Traces, a Circus acrobatic show now at the Union Square Theater is an amazing mix of many difficult disciplines, all performed beautifully and perfectly by a superb cast of advanced gymnast/acrobat/dancers by five charming personalities — four men and one woman (Genevieve Morin). Their gymnastic feats, brilliantly directed and choreographed by Shana Carroll and Gypsy Snider, are performed with impeccable timing, and all are done with a casual air.
There is a thrilling adagio with Morin and the strong, solid Antoine Auger, shtick with basketballs, skateboards, a piano is played, calligraphy is drawn and projected, and Morin does a fantastic acrobatic dance with an armchair that is quite funny and a spectacular dance in a mid-air hanging loop.
There is tumbling, amazing leap/grab sequences on poles, more tumbling, hoop tumbling, mock combat -- it’s all clean moves with remarkable clarity as they perform their superb acrobatics. By the finale, we have gotten to know (and love) the personas of the five artists — including the wiry Sen Lin, the cute, strong Devin Henderson and the romantic Francisco Cruz. They are all masters, and it’s a great pleasure to see them perform.