By Peter Covino

Entertainment Editor

They haven’t been calling it “The Greatest Show on Earth” for years for nothing.

If all you know about the circus is watching Charlton Heston it is time to head on over to the Amway Arena (Jan. 13-17) for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

This is the 141st edition of The Greatest Show On Earth and even if you have been to the show several times before, the 2011 show is all-new with acts from all over the globe featuring dare-devils, superhuman stunts and never-seen-before performances.

And, as usual, clowns from the world-famous clown alley will also try their best to compete with all the thrills of the circus as will the assemblage of Ringling Bros. animals.

Show highlights include The Human Fuse, who rockets across the circus sky and many others.

The circus also features Wheels of Steels with the Fernandez Brothers.

The brothers, Guillermo and Alberto, put their double wheels of steel in to high gear for their appearance, Ringling officials said.

Growing up in a circus family, the brothers too became performers, beginning as jugglers but followed in their father’s footsteps to take on the giant rotating wheel. Guillermo began practicing when he was 5, and Alberto at the age of 17. Now even their 14-year old brother is following in their footsteps.

There is circus comedy with Vasily Trifonov and Stas Knyazkov “the masters of fun.” The pair have been called the Abbot and Costello of the circus. Both attended the Moscow School of Circus and Variety.

Also in the center ring you will find the Donnert Family. As if juggling wasn’t hard enough, try juggling four, five and then six objects while standing on the backs of galloping Hungarian Coldbloods, horses known for their strength and spirit. The Donnert Family, from Budapest accomplishes this amazing feat and much more.

Tickets for the Ringling Bros. show are on sale now.

Show Times are:

Thursday, Jan. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 15, at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

And Monday, Jan. 17, at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $100 (Circus Celebrity; $65 (front row); $45 (VIP); $35 (loge/ club/suite/lower level), $30 (2nd level), $20 and $15. Ticketmaster service charges and facility fees not included. Tickets are available at www.ringling.com or www .ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Amway Center box office (407-440-7900). For group ticket sales and information, call 866-248-8740.