This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents a new jumbo-size circus to celebrate the 200th birthday of P.T. Barnum, one of the show's founders.
This year's circus will include clowns, elephants and lion tamers, but also a cast of 130 performers from six continents. Ringmaster Jonathan Lee Iverson leads this array of new acts:
The Flying Caceres • Dressed as superheroes, acrobats will perform stunts on a double-decker trapeze. Ivo Silva Jr. will attempt a quadruple somersault — a trick that hasn't been mastered in over 30 years.
The Spherical Miracle • The seven-member Torres Family races around the arena on motorcycles. They're noted for racing inside a 16-foot-diameter steel globe at speeds up to 65 mph.
The Barnum Bounce • The Puyang Troupe from China will perform various tricks on giant trampolines
The Makarov Troupe • Acrobats perform flips, splits and other tricks.
Andrea Raffo • A third-generation circus performer, Raffo has mastered her family's performance secret of being lifted 35 feet in the air by her hair.
Contortionists • Featuring Duo Fusion, the Bionic Brothers, the Ulaanbaatar Ballerina and the Balancing Body Benders.
Animals • In addition to 100,000 pounds of pachyderms, audiences will see horses, ponies, llamas, Pygmy and Nubian goats, Bengal and Siberian tigers and the rare Watusi, a breed of cattle from Africa with giant, white horns. Ticket holders are invited to attend the Animal Open house, 90 minutes before curtain.
Celebrity seating • New seating allows people to sit on the arena floor — inches away from the action.
All Access Pre-Show • An hour before show time, audiences can meet with performers and animals for photo opportunities. It's also the only place to register to win a painting by one of the artistic Asian elephants. Free to all ticket holders.
It's a 'FUNundrum'
P The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus comes to town.
When • Sept. 22 and 23, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 24, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 25, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; Sept. 26, 1:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Where • EnergySolutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
Info • $11-$28, $38-$82 for VIP, front row and Circus Celebrity (opening-night tickets are $12 online only); 801-355-SEAT; http://www.SmithsTix.com.
Parade • Wednesday, Sept. 22, at noon. Processional starts at 200 S. Rio Grande St. and continues through The Gateway, ending at 50 North.