RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM AND BAILEY: “ILLUSCINATION”
7 p.m., Verizon Arena. $11.75-$56.00
I’m already lit up off the words and names surrounding the newest Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus that’s coming to town: “Illuscination.” It’s the best Nas album title that never was and the big, flashing name of this big top show, suggesting a bit of illusion, fascination — maybe even a bit of hallucination — in store for the audience. It’s led by David DaVinci, a flashy, spiky-haired fellow who can escape a straitjacket while being hung upside down over a den of lions. Magician? No! Extreme magician? No! He’s a “thrillusionist!” (This show is a parade of portmanteaus.) There’s Viktoriya and Widny, who dangle 35 feet off the ground, hanging only by their hair; Francleib Rodrigues, who walks upside down; and The Clowning Caveagna Family who, you know, do clown stuff. Expect other circus mainstays like ninjas jumping on, in, around and through stuff on fire, lions going out of their way not to eat people and trapeze artists making you feel inadequate. The show continues with a 7 p.m. show on Friday; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. performances on Saturday; and a final 1 p.m. circus on Sunday.