AR-News: (NC) Ringling pimp writes glowing review, let him know what you think

[MEATSTINKS at aol.com]

Asheville Citizen-Times, June 11, 2004
Circus Review: Ringling's new Hometown Edition is pure family fun
By Tony Kiss, Entertainment Editor

ASHEVILLE - Cozy is a word that's never really described the Ringling Bros. 
and Barnum Baily Circus. Their big Red and Blue Unit shows, which played 
Asheville for many years, are sweeping, showy spectacles, famous for their glamour 
and glitz.
Now Ringling has reinvented its own circus wheel with the new Hometown 
Edition show, running through Sunday at the Asheville Civic Center. Smaller, yes, 
but in some ways, the Hometown Edition is a superior production.
With one focused but fantastic ring, it's easier to watch. And this is 
friendly, up-close and personal circus where the audience can meet the performers 
before the show, or ask a question during the performance. It's unlike anything 
Ringling has done before, and is pure, wholesome American family fun - a rare 
find these days.
Gone is the big parade of pachyderms and the non-stop line of dancers, clowns 
and other acts. These elements remain, just in fewer numbers. But there is 
more than enough entertainment to go around. The Civic Center, which can seat up 
to 7,000 in some settings, has been scaled back using red curtains and a big 
centerpiece set that includes a bandstand. It almost makes the arena into a 
large theater, although acoustics are not improved.
Interactive host Jon Weiss, in sparkling jacket and orange suit, gets the 
thing going with an informal hour-long meet- and-greet session before ringmaster 
host Ted McRae arrives to really get the party started. Both also serve as 
performers: Weiss does a fine balancing act and McRae wrangles alligators and 
snakes, including some big beasts.
Then come all the circus classics including clowns, a teeterboard act, aerial 
antics from the Tabares family, the Brazilian contortionist Sapo and a pair 
of elephants, Doc and Gunter. Perhaps the show-stealers are the Kossaev 
Cossacks, a team of horsemen who thunder 'round the ring in a dazzling display of 
saddle skill. The Tabares are equally impressive with their aerial act, which 
includes pyrotechnics and glow-in-the-dark costumes. Hungarian strongman Hercules 
bends metal bars, catches a cannonball fired from a gun and allows a jeep to 
roll over his huge chest.


The two elephants are cute, but there's a bit too much preachy emphasis on 
Ringling's care for these grand creatures. It will go right past the children, 
and grownups are unlikely to remember. Nor will it satisfy circus critics, who 
were barely noticed in their opening night mini- protest. Also, the audience 
questions/answers seem a little too rehearsed.
But these are minor criticisms in what is overall an outstanding new circus 
from producers Kenneth and Nicole Feld.
Contact Kiss at 828-232-5855 or Tkiss at CITIZEN-TIMES.com
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