The classic Ringling Bros. circus returns
Last year's Ringling Bros. circus turned off a lot of longtime fans. In an attempt to add some zip and appeal to a younger demographic, the circus all but eliminated the clowns and replaced them with video screens, special effects and a dumb story line.
Fortunately, this year's circus redeems itself by returning to what it's best at: acrobats, animals and clowns.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' "Bellobration" is the classic circus you expect and love. And yet, it still incorporates pop culture without hitting you over the head with it, such as in a "Dancing with the Clowns" bit that included a clip of Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack."
The star of the show is Bello, the Ed Grimley-like clown best known for his blond Chia Pet hair. Bello spent just the right amount of the time in the spotlight, adding comedy in small spurts and letting people mock his "do."
His best moments are in the spinning wheel stunt, but his initial crush on a female acrobat (to whom he lip syncs a few bars of James Blunt's "You're Beautiful") fizzles out early.
Speaking of music, most of the circus music is performed by a live band, which adds a nice old school touch.
This well-paced, two-hour show dazzles with how-did-they-do-that acrobats, sparkly costumes and animal performances (although the PETA protesters outside the arena weren't so dazzled). The crowd favorite was the tightrope walkers and the ultra-hyper dancing dogs, who, among other stunts, ride scooters and fly down a slide.
On opening night Thursday, the acrobats and trapeze artists had a rough go of it, which was strangely entertaining. Eyes were glued to them when they made a second attempt (which, in the case of the five-person standing pyramid, they missed twice). It made you realize just how difficult these stunts are.
The show did have lulls, as a few of the acts ran a little long. The non-Bello clowns who performed in between acts weren't very funny, and the show ran past most of its audience members' school night bedtimes.
Still, circus fans will not be disappointed.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus "Bellobration"
When: Today through Nov. 25
Where: From today through Nov. 11 at the Allstate Arena; From Nov. 13-25, at the United Center.
Tickets: $13-$50, plus limited numbers of $80 Circus Celebrity seats for each show
Information: www.ringling.com or (312) 559-1212, or at the arena box offices