Ringling Returns To Coney, With Lions

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus—who will be at MSG later this month—are returning to the beach this summer. According to the Daily News, they'll be setting up shop at Coney Island again, and pitching tents on the same West 21st Street lot as last year.

The encore was uncertain until now, as the lot landlord wasn't agreeing on money or other logistics—but the show will go on, much to the dismay of animal rights activists. This year it's called "Illuscination," and a Ringling head honcho says, "It's a really fun show. We have an illusionist, who's our ringmaster, who makes people and animals and things disappear and reappear. We also have an amazing lion act, which we haven't had in a few years."

They'll also be giving city kids a chance to check out the animals up close and personal before the show. Councilman Dominic Recchia said, "It gives them something that they read about and see in movies."

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on March 17, 2010 4:20 PM

Comments [rss]

newport27

Just read "water for elephants" and I can't wait to go see this show

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Ringling Brothers just killed another baby elephant last month. It is unfair how these large beautiful animals are beaten to perform stupid tricks to entertain ignorant callous people

Clarice City

I don't like the whole elephants getting abused thing anymore than the next person, but PETA does a really shitty job of getting their point across by generating images of abused, shackled, beaten, skinny women.

JenChungsBaby

I have tickets to take my kid to the circus in April. I sure hope PETA's there that day.

virgilstarkwell

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