Friday, July 17, 2009

Zing Zang Zoom

"RBBB no longer uses the word CIRCUS.

Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Zing, Zang, Zoom @ US Airways Center – Phoenix, AZ Saturday June 27, 2009

I was hoping for the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH and got Zing, Zang, Zoom. From the deflating…er… disappearing elephant to a circus with no rings only a LOT OF FLOOR, this show was disappointing on so many levels. When three acts were on at the same time, they didn’t necessarily end at the same time. Which wouldn’t be so bad if the acts on either side of center stage didn’t happen to better than what was supposed to be the featured act in what used to be the center ring.

The saddest moments were how un-funny the clowns were. The pre-show was so disorganized that adults could barely see what was happening, let along those poor kids who were under 40”. The lack of rings removed the focal point for several acts and they were just lost in the cavernous arena.

The beautiful elephant blankets that Ringling is known for only appeared on half the elephants, I felt like I only got half a show. Sorry, Ken & Nicole – this review may Zing more than the show did. There was a lot of show, but not much CIRCUS. Maybe THAT’s why the Feld’s have dropped the word from their advertising.

Favorite moment: The highwire was exceptional, The Four Russian Swings were amazing, The Swinging Acrobats were not."

Posted by Buckles at 7/17/2009 07:01:00 AM

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sometimes less is more. In the case of the circus, less is less!
Carl

17 July, 2009 17:35
Roger Smith said...

The Felds are not showpeople. This is as much as can be expected of them. As long as they have the title, it will be disgraced.

17 July, 2009 23:17
Frank Ferrante said...

I wouldn't go so far as to say that they were not show people, Roger. Irvin and Israel were instrumental in bringing the show to more people than ever before through the use of indoor arenas. Irvin and Kenneth have brought unique and exceptional talent from around the world, (The name Gunther Gebel-Williams is one that comes to mind!) and they have elevated other fine acts from relative obscurity with smaller shows that had limited audiences.

I totally agree with all of the statements made by the person who reviewed this year's Red Unit show, but calling the show 'disgraced' is going a bit far.

Regards,
~frank

18 July, 2009 18:26

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