Picture the Harlem Globetrotters. Add in unicycles, jump ropes and acrobatics and you get the comedic stylings of the King Charles Troupe, an all-Black group of basketball-playing unicyclists.
Thirteen performers from the 22-member troupe will be one of the many acts performing in the 143rd edition of the Greatest Show on Earth, the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus Build to Amaze. The circus will take center stage at the CONSOL Energy Center from Nov. 5-9.
“It’s an exciting and amazing and phenomenal show,” explained King Charles Troupe member Joe Gary. “There’s nothing like it.”
Audiences will find out what it takes to build the Greatest Show on Earth. The foundation is set and the rising anticipation of high-energy, high-jinx and hilarity is ready to be transported by colorful circus machinery and unleashed from shipping crates right before spectators’ eyes.
“There’s nothing but excitement being built up throughout the whole show,” explained Gary who has been with the group since 1979.
In 1918 a young boy by the name of Jerry King slipped under the tent to see the Greatest Show on Earth. Enamored, all he recalled from that day were the elephants and the man on the high-wire riding a unicycle. In 1958, as a father who was concerned with the social events occurring within his community in the South Bronx, King taught his son, Charles and every kid in the neighborhood who wanted to learn, to ride a unicycle. He started a unicycle club and laid down certain rules for the kids to follow such as Christian principles, discipline and direction.
Ten years later, the troupe auditioned on the sidewalk outside of Madison Square Garden for Irvin Feld, producer of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The audition was a success and the King Charles Troupe made its debut with the Ringling Bros. in 1969 becoming the first all-Black circus act in the history of Ringling Bros.
“It’s very inspiring that we have such an extensive history with Ringling Bros. “I’m part of that group history. It’s an honor and it’s overwhelming,” said Gary an avid Pittsburgh Steeler’s lover who was born and bred in the South Bronx.
The troupe was a favorite act in the circus for 20 years before branching out to perform its own act internationally. The group has performed in various cities in Europe including Paris and London. They have also performed in Mexico and Canada.
“The greatest reception we received was in Russia,” Gary recalled. “They were quiet and skeptical when we first came out and once we got done performing we got an encore to perform again. It was great.”
The group’s precision slam dunking, dribbling and passing while balancing on unicycles—sometimes more than 10-feet in the air—surely is what got the Russians to their feet.
Now the second and third generations of the King Charles Troupe and the Feld family are working together in “Built to Amaze.”
“Ringling Bros. Presents Built To Amaze! Takes a child’s curiosity of how things all around us work by showcasing the very best performers from around the world, both human and animal,” said Nicole Feld, producer. “Ringling Bros. Presents Built To Amaze! Is a blast of excitement created in a fun way of girls verses boys that will leave audiences cheering for their favorite performers.”
The circus opens with an all-access pre-show where everyone is invited to join the fun and meet the Built To Amaze international cast of performers as they prepare for the show. The Ringling Bros. Ringling Girls and the Barnum B-Boys encourage kids to participate in a tug-of-war and kick off a battle of girl power verses boy power.
Kids can try on a custom designed costume, learn circus skills like juggling from the famous Ringling Bros. Clown Alley and even have the opportunity to witness and win a one-of-a-kind masterpiece created by Asia, the Ringling Bros. very own painting pachyderm.
More than 110 of the world’s greatest performers representing 17 countries along with 95 exotic and domestic animals will be assembled creating never-before-seen, heart-pounding performances.
In addition to the King Charles Troupe, audiences will be wowed by Tabayara a man who stands fearless in the Tiger arena with 16 ferocious big cats; The Human Cannonball, and ringmaster Andre McCain.
(Tickets for the opening night of Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Presents Built To Amaze start at $12. All seats are reserved and tickets are available online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or in person at the CONSOL Energy Center Box Office. For group rate information call 412-804-7904.)
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