Circus entertainment has a rich American history, with the first known modern circus created by John Bill Ricketts in Philadelphia in 1793. Known as “the Father of the American Circus,” Ricketts featured riding acts, clown performances, and tightrope walking—spectacles that even attracted America’s first President, George Washington.
In the 1880s, P.T. Barnum and James A. Bailey enchanted audiences under the big top, wiping out competition with the creation of the popular Barnum & Bailey Circus. The business was acquired by the Ringling Brothers in 1919 and rebranded as “The Greatest Show on Earth,” a phrase coined by Barnum to highlight its increase in size and diversity of acts. To this day, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus have continued to evolve through various ownerships and relaunches, most recently returning in 2023 with a reimagined, animal-free production featuring acrobats, dancers, and high-tech elements that focus on human performance and modern spectacle.
The demand for circus entertainment continues to thrive today. Contemporary cirque performances carry forth the legacy of the modern circus through expressive artistry, gravity-defying acrobatics, and inventive showmanship, as in Cirque Mechanics’ Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride (2/7). Set on the backlot of a buzzing theme park beneath the glow of amusement park rides, this new high-energy production comes to Merchant Hall complete with modern acrobats and aerialists whose breathtaking feats will captivate audiences.
“Cirque Mechanics grabs people right away with its mix of acrobatics, machines, and stories that feel both nostalgic and brand-new,” said Chris Lashua, Cirque Mechanics’ creative director. “Audiences keep coming back because there’s a real spark to the work—it's creative, accessible, and just plain fun to watch.”
Don’t miss this enchanting, high-flying performance! Get your tickets today!