A larger-than-life electrical plug falls from the ceiling of the arena. After a few hi-jinks, Russian clowns, Stas and Vas plug in the cords, symbolically starting the 141st edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ production entitled, “Fully Charged.”
Kenneth Feld, the CEO of Feld Entertainment, is the power behind the production. It is interesting to point out that Mr. Feld was born in Washington, DC and resides in nearby Potomac, MD.
He is to be commended for bringing together amazing acts from all over the world in this electrifying show that is suitable for the entire family.
The Brothers of Brawn doing the maneuver, "The Turning Towers of Power." Photo by David "Ace" Livingston.
One of those acts is something that I won’t soon forget. Though the two men appearing as the “Brothers of Brawn” are different than the ones pictured in the program, both men exhibited raw manpower. In a feat of strength and balance, in a maneuver called, “The Turning Towers of Power,” they both lift two wooden logs the size and length of telephone poles. If that wasn’t enough, they next turn it into a man-operated carnival swing-type ride, spinning four women on seats hanging from the poles.
Dubbed the “world’s most charismatic animal trainer,” Tabayara ‘Taba’ Maluenda lives up to his name! Exhibiting star qualities, such stage presence, charm, and charisma, Mr. Maluenda is a crowd favorite as he directs horses, tigers, and Asian elephants to do amazing tricks.
Tabayara "Taba" Maluenda and his tigers. Photo by David "Ace" Livingston.
Winner of the 2010 national talent search for the next Ringmaster, Brian Crawford Scott is tall, handsome, and has a nice voice. The Ringmaster, as you know, is traditionally supposed to be in charge of the performances in the circus ring. In this case, Mr. Scott isn’t seen nearly enough to have a commanding presence. During drum-roll, climatic moments, the Ringmaster was often absent, leaving audiences to imagine him saying, “And now in the center ring, in a death-defying act of….”
Thankfully, a tradition that has been kept-up faithfully is the live, 9-piece band. Critical to the show, the instrumental music that the band played was energetic, exciting, and upbeat. Unusual for a band, these talented musicians also had to keep their music in time with the acts, which can be particularly hard with comedy, but they do it to perfection!
Brian Crawford Scott is the Ringmaster. Photo by David "Ace" Livingston.
There is plenty of clowning around in the circus rings. In what is one of the more clever of routines, each clown represented a different act in the circus, poking fun at the aerial artists, animal trainers, the “Brothers of Brawn,” and more.
Elements that could be improved upon would be the story and songs. There wasn’t enough of a beginning, middle, and end to the story to make it as meaningful as it could have been. Perhaps adding some twists and turns with a goal to be reached by the end of the show would have added to the story. The songs, while they were upbeat and had positive lyrics, were generic sounding, at best, with all the music sounding like the one before.
With that said, the spectacle of all the elephants, tigers, horses, and circus performers, combined with the glittery costumes and energizing live band, makes this a fun outing for the entire family.
There are 6 shows left of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ production entitled, “Fully Charged,” which plays through April 1st at the 1st Mariner Arena. For show-times and tickets, visit ticketmaster.
