Pre-show gives audiences a close-up look at circus

Get there early -- you'll get a sneak peek of the main show.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CLEVELAND -- There are only a few things in life you want to be early for -- the dinner table, the airport and the circus.
So the onus is on parents, grandparents, family members and circus enthusiasts to arrive an hour early at this year's 135th edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & amp; Bailey Circus, which takes place Friday through Oct. 30 at The Q, to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the intimate All-Access Pre-show.
"It's where the families come down on the arena floor and get a chance at being part of the show," said pre-show host Andre McClain. "During that time, we also have Asia the elephant come out and, literally, [she] paints one of her masterpieces. Plus, everybody gets a chance to touch an elephant."
This artistic pachyderm paints using all colors of the rainbow; however, McClain said he thinks her favorite color is yellow. At the end of the circus show, Asia's work of art will be given away to one lucky circus-goer. But in a sense, everyone wins when attending the All-Access Pre-show, which should be considered part of the regular circus performance.
Sneak peek
Throughout all three rings of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & amp; Bailey Circus will be an ever-changing lineup of performers giving sneak peeks into their main show routines. This includes animal trainer Sacha Houcke, high-wire daredevils The Aguilar Brothers, The Windy City Acrobats, the self-explanatory Mr. and Mrs. Cannonball and, of course, more clowns than you can imagine. In fact, the only performers not participating are celebrity clown Bello Nock and ringmaster Ty McFarlan.
"The pre-show is a big, big part of the show," McClain said. "It gets you pumped up."
McClain admits he never thought he'd have such enthusiasm about a circus. In fact, he never attended a circus show until he joined the esteemed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & amp; Bailey production.
Growing up on a Missouri ranch, rodeo and show business were in his blood from an early age. McClain's father managed musical acts The Whispers and The O'Jays, as well as performed in rodeos. He even started the African-American Bill Pickett Rodeo over 20 years ago.
After graduating from the University of Missouri, McClain competed in rodeos and taught himself a variety of tricks on his faithful horse Jonah. Soon, he was taking his one-man show on tour with his father's rodeo and the International Professional Rodeo Association.
Breaking barriers
A few years ago, he joined the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & amp; Bailey Circus, thus breaking barriers as a black entertainer in the "Greatest Show on Earth."
"It's a really good thing," McClain said. "It's marvelous. And I enjoy it more than anything because it gives me a chance to go around the country educating and showing kids that all things are possible and you too can make your dreams come true. It's amazing."
While you can take the man out of the rodeo, McClain is finding taking the rodeo out of the man is tough. The 28-year-old says not a day goes by that he doesn't think about the thrill and rush associated with riding a bull or bareback horse.
When on the road, he can often be found in country bars, soaking up the country and western music and dancing just to keep his "foot in the door."
Still, he loves the All-Access Pre-show, especially since more and more circus audience members are arriving early.
"Now that more people know about it, it's a wonderful thing because there is no other place in entertainment where you can go on a stage and meet all of the performers and get all of their autographs or talk to them," McClain said. "There is so much interaction going on during the pre-show. Even though I host it, it's my favorite part of the show. I wouldn't trade that position in for anything."