Iconic Circus Will Visit Newark For 2024 Tour – Without Any Animals

NEWARK, NJ — “The Greatest Show On Earth” is returning to New Jersey as part of a highly anticipated North American tour. But this time, the spotlight will be on amazing and astounding humans – not animals.

The freshly reborn Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus will be visiting the Prudential Center in Newark from Feb. 29 to March 3 in 2024. It’s the only New Jersey stop currently on the tour list. Learn more or purchase tickets here.

The iconic circus, one of the most recognizable names in show business for more than a century, went on hiatus in 2017 amid dropping attendance and rising operating costs. It also saw criticism from many animal rights advocates, including its use of elephants – something the circus eventually phased out prior to the hiatus.

The new version of the circus doesn’t include animals, instead putting the spotlight on a globally diverse cast of 75 performers who hail from 18 countries. Wondering what to expect? Check out a video online here.

“As we began envisioning the reimagined Ringling, it was important to balance evolving the show for today’s consumers, while staying true to who we are as a brand,” said Kenneth Feld, chair and CEO of Feld Entertainment.

“Over the past two years, we have innovated and reimagined what audiences can expect from live family entertainment,” Feld said. “We are delivering powerful moments of connection between the performers and the audience.”

Some of the acts that people can expect to see in Newark include:

"Never-Before-Seen Stunts" - Reimagining an American Icon means reimagining traditional acts and adding an extra layer of awe and wonder. The Triangular Highwire, led by The Lopez Family, sixth-generation circus artists hailing from Mexico and Chile, takes the show to new heights with a never-before-attempted take on the classic highwire. By re-engineering a circus favorite, three 25-foot-tall wires are connected in a triangular formation with performers who triple the excitement by jumping over their partner’s shoulders, riding bikes on the thin wire with performers on top in a handstand, and more incredible human feats. The Double Wheel of Destiny is even more extreme with four acrobatic daredevils performing challenging back-and-forth leaps and somersaults atop two simultaneously spinning apparatuses suspended 30 feet above the ground and moving at incredibly high speeds.

"Hilarious Comedic Performances" - Delivering humor in a new, laugh-out-loud, unexpected way are Nick Nack and the Equivokee trio. Nick Nack, one of the show guides, alongside the trio from Ukraine, introduces a modern take on clowning that leaves the makeup behind and focuses on delivering fun for Children of All Ages through a comedic blend of Rola Bola, juggling, acrobatics, dancing, and much more silliness.

"The Ultimate Playground" - The 360-degree modular performance area is the ultimate playground with colorful elements that evoke a toy box activated by the incredible athletics of the performers. It then transforms into the ultimate skatepark as bikes soar through the air during a high-adrenaline extreme sports act. Featuring a group of BMX riders, a trial bike, and an extreme unicycle, these riders perform stunts on a unique trampoline box constructed in the center of a take-off and landing ramp, the only one of its kind. Double-sided ramps allow the extreme athletes to mirror each other with epic side-by-side bike stunts that include high-flying flips.

"Criss-Cross Trapeze" - Nine trapeze artists will ascend to the Criss-Cross Trapeze – the ultimate swing set consisting of four pedestals for this multi-directional act. The Flying Caceres will soar front-to-back, side-to-side, and diagonally with flyers and catchers in an action-packed, near-miss style act where seconds and inches determine the outcome of each high-flying skill. This incredible feat of timing will lead to an in-act transformation, as two platforms disappear, allowing for more daring tricks and higher rotations, including a double-layout rotation from bar to bar, seen for the first time in The Greatest Show On Earth.

"Aerial & Acrobatic Spectacle" - Every seat at The Greatest Show On Earth will have an impressive view as fans witness a combination of solo and group aerialists that shine brightly in the air simultaneously performing aerial straps and hoops. Jumping, diving, and tumbling across the show floor, skilled acrobats will leave audiences in awe with acts ranging from Teeterboard, Hand-to-Hand Balancing, Hoop Diving, Foot Juggling, and more impressive feats. Closing the show with a bang is the Ringling Rocket, featuring Skyler Miser launching across the arena to an incredible, inconceivable distance at 65 mph.

"Record-Breaking Heights" - Wheeling at spectacular heights will be Wesley Williams, the One Wheel Wonder, a Guinness World Record-setting performer who will be taking on a daring new challenge as he attempts to set a new world record. Wesley will ride ten different unicycles throughout the show, including one with six stacked wheels, an accordion-style unicycle that grows taller with each pedal rotation, and the tallest at an astonishing height of over 34 feet!

"Dynamic Musical Performances" - Audiences will dance along to the beat of original music, pop cover tunes, and live rock-inspired drumming in The Greatest Show On Earth. Argendance, an energetic, bombastic dance troupe from Argentina, presents a fiery fusion of Boleadoras and Malambo that create dynamic moments alongside show guide Stix, the rhythm of the show. The Melody Mixer, a unique and interactive moment will feature audience-created musical content incorporated into the show, surprising fans.

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