This week we had the good fortune to see Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey's Over the Top - the 138th edition of The Greatest Show On Earth®, at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan.

When we walked in, there was a huge crowd down on the floor - little did we know that there was a pre-show! Be sure to check that out when you head there...it looks like a great deal of fun.

Let's get on with the show, starting with a crazy clown and his sidekick. It was funny, with a piano that moved by itself. One of the recurring elements in Over the Top was this crazy clown (Tom Dougherty) stealing the hat from the Ringmaster, Chuck Wagner (who can really sing!). The magic of this circus lies in the action-packed show. There are 16 acts and 102 performers (from 20 countries!) - and you can imagine, thousands of hours of rehearsals! Over the Top will play in 42 different North American cities this year.

Acts included:
Gail's Flying Dogs
Marcia Garcia Queen of the Clouds Comedy Trapeze
Cossack Cavalry
Jenny Vidbel Barnyard
Top That
Clown Al'ley Penguins
Daniel Raffo Tigers
Contortion and Hand Balancing Act
Super Silva Foot Looping
Flying Caceres Double Trapeze
Asian Elephant Display
Henan Troupe Swinging Poles
Circus in Your Heart

In the first half, one of my favorite parts was Top That! It started out with circus squads, including the Bombastic Bouncers - it was incredible, with flips on top of giant inner tubes! The flashiest part was the Globe of Steel - several members of the Torres family on motorcycles went inside this giant globe, closed the door, and went AROUND INSIDE! Even more exciting, they added more and more riders - until there were 7 in that globe. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

The Torres family describes their technique inside the globe as “very much like what pilots do in an air show.” Blowing a whistle and revving their engines as prompts to one another, each rider embarks upon a set pattern, or path of trajectory, around the interior surface of the globe. Once the riders are in motion, maintaining constant speeds (which can reach up to 65 miles per hour) is critical. Still, when they are inside the globe they are “completely focused on where everyone else is” and are making constant, minute adjustments. Interestingly enough, they all admit to being nervous for the riders already in the globe when they are the ones waiting to enter, but add that – once they are inside themselves – their jitters disappear and they look forward to the reaction that their heart-stopping performance receives from the audience. “That is what really drives us,” they affirm.

Inside the globe, the rocketing riders are often less than four inches apart, and they remain a tight knit group outside the globe as well. Given the perilous nature and precision timing required of their job, they claim, “Each time we enter the globe, our family bond grows stronger.” And as for life on the road?  “While life as a circus family may seem more exciting and have moments that are magical and unique, it is also normal. We get up each morning, have breakfast together, practice, laugh and relax at night.”

Photo courtesy and copyright of Ringling Bros.

I was extremely impressed with Ringmaster Chuck Wagner. With an excellent voice and commanding presence, Chuck Wagner is on his second tour of duty with The Greatest Show On Earth®. A veteran of film, television and Broadway with over a quarter of a century of entertainment experience, Chuck noted “I have the greatest job on Earth. I get to be in the circus and at the circus at the same time!”

I was a bit concerned about animal care, because when we drove in, there were a few people standing roadside with signs decrying the treatment of animals by this circus. I was relieved to read on their website, however, that Ringling Bros. really cares for - and takes care of - their animal performers. They have a detailed program of care and treatment, which is inspected regularly by federal, state, and local officials.  Ringling Bros. also has the Center for Elephant Conservation, started in 1995.

* A total of 92 animals travel with the 138th edition including:
- 8 Asian elephants,  all female, ranging in age from 6 to 40 years old
- 7 goats  (6 Pygmy and 1 Angora)
- 11 Tigers (orange and black, and white)
- 1 Alpaca
-  2 Llamas
- 14 Horses
- 12 Welsh Ponies
- 4 miniature horses
- 1 miniature donkey
- 2 Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs
- 1 African porcupine
- 30 dogs

We truly enjoyed the Over the Top - hope that you, too, can visit the circus and experience the magic!

Disclaimer: We attended Over the Top as guests of Feld Entertainment.

All photos copyright Jessie Voigts, except where noted.