Ken Hoffman welcomes Ringling Bros.’ pet-free return in Houston

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey – the “Greatest Show on Earth” – will return to NRG Stadium for seven performances the weekend of July 19 to 21.

Wait, didn’t the biggest, most successful, most tradition-steeped circus in the world decide to shut down in 2017, supposedly forever, under pressure (and lawsuits and declining ticket sales) from animal rights groups who protested the circus’ use and alleged mistreatment of the animals. animals?

That’s why this 2024 version of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will be very different from the circus that entertained audiences for 146 years before upping the ante seven years ago.

The new circus features musical acts, acrobats, tightrope walkers, dancers and BMX riders in a mix of artists like an old vaudeville show. Instead of a ringmaster, there are three “show guides” who introduce the acts and mingle with the crowd.

Most importantly, there are no animals in this force-lit version of the circus. You will not see vulgar acts like lion tamers cracking whips while the majestic kings of the jungle retreat in fear, no elephants climbing on each other’s backs, no chimpanzees dressed in hunter’s uniforms, no of horses transformed to look like unicorns or bears who don’t “think they can dance” and should not be in show business.

And clowns aren’t funny – except Fizbo on the sitcom Modern Family.

The Alexanders defended animal rights

Why Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey playing at the NFL stadium in Houston, curtained off in the end zone, instead of the more suitable Toyota Center, is an interesting story that may make you appreciate former Rockets owner Les Alexander, for more than two NBA titles. in Houston.

In 2003, Houston opened its gleaming Toyota Center and essentially handed the keys to Alexander and the Rockets. One of the first decisions Alexander made was to say no to hosting the circus. Alexander and then-wife Nanci were staunch animal rights advocates and donated millions of their personal wealth to animal welfare organizations and rescue groups.

Remember when the Rockets Power Dancers wore T-shirts that said “Animals Have Rights Too” to games?

Alexander wasn’t about to allow the circus to chain up elephants and keep them in the Toyota Center garage like Ringling Bros. did so at his former home in Houston, at the Compaq Center.

The Alexanders were honored as the largest individual donors to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) in 1998. He was a supporter of Citizens for Animal Protection in Houston, where I found the dogs for my Pethouse Pet of the Week for many years. years.

When Alexander said no to the circus, he also lost other shows owned by Feld Entertainment, including Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, Super Moto Cross and other events that accounted for 50 parties and tens of millions of dollars for the Compaq Center.

Even though Alexander no longer owns the Rockets, the circus will continue to play at NRG Stadium.

The new Ringling Bros style. and will Barnum & Bailey, with a very different animal-free feel, captivate audiences like before? I think it’s a good chance. It was the only Hail Mary left for the circus. Humans are far more flexible and entertaining artists than bears and other beasts. Just look at the success of Cirque du Soleil, which offers seven different crowd-drawing shows in Las Vegas (and a new show in Houston in August).