Circus Still Spectacular

Everything in life evolves. Even, it seems, life under the big top.

That's why audiences who check out the Circus Spectacular 2012 this weekend will experience a classic circus vibe done up with a few modern touches.

The circus opens today for a four-day run at the Orleans Arena. Performances are 7 p.m. today; 7:30 p.m. Friday; and 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Among the acts scheduled to perform are: tiger trainer Daniel Raffo; aerialists Andrea and Lluvia; Broadway Bo, billed as the world's largest performing elephant; comic performers The Christiani Family; Caroline Williams and the Liberty Horses; David Smith Jr., the human cannonball; and ringmaster Joseph Dominick Bauer.

The Las Vegas date kicks off the Circus Spectacular's 2012 season, said owner George Carden, who said he has been around the circus business for about 55 of his 59 those years.

"My father had it before me, and his uncle had it before him, so I'm third-generation," he said over an iffy cell connection from somewhere on the road in New Mexico.

Carden has seen many changes in the circus business over the years, and he is OK with them. Today, he said, audiences prefer seeing circus acts in the comfort of, and with the conveniences afforded by, indoor arenas, rather than under a traditional big top.

In addition, he said, audiences now benefit from technology that serves up more precise and elaborate lighting, sound and other production elements.

Carden said he doesn't even miss the classic tented big top.

"The best thing that ever happened was when they started building arenas with air conditioning and parking and concession stands," he said. "An arena is the way to go."

But more upscale surroundings don't change the essential nature of a circus. Then and now, Carden said, the timeless appeal of a circus lies in offering audiences young and old the acts they won't see elsewhere.

For instance, Carden said, "Everyone loves animals, and this show is made up of a lot of animals -- elephants, tigers, dogs, horses. People are going to love it."

After Las Vegas, Circus Spectacular's performers and staff will be on the road -- except for a break of a few weeks in August -- pretty much until December.

But while they are here, Carden promised to give Southern Nevadans the kind of show to which they've become accustomed.

"That's the entertainment capital of the world, and that's how we like to open our season."

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@reviewjournal. com or 702-383-0280.