CAPE WELCOMES THE CIRCUS; RINGLING BROS. CIRCUS WILL TURN THE SHOW ME CENTER INTO THE BIG TOP

America's oldest entertainment attraction, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, will appear at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau June 11-12.

The 120th anniversary addition of the circus introduces an entirely new generation of circus stars, and officials at the Show Me Center are looking forward to it.

"To secure a performance date of the `Greatest Show on Earth' in an area the size of Cape Girardeau is quite a coup," said David Ross, director of the Show Me Center.

Ross said he's been trying to get the circus to come to Cape Girardeau since 1987.

"We've been competing with many other cities for this show, which is in very high demand," he said. "I'm sure the people of Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and the Western Kentucky region will truly enjoy the indoor performance of the Greatest Show on Earth."

The circus will put on four shows in Cape Girardeau. Tickets are already on sale.

One of the show's major attractions, said producer Kenneth Feld, is Italy's own Flavio Togni, who is making his American debut as the head of The Family Tongi, a four-member equestrian act.

Feld said audiences young and old alike will be impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the circus' newest stars.

The family's act includes the debut of the rare great white rhino and a black panther. The performing rhino marks a first for the circus. Flavio's elephant and mixed horse act earned him a Silver Clown award at the International Festival du Cirque de Monte Carlo.

In another of the show's highlights, 39 prancing stallions perform in three rings simultaneously. Another act will revive the centuries-old art of hair-hanging. Marguerite Ayala and her two young daughters have stunned audiences with their aerial ballet while suspended 40 feet in the air, hanging only by their hair.

But no circus would be complete without trapeze artists, and the Flying Guttys act features Laurie Gutty performing a triple somersault on the flying trapeze.

Feld said the act is just one example of the circus' "whole new generation of talent."

Wild animals of all kinds will also make their appearances at the show. Trainer Lee Stevens will present his fully-grown African baboons and Luis Palacio will bring on his lions, tigers, hyenas and bears, all in the same ring.

Don't forget about Clown Alley, a group of professional clowns intent on making spectators laugh. All are graduates of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Venice, Fla.

Boss Clown Tom Parish said making people happy is the clown's mission in life. He and his wife, Tammy, have performed in more than 6,500 circus performances.

"We estimate that we have played to more than 55 million people in our clown careers," Tammy Parish said. "But each performance brings a new audience and another chance to spread the laughter around."

Other clowns include brother-and-sister team Joel and Lara Heidtman, who have been with the circus for four years, and David Kiser, an Oklahoma native who comes from a family of circus clowns.

Tickets for all performances are on sale at the Show Me Center box office and all regular ticket outlets. Tickets are $9.50 and $11.50 with all seats reserved.

Shows are at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 both days. On June 11, children under 12 will receive $3 off admission at the 2:30 show and at 7:30 will receive a free sports watch. At the June 12, 2:30 performance, children under 12 will receive a $1.50 discount.