Grab the kids, jump in the car and head for one of two venues - one in Oakland and one in San Jose - and get set for the annual circus treat. The 138th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth does not disappoint. It still moves at breakneck speed with the music, the costumes and the dazzling sounds and colors.
Ringmaster Chuck Wagner and head clown Tom Dougherty try to out do each other by controlling the circus with a magic hat.
This circus offers almost 100 animals, including flying dogs, Asian elephants, miniature horses, llamas, pigs, exciting Bengal tigers and a most unusual performing porcupine.
Get set to get your adrenaline pumping with seven speeding racers in a Globe of Steel racing around at 60 mph add a cycle on a high wire. If your nerves don't get you, the noise and excitement will. The bombastic bouncers you have to see to believe and a double deck trapeze act keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The regular fun and hoop-a-la with the clowns, elephants and acts flying in and out of the arena are here for your enjoinment.
Alexandre Magno's choreography and Angus Strathie's costumes seem to get better every year.
The most inventive idea the circus came up with a few years ago was the "Animal Open House" and each year the presentation has improved. Beginning about 90 minutes before the show, ticket holders are treated to an up close and personal visit with the animals that perform. Signs at each animal's area tell history and interesting facts about them.
Also included in your ticket price is the "All Access Preshow," up close and personal interaction with the performers within the three rings on the floor of the venue. The kids are awed and the adults take advantage of a great photo op. They can get their programs autographed by friendly performers. They cuddle and play with the clowns. They can get a close up view of an elephant and other four-legged creatures. This is heady stuff for kids used to the TV screen between them and the real thing. By the time they go to their seats they feel they are a part of the performance and the clowns and performers are their personal friends. They can even get a chance in a raffle to win a " mammoth masterpiece" painted by the one of the elephants.
This 138th edition is a smoother, classier circus then previous productions. They still keep the fun and innocence that is supposed to be a part of the circus. Updated showmanship, and presentation and tight direction keeps the show moving without losing the audience's attention.
Ringling Brothers is offering a free, first ticket to every baby born in the United States. The offer is good for one ticket redeemable at any time during the lifetime of the child. For information, parents can visit www.Ringling.com.
So run away and join the circus. This one is fun and joyful and the kids will definitely enjoy the experience and grow a little in understanding that there are good, interesting, different things in the world without guns and violence.
Camille Bounds Camille Bounds is the Theatre and Arts Editor for Sunrise Publications.
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