Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus

August 17-21

The Talented Teens of the All New 134th Edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus Are No Ordinary Generation Y-ers

It is a fantasy as deeply embedded in popular mythology as hitting a homer during the World Series or being discovered for the movies while sipping a soda. But for Shirley Larible and Cristian Rodriguez running away with the circus is a daily reality! These talented Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® teens spend their time studying, rehearsing and performing before thousands of expectant fans. All in a day’s work!

“I like staying in the air,” says Shirley Larible, who performs the web act, the lyra and the strap act high above arena floors. Daughter of Prince of Laughter David Larible and wife, America, Shirley has spent 13 of her 14 years on the road with her family. Shirley was born in Blackpool, England, and represents the eighth generation of this legendary Italian circus family. She works with a private school tutor for four hours a day, and practices one-and-a-half to two hours each day, concentrating on body strength training.

Like her father, Shirley is multilingual and speaks English, Italian and Spanish. “When you’re on the show, you’re exposed to so many different types of people and cultures,” says Shirley of the show’s multicultural amplitude. “Argentinean, Mexican, Russian, Brazilian. . . I literally have friends from around the globe.”

Fourth-generation circus performer Cristian Rodriguez choreographs an impressive liberty act (an equine display that doesn’t use reins as a means of controlling the animals) with seven miniature horses while circumnavigating the ring on Rollerblades! In addition to working with miniature horses, he is also an expert juggler, a talent on ample display during the Three Ring Adventure. Cristian excels in zoology and graduates from high school this year. Led by teacher Jewel Ausberry, each student takes classes from 16-20 hours per week, depending on traveling schedules, and Wednesday through Saturday are considered normal school days.

Tickets for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus All New 134th Edition at the Frank Erwin Center Wednesday, August 17 thru Sunday, August 21 are $15, $20, $35 VIP, $50 Front Row and $75 Circus Celebrity and are ON SALE NOW at all Texas Box Office Outlets (includes H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Bee Caves, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos and Taylor; Ft. Hood Bldg. #136 and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512/477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com. Convenience charges may apply. All information subject to change. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke-free facility. Convenient parking is available within walking distance in nearby state and university lots. For more information, call 512/471-7744. uterwincenter.com or Ringling.com