Thrills under the Big Top

March madness of a different sort will soon arrive at Nassau Coliseum when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey gang arrives here with their annual spring circus extravaganza. This time around Ringling Bros. looked to Asia for inspiration for its 142nd edition of the circus, which visits Long Island for six days, beginning March 21.
The creative team behind this year’s Greatest Show On Earth considers this production to be a “once in a millennium event” as the circus honors the Year of the Dragon.
Featuring an international cast of circus stars, with an array of exotic animal acts, Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson presides over this fantastical gathering that brings together dragon lore with authentic circus feats.
“This show is truly special,” said Iverson, who in his 14th year as ringmaster has the honor of being the first African American in Ringling Bros. history. “We are bringing a great grand mystical tradition to the world’s longest running show, and it’s been a tremendous hit with everyone.”
This being the circus, audiences can expect to see elaborate stunts, high wire acts, cavorting clowns, and all sorts of daredevil routines involving both man and beast. But this version of the Ringling Bros. spectacle involves much more, according to Iverson. The show’s storyline involves the four dragon tribes – North, South, East, and West – and the mysticism that surrounds these tribes. “During the duration of the show the dragon comes to life and reveals itself,” said Iverson. “Our performers take the audience along on a fantastic journey to lure the dragon from its lair. And I spin the whole thing, along with Paolo (the ringmaster’s sidekick).”

The action will explode off the arena floor with daredevilry, superhuman stunts and never-before-seen performances, March 21-26. Anticipation builds throughout the show as audiences watch one dynamic circus act after another waiting for a glimpse of the elusive beast.
“We are so excited and have been waiting for 2012, the Year of the Dragon, to arrive so that we could create a production of such magnitude that celebrates dragon lore with the circus,” said Producer Nicole Feld. “This is truly a once in a lifetime event where fantasy and real world legends literally collide,” added Producer Alana Feld.
The many acts continue to the circus’ evolution away from the traditional routines parents saw as kids, as the Ringling Bros. folks aim to astonish even the most jaded teenager. These include the Shaolin Warriors from China, who execute intense and fearless Kung Fu martial arts dating back to the 5th Century. Trained at an early age to become masters of their discipline, the Shaolin Warriors demonstrate powerful concentration and skill by using rapid movements and the sheer strength of their own bodies to twist eight-foot long metal rods; break six-foot long wooden poles in one precise strike; or be lifted seven feet in the air on the points of five handheld spears. “Not even 16 steel blades rotating within a metal ring of fire can unnerve the steady mind of a Shaolin Warrior as he jumps through the razor-sharp blaze blindfolded,” said the Felds.
The Riders of the Wind, a dozen deftly-balancing Cossack riders, thrill audiences when they charge into the ring on their thoroughbred horses, displaying great strength and amazing dexterity. The equestrian acrobat riders perform intricate maneuvers on horseback, including a double-man pyramid that builds to remarkable Roman riding five-man high pyramid, all while the horses are galloping at full speed.
Everyone will gaze in awe when The Flying Caceres, with their double decker high trapeze, designed specifically for Ringling Bros., soar elegantly through the air. They will present the wildly difficult forward triple somersault and in the first worldwide attempt, troupe leader George Caceres will undertake a full twisting double bar-to-bar somersault.
In another dazzling aerial display, Viktoriya Medeiros and Widny Neves, the Hair Hang Heroines, ascend 35-feet in the air from just the strands of their long dark hair. Relying on the pure strength of their hair, they juggle, flip and even spiral down some silk chiffon.
The fearless Torres family dials up the thrills with their Globe of Steel. They aim to shatter all records by putting eight family members on specialized motorcycles. Once locked inside a 16-foot steel globe, all together they will orbit at an unprecedented 65 miles per hour within inches of each other.
Then there is a friendly tournament of the Russian Bar Renegades and Teeterboard Titans. These two acrobatic troupes attempt to outdo one another as they vault from a 12-foot long, six-inch wide Russian bar showcasing an overwhelming series of flips, twists and somersaults sequences. These athletes ramp it up by securing themselves to six-foot tall stilts before being launched from the teeterboard, executing a triple somersault.
And, of course, the animals continue to bring out the kid in everyone, led by the Ringling Bros. Asian elephants. Joining those famed pachyderms are many members of the animal kingdom. Those elephants, the largest herd of any circus in North America, are presented in a spectacle of majestic wonder and strength.
A whimsical and heartwarming display of showmanship goes forth in an animal menagerie, from 10 pounds to 10,000 pounds. Hailing from Great Britain and appearing in the U.S. for the first time, trainer and award-winning presenter Alexander Lacey introduces his big cats, including tigers and lions, to Ringling Bros. audiences. Lacey summons brazen bravado and valor in his mixed cat display, as his fearless command of the big cats’ agility and strength demonstrates unconditional respect between man and predator.
Trainer extraordinaire Andre McClain, who was raised on a ranch in Kansas City, Mo., shows off his devotion and the close bond he shares with animals in his mixed liberty act featuring donkies, ponies, goats, and horses. Leading his animals into the ring with no reigns or riders, McClain uses his calm voice to direct his hoofstock through graceful and mesmerizing patterns. The canines have their day with Hans Klose, whose 10 energetic rescue dogs display their animal athleticism by high jumping, hurdling, back flipping, walking on their hind legs and even diving from 16 feet up in the air. Also, the kitties take a star turn when Mayya Panfilova and Andriy Bilobrov’s troupe of performing domestic felines scale a “kitty low wire,” balance on top of balls, jump through hula hoops and walk across parallel bars only using their front paws.
“It is an all-encompassing event that is pure entertainment,” said Iverson. “We create a dynamic synergy with so many elements. This show is completely different from anything you have seen before.”
See for yourself and be sure to check out the related circus events. Prior to show time, stop by the Animal Open House, free with admission, where visitors can meet Ringling Bros. biggest stars, the Asian Elephants, along with some of the other animal performers. It opens 90 minutes before the performance.
Also, feel the circus vibe at the All Access Pre-show, held an hour to the performance. Step onto the arena floor and experience the circus up-close. Join pre-show host Andre McClain learn the basics of clowning and juggling at Clown Alley, visit with some of the performers, and take pictures with circus members.
Circus fans can get in on the excitement with some pre-circus fun, on Monday, March 19, 6-9 p.m., at Long Island Children’s Museum. LICM is open for a special evening of circus-related activities that night, Those famed Ringling Bros. elephants march from the circus train to their temporary home at Nassau Coliseum during the annual “Circus Animal Walk,” which takes them right by the museum. Families can enjoy circus-related crafts and activities, including an appearance by Ringling Bros., as everyone waits for the elephants (and maybe some other animals) to walk by. Admission is $8, $6 members. Early arrival is advised as roads are subject to closure.
Long Island Children’s Museum is located on Museum Row in Garden City. Call (516) 224-5802 for information or visit. www.licm.org. Advance tickets are recommended.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Presents Dragons
Wednesday through Sunday, March 21-25. Times vary.
Tickets are $20-$150; opening night seats (excluding VIP) are $12. Tickets are available at the Coliseum box offfice, (800) 745-3000, www.ringling.com, or
www.ticketmaster.com.