This 145th edition of “The Greatest Show on Earth” is one of the best in recent years, thanks to the fast pace and choreography brought in by first-time director Michel Schwandt. Co-producers Nicole and Alana Feld, daughters of Feld Entertainment Chairman and CEO Kenneth Feld, brought him in for his work with Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Flo Rida, among others, and his work as director of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.
Schwandt’s background shows through the entire production, with much faster-paced action, less focus on specs, and his obvious ability to reach out to the mufti-ethnic background of the star performers. New Ringmaster David Shipman keeps the show moving briskly as “tour director” with the help of internationally famous clown couple Alex and Irina Emelin who navigate in a tour jeep to discover the world’s best artists and performers.
Among the standout acts:
– The Daring Danguir high-wire troupe accomplish dangerous stunts with stunning footwork. Highlights include leaping over four others on the wire, a one-man leap from one member’s shoulder to another’s, and the four-person pyramid finale.
– Benny Ibarra does amazing stunts on the six-ton Pendulum of Steel, executing forward and back flips inside the whirling wheel, and then going outside to defy gravity by jumping rope and doing forward somersaults.
– Tabayara Maluendo from Chile faces 16 Bengal tigers, with such stunts as a 15-tiger laydown and then sit up waving their paws; a handstand as a tiger jumps through his legs; and a six-tiger laydown, rollover and sit-up with paw waving. He calls them by name to perform and often uses his catchphrase “Azucar” for sugar or sweet.
– A sextet of Angelic Aerialists from Russia, Ukraine, Australia and Brazil create two displays that are show-stopping. Bungee skydiving in a blacked out arena under ultra-violet, blacklight in stunning fluorescent costumes includes duos, trios and a six-girl finale in Act One. The encore in Act Two includes four “mermaids” on single traps, two single orbs, and five-girl giant orb, as all do synchronized stunts.
– Mongolian Marvels troupe features acrobats, contortionists and a trio of strongman. Their feats include playing catch with 200-pound iron balls, a teeth-only 551-pound lift of three others and barbells, and a finale one-man lift of 810 pounds of other troupe members.
– Human cannonball Gemma “The Jet” Kirby rockets over 100 feet across the arena experiencing seven G’s, usually encountered by fighter pilots and astronauts. Her shot is followed by a nice choreographed dance routine with her group of assistants.
– The Freestyle Sports show finale is a fast-paced display featuring BMX bikes doing half-pipes and 360 wheelies; gymnastic moves on tightly stretched “slackline” straps; and the Ukrainian Art of Trampoline troupe doing acrobatics launched off twin trampolines through a 15-foot transparent tower — bouncing, flipping and tumbling around the entire arena.
The other animal acts are sure to please, led off by trainer Robert Shipka with a unique six Bactrian (two-hump) camel group with bareback Desert Goddess riders doing stunts in various ménage routines; Emelins’ Poodles doing jumps, dances, hind-leg walks and “Mutt & Jeff” under legs and jump-overs with toy and standard breeds; and the famous Ringling Pachyderms, six in this production, performing four headstands and four dancing on tiny pedestals; and a long-mount finale, among other stunts.
Co-producer Alana Feld said it best: “We pulled from the realm of extreme sports and competitive acrobatics and brought them into the world of the circus, making this the most contemporary show we’ve ever created. We’ve also pushed the limits of all of our amazing artists and performers to create new and different exhilarating elements, providing audiences with extreme family fun. “
Lucky Tampa Bay residents and visitors can catch the final weekend performances at Tampa’s Amalie Arena: Saturday and Sunday, three shows each day at 11am, 3pm and 7pm. For tickets call 813-301-2500. For other shows through March, see accompanying Schedule below.
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at straiman@mindspring.com.]
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus XTREME (All-New Red Tour)
Orlando, FL – January 8-11
Jacksonville, FL – January 15-18
Birmingham, AL – January 21-25
Greenville, SC – January 28-February 1
Greensboro, NC – February 4-8
Philadelphia, PA – February 11-16
Brooklyn, NY – February 19 – March 1
Uniondale, NY – March 4-8
Newark, NJ – March 12-15
East Rutherford, NJ – March 18 -22
Huntsville, AL – March 26 -29
For more information and tickets: www.feldinc.com.