There could have been other entertainers but I didn't see them for the crowd. The jugglers were good but there were a few unintentional drops. Yes, there are intentional and unintentional drops in juggling. An unintentional drop is that moment in Cirque Du Soleil's Kooza where one of the tightrope walkers "falls" and catches himself only to make the stunt look more difficult than it actually is when they actually pull it off. All of the performers I watched were genuinely nice and enjoyed talking to the kids of all ages. But the dropped clubs, come on man, they pay you to juggle for a living. Your job is easy, never let anything hit the ground.
Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth has changed since my youth. The traditional marches, that were once the soundtrack, are gone. Not changed or altered, but gone. There is still a live band and the musicians are quite talented but the style of music could only be described as, cruise ship spectacular meets muzak meets razor blade in my eye.
The musical numbers, which were numerous, are gaudy and hideously choreographed with more than 150 people lip syncing in costumes that would would cause any Cirque Du Soleil performer to go on strike. These numbers featured the Ringmaster, Brian Crawford Scott. First of all, if you go by a three word name, shut up. Just shut up. You no longer exist. This especially goes for Brian Austin Green. Please quietly exit this existence and do not leave a mess. When did the role of the Ringmaster transition from the person who was seemingly running the circus to an off-Broadway wannabe? To be fair, it's difficult to separate him from the musical moments because the songs themselves were so unbearable. Let me put it another way; Pat Robertson could write and perform better songs.
Most of the individual acts however, were amazing.
Taba, the wild animal trainer. The animals all seemingly behaved and did as they were told. I don't personally know anyone who voluntarily gets into a cage full of animals that could easily end you with a flick of the wrist and then eat you without thinking twice. So to me, just putting a foot into the cage is impressive enough. Then making ten to twelve 600 pound animals do your bidding; Taba, you sir, have gigantic balls.
Brian Miser. Think "human cannonball" but with a crossbow and he's on fire. There was WAYYYYY too much drama (read: the fucking ring master had to do a another number) building up to his big moment. But when he launched across Philips Arena brightly ablaze, it was something. It took 5 roustabouts, each armed with their own fire extinguisher to put him out and the fire didn't go away easily or quickly.
The Fernandez Brothers. I don't know who came up with the "wheel of death/steel" first, but it needs a control/alt/del style reboot. Yes, what these gentlemen do is impressive. But we've all seen it.
The high wire; except for top-notch, world-class jugglers, probably my favorite circus bit. Performed by the Danguir Troupe, the act seemed effortless. Amazing and they had a few neat twists on classic routines.
I ran into one of the artists after the show and he was a super kind and amazingly tiny man. I love how they didn't put the wire in the middle of the arena. Instead they installed it right above and in front of the first row, heightening the danger and the incredible view. Well, our view; the other side of the arena kind of got screwed there.
The floor acrobatic group, Negrey Troupe, were really good. But they way they incorporated the matriarch of the group got a little creepy with all of the young buff men jumping and bouncing around her. Great talent, awkward presentation.
There was a trained horse act that I have to admit, I just didn't get. It was like watching ice-skaters go ice-fishing.
If there was a WTF moment in the show it was Tianyicheng Troupe. There is only one way an act like this gets in the circus. The director, who was smoking crack that was laced with crack that was laced with bacon said; "Let's combine a cheesy NBA halftime idea with Cirque Du Soleil!" Just look at the photo in the link and then imagine they missed 40% of their shots and the act goes on for 6 minutes. I'd rather be forced to watch the NBA and eat baked beans.
Was it fun? Yes, because it was fun with Tess. Will Tess go back to the circus? Absolutely. But the changes were extreme. I hope Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus Greatest Show on Earth does a retro show and we get to be reminded of what the circus used to be like.
Brian Miser. Think "human cannonball" but with a crossbow and he's on fire. There was WAYYYYY too much drama (read: the fucking ring master had to do a another number) building up to his big moment. But when he launched across Philips Arena brightly ablaze, it was something. It took 5 roustabouts, each armed with their own fire extinguisher to put him out and the fire didn't go away easily or quickly.
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The high wire; except for top-notch, world-class jugglers, probably my favorite circus bit. Performed by the Danguir Troupe, the act seemed effortless. Amazing and they had a few neat twists on classic routines.
I ran into one of the artists after the show and he was a super kind and amazingly tiny man. I love how they didn't put the wire in the middle of the arena. Instead they installed it right above and in front of the first row, heightening the danger and the incredible view. Well, our view; the other side of the arena kind of got screwed there.
There was a trained horse act that I have to admit, I just didn't get. It was like watching ice-skaters go ice-fishing.
If there was a WTF moment in the show it was Tianyicheng Troupe. There is only one way an act like this gets in the circus. The director, who was smoking crack that was laced with crack that was laced with bacon said; "Let's combine a cheesy NBA halftime idea with Cirque Du Soleil!" Just look at the photo in the link and then imagine they missed 40% of their shots and the act goes on for 6 minutes. I'd rather be forced to watch the NBA and eat baked beans.
Was it fun? Yes, because it was fun with Tess. Will Tess go back to the circus? Absolutely. But the changes were extreme. I hope Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus Greatest Show on Earth does a retro show and we get to be reminded of what the circus used to be like.
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