articles

Review: Ringling Bros. PRESENTS Built to Amaze

By Sabrina Condon, Macaroni Kid Brewster-Mahopac-Carmel October 28, 2014

Webster Bank Arena
600 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, Oct. 23 – 7pm

Friday, Oct. 24 – 7pm

Saturday, Oct. 25 – 11am, 3pm, 7pm 

Sunday, Oct. 26 – 1pm, 5pm

Purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com

 

Last night we were invited to see Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey PRESENTS Built to Amaze at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT.  In under an hour, my boys were enveloped in full-scale circus mania.  We arrived before the show began where audience members could visit the show floor, see the elephants painting masterpieces, watch the aerialist on floor to ceiling streamer bands, bounce around in the jump house, take pictures with the performers, and more.  I highly recommend attending the pre-show to get the wiggles out of your children.  It’s the perfect way for them to run out their energy, and you can sit, enjoy hotdogs and popcorn while you watch the show afterwards.

Ringling Bros. did not disappoint with their new Built to Amaze show.  I had one boy on each side of me, and my head was like a ping-pong ball, bouncing back and forth, as one boy shouted “Mom, look at that!”, “Mom that’s amazing!”  I’m not entirely sure I need to actually SEE the show, as they gave me a complete play-by-play as new performers emerged onstage. 

This is the first year my 5yo actually acknowledged the level of danger in the stunts.  He was on the edge of his seat nervously enjoying the high-wire cyclists, the beautiful aerialists, and the trapeze artists.  Even my 3yo was worried the trapeze artists wouldn’t make it, but as always, they did.  This year they had “monkey bars” where the performers went across by their feet instead of by their hands.  Do not try this at home kids!  Ha!

Sean really loved the unicyclists playing basketball; at least that was my assumption by the laughter and shrieks of excitement coming from him.  I’d say the second favorite were the “magicians” who performed slapstick comedy with disappearing rabbits, which my boys took for magic.  Then again the human cannonball left Sean’s jaw on the ground and Shane clearly wondering how he could manage the same endeavor.  However the children reacted, all that mattered was their excitement and joy to be at the circus.

There are loads of new and varying acts.  One of my personal favorite attributes of Ringling Bros. is their ability to perform at multiple levels.  They will have people on the floor, mid-air, and high air going at once, so the family always have something exciting to watch as the show begins.  I was happy to see Andre McClain return as the ringmaster.  His showmanship and ability to rev up the audience is second to none. 

Daddy had to remain home with sick Siobhan, so we grabbed the Built to Amaze show program (only $6), so the boys could read the book with Daddy and tell him all about the great show.  There are many more acts than what I described, none of which should be missed.  Be sure to head down this weekend and enjoy the show before they’re gone. 

Tickets for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey PRESENTS Built To Amaze start at $25 on select performances.  All seats are reserved, and tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000,ticketmaster.com or in person at the Webster Bank Arena CLICK IT or TICKET Box Office. Restrictions and Fees may apply.

For more information, visit www.Ringling.com