Ringling Bros. Former Boss Clown Shares Memories!
With the announcement of The Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, closing its doors in May 2017, we thought it would be a good time to celebrate the immense amount of enjoyment it has brought the world! In the next couple of weeks, we will be interviewing performers who have worked for the Ringling Bros Circus. They will reflect on the good it has brought them and what the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has contributed to the future of circus arts!
Long live the circus!
First up…David Solove! David is close to the heart . He moved on from Ringling Bros. into the Odd-o-Ts’ and Fight or Flight family. He is an integral part of the team and a SUPER product of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus!
Q: What is your name?
A: David Solove
Q: When were you with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus?
A: 1992-2003
Q: What did you do with Ringling?
A: 1992-1999 - Clown
1999-2003 - Boss Clown
Q: What are you doing now?
A: I work for Odd-o-Ts’ Entertainment doing slapstick comedy as one of the Longshoremen at SeaWorld. I also work for Fight or Flight Productions as the Actor in the Sea Lion and Otter Show at SeaWorld. In addition, I am the Company Manager for both Odd-o-Ts’ Entertainment and Fight or Flight Productions, as well as the Production Manager for the event production company Glickman Productions.
Q: What was your most memorable moment with Ringling?
A: Too many to recall them all. Playing “beeper ball” – a game of softball with a beeping ball – with visually impaired kids. Riding an elephant. Appearing on Family Feud (and winning!). Seeing laughing faces all around the country.
**Side note: I have never heard of this appearance on family feud… so in true fashion of this technological day…I found a video on YouTube! David is the first one up. This is hilarious!
Q: Is there anything special that you carry on with you from Ringling?
A: Everything I carry with me from Ringling is special and still a part of me: the people I met, the experiences I had, the shows I performed, the things I learned about performing and myself. I even met my wife when the Circus came to her hometown. I wouldn’t be who I am now doing what I am doing had I not been part of The Greatest Show on Earth.
One of the most notable things I did learn from Ringling is how an unbelievably diverse group of people with different backgrounds, different cultures, different languages, different educations, and different experiences can all work together towards one common goal.
Q: When you watch the show, what is your favorite part?
A: Watching the faces and reactions of the other people watching the show.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to say about Ringling?
A: It is sad that future generations will not get to experience the wonder that was The Greatest Show on Earth, but it will live on in the stories and memories that we share and in the Circus skills that everyone who was part of it will continue to share with the world.
Thank you very much, David. We really appreciate you sharing your experiences with us! Through people like you, the circus will never die!
Is there something you want former performers from Ringling Bros. to answer?! Leave a comment below!
Get your tickets for the remaining Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey shows here!
