Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey bring their all-new 136th edition “Greatest Show On Earth” to the ipayOne Arena, August 9 through 13.
Boasting the biggest changes that the show has seen in 50 years, since the move from tent performances to arena shows, they break through the iconic three-rings, which have been a staple of Ringling Bros. since P.T. Barnum joined forces with James Bailey in 1880. Instead, this year they provide a single 130-foot by 80-foot performance area as center stage.
Other changes this year include the use of a 24-foot jumbo video screen, giving the audience an up-close and personal view of the performers.
“It allows the audience to see things that they would not have seen before,” said Andy Perez, west coast public relations director for Feld Entertainment, which produces Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey as well as Disney on Ice and Disney Live. “Now when the strong man has the Jeep run over him, the audience gets to see the expression on his face.”
Another new aspect of the show is the story. The show follows a small boy, Dan, and his family as they make all of their circus dreams come true.
“American Idol alumna Jennifer Fuentes acts as our dream maker,” Perez said. “She helps them discover what they would like to be in the circus. But Dan is a little boy and doesn’t know what he can do. So the show follows him trying to discover what he can do, and that’s been the most exciting change.”
While the show has changed a lot since previous years, the show tries to stay in touch with traditional circus concepts, but with a more contemporary twist.
“We didn’t throw the baby out with the bath water,” Perez said. “We kept the things that the audience loves, like the Asian elephants.”
The show aims to bring the audience into the show and make them a part of it. They offer Circus Celebrity tickets at an additional cost, which give front-row seating as well as allow the audience member to interact with the performers and the show.
An animal open house begins 90 minutes before the start of the show, giving the audience an opportunity to get close to the various animals, including horses and elephants. They can also learn more about the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation, located in Florida. Portions of all ticket sales will go to the Center for Elephant Conservation.
Also, audience members are encouraged to participate in the pre-show, which begins one hour before the start of the event. During the pre-show, audience members are allowed to go onto the arena floor and try on various costumes and meet performers.
“It’s an experience for the entire family. It’s rare that the entire family can get together and everyone will have a good time,” Perez said.