The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, now at the Theater for the New City, offer the real deal: unabashed, old fashioned vaudeville and sideshow, without embellishments, performed by an accomplished duo with great circus skills: Keith Nelson and Stephanie Monseu. Also on hand in From the Gutter to the Glitter are the fun musical duo, pianist Peter Bufano (who also juggles) and zippy violinist Kathe Hostetter. It's all good-natured entertainment and includes El Diablo (top on a rope), songs: "I Like You" and Mae West doing "A Good Man Nowadays is Hard to Find" to tuba accompaniment, whip-snapping, top-spinning, the graceful gymnastics of Manseu's magnificent body on a trapeze, rope-twirling, fire-eating, balloons (popped on the woman and up both of their noses -- this is the sideshow stuff), a beer-drinking contest by audience members, walking on broken glass, sword-swallowing by Nelson, and three-way juggling. What a show! Here it is, Ladies and Gentlemen, come and see for yourself!
