Feld Entertainment

In 1967, promoters Irvin Feld and Israel Feld, as well as former Houston, Texas, mayor Roy M. Hofheinz made an offer to purchase the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from John Ringling North and other minority shareholders associated with the family. Broadway producers Cy Feuer and Ernest H. Martin sued in December 1967 to stop the sale.{{cite news |title=Feuer and Martin Suing Felds Over Circus Sale |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/12/05/archives/feuer-and-martin-suing-felds-over-circus-sale-2-producers-seek-to.html |quote=Cy Feuer and Ernest Martin, Broadway producers, brought suit in New York State Supreme Court yesterday to cancel the sale of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus to Irvin and Israel Feld and Roy M. Hofheinz. |work=The New York Times |date=December 5, 1967 |access-date=July 20, 2008 | first=Louis | last=Calta}} Nevertheless, the purchase of the combined circuses from the Ringling and North families to the Feld group took place for $8 million. The company was taken public in 1969.{{cite news |title=Feld Family Buys Ringling Bros |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E0DD1639F93AA25750C0A964948260 |quote= Mattel Inc. said that it had sold Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows Inc. for $22.8 million to a family that had owned the circus and has been in its management for 26 years. Two members of the family, Irvin Feld and his son, Kenneth, said that the deal included the circus, Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice and the new Walt Disney's World on Ice. ...Irvin Feld was a record and music promoter and music store chain owner before becoming involved with the circus in 1956. In 1967, he and a brother acquired the company's total assets from the Ringling and North families for $8 million. Two years later, the circus became a publicly held corporation, and in 1971 the company was sold to Mattel for $50 million in stock. |work=Associated Press in The New York Times |date=March 19, 1982 |access-date=July 20, 2008 }} Kenneth Feld joined the business in 1970 after finishing college.{{cite news|last=Heath|first=Thomas|title=Feld Entertainment head prepares to pass his empire to his daughters|url=https://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-06-15/business/35461096_1_nicole-feld-dominique-jando-trapeze|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630140420/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-06-15/business/35461096_1_nicole-feld-dominique-jando-trapeze|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 30, 2013|access-date=May 11, 2013|newspaper=Washington Post|date=June 15, 2012}}

In 1971, the Mattel toy manufacturer purchased the company's outstanding shares in 1971 for $50 million in stock, and Irvin Feld continued in his role as manager and producer of the circus. After Walt Disney World opened near Orlando, Florida, in 1971, Mattel attempted to cash in on the tourism surge by opening Circus World in nearby Haines City.{{cite news|last1=Langdon|first1=Dolly|title=Lord of the Rings Irvin Feld Has Made a Fading Circus the Greatest Show on Earth Again|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20076452,00.html|access-date=August 4, 2015|work=People|date=May 12, 1980}} Irvin & Kenneth Feld Productions in 1979 purchased from Chicago-based Bill Wirtz the Holiday on Ice and Ice Follies for $12 million. The company soon approached Disney about doing a Disney show on ice.{{cite news|last1=Dale|first1=Steve|title=Snow White And Greenbacks|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/01/20/snow-white-and-greenbacks/|access-date=July 30, 2015|work=Chicago Tribune|date=January 20, 1995}} By 1980, the company produced 10 circus and ice show TV specials. An investment was also made in Barnum, the Broadway musical. In 1981, Ken Feld started the Beyond Belief show at the New Frontier Hotel and Casino.{{cite news|title=Disney Ice Extravaganza Opens|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-01-ca-6453-story.html|access-date=August 10, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|agency=Times Wire Services|date=July 1, 1988}}{{cite news|last1=Grove|first1=Lloyd|title=The World According to Kenneth Feld|url=http://upstart.bizjournals.com/views/columns/the-world-according-to/2008/08/28/Interview-With-Kenneth-Feld.html?page=all|access-date=August 3, 2015|work=Upstart Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=August 28, 2008|page=5,18}}

The Felds bought the company back in 1982 for $22.8 million. By then, the business included Holiday on Ice, Ice Follies, Walt Disney's World on Ice, and Beyond Belief starring Las Vegas magicians Siegfried and Roy. Circus World was sold to Arizona developer James Monaghan in 1984.{{cite news|last1=Vaughan|first1=Vicki|title=Circus World Sold And Closed|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-05-14/business/8601290050_1_circus-world-high-flying-circus-circus-motif|access-date=August 4, 2015|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=May 14, 1986|archive-date=August 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823022329/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-05-14/business/8601290050_1_circus-world-high-flying-circus-circus-motif|url-status=dead}} Ringlings' third touring company, Gold Unit, premiered on July 1, 1988 in Japan and the smaller production, which later toured on trucks, was eventually routed into towns that were too small for the larger circus units. In late 1988, Beyond Belief began an international tour, which included New York's Radio City Music Hall and venues in Japan.

In {{dts|1996|10}}, Irvin & Kenneth Feld Productions, Inc. changed its name to Feld Entertainment, Inc.{{cite web|title=Feld Entertainment, Inc. Event|url=http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/NameHistory?aggregateId=forp-857659-cd09fd28-27cb-4e2f-8eb3-7a96941c7fa8&entityId=857659&CurrentPage=0&SearchTerm=Feld&InquiryType=EntityName&inquiryDirectionType=CurrentList&SearchNameOrder=FELDENTERTAINMENT%208576591&ListNameOrder=FELDENKREISFAMILYFOUNDATION%20N940000050900 |website=SunBiz.og|publisher=State of Florida Division of Corporation|access-date=July 30, 2015}} In 2001, Ken Feld began gifting shares of Feld Entertainment to his three daughters Nicole, Alana and Juliette Feld. Nicole was hired into the family business in 2001 and became the first female producer of the Ringling Bros. Circus in 2004. Alana also signed on in 2003.{{cite news|last1=Tupponce|first1=Joan|title=Think your office is a circus?|url=http://www.virginiabusiness.com/news/article/think-your-office-is-a-circus|access-date=August 8, 2015|work=Virginia Business|date=July 29, 2009|archive-date=October 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019191901/http://www.virginiabusiness.com/news/article/think-your-office-is-a-circus|url-status=dead}}

Due to an accident in October 2003, the Siegfried & Roy show was closed at the Mirage Hotel. The following June, Feld Entertainment began producing Disney Live! with a Winnie the Pooh live show in the United Kingdom.{{cite news|title='Disney Live! Winnie The Pooh to play at the Beacon Theatre|url=http://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news/sep05/winnie20sep05.htm|access-date=August 8, 2015|work=New York Theatre Guide|date=September 20, 2005}} Alana produced the first Doodlebops Live! in 2006. In 2006, Nicole was a vice president in charge of the circus. The company sold its Vienna, Virginia headquarters in May 2006 to America's Capital Partners then leased it back until 2018. In 2007, Nicole and Alana were elevated to executive vice president of the company.

The company signed a 10-year agreement with Disney Live Family Entertainment for Disney on Ice, Disney Live and other Disney productions in August 2008. In September, Feld also acquired the motorsports division of Live Nation, including the properties of Monster Jam (and several associated monster trucks), Supercross, Arenacross, and the IHRA. The motor sport division was renamed Feld Entertainment Motor Sports.{{cite news|last=Plumb|first=Tierney|title=Feld Entertainment enters motor sports business|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/09/08/daily71.html?page=all|access-date=May 11, 2013|newspaper=Washington Business Journal|date=September 11, 2009}} Feld Motor Sports launched its first new arena-based freestyle motocross touring production, Nuclear Cowboyz, in 2010.{{cite news|last1=Malok|first1=Andre|title=Nuclear Cowboyz: Jersey boy goes airborne at the IZOD Center |url= http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/02/nuclear_cowboyz_jersey_boy_goes_airborne_at_the_izod_center.html |access-date=July 31, 2015|work=NJ.com|publisher=NJ Advance Media|date=February 28, 2014}} Feld Motor Sports sold the IHRA to IRG Sports + Entertainment in 2012.{{cite news|last1=Boudevin|first1=Jessica|last2=Deckard|first2=Linda|title=Drag Racing Firm Scores Major Financing|url=http://www.venuestoday.com/news/detail/irgse-financial-plan-1007|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=Venues Today|date=October 7, 2014|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530022053/http://www.venuestoday.com/news/detail/irgse-financial-plan-1007|archive-date=May 30, 2017|url-status=dead}}

Feld Entertainment and Zignia Live, management company of Arena Ciudad de Mexico and Arena Monterrey, signed a promotion agreement in April 2011 which brought various Feld productions to Zingia's managed arenas for a total of 18 weeks. Among the shows that toured Mexico was Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey which returned in May 2012 after an absence of ten years.{{cite news|last1=Boardman|first1=Liz|title=Brave New World|url=http://www.venuestoday.com/news/detail/brave_new_world|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=Venues Today|date=June 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103015337/http://www.venuestoday.com/news/detail/brave_new_world|archive-date=January 3, 2017|url-status=dead}}

In January 2012, the company purchased Palmetto Corporate Center, a former Siemens Corp. complex in Ellenton, Florida, and over a five year period moved most of its operations and world headquarters, as well as its production center, to the complex.{{cite news|last=Sword|first=Doug|title=Feld Entertainment moving headquarters to Ellenton|url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120130/ARTICLE/120139968|access-date=May 11, 2013|newspaper=Herald-Tribune|date=January 31, 2012|author2=Michael Pollick}} Feld Entertainment also occupies a 241,457-square-foot warehouse in the Baltimore-Washington Industrial Park, Jessup, Maryland where it stores and distributes merchandise and souvenirs for its various productions.{{cite news|last1=Litten|first1=Kevin|title=Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey to store circus merchandise in a huge Jessup warehouse|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/blog/real-estate/2013/10/ringling-bros-barnum-bailey-to.html|access-date=August 13, 2015|work=Baltimore Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=October 17, 2013}} In 2015, Feld Motor Sports HQ moved from Illinois to Ellenton.{{cite news|last1=Janelle O’Dea|first1=Janelle O’Dea|title=Feld Entertainment gave executives $1.5 million in raises in 2015|url=http://www.bradenton.com/news/business/article151592592.html|access-date=May 1, 2018|work=Bradenton Herald|date=May 20, 2017|language=en}}

In March 2013, Feld agreed with Marvel Entertainment, which was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 2009, to produce Marvel Universe Live!, a Marvel character-based live arena show.{{cite news|title=Marvel, circus company join forces for superhero arena show|url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comics/marvel-circus-company-join-forces-for-superhero-arena-show/#/2|access-date=May 11, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 13, 2013}} Marketing campaign company Cimarron Group was hired in 2013 by Feld Entertainment for all media campaign for Marvel Live and other Feld shows.{{cite news|last1=Graser|first1=Marc|title=Feld Entertainment Taps Cimarron to Market Marvel's Superhero Arena Show |url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/07/15/feld-entertainment-taps-cimarron-to-market-marvels-superhero-arena-show/ |access-date=January 20, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|agency=Variety|publisher=Tribune Publishing|date=July 15, 2013|language=en}} The Cimarron Group however shut down August 2013.{{cite news|last1=Graser|first1=Marc|title=Is 'Marvel Universe Live!' the Comic Book Company's 'Cirque du Marvel'? |url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/10/14/is-marvel-universe-live-the-comic-book-companys-cirque-du-marvel/ |access-date=January 20, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|publisher=Tribune Publishing|date=October 14, 2013|language=en}}

Juliette Feld was promoted to chief operating officer of the family-owned business in February 2016.{{cite news|title=Juliette Feld Appointed COO|url=http://www.venuestoday.com/news/detail/juliette-feld-appointed-coo-21716|access-date=January 19, 2017|work=Venues Today|date=February 17, 2016|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201234749/http://www.venuestoday.com/news/detail/juliette-feld-appointed-coo-21716|archive-date=February 1, 2017|url-status=dead}}

In November 2016, Feld Entertainment and Sesame Workshop announced an agreement for a new Sesame Street Live show to debut in October 2017 to replace one by VStar Entertainment Group ending in July 2017.{{cite news|last1=Nakashima|first1=Rebecca|title=VStar Finds New CEO|url=http://www.venuestoday.com/news/detail/vstar-finds-new-ceo-4616|access-date=January 19, 2017|work=Venues Today|date=April 6, 2016|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201234834/http://www.venuestoday.com/news/detail/vstar-finds-new-ceo-4616|archive-date=February 1, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title='Sesame Street' to Take the Stage|url=http://www.licensemag.com/license-global/sesame-street-take-stage|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=License! Global|publisher=UBM|date=November 18, 2016}}

Citing low attendance rates, Feld Entertainment announced the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus would close after their final performance on May 21, 2017. The retirement of the elephants was a factor in the decreased attendance, but the company would continue operating its Center for Elephant Conservation.{{cite news| last1=Lush |first1=Tamara |title=APNewsBreak: Ringling Bros. circus to close after 146 years|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/020bc7b2f16f4446ade338bcf4a500ed/apnewsbreak-ringling-bros-circus-close-after-146-years |access-date=January 17, 2017|work=The Big Story|agency=Associated Press|date=January 14, 2017}} The newly "reimagined" circus opened in Bossier City, Louisiana on September 29, 2023, but without any animal acts.{{cite news |last1=Nir |first1=Sadrah Maslin |title=Ringling Circus Is Returning. Lions, Tigers and Dumbo Are Not. |work=The New York Times |date=May 18, 2022 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/18/arts/ringling-circus-returning.html |access-date=28 July 2022}}

In 2018, Feld Entertainment and Universal Brand Development agreed to develop multiple properties into mobile pop-up attractions.

Feld Entertainment owns:

• Feld Consumer Products, concession and merchandising division in Jessup, Maryland{{cite web|title=Feld Entertainment, Inc Company profile|url=http://www.eswr.com/docs/Ringling/FEI_companyprofile.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002525/http://www.eswr.com/docs/Ringling/FEI_companyprofile.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|website=eswr.com|publisher=Feld Entertainment, Inc|access-date=August 14, 2015}}
• Feld Motor Sports, Inc.{{cite news|last1=Frederick|first1=Missy|title=With new motor sports unit, Feld Entertainment battles recession|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/06/01/story11.html|access-date=August 7, 2015|work=Washington Business Journal|date=June 1, 2009}}
• Monster Jam
• AMA Supercross Championship
• International Hot Rod Association Nitro Jam (2008–2012)
• Nuclear Cowboyz (2010–2013)
• Hagenbeck–Wallace, Inc., a property, costume and scenic design company
• Ice Follies And Holiday on Ice, Inc. produces:
• Disney on Ice, originally Walt Disney's World on Ice
• Classic Ice Spectaculars
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1967–2017, 2023–)

• Winnie the Pooh ({{dts|2004|6}}–2005) United Kingdom, Spain, The Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand ({{dts|2005|7|29}}–2006) USA (2006–) Japan
• Mickey’s Magic Show
• Playhouse Disney / Disney Junior Live:
• Playhouse Disney Live on Tour! (launched {{dts|2007|8|25}}) focuses on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny and My Friends Tigger & Pooh characters of Playhouse Disney shows and produced by Ken and Alana Feld.{{cite press release |author= |title=Playhouse Disney Live! Brings Disney Channel Favorities Together on Stage to 70 U.S. Cities in Their First Live Touring Production |url=http://www.feldentertainment.com/PressRoom/DisplayPressRelease/4966/ |publisher=Feld Entertainment |access-date=August 13, 2015}}
• Mickey's Rockin' Road Show was created in early 2009 and is on its second tour starting in {{dts|2010|7}}. The show has 15-minute interactive pre-show segment, Playhouse Disney Pre-Show Party, with video highlights.{{cite news |last1=Newman |first1=Brad |title= Disney characters take center stage| url=http://amarillo.com/entertainment/get-out-productions/2010-10-14/disney-characters-take-center-stage |access-date=August 12, 2015 |work=Amarillo Globe-News|date=October 14, 2010}}
• Pirate & Princess Adventure features Sofia the First and Jake and the Never Land Pirates{{cite news|title=Disney Junior Live: Pirate & Princess Adventure Overview|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/theater/show/168735/Disney-Junior-Live-Pirate-Princess-Adventure/overview|access-date=August 13, 2015}}
• Three Classic Fairy Tales (opened May 2008 in China{{cite news|last1=Tulloch|first1=Katrina|title=Belle, Snow White and Cinderella coming to 'Disney LIVE!' at The Oncenter this fall|url=http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/05/belle_snow_white_and_cinderella_coming_to_disney_live_at_the_oncenter_this_fall.html|access-date=August 11, 2015|work=The Post-Standard|publisher=Syracuse Media Group|date=May 8, 2015}})
• Mickey's Music Festival{{cite news|title=Mickey's Music Festival brings Disney fun to Shore|url=http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/entertainment/family/2014/11/19/disney-live/19295515/|access-date=August 13, 2015|work=Delmarva Now|publisher=Gannett|date=November 19, 2014}}
• Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic (Brazil: {{dts|2015|4}}–2016) (US: Early 2016–) The show is directed and choreographed by Fred Tallaksen and produced by Alana Feld.{{cite news|last1=Brooks|first1=Dave|title=The Future of Feld is Now|url=http://www.ampthemag.com/family-shows/the-future-of-feld-is-now/|access-date=August 12, 2015|work=Amplify Magazine|date=April 16, 2015}}

• Doodlebops Live! (2006–)
• High School Musical Summer Celebration (2009–)
• Marvel Universe Live! ({{dts|2014|7|10}} – present){{cite news|last1=Kennedy Wynne|first1=Sharon|title=Ambitious Marvel stunt show makes world premiere in Tampa|url=https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/events/ambitious-marvel-stunt-show-makes-world-premiere-in-tampa/2186699/|access-date=July 29, 2014|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=July 1, 2014}}
• George Lucas' Super Live Adventure, premiere in Yokohama, Japan on {{dts|1993|4|27}} with a 22-week tour there. "Willow," "American Graffiti," the Indiana Jones series, "Tucker" and the "Star Wars" movies were all included in the story.{{cite news|title=Multimedia Show Recreates Spirit of George Lucas Films|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/1993/0222/22142.html|access-date=August 14, 2015|work=Christian Science Monitor|agency=AP|date=February 22, 1993}}
• Goosebumps–Live on Stage
• Disney's Phineas and Ferb: The Best Live Tour Ever!{{cite web|url=http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/2011/11/02/disney-live.html|title='Phineas and Ferb: The Best Live Tour Ever!' coming to Columbus|access-date=2012-07-15}} (August 2011 – February 2013){{cite news|last1=Beck|first1=Jerry|title=Behold The Sheer Horror of "Phineas and Ferb – Live!"|url=http://www.indiewire.com/2015/01/behold-the-sheer-horror-of-phineas-and-ferb-live-123699/|access-date=May 29, 2018|work=IndieWire|date=January 9, 2015}}
• Sesame Street Live (October 2017 – February 2023)
• Sesame Street, Beaches Resorts
• Sesame Street, SeaWorld theme parks
• Sesame Street, Sesame Place in Middletown Township, PA and Chula Vista, CA.
• Jurassic World Live Tour (September 2019–) started in Columbus, Ohio moved across part of the Midwest and East Coast{{cite news|last1=Grebey|first1=James|title=Jurassic World Live Tour's Challenge is Making Movie Dinosaurs Live |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/jurassic-world-live-tours-challenge-is-making-movie-dinosaurs-live|access-date=April 13, 2019|date=April 10, 2019}}{{cite news|last1=Storey|first1=Ken|title=After killing off Ringling Brothers, Feld Entertainment now turns to a new Jurassic World arena show|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/01/29/after-killing-off-ringling-brothers-feld-looks-to-bring-back-animals-from-the-dead-with-new-jurassic-world-arena-show|access-date=May 1, 2018|work=Orlando Weekly|date=January 29, 2018|language=en}}

• DreamWorks Trolls: The Experience{{cite news|last1=Whyte|first1=Alexandra|title=Universal, Feld develop Trolls interactive attraction|url=http://kidscreen.com/2018/05/01/universal-feld-entertainment-develop-trolls-attraction/|access-date=May 1, 2018|work=Kidscreen|publisher=Brunico Communications Ltd.|date=May 1, 2018}} (New York: October 22, 2018){{cite news |last1=Gross |first1=Arlene |title=New 'DreamWorks Trolls' event coming to NYC |url=https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/family/dreamworks-trolls-experience-new-york-1.20213760 |access-date=August 15, 2018 |work=Newsday |date=July 31, 2018 |language=en}}

(most on Broadway):

• Big{{cite news|last1=Heath|first1=Thomas|title=The man behind the 'Greatest Show on Earth'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/30/AR2010043002090.html|access-date=January 19, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 3, 2010|page=1}}
• Barnum
• Largely New York
• Fool Moon
• MADhattan in Las Vegas
• Three Musketeers musical (1984)

{{Reflist|30EM}}

• {{official website}}
• {{url|feldmotorsportsonline.com}}, Feld Motor Sports, Inc, subsidiary producer of Monster Jam, Supercross, Arenacross, Nuclear Cowboyz
• {{url|disneylive.com}}, license property show produced by Feld
• {{url|www.trollstheexperience.com}}, DreamWorks Trolls The Experience

{{Feld Entertainment}}

Category:Ice shows

Category:Companies based in Manatee County, Florida

Category:Entertainment companies established in 1967

Category:American companies established in 1967

Category:Former Mattel subsidiaries

Category:AMA Supercross Championship