Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus

As always, the greatest show on earth did not fail us last night. As a part of the Feld Family Activator program with Mom Central, my girls and I picked up a friend of my youngest daughter and we went the circus.

Of course, we were greeted at the door with handouts about animal cruelty but we didn't let it stop us. Lights, glitz and galore awaited our fun-starved eyes at the newly themed show, Funundrum.

I noticed that this one has a bit more storytelling in it which was nice rather than just watching act after act. They tried to blend the animals into scenes - like doing an Egyptian dance number and bringing in the elephants as a part of it. The big gray beasts still did their number but it seemed to flow better than in the past - not that I would have thought anything of it but I liked this show and how it was performed. The "sideshow" scenes right before the break were the only thing I thought got a little slow. We still enjoyed the night thoroughly - especially the cool motorcycle riders and the colorful jumping guys on trampolines. I also liked the digital screens that added to the color and glitz of the event and changed with each act.

How fun! I wanted to be down there with them - except that some of the stunts were so amazing I just know I would break my neck trying them. They were incredible.

Here's a little summary about the show itself from the website:

Ladies and Gentlemen…Children Of All Ages…The Greatest Show On Earth^® just got Greater with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® Presents Barnum’s FUNundrum!^SM. Featuring 130 performers from six continents, almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates, and mermaids, Barnum’s FUNundrum! is a super-sized spectacle so massive you just can’t miss it!

This monumental, once in a lifetime event celebrates the 200^TH anniversary of the birth of the legendary P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth! and can only be experienced at The Greatest Show On Earth^®, Barnum’s living legacy!

Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson invites the audience to leap aboard the Ringling Bros. Express and go on a family FUNtastic adventure to meet exotic characters and witness thrilling performances that attempt to answer Barnum’s FUNundrum, “What special wonders create The Greatest Show On Earth?”

Step right up and see the Flying Caceres attempt to complete the elusive quadruple somersault on the flying trapeze; a feat that hasn’t been mastered in over three decades. Watch the Puyang Troupe from China dazzle with a stunning display of dexterity as they bounce, flip, and twirl to new heights on a two tiered trampoline. Be amazed as you witness the impossible contortions of the body benders who fit three humans in a cube the size of a milk crate. Enjoy the wondrous ability of the Mighty Meetal, the strongest man in the world as he lifts over 1,200 pounds. And savor the stupendous skills of the hand balancers featuring Duo Fusion, a married pair of performers with a twist; the wife does the heavy lifting.

The thrills continue as you cast your eyes above at the Sky High Ice Gliders who take the high wire to new extremes and in new directions, from horizontal to nearly vertical, combining intricate acrobatic skills and extreme agility as they execute flips, perform splits, and even walk while balancing their partners on their head.Rev up the energy as the Torres Family blast around inside a 16-foot diameter steel globe with seven motorcycles at speeds up to 65-miles an hour with only inches to spare between them in The Spherical Miracle.

In addition to treasured Asian elephants, the most of any circus in North America, Barnum’s FUNundrum!features a dazzling array of exotic animals you cannot see together anywhere else including horses, ponies, llamas, Pygmy and Nubian goats, tigers and even a rare Watusi.

So get your ticket today and hop on board the Ringling Bros.Express at Barnum’s FUNundrum! for an un-miss-able, colossal, historic extravaganza.

See below for quick promo video I just found online. I took some clips I will try to string together later but for now, here's one that at least shows the highlights:

Comments

[Mel's Box of Chocolates]

It was great seeing you last night. I enjoyed the story telling too although some parts were slower. The motorcycles were a huge hit and I loved the pirate show!!

[Term Paper]

Awesome post, I really enjoyed reading this article. We posted a link to it...