Bert Parks

Big Apple’s founder and its newly installed artistic director embark on their annual trip to the renowned Monte Carlo circus festival — a kind of international circus family reunion — to scout fresh talent. Back in the U.S., the performers and the crew put on two shows a day and travel from Georgia to New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York. The Anastasinis, an eighth-generation circus family, wonder if their young sons will be content to carry on the family legacy.

Feel the tension mount as rivalries and tomances blossom and the circus' first dress rehearsal approaches.

Squeeze into a tiny lot at New York's Lincoln Center with the entire Big Apple Circus - tent, trailers, performers, crew and animals.

Emotions run high as the circus season winds down.

Feel the tension mount as rivalries and romances blossom and the circus's first dress rehearsal approaches. The show is nowhere near ready -- and the fate of more than a few performers hangs in the balance.