The Orbiting Human Circus - podcast cover

The Orbiting Human Circus

WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presentswww.wnycstudios.org
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.
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Episodes

New OHC Song and Live Shows!

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.

Apr 20, 20231 min

Introducing Milky Way Underground

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

Sep 22, 20213 min

A Orbiting Human Circus Holiday Event

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 [email protected] 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 wil...

Dec 14, 202045 sec

Naughty Till New Years: Season Finale, Part Two

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 t...

Jun 17, 202049 minEp. 14

Naughty Till New Years: Season Finale, Part One

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 E...

May 27, 202030 minEp. 13

Naughty Till New Years: Twelfthly, It’s a Scream (Pt. 2)

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 ...

May 13, 202026 minEp. 12

Naughty Till New Years: Eleventhly, It's a Scream (Pt. 1), plus Season Recap

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 M...

May 06, 202019 minEp. 11

Special Announcement: An Orbiting Livestream

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

Apr 07, 20201 min

Naughty Till New Years: Tenthly, a Time for Dreamers

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...

Mar 18, 202031 minEp. 10

Naughty Till New Years: Ninthly, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner!

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...

Mar 04, 202029 minEp. 9

Naughty Till New Years: Eighthly, a Booth by the Seaside

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, ...

Feb 20, 202031 minEp. 8

Naughty Till New Years: Seventhly, the Gift

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;...

Feb 05, 202022 minEp. 7

Naughty Till New Years: Sixthly, the Flea Talks

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...

Jan 22, 202022 minEp. 6

Naughty Till New Years: Fifthly, Do You Dream?

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 arrange...

Jan 08, 202024 minEp. 5

The Orbiting Human Circus Holiday Vacation

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 sta...

Dec 18, 201930 min

Naughty Till New Years: Fourthly... How to Disappear (Lesson III of III)

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/OrbitingS2s...

Dec 11, 201911 minEp. 4

Naughty Till New Years: Thirdly... How to Disappear (Lessons I and II of III)

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/OrbitingS2...

Dec 04, 201922 minEp. 3

Naughty Till New Years: Secondly, the Past

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...

Nov 20, 201927 minEp. 2

Naughty Till New Years: Firstly, the Janitor

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 J...

Nov 06, 201940 minEp. 1

The Orbiting Human Circus in Naughty Till New Years: Trailer

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, a...

Oct 23, 20194 min

The 2nd Imaginary Symphony: An Orbiting Human Circus Holiday Special

Welcome to what has become a wintertime tradition here in Orbiting Human Circus-land! The 2nd Imaginary Symphony was originally recorded from 1999–2001 in Athens, Georgia, and New York City by a group of best friends. It was first broadcast on WNYC in 2002, so it feels special to share it now through WNYC, as well as to share it again with the Night Vale Presents family, many of whom are already familiar with it. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season from all of us here at The Orbiting Human Ci...

Nov 20, 20181 hr 6 min

(Of the Air): Eighthly! – Director’s Cut

This special edition of The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) Season One is a co-presentation of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents . Today, Julian reveals the real ending of the season for the very first time with a new director’s cut of the Season Finale. The fate of the janitor—and the show—hang in the balance as the Orbiting Human Circus races towards its breathtaking conclusion! Starring John Cameron Mitchell as Mr. Cameron, Julian Koster as the Janitor, and Drew Callander as the Narrato...

May 21, 201830 minEp. 8

(Of the Air): Seventhly!

This special edition of The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) Season One is a co-presentation of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents . Hold onto your hats – extraordinary events strike the Orbiting Human Circus! Starring John Cameron Mitchell as Mr. Cameron, Julian Koster as the Janitor, and Drew Callander as the Narrator, and Susannah Flood as Leticia Saltier. Written and created by Julian Koster. Co-directed by and developed with Ellie Heyman. Produced by Christy Gressman. Musical compositio...

May 20, 201818 minEp. 7

(Of the Air): Sixthly!

This special edition of The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) Season One is a co-presentation of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents . A special tale for the holiday season—or any season. Plus, the saws sing for the janitor! Starring Larry “Ratso” Sloman as The Santa Claus, John Cameron Mitchell as Mr. Cameron, Julian Koster as the Janitor, and Drew Callander as the Narrator, and Susannah Flood as Leticia Saltier. Written and created by Julian Koster. Co-directed by and developed with Ellie He...

May 19, 201822 minEp. 6

(Of the Air): Fifthly!

This special reissue of The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) Season One is a co-presentation of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents . An on-air hypnosis demonstration goes horribly wrong. Plus: the janitor sings! Starring John Cameron Mitchell as Mr. Cameron, Julian Koster as the Janitor, and Drew Callander as the Narrator, and Susannah Flood as Leticia Saltier, with Cecil Baldwin, Ben Chase, and JJ Gonson as Third Grade Teacher Whistling the Sabre Dance. Written and created by Julian Koster....

May 18, 201821 minEp. 5

(Of the Air): Fourthly! – The Janitor's Nights

This special reissue of The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) Season One is a co-presentation of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents . Hear the tale of history’s greatest rhythmic genius, meet a remarkable platypus, and follow the janitor as he wanders Paris by night. Starring John Cameron Mitchell as Mr. Cameron, Julian Koster as the Janitor, and Drew Callander as the Narrator, Susannah Flood as Leticia Saltier, and Brian Dewan as the Spokesperson of the Perpetual Broadcasting Corporation. Wr...

May 17, 201822 minEp. 4

(Of the Air): Thirdly!

This special edition of The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) Season One is a co-presentation of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents . Will the famed storytelling cricket (Tim Robbins) return? Plus, Charlie Day and Mary Elizabeth Ellis perform Shakespeare as you’ve never heard it and the janitor pushes host John Cameron to the very brink. Starring John Cameron Mitchell as Mr. Cameron, Julian Koster as the Janitor, Drew Callander as the Narrator, and Susannah Flood at Laeticia, with Tim Robbins...

May 16, 201824 minEp. 3

(Of the Air): Secondly! – The Cricket

This special edition of The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) Season One is a co-presentation of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents . Hear Mandy Patinkin perform an extraordinary musicological demonstration and a cricket (Tim Robbins) spin the spellbinding tale of Ladislas Koskovsky. Plus, learn the remarkable history of Julian the janitor’s famous great-grandfather. Starring John Cameron Mitchell as Mr. Cameron, Julian Koster as the Janitor, Drew Callander as the Narrator, and Susannah Flood...

May 15, 201830 minEp. 2

(Of the Air): Firstly!

This special edition of The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) Season One is a co-presentation of WNYC Studios and Night Vale Presents . Welcome to the world of The Orbiting Human Circus: discover the surreally impossible radio show broadcast from the top of the Eiffel Tower, meet the lonely janitor who longs to become part of it, and settle in for the chilling tale of Goolsby and Rue. Starring John Cameron Mitchell as Mr. Cameron, Julian Koster as the Janitor, Drew Callander as the Narrator, an...

May 14, 201826 minEp. 1
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