Go! FEATURE

The Greatest Show on Earth reaches out to a new generation with a significant re-invention of the traditional circus.

“It’s been over 50 years since we’ve made changes this big,” said Mike Steward, general manager of the 136th edition. “We’re basically trying to reach out to 20- and 30-year-olds with children.”

The biggest change is the elimination of the three-ring format.

“You can focus your attention on the acts more,” Stuart said. “People don’t have to decide what to look at.”

The addition of a 24-foot television monitor also makes an appeal to the next generation of circus-goers.

“You don’t have to watch the screen, but it allows people to see stuff they might not see otherwise,” said boss clown Scott O’Donnell. “It brings a different element to the show.”

That “television appeal” goes one step further with the addition of a hostess, an “American Idol” runner-up Jennifer Fuentes.

“I’m the singer and the storyteller,” Fuentes said. “They call me 'the songstress extraordinaire.’”
Fuentes has five songs to sing in the show, including the traditional “Star Spangled Banner” opening.

“I pick a family out of the audience and try to interest them in different things they can become in the 'circus of dreams.’”

The father gets the chance to become the Ringmaster, the mother joins the trapeze artists and the children get to try out different things.

Some of the specialty acts for this edition include:

• The Kassaev Cossacks, which includes former members of the Russian cavalry. The new ringless format allows their horses to gallop at full speed.

• Madame Shamsheeva, a former member of the Moscow State Circus, who travels with 13 dogs, 14 cats and over 50 birds.

• Familia Torres, seven motorcycle-riding brothers who ride full speed in the traditional “Globe of Death.”

• The Clown Alley presents a NASCAR parody called “SMASHCAR,” featuring the world’s worst pit crew.
“The clowns are more involved in the show more than ever,” O’Donnell said. “The addition of a story line really allows them to branch out.”

how to go
WHO: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
WHERE: U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati.
WHEN: Feb. 28-March 4.
COST: $15-$85.
MORE INFO: (513) 562-4949; www.ticketmaster.com.