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Shelley Osterloh ReportingThe Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus is coming to town and it promises to be a "different" circus this year. The circus has re-invented itself. You'll still see some breathtaking acts and trained animals, but presented in a new way.
One of the driving forces behind the new circus is a man who started his career in entertainment, right here in Utah.
For generations, several acts at a time have thrilled spectators in the three rings, but now Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus has eliminated the three rings and added things like a 24-foot video screen for a closer look at the action, and a few other surprises.
Tim Holtz, Vice Pres., Talent and Production, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: "Ringling Bros Barnum Bailey Circus, the greatest show on earth, you can't top it. But you have to kind of reinvent, rethink how you look at things, because kids today have changed."
Tim Holtz is the Vice the President of talent and production for Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus. He has managed to circle the globe at least four times in the last year in his search for performers. He says kids are used to focusing on just one thing, like a video game.
Tim Holtz: "And I think they like to stay focused and follow it through. So a storyline, we thought is a simple idea, it works, so we show a family that wants to be part of the circus. "
You can also expect more audience participation.
Tim Holtz: "We want people to feel enthused. But reality based TV has taught us that they want to be involved. So we are involving more people in the show."
Tim Holtz has spent more than 30 years with the circus. Soon after he graduated from Utah State University, he attended clown college but was told he didn't have what it took to be a clown, and begged to stay.
Tim Holtz: "I cannot go home and say I flunked out of clown college. Let me stay."
He became a clown with the circus, and the Ringmaster, then production coordinator. Now he recruits new talent and has helped create the new Circus. While some things have changed, he says people still just want to be entertained.
Tim Holtz: "And at the end of the day, what is it about? Its about, I had a good time, I'm glad I took the kids and went down there."
The Circus starts here on Wednesday and continues through Sunday.
