The ‘Greatest Show On Earth,’ is coming to the Nutter Center as Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey presents the Zing Zang Zoom tour for seven shows from Thursday, April 29 to Sunday, May 2.
All ages in attendance will have jaws drop to the floor by seeing the collection of stunning thrill acts that demonstrate unbelievable fearlessness and bravery in performances that defy gravity and logic. Graceful aerialists perform high above the arena floor, fearless human cannonballs blast through the air, and dexterous high-wire walkers skip across a thumb-thin wire. Chinese acrobats achieve the impossible as they perform the trapeze on swinging balance beams. Two performance troupes join forces to create a never-before-seen Quadruple Russian Fire-Swing, and daredevils on dueling Wheels of Steel tempt fate.
The ringleader of all the excitement is famed illusionist, Alex Ramon, who brings over a decade of magic experience to the circus. Starring as the Zingmaster, Ramon astounds audiences with his mastery of illusions, such as making an elephant disappear.
From Richmond, California, Ramon developed a deep connection with magic when he was just 13 years-old. His father’s colleague, a magician, often showed Alex magic tricks, and Ramon dedicated hours to learning and perfecting his technique. Ramon’s father took notice of his growing passion and natural talent for magic and bought him a 370 page magic book for Christmas.
With performance in his heart, Ramon began entertaining for friends and family. His shows astounded so many that he sought bigger audiences. Soon after, Ramon was hired at a local restaurant to perform close-up magic for guests. Ramon continued to refine his skills as an entertainer, gained confidence in his abilities, and entered his first competition at the age of 16. One of the youngest competitors, Ramon won second place and began to make a name for himself as a talented magician in the Bay Area.
Seen as a popular and acclaimed magician, Ramon was asked to be the spokesperson for a popular, state-wide library showcase. Ramon could not turn this opportunity down as he had a strong connection to books; he learned the art of magic by reading. The admired teenage magician traveled across the state of California and performed in more than 250 magic shows a year.
When Ramon returned to Las Vegas in 2005, he auditioned for Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show, and skillfully won a spot as a professional illusionist alongside Master Magician Mickey Mouse. Ramon traveled the globe with the world’s most famous mouse for two and a half years, seeing 14 countries, four continents, 656 shows and more than a million people.
“Magic is universal. It transcends language. At a restaurant in China, I made a coin disappear in front of a little boy. The kid’s face just lit up. I taught him how to perform the trick and he gave me a note written in Chinese that I later learned said “I will practice what you have taught me.” When you see a performer who really loves what they do, they’re not doing it. It’s happening.”
Ramon’s talent and dedication put him top of mind when producers Kenneth Feld and Nicole Feld imagined a magical circus– one in which an elephant disappears and a man turns into a tiger.
“Here I am in The Greatest Show on Earth. You don’t get any bigger than this. But I’m waiting for the day a kid, maybe 10 years from now, says, you know, ‘I saw you in Ringling Bros. show ZING ZANG ZOOM and now I’m a magician and it’s my passion.’ ”
Ready to showcase his remarkable abilities, Ramon can’t wait to enthrall and mesmerize Children Of All Ages across the U.S. including in Dayton.
It will be an especially magical night for one child as the Ringling Bros. are currently soliciting submissions for deserving area children to recognize them with The Barnum Award – a prestigious award that includes cash prizes – for their outstanding work in the community.
Ringling is launching The Barnum Award, which honors the charitable spirit of the founder of The Greatest Show On Earth® by identifying and celebrating local children who give back to their communities in creative, fun, and innovative ways.
The Barnum Award program is designed to recognize children ages six to 14, who have created social good and enriched their local community through their own inventive and pioneering actions. Award recipients in more than 75 cities throughout the United States will be chosen by a panel of distinguished local luminaries, and will receive award medals and grants to fund future local service projects.
Nominees will be judged on the impact of their accomplishments, creativity and innovation, and their inspiration to others relating to their cause. Nominators are required to be over the age of 21, and must fill out a short questionnaire about the child they feel is making a difference in the community. Nominations can be submitted online at www.thebarnumaward.com and are due on Friday, April 23.
The Barnum Award debuts as our nation’s leadership asks people to identify needs in their community and engage in meaningful service to create change. The Gold Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $1,000 grant, the Silver Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $750 grant, and the Bronze Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $500 grant. Grants are to be used to fund future community service endeavors. Additionally, all three award recipients will be honored at a pre-show award ceremony during the opening night performance of The Greatest Show On Earth® on Thursday, April 29.
For more information about The Barnum Award and how to nominate a child who is making a difference in your community, visit www.thebarnumaward.com. Tickets are on sale now and are available at the Nutter Center box office, at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1.800.745.3000. Ticket prices are: $13.50 to $70.
Show Times are: Thursday, April 29 at 7 p.m.; Friday, April 30 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 1 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 2 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
To learn more about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, visit www.ringling.com.
