Press Release - Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Breaks Through Iconic Three-Rings and Launches Circus for the iPod™ Generation 

TAMPA, FL - On January 4, 2006 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey launched a bold, contemporary circus production that introduces the biggest changes The Greatest Show On Earth® has seen in 50 years. The no-ring, storyline-driven 136th Edition of Ringling Bros. premiered at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL , and began a two-year, 80 city North American tour.

The iconic three-rings - each measuring 41-feet in diameter - have been a staple of Ringling Bros. since 1880 when P.T. Barnum joined forces with James Bailey. With this all-new production Ringling Bros. breaks through the three-rings, and instead provides its performers with a single 130-feet by 80-feet performance area which becomes center stage for a storyline that is woven throughout the production. A new jumbo video screen also brings audiences closer to the daredevil thrills and comedic action like never before.

Leading the revolutionary change at Ringling Bros. has been chairman and producer Kenneth Feld and 27-year old daughter and producer Nicole Feld . The two assembled an award-winning creative team - including Emmy Award® winning director Shanda Sawyer, Academy Award® winning costume designer Colleen Atwood and Tony Award® nominated set designer Robert Brill - who were charged with re-imagining The Greatest Show On Earth and presenting the circus in an entirely new format.

" By moving beyond the three-ring format, Ringling Bros. is giving its human and animal performers a circus-sized playground in which to entertain families," said Kenneth Feld . "The new 136th Edition of Ringling Bros. is bigger than anything we've ever done. Audiences will be amazed by the bold changes and high energy, quality production we've produced."

Highlights of the changes audiences will experience at the 136th Edition of Ringling Bros. include:

• Ringling Bros. breaks through the iconic three-rings in an effort to maximize the arena setting and create a more up-close and intimate circus experience. The reconfiguring of the arena is permitting Ringling Bros. to create better seats and sight-lines for our audiences;
• For the first time ever, Ringling Bros. introduces a storyline to the circus experience - taking audiences and "one lucky family" on a magical circus journey;
• Former American Idol® finalist - Jennifer Fuentes - dazzles audiences with her star-power as she combines the roles of traditional ringmaster and singing songstress;
• 24-feet in diameter LED video screen allows audiences to get closer to the action, transforms the arena atmosphere, and gives everyone a chance to be part of the show;
• The production features a hip, pop-style score that gives the circus a more modern vibe; and
• One hour before show time, audiences can join Ringling Bros. athletic performers in getting CircusFitsm -a newly launched national youth fitness program created by Ringling Bros. - at the FREE All Access Pre-show.

According to Mr. Feld, consumer research was the driving factor in making the creative changes in this Ringling Bros. production. "In our constant effort to exceed audience expectations for a live entertainment experience, we are constantly listening to our consumers for their feedback and ideas - it's the very reason we've remained The Greatest Show On Earth for 135 years." "In creating this all-new Ringling Bros. production, we wanted the most media-savvy pre-teen to sit up and take notice," added Nicole Feld .

The new production's storyline revolves around a lucky set of parents and their intrepid kids - actually Ringling Bros. performers - who are invited by "singing dream weaver" Jennifer Fuentes to live out their circus dreams. Audiences follow Dad as he takes charge as the Ringmaster and are inspired by Mom's aerial grace. As the story unfolds, families get to dabble in every circus sensation imaginable with sparring siblings, Jan and Dan, as they pursue a non-stop quest!

The 136th Edition of Ringling Bros. features 85 performers, 16 clowns, 9 musicians, more than 70 domestic and exotic animals and 80 crew members. Stars of this new Ringling Bros. production include acrobatic troupes hailing from two Chinese provinces; Herkules - the world's strongest man; equestrian Cossack riders; Madame Shamsheeva and her feathered and feline friends; the death-defying aerial artistry of Super Silva: and the Torres Family roaring action inside the infamous steel sphere of motorcycle mania.

The 136th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth criss-crosses North America on a mile-long train - the longest privately-owned train in the world. This production is one of three Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus units currently touring North America.

For more information on dates and tickets to the 136th Edition of Ringling Bros., go to www.Ringling.com or www.ticketmaster.com

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About Feld Entertainment, Inc . - Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create unforgettable memories, with 25 million people in attendance at our shows annually. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in 50 countries and on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Disney On IceSM, and DisneyLive!

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