The pitch for this production could have been: “What if circus, but sexy.”
New York Circus Project’s Liquid is a 75-minute punk rock circus experience at the converted Dock5 space in Northeast’s Union Market, and it delivers a wild, subversive joyride. If you’re expecting a polite three-ring extravaganza or a sit-back, pass-the-popcorn evening, you’ll be pleasantly unprepared for this riot of physical talent, acrobatic feats, and risqué performances.
The plot centers on Billy (Cole Bennington), a reclusive water-bottle salesman who is brought into a wild, subversive world of leather, fishnet stockings, and a few not-so-subtle BDSM and kink scenes.
This is probably one of the few spaces where audiences can safely experience the high-flying and impressive acrobatics with trapeze and aerial straps (Julia Baccellieri and Lindsay Culbert Olds) so close to the stage. Billy then follows a crew of punk-inspired artists led by hand-balancing artist Maria Pucciarelli (with impressive hand-to-hand work from Joel Herzfeld). The adrenaline from that performance leads into a different kind of rush from a whipping performance (Caroline Bertorello), combined with a silks aerial performance with metal chains. This is the kind of show where you might discover something new about yourself.
And the juggling (Kellin Quinn)! And the tap dancing (Emiko Nakagawa and Daniel Sullivan)! If these words don’t immediately bring the word “Hot!” to mind … well, that would make sense. But not after you see this show. Director Sam Landa and writer Jacob Tischler are able to weave an entire experience that goes beyond spectacle and share a story that is simple yet resonates with many in this notably younger Millennial and older Gen Z audience. These creatives know what their audiences are looking for.
The Dock5 space in Union Market, located just above the restaurant stalls, has been converted into a grunge warehouse club scene, with a graffiti- and vinyl-decorated stage space, a makeshift bar, and punk bass playing. The seats are either VIP table selections or tightly packed folding chairs lining a thrust-style performance space. Get there early as seats are first come first served, and note that the chairs are packed close together.
The lighting by Nate Files fractures the stage into shards of electric white and hazy reds — perfectly echoing graffiti-splattered, punk warehouse vibes from the ’80s through the ’90s. With music (Nick Wilders) that evokes the Clash, Green Day, and Avril Lavigne, each performance seems to be an homage to the history of some of the better-known punk artists (bold choice, given DC’s influential punk scene).
This is New York Circus Project’s second production in the District, after a circus adaptation of Hamlet last year in the same space. This is a touring group that understands how to tell stories as a part of their circus performances, much like Cirque du Soleil (of which the cast features a few alumni). Opening weekend was already selling out fast, and there’s little doubt this production will do the same with its short, but exhilarating run.
Running Time: 75 minutes, no intermission.
Liquid plays through June 7, 2025, presented by New York Circus Project performing at Union Market District’s Dock5, 1309 5th Street Northeast, Washington, DC. Tickets are $49 and can be purchased online.
The program is online here.