By Karen Wolitzer
Ringmaster Kevin Venardos will lead us on an astonishing adventure into a world of elephants, alligators and daredevils. The 132nd edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus promises to be the best to date, filled with fabulous, fascinating performers, including the world's most celebrated clown, David Larible.Whether breaking into a rap number or putting his own demented stamp on the classic knife-throwing routine, Larible will have you rolling in the aisles. T.M. The Gator Guy will perform with his best buddies-a huge python and a 10-foot alligator. You might want to hide your eyes as T.M. puts his head inside his pointy-toothed friend's very scary-looking mouth. Daredevil Wilson Dominquez will dazzle you, as he performs on the Wheel of Wonder. Sara The Tiger Whisperer will command fierce tigers with just a whisper in their ears. Mystical Mei Ling, who possesses the agility of an Olympic gymnast, will balance on just one hand. And Circus Siren Sylvia Zerbiniwill hang from her heels, high above the circus floor-when she's not parading her beautiful white horses around the arena. Each and every one of these entertainers will be risking life and limb, as we sit spellbound, watching. But, perhaps, the craziest of all is Jumping Jon Weiss, the human cannonball. Weiss, who's from Long Island, has been shot out of the cannon over 5,000 times and has the distinction of being the only performer to have flown across the length of every major American arena floor...twice! So, how did this Long Island boy make his way to the circus? "I realized at a very young age, that I could balance things," says Jon. "My friends loved it. Then in high school, I started balancing stuff on my chin...like cafeteria tables!" This unique talent led Jon to clown college and finally to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. "I started out as a clown, then had the opportunity to learn the cannon act. I love it. "I don't get scared beforehand. Sometimes I get nervous, but that doesn't stop me. I just get into the cannon, stand straight, put my elbows together in front of my chest, lock my fists, and look up at the ceiling. The next thing I know, I'm flying down the twenty-foot barrel of the cannon, then straight into the air. The only thing I can compare it to is being on the fastest roller coaster ever-then multiplying that by five!" After twenty years with the show, Jon doesn't see an end in sight. He's got the circus in his blood, as does the rest of his family. He and his wife, Laura, were married at Madison Square Garden, in 1986, during a performance. Now, three kids later, they're still traveling with the show, 50 weeks out of the year. Laura's the one who shoots Jon out of the cannon and their children have gotten into the act, too. Jonny, who's seven, helps Jon teach juggling during the pre-show, and Nicole, who's four, assists when Jonny's not available. "She rides around the arena, in a little car, waving at the audience," Jon says proudly.While his life is spent creating lasting memories with his own family, Jon's favorite part of the show is creating life-long memories for the audience. "What most people don't know," says Jon, "is that they can arrive an hour before the show and come down onto the arena floor to meet the performers. They can even try on circus costumes, and take juggling classes. And the unique thing about Nassau Coliseum is if they come a half hour before that (an hour and a half before the show), they can meet the animals at our animal open house. Everyone is welcome!" So, now that you know, get your tickets, come an hour and a half before showtime, bring a camera and make some memories with Jon.
At a Glance
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Nassau Coliseum
1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale, NY
(516) 794-9300
March 12, 13 & 18: 7:30 p.m.
March 14 & 15: 10:30 a.m., 7:30 p.m.
March 16 & 17: 11:00 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Ticket prices: $12.50, $17.50, $23.50 and $45.50 (V.I.P.)
Arrive 90 minutes berfore showtime for animal open house; one hour before to meet the performers and learn juggling.
