze from Mongolia. A high wire spectacular from Colombia. From Japan, a 15 year-old juggler who is fluid and astounding. Not to mention an amazing 8-person teeterboard act from Russia with a finale trick that is stunning. Top that off with America’s funniest man, “international man of mirth” Rob Torres. It’s all ringmastered by John Kennedy Kane and with animals trained by Jenny Vidbel. The show is a sure-fire winner. New Yorkers: catch Luminocity when it comes to Lincoln Center on October 25! Buy tickets by clicking here!

Back to Blogging!

Sep 242013

2013 has been a very busy year so far. I haven’t had a moment to blog! I guess it’s a good sign that I’ve been running all around the city and the country, not sitting for hours, staring at my computer screen and hoping to put words on a page (more on that soon). However, I am happy to now take a small breather and report back on my goings-on from the past 9 months.

click cover to read reviews

I spent the better part of the last few years remembering, re-living, and recording in order to write my memoir Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion (and other uncommon tales from the founder of the Big Apple Circus). I’ve been fortunate enough to share my life with a rotating cast of endearingly unique characters, all of whom have played an important role in making me who I am today. It was a nearly daunting task to sift through those years of memories, experiences, and life-altering moments, but a truly rewarding one. I can proudly say that this spring, I finally published my memoir. Phew!

Then, I set off on a whirlwind adventure of book launch parties, interviews, and readings to promote the book. This tour was nothing like my days under the big top, of course, but it kept me busy through the summer. First, and perhaps most notably, I presented a lecture entitled “The Dramaturgy of the Circus” at The Lotos Club’s Theater Roundtable. The Lotos Club is an historic private club in New York City which boasts many a famous former member (such as Mark Twain and several presidents, governors, mayors and princes). Although I have been an Honorary Member of this Club for years, I was especially honored to be presented by Gail Van Voorhis, the Moderator of the Roundtable for Lotos Club members and guests. It was definitely an evening for the archives.

Then in July, I was off to my Alma Mater, Dartmouth College, in the beautiful Granite State. I taught a class (“Ritual, Theater, Circus”) at the College’s Theater Department, and also celebrated my book with a reading and signing for students, alumni and professors. It’s always exciting to visit Dartmouth, but this trip was particularly special, as I was privileged to find myself on the other side of the podium, sharing my experiences and knowledge with the Dartmouth community, who were sitting where I myself once sat.

In August, it was back to New York City, where I was finally able to test the theory that I have a good radio voice. I was pleased to sit in the hot seat for and field questions from WBIX’s Stu Taylor, WNYC’s Leonard Lopate and WFUV’s George Bodarky, to name a few. You can always listen to the recordings of these interviews by clicking the links or going to my website’s Press page.

tickets are already on sale
CLICK IMAGE

It’s now fall in our great city and I’m looking ahead to the 2013-14 season of Big Apple Circus. I was fortunate to watch a dress rehearsal for Luminocity, our newest show, which premieres in Dulles, Virginia on September 26. The performers are, as always, top-notch, and the final rehearsals are going very well. I can’t wait to see the show, inside that famous tent, when it comes to New York City’s Lincoln Center on October 25. Even after all these years, the excitement of the performance never wears off! In my next blog post, I’ll entice you all with a more thorough description of the show and its colorful characters. ‘Til next time!

Back-to-school

Jan 152013

On September 27, I had the honor of being invited to do a presentation at Columbia Business School, my M.B.A. alma mater, sponsored by the Social Enterprise Club and the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. It was an opportunity to talk about the role of creativity in business. In the presentation, I focused on a discussion of the founding of Big Apple Circus using a decision making process filled with rich and varied ideas pulled from various artistic and business traditions.

Imagine how thrilling it was to be leading a group in one of the very classrooms that I sat as a student! Retracing my journey to create the Big Apple Circus was the way I chose to approach useful lessons for a group of future M.B.A.s

The Big Apple Circus is a business whose product is the result of a creative process. Also, because creativity has been encouraged in our business, the decision making process is filled with rich and varied ideas that allow us to see the market place through a similar creative process.

From an entrepreneurial perspective, I opened the presentation for discussions on

• following one’s passion
• having a mission that includes a willingness to look beyond the bottom line.
• focusing employees on the big picture, on the “human side” of whatever business they are in.

The group’s questions were penetrating and lively. Columbia Business School students are smart and focused. What was most interesting is that they were extraordinarily curious about how they could bring creativity to the decision making process. Because of my experience of having run a management team that was focused on creative solutions, I found it thrilling and deeply satisfying that the students thought that such a discussion was vital.

The business lessons that emerged from the discussion were:

• how to manage diversity
• the importance of balance in supporting a team
• the role of team decision making, organizational productivity, and personal fulfillment as principles of enlightened management

AND, returning to the theme of creativity…how improvisation can play a useful a role in creative decision making.

A truly super day!

Barry’s Last Show

May 202012

During the Finale of the May 13 show in Boston, Michael Christensen and I walked into the ring.

Many in the full house crowd were aware of what was going on…the word had gone viral…but for the few who didn’t know, I started by saying “If you are not aware of why these people are on their feet cheering, this is Barry Lubin’s last performance as Grandma at the Big Apple Circus.”

It was an emotional tribute.

We stared by giving him a framed poster of his first season with us which came from the collection of our late founding Chairman, Alan Slifka, signed by his twin sister Barbara.

Michael, a fellow clown, spoke about how Grandma embodied the core values of the BAC: family, kindness, warmth and humor.

I paid personal tribute, saying how he’d been a great friend, somebody who always made me laugh, and the many good times we shared along the road, lifting my spirits if I was down and I spoke of the millions of people that he touched, whose lives he had brightened.

Barry was in tears, Michael was in tears, I was in tears.

Backstage was a celebration, all the cast and company members hugging and thanking him. More tears.

Barry, may your journey continue. We love you brother.

Ring of Fame

Jan 292012

John Ringling’s vast fortune was made as a real estate developer. He was the major force in creating the city of Sarasota, Florida, which was the location of the winter quarters of his circus. And, although it’s long since moved on, to this day Sarasota is known as “Circus City.”

Barry uncovers his plaque on the Ring of Fame

Drive west from downtown Sarasota across the bay on a bridge and along several miles of causeway and you’ll arrive at St. Armand’s Key. In the center of the Key, there is a very large traffic circle that forms a park, with expansively beautiful palm and bay trees inside its perimeter. It is there, each year, that several greats of the American Circus are inducted into the Ring of Fame. Brass plaques celebrating these celebrities are imbedded in concrete and encircle the park On January 15, this year’s inductees included Cecil B. DeMille, Joseph Bauer Senior, Hans Wynn and “Grandma,” Barry Lubin. I simply had to be there for Barry’s induction.

The temperature was a perfect 72 degrees as emcee Chuck Sidlow, himself a clown, opened the ceremonies. Bello Nock, his hair at full staff, welcomed the returning inductees from across several decades and put in a plug for his thoughts on future winners. Kenneth Feld accepted on behalf of the DeMille family.

Barry’s acceptance speech was filled with smiles and laughs and tears as he recalled his childhood (born in Ventnor N.J. next door to Atlantic City) his career (“Grandma is a tribute to my grandmothers and the old ladies I saw, daily, on the boardwalk.”) his family (“my two wonderful and patient daughters who had a clown for a father”) and his new life in Sweden with companion Ann Hageus (“in Sweden my radio sounds funny”).

I felt deeply touched when he recounted “Grandma’s” more than 30 years entertaining audiences at the Big Apple Circus. We were all honored for all of his dedication.

It was a glorious day.

A) Paul, Ann & Barry; B) Paul, Bello, Barry & Kenneth Feld from Ringling Bros. to the right; C) Paul and Barry with his Ring of Fame plaque.

For more photos of Barry Lubin and Paul Binder go to this PAGE

My mother loved a parade!

Dec 192011

My mother loved a parade! She specifically loved the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which has been a NYC institution since 1924.

In 1946, one month after my fourth birthday, my mother put a nickel in the subway turnstile, I walked under it and we traveled from our home in Brooklyn to Manhattan to see the parade — and to this day, I still remember my head swimming with excitement as we rode the subway to the parade route. By the time we arrived, the crowd was at least five deep and impossible for a four-year-old who fit under the turnstile to see what was happening. Undaunted, my Brooklyn mother had an inspiration and turned to the tallest man she could find in the crowd, a perfect stranger, and asked if her son could sit on his shoulders. What a wonderful man, I must have ridden on his shoulders for more than an hour that day. The parade was so exhilarating, for years, I could name — in order of appearance, every band and balloon character I saw that day.

Miracle on 34th Street - Paul on shoulders

Screen-grab from Miracle on 34th Street: Edmund Gwenn, a.k.a. Kris Kringle in beard and hat; Paul Binder, above.

Six months later, I went to the Loews 46th Street Theater in Brooklyn — the locals call it da Low eez — with my mother and my sister to see the movie Miracle On 34th Street, starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, and a seven year old Natalie Wood. The movie had scarcely begun when my mother shot-up out of her seat, pointed at the screen and shouted, “Its Paul! That’s my boy Paul!”
And, sure enough, there I was, at the parade, on the shoulders of that wonderful stranger, preserved for the ages in film history.

The fella in the front is the star of the film Edmund Gwenn, Kris Kringle. The kid up above him, with the ear flaps? Me. Looking back, not realizing it then, show business, or more specifically, the business of people was my destiny.

2010 Thanksgiving Day Parade: with Michael Christensen & entering Times Square

2011 Thanksgiving Day Parade: Paul with some of the “Dream Big” cast. On the wagon, left to right, Jenny Vidbel, Jenna Robinson, and Muriel Bruggeman. The wagon is supplied by the Circus World Museum in Baraboo Wisconsin as an authentic Bandwagon, circa 1903, and drawn by 6 percheron horses form upstate NY.

Montreal Visit – Voyage à Montréal

Aug 312011

The little one is my Montreal granddaughter Marjane on the day she was born.

At the beginning of July, on a family visit to Montreal, I spent an extraordinary day at Ecole Nationale du Cirque, the TOHU and the headquarters of Cirque du Soleil.

My congenial host at the ENC (National Circus School) was Executive Director Marc Lalonde, who toured me through their extraordinary facility. The school was founded by Guy Caron in the Eighties and 11 years ago, with $22 million, mostly from the Quebec and Federal governments, the new building was completed.

It is an extraordinary facility, with three extra large and extra high instruction and practice studios and many smaller spaces. It has a restaurant, classrooms and study rooms (the courses of study include a normal high school curriculum). There is a dormitory for live-in students and a feeling of extraordinary professionalism and thoughtfulness. It was a lot of fun meeting the large number of American students all of whom knew the Big Apple Circus. Remember that this school draws from all around the world.
And thanks to Marc Lalonde for the delicious lunch.

On the same day I paid a visit to the TOHU which is a circular performance building on the same grounds in the outskirts of the city, in the St. Michel district. My host was Nathalie Drouin who is a program director. We talked about smaller shows that might appear there, with the Big Apple Circus being the Producer and TOHU presenting. It was very invigorating. When returned home, I discussed the meeting with Guillaume Dufresnoy, my successor as Artistic Director at the BAC.

Finally I had a meeting, at her request, with Katherine Adams who is in charge of new projects for Cirque du Soleil. She is exploring the possibility of using horses for what is presumed to be a separate production from Cirque and knew that I had many years of experience with horses and equestrians with the Big Apple Circus. As part of her charge she is heading up a program for kids in the St. Michel community that will involve Les Cavalries, the Montreal mounted police and their horses. She has been all over Europe visiting horse people to elicit their thoughts on professional programming. Interesting, eh?
A super visit.

Peter and Paul and the Wolf

Jun 082011

About 10 years ago, I’d had the wonderful experience of narrating Carnival of the Animals with the Boston Pops Orchestra for a children’s concert. In the same year I played the very small part of the evil ringmaster in The Little Orchestra Society’s Babar, in New York. I was extremely good at that role, using my own costume and my “bad Mr. Paul” manner. Remember, dear reader, it was a very small part.

The Little Orchestra Society, who create wonderful classical music concerts for kids, asked me to be in their Peter and the Wolf at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in early May of this year. There would be a 35 piece orchestra. I assumed it was to be as narrator, a part that I’ve always wanted to do, since growing up with Sir Basil Rathbone narrating on my family’s 78 rpm record of Peter. (Rathbone was the original Sherlock Holmes in the movies…but that’s another story).

Paul in his Grandpa and Mayorschka costumes for Little Orchestra Society’s production of Peter and the Wolf, May 2011

To my surprise, when they sent the script it was a large part in a play in which Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf was only a small part. I was to be Mayorschka, the Mayor of the town of Petrograd, which reenacts Peter each year in order to break a spell that an evil witch has cast upon the town. This, dear reader, is a very large part with many, many lines and cues…which meant memorizing all and playing two characters (in the Peter story I was to be the “Grandfather” as well).

I can hear your reaction, “But, didn’t you speak in the ring all those years as ringmaster?” Yes, but remember, I was Mr. Paul, myself writ large and those were my own words or in the case that Michael Christensen wrote some of them, he knew my voice and I had the right to final adaptation and edit. When I received the script for Peter, I panicked and telephoned the Producer and said that I hadn’t acted character roles for 45 years and wasn’t prepared for this and was afraid that I’d embarrass by myself and LOS and that maybe they should find another person. “But we’ve already sent out the publicity…Special guest Artist, Paul Binder, Founder of the Big Apple Circus,” was the answer. I was stuck. Then I found out that I had to dance as well. All well and good, I’ve danced on stage before, 45 years ago, before my two knee surgeries. Lines and cues and dancing, oh my!

It was an adventure. I was very lucky to be paired with a wonderful actress Alta Dantzler who cued me through the dances and occasionally whispered a line or two, under her breath. Whew! There is one story that I have to tell: Mayorschka and Elena (Alta) introduce the characters who will play the parts in the Peter performance, one at a time as the instruments play their theme and they dance downstage. Only I skipped “Petitsa as the bird.” And went directly to “I, Mayorschka, shall play the Grandfather.” The Bassoonist never missed a beat and played the Grandfather theme. As I moved in my Grandfather circle, Alta said: “and the bird,” who I noticed standing there prepared to dance. So when I finished my turn, I said the line: “and Petitsa as the bird” and the conductor and 35 musicians hit the cue without hesitation and the ballerina who played the role danced downstage. Whew! Whew!
I loved the whole nerve wracking experience and am here to thank Little Orchestra Society [link], Producer Joanne Bernstein-Cohen, Director Annette Jolles, Production Manager Melanie Beck and especially Alta Dantzler.

Older Entries Newer Entries