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The Orbiting Human Circus
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The Orbiting Human Circus

Author: WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents

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Discover a wondrously surreal world of magic, music, and mystery. This immersive, cinematic audio spectacle follows the adventures of a lonely, stage-struck janitor who is drawn into the larger-than-life universe of the Orbiting Human Circus, a fantastical, wildly popular radio show broadcast from the top of the Eiffel Tower. WNYC Studios presents a special director’s cut of this joyous, moving break from reality. Starring John Cameron Mitchell, Julian Koster, Tim Robbins, Drew Callander, Susannah Flood, and featuring Mandy Patinkin and Charlie Day.
Season one of The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) is a co-presentation of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents.
29 Episodes
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New Orbiting Human Circus song — The Lost Angel — out now on Merge Records, everywhere! Plus, live shows! See https://www.orbitinghumancircus.com/live-shows for info and tickets. 
Introducing a new fiction podcast from members of the team behind The Orbiting Human Circus: Join siblings Lydia and Elijah on a fantastical, surreal journey through a mysterious dreamworld as they search for their missing father. A unique audio adventure about the difficulties and the joys of growing up and becoming yourself, fit for the whole family. Brought to you by TRAX from PRX. www.milkywayunderground.com
Julian will be caroling holiday (virtual) gatherings and meet-ups of you, your loved ones, and friends old and new during the weekend of December 18th. You are invited to join us! Come by yourself or invite friends and family to join too. To learn how, email caroling@orbitinghumancircus.com and tell us where you are in the world! We’ll email back with instructions on how to reserve a spot, how to invite others, and how to say hello to fellow party-goers before the caroling begins. Gatherings will be very small, and Julian will arrive in the middle of each with a few songs and stories to share, then will visit with you. We can’t wait!
Our grand conclusion.  The Orbiting Human Circus in Naughty Till New Years was a co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents.  Though this season has come to an end, The Orbiting Human Circus will return as soon as we can with live performances around the world, and production will begin soon on a new Orbiting Human Circus podcast, in which all your favorite characters will return and all will be revealed, so join our mailing list at orbitinghumancircus.com or follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on everything to come. In the meantime, look out for the final songs from the season on Apple Music, Spotify, Bandcamp and more this summer and a special bonus episode coming very soon!  The Orbiting Human Circus in Naughty Till New Years is dedicated to Walter Lowery, Marjorie Hirsch, Joan Hirsch, Jeremy Ayers, and Charlotte Koster. Naughty Till New Years featured Drew Callander, Julian Koster, David Barlow, John Cameron Mitchell, Susannah Flood, Dan Solomon, Jessie Shelton, Miche Braden, Nicholas Carter, Walter Lowery, Marjorie Hirsch, Harrison Beckwith, Jonah Mussolino, Hy Wolfe, Andy Lauer, Magali Charron and Alaska Charron Cacchione, Juno McLarnon and Keiran McLarnon, Steve Bello, Charlotte Koster, and Tim Robbins.  Written and directed by Julian Koster and produced by Christy Gressman.  Musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes; music and songs by the Music Tapes, featuring horns by Robbie Cucchiaro; music by the Orbiting Quartet, featuring Gauvain Gamon on bass, Benjamin Miller on piano, Kolja Gjoni on drums, and Romica and North the Singing Saws, who were encouraged to sing by Julian; and piano performance by Benjamin Miller and Andy Lauer.  Lead editor Grant Stewart, editor Jaanelle Yee, and assistant editors Emily Marinoff and Jeff Tobias, with Julian. Sound design by Jonathan Siri-Mohs, foley by John Ringhofer, lathe cutting by Steve Espinola, and engineering by Vincent Cacchione. Additional production and mixing by Will Stanton.  Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. For our mailing list and more information on live shows and other OHC things to come, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.  Check out Stellar Firma, a semi-improvised science fiction comedy podcast that follows the misadventures of Stellar Firma Ltd. planetary designer Trexel Geistman and his bewildered clone assistant David 7, at www.rustyquill.com/stellar-firma or wherever your get your podcasts. If you love Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy or Red Dwarf, you’ll love this award-winning and absurd comedy podcast!
Our season begins its grand conclusion. A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Written and directed by Julian Koster and produced by Christy Gressman. With musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes, piano performance by Benjamin Miller, and music by the Music Tapes; lead editor Grant Stewart, editor Jaanelle Yee, and assistant editors Emily Marinoff and Jeff Tobias, with Julian; sound design by Jonathan Siri-Mohs, foley by John Ringhofer, and lathe cutting by Steve Espinola; engineering by Vincent Cacchione; and additional production and mixing by Will Stanton.  Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. For our mailing list and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.
Tim Robbins plays our beloved flea and it's an absolute scream. The second half of a scream. A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Featuring David Barlow, Drew Callander, Julian Koster, Susannah Flood, Andy Lauer, and Tim Robbins. Written and directed by Julian Koster and produced by Christy Gressman. With musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes, and music by the Music Tapes; lead editor Grant Stewart, editor Jaanelle Yee, and assistant editors Emily Marinoff and Jeff Tobias, with Julian; sound design by Jonathan Siri-Mohs, foley by John Ringhofer, and lathe cutting by Steve Espinola; engineering by Vincent Cacchione; and additional production and mixing by Will Stanton.  Music from the show is released by Merge Records — look for it on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Bandcamp, or your favorite digital music service provider. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com. 
How to escape. Escape with the Janitor! The Orbiting Human Circus returns with twice the fun: the first half of a special double episode. It’s a scream! The first half of a scream. A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Featuring John Cameron Mitchell, Susannah Flood, Harrison Beckwith, Walter Lowery, Julian Koster, and Drew Callander. Written and directed by Julian Koster and produced by Christy Gressman With musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes; music by the Music Tapes and the Orbiting Quartet, featuring Gauvain Gamon on bass, Benjamin Miller on piano, Kolja Gjoni on drums, Romica the Singing Saw, who was encouraged to sing by Julian; lead editor Grant Stewart, editor Jaanelle Yee, and assistant editors Emily Marinoff and Jeff Tobias, with Julian; sound design by Jonathan Siri-Mohs, foley by John Ringhofer, and lathe cutting by Steve Espinola; engineering by Vincent Cacchione; and additional production and mixing by Will Stanton. Julian’s performance in the recap was directed by guest director Dennis Koster, Julian’s father.  Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com. 
Julian Koster presents a livestream show of songs, stories, and games of the Orbiting Human Circus and the Music Tapes, on Wednesday, April 8th at 10:30pm Eastern Time. Join us on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/8Dd7_EqDmA8
We left the door open for you, come and see what’s inside... A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Featuring Drew Callander, David Barlow, Julian Koster, Susannah Flood, Dan Solomon, John Cameron Mitchell, Jessie Shelton, Nicholas Carter, and Miche Braden. Written and directed by Julian Koster and produced by Christy Gressman; with musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes, music by Steve Bello and the Music Tapes; lead editor Grant Stewart, editor Jaanelle Yee, and assistant editors Emily Marinoff and Jeff Tobias, with Julian; sound design by Jonathan Siri-Mohs, foley by John Ringhofer, and lathe cutting by Steve Espinola; engineering by Vincent Cacchione; and additional production and mixing by Will Stanton. Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com. 
Fun with 2000 telescopes, and the stunning return of somebody very special. A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Featuring Drew Callander, David Barlow, Julian Koster, Susannah Flood, Dan Solomon, John Cameron Mitchell, Jessie Shelton, Nicholas Carter, and Miche Braden. Written and directed by Julian Koster and produced by Christy Gressman; with musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes, music by Gauvain Gamon on bass, Benjamin Miller on piano, Kolja Gjoni on drums, Romica the Singing Saw, who was encouraged to sing by Julian, and the Music Tapes; lead editor Grant Stewart, editor Jaanelle Yee, and assistant editors Emily Marinoff and Jeff Tobias, with Julian; sound design by Jonathan Siri-Mohs, foley by John Ringhofer, and lathe cutting by Steve Espinola; engineering by Vincent Cacchione; and additional production and mixing by Will Stanton. Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com. 
What was REALLY in the shoeboxes? A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Featuring Drew Callander, Harrison Beckwith, and Julian Koster. Written and directed by Julian Koster and produced by Christy Gressman; with musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes, music by the Music Tapes, and piano performance by Andy Lauer; lead editor Grant Stewart, editor Jaanelle Yee, and assistant editors Emily Marinoff and Jeff Tobias, with Julian; sound design by Jonathan Siri-Mohs, foley by John Ringhofer, and lathe cutting by Steve Espinola; engineering by Vincent Cacchione; and additional production and mixing by Will Stanton. Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.
The story of an unusual gift and several strikes of lightning. A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Featuring Drew Callander, John Cameron Mitchell, Susannah Flood, David Barlow, Dan Solomon, Miche Braden, Nicholas Carter, Jessie Shelton, Harrison Beckwith, Jonah Mussolino, Andy Lauer, Walter Lowery, and Julian Koster. Written and directed by Julian Koster and produced by Christy Gressman; with musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes and music by the Music Tapes; lead editor Grant Stewart, editor Jaanelle Yee, and assistant editors Emily Marinoff and Jeff Tobias, with Julian; sound design by Jonathan Siri-Mohs, foley by John Ringhofer, and lathe cutting by Steve Espinola; engineering by Vincent Cacchione; and additional production and mixing by Will Stanton. Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.
Tim Robbins stars as the flea. Yes, we convinced an Oscar winner to portray a flea. Poor man. He did nothing to deserve this. A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Starring Tim Robbins, John Cameron Mitchell, Drew Callander, Susannah Flood, David Barlow, Dan Solomon, Miche Braden, Nicholas Carter, Hy Wolfe, Jessie Shelton, Magali Charron and Alaska Charron Cacchione, Juno McLarnon and Keiran McLarnon, Walter Lowery, Julian Koster, and Julian’s grandmother, Charlotte Koster, as Laeticia’s downstairs neighbor. Written and directed by Julian Koster and produced by Christy Gressman; with musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes and music by Gauvain Gamon, Benjamin Miller, Kolja Gjoni, and the Music Tapes; lead editor Grant Stewart, editor Jaanelle Yee, and assistant editors Emily Marinoff and Jeff Tobias, with Julian; sound design by Jonathan Siri-Mohs, foley by John Ringhofer, and lathe cutting by Steve Espinola; engineering by Vincent Cacchione; and additional production and mixing by Will Stanton. Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.
Dreams run amok as we learn new things about John Cameron, Laeticia, the stagehands, Coco, and of course the Janitor, when we return to a stunning cliffhanger moment in the broadcast ballroom. A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Starring Walter Lowery, John Cameron Mitchell, Drew Callander, Susannah Flood, David Barlow, Dan Solomon, Nicholas Carter, and Julian Koster. Written and directed by Julian Koster and produced by Christy Gressman; with musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes and music by the Music Tapes; lead editor Grant Stewart, editor Jaanelle Yee, and assistant editors Emily Marinoff and Jeff Tobias, with Julian; sound design by Jonathan Siri-Mohs, foley by John Ringhofer, and lathe cutting by Steve Espinola; engineering by Vincent Cacchione; and additional production and mixing by Will Stanton.  Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs.Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.
Take a holiday break with The Orbiting Human Circus. This episode isn’t a part of the story of The Orbiting Human Circus in Naughty Till New Years, but the flea and the whole OHC gang will return in Naughty till New Years on January 8, 2020, with biweekly episodes running all the way through the end of April.  A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. This special holiday episode featured Larry Ratso Sloman in First Night, Drew Callander in A Visit from the Platypus, and in the stagehands scene, Susannah Flood, David Barlow, Dan Solomon, Miche Braden, Nicholas Carter, and Julian Koster. It also featured, as many episodes do, musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes.   Written and directed by Julian Koster, and produced by Christy Gressman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.  Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Look for Into the River Thames (The Old Seagull Explains) beginning December 23, 2019, on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Bandcamp and more. Listen today on your preferred digital music service provider.  Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman.
If you haven’t disappeared yet, don’t worry — there’s still time! Listen now! Stay tuned for a special holiday episode next week.  A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Starring Drew Callander, Susannah Flood, David Barlow, Walter Lowery, and Julian Koster. Written and directed by Julian Koster, and produced by Christy Gressman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.  Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. In this episode, you heard the song Into the River Thames, which was written by Julian Koster. Gauvain Gamon was the live musical director. It featured Gauvain Gamon on bass, Benjamin Miller on piano, Kolja Gjoni on drums, and North the Singing Saw, who was encouraged to sing by Julian. Look for Into the River Thames soon on your favorite digital music service provider! Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman.
We are introduced to a startling ability of the Janitor’s. New episodes every other Wednesday. A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Starring John Cameron Mitchell, Drew Callander, Susannah Flood, David Barlow, Dan Solomon, Walter Lowery, and Julian Koster. Written and directed by Julian Koster, and produced by Christy Gressman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.  Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman.
We travel back in time to the janitor’s first nights at the tower in this, Naughty Till New Years’ second installment. New episodes every other Wednesday. A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Starring John Cameron Mitchell, Drew Callander, Susannah Flood, David Barlow, Dan Solomon, Nicholas Carter, Walter Lowery, and Julian Koster, with Magali and Alaska as the Chouinard family. Written and directed by Julian Koster, and produced by Christy Gressman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.  Music from the show is released by Merge Records: https://smarturl.it/OrbitingS2songs. Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus, check out shirts, pins, and more at https://topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus, and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. 
This is the perfect place for new listeners to begin. All your favorite Orbiting Human Circus characters return in a brand new adventure, inviting you into the mystery surrounding the lonely young janitor who lives at the Eiffel Tower... and has no idea how he got there. New episodes every other Wednesday! A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Starring John Cameron Mitchell, Drew Callander, Susannah Flood, David Barlow, Dan Solomon, and Julian Koster. Written and directed by Julian Koster, and produced by Christy Gressman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.  Become a Friend of the Orbiting Human Circus on Patreon at https://patreon.com/orbitinghumancircus; check out shirts, pins, and more at https://topatoco.com/collections/orbiting-human-circus; and follow us on Instagram @orbitinghumancircus or Twitter @orbitinghuman. 
The Orbiting Human Circus in Naughty Till New Years is the perfect place for new listeners to begin. All your favorite Orbiting Human Circus characters return in a brand new adventure, inviting you into the mystery surrounding the lonely young janitor who lives at the Eiffel Tower... and has no idea how he got there. It all starts November 6, 2019.  A co-production of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents. Starring John Cameron Mitchell, Drew Callander, Susannah Flood, David Barlow, Dan Solomon, and Julian Koster. Written and directed by Julian Koster, and produced by Christy Gressman. For full credits and more information, go to orbitinghumancircus.com.
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Comments (36)

Stubble_The_Toe

God I adore this podcast, it reminds me of when my mum tells stories to me, they're fantastical and briliantly told but can be confusing and forwards, backwards, and sideways all at the same time, but they still make me so happy!!!

Jun 21st
Reply

Bella Ring

By far one of my favorites. Superb v acting and wonderful story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Apr 20th
Reply

Promaxius

I will be busy then, but I hope the event goes well!!!! ✊🏻🥰

Dec 15th
Reply

Reshi Bunny

I'm absolutely in love with this podcast, it has a stunning dreamlike quality and I'm glad I had the chance to share in it

Aug 30th
Reply

Hailey Lowery

i'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING!!!! 😭😭😭😭

Jun 20th
Reply

Promaxius

These screaming vocals are making me lose my shit.

May 25th
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Promaxius

The tuned screaming is what I live for.

May 25th
Reply

Promaxius

I really hope the other staff are genuinely becoming friends with the janitor, and this isn't just in his head. ✊🏻😭❤

May 25th
Reply

Promaxius

The music, story, and virtually everything about this show makes me cry. Season 2 is so good, and I hope they make more.

May 25th
Reply

BC

Thanks Julian

Apr 22nd
Reply

BC

POLAR BEAR!!!!

Apr 22nd
Reply

BC

Hilarious

Apr 22nd
Reply

Ivan Brooks

Misophonia warning, mild crunching at the end.

Feb 6th
Reply

The Awful 1st Years

i love Letitia and Jacque and Julian.

Dec 7th
Reply (1)

The Awful 1st Years

i love this show

Dec 6th
Reply

BC

yes good

Dec 4th
Reply

Никита Шленкин

The story is absolutely beautiful 🥺

Dec 2nd
Reply (1)

Alise_Lee

there's like 10 full minutes of silence at the end of this?

Dec 1st
Reply (5)

Anne Dougherty

Fascinating stories and great production. maybe for next season's commentary make them separate episodes.

Oct 2nd
Reply

Bella Ring

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Dec 2nd
Reply
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