From Don Covington

amd_circus_acrobats, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Acrobats at the Big Apple Circus. BIG APPLE CIRCUS. Through Jan. 18, Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center Tickets: $28-$86; (212) 962-5471 Fun, fast-paced and kiddie-friendly to the core, the Big Apple Circus has pitched its tent at Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center for another seasonal serving of acrobatics, grace and animal magnetism (the four-legged kind). As it has for 31 years, the snug, one-ring spectacle wraps its acts in a theme. This time out, it's "Play On!" The creators pinched a line from the Bard (as in, "If music be the food of love, play on"). "Everyone has a soundtrack to their lives," explains artistic director Paul Binder in his welcome. True enough. Once in a while, music is worked wonderfully into the evening, including a splashy version of "Singin' in the Rain" by the Big Apple's iconic, gray-wigged Grandma (Barry Lubin) and Mark Gindick, a clown who resembles "Entourage's" Kevin Connolly, only in geeky, goggle-sized glasses. Music also is seamlessly woven into a scene with alluring tightrope queen Sarah Schwarz, who playfully plucks the taut cord while the sizzling circus band backs her up with some raucous guitar riffs. In most instances, however, tunes are just generic background notes that don't directly connect as men, women, horses and hounds strut their stuff. Every act is polished to a high sheen, but, as always, some shine especially brightly. The LaSalle Brothers, all-American twin jugglers with GQ looks and awesome hand-eye coordination, make for oodles of ahhs. Belgian mime Olivier Taquin amazes as he redefines "living doll" with able assistance from Valdis Yanovskis (and an unsuspecting member of the audience). The Rodion Troupe, a trio from Russia, impresses as two men send a woman soaring and somersaulting off a 5-inch-wide beam that the guys heft on their shoulders. Cool. But you'd think costume designer Austin K. Sanderson could have sprung for more cushiony shoulder pads in the fellas' flowy, Liberace-like getups. The Nanjing Acrobats simultaneously wow and give you a migraine, as a dainty woman balances ballerina-style on tiptoe on her partner's head. (Don't try this at home, folks.) While delightful trained rescue dogs make everyone in the audience sit up, acts just don't come more adorable than a mini-Clydesdale. That cutie could have played on all night. jdziemianowicz@nydailynews.com