"The Greatest Show on Earth" is how Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey tag their circus performances. Well, I have to agree! My family went last night and had the best time. My kids were excited for days just knowing that we were going to see the circus. My youngest really didn't know what the circus was. They do now!
First off, I must thank the promotion group for treating us so well. We had prime seats and could see the entire production very well. They also gave my family goody bags, like those given to the group from Henryville (more on this later) so my kids were loving that too. The goody bags had a very nice program (buy one of you go), dragon flags, foam glasses with big noses and rubber clown noses. We had a lot of fun while waiting for the show to start.
Ringling Bros. hosts an amazing pre-show! For all ticket holders, if you can get there at least an hour before your show time, you can go down to the arena and meet some performers, animals, and see costumes up close. This is all included in your ticket price. The kids love it!
As a special treat for the community of Henryville and surrounding areas who were hit so hard with tornadoes last month, Ringling Bros. hosted 1000 people last night at the show. They also hired busses to bring them to the YUM! Center. It was an enjoyable family evening and much needed my many who live there. They were given goody bags and lots of laughs. Kudos to you, Ringling Bros.
As you might imagine, "Dragons" opened with lots of clowns, juggling and throwing oversized balls into the audience. That was fun, it set the tone for a great evening. The Ringmaster, Johnathan Lee Iverson, was great! He has an incredible voice and sings marvelously! His charming smile was easy to see and you can tell he loves his job.
The show is full of excitement, dare devil tricks, amazing acrobatics, animals - large and small, fun and beauty. Each performer is very talented and precise and you can see chemistry in the show. One of my favorite segments was the "Maestro of Magnificent Cats" This mixed-cat presentation is unique and just amazing. Alexander Lacey is very talented and most of the big cats were cooperative.
If you go, you will be treated, and I do mean treated, to a fantastic journey of Strength, Heart, Wisdom and Courage illustrated by Shaolin Warriors, motorcycles, horse riders, high-flyers, Russian bar and vault performances, motorcycles, clowns, lions, tigers, goats, horses, dogs, house cats and a dragon!
As adults in this age I think it takes a lot more that it used to - to be entertained. My husband and I were both amazed at the vast talent included in one place. Go if you can. Last night's performance was not sold out, but pretty full. It is worth the ticket price.
Performance and ticket information is as follows: Thursday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 7 at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Sunday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., at KFC Yum! Center. Tickets are $73, $37, $22 and $16, reserved seating. Prices include facility fees. Tickets may be purchased at the KFC Yum! Center, the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center Ticket Offices. Tickets may also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, through Ticketmaster Charge by Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Enjoy the show!
Photo source: Roxane Haynes
