Big Apple Circus In 2001, the circus' best known performer, "Grandma" the clown (played by Barry Lubin), inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame. A new seating system was installed in the circus big top, and, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the circus opened its "Dreams of a City" show, which was dedicated to the City of New York. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed November 1, 2002, as "Big Apple Circus Day". The circus celebrated its 25th anniversary with a documentary film about the creation and production of that year's show. In "Carnevale!", actors and circus performers Pedro Carrillo
The Circus Starring Britney Spears made a surprise appearance on the show and announced she would be going on a worldwide tour during 2009 to support her sixth studio album, "Circus" (2008). The concert promoter was AEG Live. Former director of the tour, Australian choreographer Wade Robson, said that the tour would visit the United States, the United Kingdom, and would also reach Australia. After her live performances in the Big Apple Circus tent at Lincoln Center for "Good Morning America" on December 2, 2008, Spears officially announced a first leg of twenty-five dates in the US and two dates in the UK, with the