Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey presents Built To Amaze

Born to Entertain: Classic Comediennes Inspire Orange County Local Genevieve Flati

By Annie Rivera

Growing up in Southern California, Genevieve Flati, always knew she wanted to be a performer that made people laugh. Studying theater at Chapman University while working at Disneyland, Flati already had a knack of entertaining. When Ringling Bros. announced auditions for Clown Alley two years ago, she was ready to give it her all.

“In theater, you learn about improv and how to go with the moment of a scene,” Flati said. “That’s just what I did in auditions. They loved my ‘willingness-to-play spirit’ coupled with my athletic background. I knew I nailed my audition and was thrilled to get a call-back.”

She credits two comedic legends, Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett, as her inspirations that paved the way to becoming a Ring Performer at Innoventions at Disneyland. “I envisioned myself incorporating some of their genius moves in my own performance. My clown character pays tribute to both of them for empowering female comedians.”

Performing in her hometown will have special meaning to Flati. “This is the first time I’ll be home in two years since auditioning for Ringling Bros.,” Flati said. “It will be nice to be home in front of my family, friends and old theater groups.”

Coming to the Honda Center (2695 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806) Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents “Built To Amaze,” an extraordinarily engineered circus experience custom-built for the entire family where audiences will find out what it takes to construct The Greatest Show On Earth. Featured this year are: nine-time international award-winning comedic animal presenting duo Alex and Irina Emelin of Russia; The Trampoline Tower Tumblers; the popular King Charles Troupe hailing from New York City; electrifying high-wire acrobats; daredevil stunts on the Steel Vortex; the youngest female Human Cannonball; remarkable hand-balancing duos; famous four-legged star performers like the majestic Bengal tigers and “Taba” the tiger-tamer; fun-filled Asian dancing elephants; and the renowned, ever-loving Clown Alley performers.

Opening 90 minutes before every show, guests are invited to the Animal Open House to get up- close with some of the amazing animals. Then one hour before the show begins, visit the All-Access Pre-Show for FREE for all ticket holders. Learn juggling and balancing skills, get autographs, take photos with performers, and interact with Ringling Bros. Clowns.

When: Friday, July 26 through Sunday, August 4.

Tickets: $20, $26, $42 (VIP), $70 (Front Row) and $100 (Circus Celebrity)

Opening Night tickets are $12 (not valid for VIP or premium seating)

All seats are reserved; tickets available thru Ticketmaster.com or HondaCenter.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or visit the venue box office.

For show times and more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey presents Dragons Celebrating the Year of the Dragon!

Laughter Amid Tragedy: The Life of Clown Alex Barney 
By Annie Rivera

Flying over Colorado Springs on his way to Las Vegas, Nev. one July morning was tough for this highly energized circus performer. From the airplane, Alex Barney could see the plumes of smoke from the Waldon Canyon Fire that devastated over 300 homes. In times like these Barney feels the need to “step up his game” a little more than usual.

"Anytime tragedy strikes,” Barney said, “clowns work that much harder to help people relax and forget about troubles and worries even for a little while.” Barney calls the profession of clowning “therapeutic and a form of community outreach” by providing families a temporary escape.

Barney’s main priority is taking care of parents and care professionals. “It’s stressful enough to see children in hospitals but when moms and dads are crying, children know something is wrong,” Barney said. “It’s my job to provide relief for parents, doctors and staff. When grown ups laugh, children laugh too and vice versa. I feel this is my calling, what I was meant to do in life.” 

Barney, a second-generation clown, followed in his famous father Joseph Barney's footsteps, began performing at a very young age. Originally from Bridgeport, Conn., Barney was intrigued by the Ringling Bros. show that stopped in his town every year and was determined to learn the ways of clowning. Inspired by the great performers Chuck Sidlow and Chris Allison, Barney joined the Ringling Bros. team and has enjoyed every minute entertaining hundreds and thousands of people.

As a member of the renowned Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clowns troupe traveling from city to city, Barney said clowns become “ambassadors of the world” by the way in which they reach out to people. “We don’t need to speak the native language to make them laugh because laughter is truly universal.”

Coming to the Honda Center (2695 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806), Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents “Dragons,” a never-before-seen circus spectacle celebrating the Year of the Dragon!

The Greatest Show on Earth includes Kung Fu martial arts, an American debut of Alexander Lacey’s mixed-cat act featuring tigers and lions together, majestic equestrian acrobatics, the Flying Caceres’ tantalizing trapeze act, daredevil motorcyclists, and the showstopper Ringling Bros. Asian elephants. 

One hour before every show, guests can visit the All-Access Pre-Show for FREE. Learn juggling and balancing skills, get autographs from or take photos with performers, and interact with Ringling Bros. Clowns.

When: Friday, July 27 through Sunday, August 5.

Tickets: $20, $26, $42 (VIP), $70 (Front Row) and $100 (Circus Celebrity) Opening Night tickets are $12 (not valid for VIP or premium tickets)

All seats are reserved; tickets available thru Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or visit the venue box office.

 For show times and more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

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