Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth is about to become greater when the circus rolls into town January 6th through 10th. The circus will celebrate the 200th anniversary of P.T. Barnum’s birth with Barnum’s Funundrum, and have pulled out all the stops for their show. “Expect anything and everything to happen,” says Benjamin Bolin, one of the clowns in the show. The circus will travel to over 120 cities in the United States, and more than 10 million people will see the circus, yet no city will see the same show twice.
Feld Entertainment, the production company behind the magic of the circus, also produces Disney on Ice, so expect a thrilling spectacle and enchanting evening. Producer Nicole Feld promises that this will be one of the best shows ever produced. Nicole, along with sister Alana Feld are the third generation of Felds to produce The Greatest Show on Earth. “We have put together the most amazing creative team,” says Alana. “Every kid is going to be so excited. All they’re going to do is jump on the bed.’
Funundrum will feature exotic animals, which are, according to Ringmaster Jonathan Lee Iverson, “healthy and beautiful as
always” – everything from llamas to donkeys and everything in between, including a Watusi bull – an African steer with 3 ft horns. And of course, elephants, tigers, as well as a trick horse named Diablo.
Jonathan Lee Iverson will return as ringmaster after a brief hiatus. Iverson is the first African-American ringmaster in the Greatest Show on Earth’s history. Iverson is tall and theatrical, with a deep, booming voice that resonates his operatic training, yet can conjure excitement in any audience member. Iverson, who was named one of the ten most fascinating people by Barbara Walters in 1999, will be joined by wife Pricilla, one of the dancers in the show.
The Flying Caceres, a high-flying trapeze troupe, will attempt to set a world record by trying to perform a quadruple summersault, which is “the most difficult trick in trapeze and circus history.”
A new attraction to this year’s circus will be the free Animal Open House outside of the venue 90 minutes before the show. The Animal Open House will feature a petting zoo including a goat that shakes hands, a costume booth where children can try on costumes, and an opportunity to meet and get autographs from the performers. According to exotic animal trainer and host of the pre-show Andre McClain, this is where the audience will get a chance to “be a part of the show.”
There will be an All Access pre-show on the arena floor one hour before the show. The All Access pre-show is free to all ticket holders.
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth will take place at the St. Pete Times Forum January 6th through 10th.
Visit www.ringling.com for more information on Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth. Tickets can be purchases at www.ticketmaster.com.
