Ringing Bros. and Barnum and Bailey's Circus XTREME @ The Staples Center


Gary Morgan (Pete's Dragon) and Bonnie Morgan (the last Witch Hunter) at the interactive preshow of Circus XTREMEGary Morgan (Pete's Dragon) and Bonnie Morgan (the last Witch Hunter) at the interactive preshow of Circus XTREME

Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus XTREME took over Staples Center July 9 to 14, and it might really be the greatest show on Earth. (Or at least the greatest circus currently touring.) XTREME’s beautiful costumes, death-defying acts, seamless storytelling and cool preshow, free with admission starting an hour before the show, made for a really fun time. Shortly after announcing the retiring of the Asian elephants from its touring companies, Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey has premiered the new elephant act, which explained the ways the “tricks” were related to essential natural behavior in the wild. It makes you sad the elephants are going away in the near future. I could swear Mabel smiles the entire time she is in front of the crowd. Also in the show are tigers, camels, contortionists, clown, snakes, wire walkers, acrobats, giant cats, a human cannonball, poodles, an all-female riding troupe, BMX riders, parkour, aerialists, a strongman and so much more! This might be the last time Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey's Circus comes to town in all its wild glory. (L.A. is considering adopting regulations that would make the animals no longer feasible for the circus,)

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