Mantoloking's Andrews Triplets Prepare for Cirque du Soleil Debut

You may recall seeing the Andrews Triplets of Mantoloking when they appeared on America's Got Talent several years ago. The identical sisters, Patty, Maxine, and  Laverne, wowed the judges, and the country, with trick tricycle riding while singing in perfect unison. They finished in third place, but to all their fans, they were winners. Now, two years later, the girls have moved on to bicycles, and their act has become even better. It is so good, in fact, that they have been recruited by the world famous Cirque du Soleil.

"It's very exciting to be part of Cirque du Soleil!" said Patty. "We love working with Costello! He's so cute!" Costello is the dancing giant panda that was partnered with the girls' act. When they perform, the girls will ride their bicycles while they sing, and Costello will dance.

"Mr. Abbott is the panda trainer, and he's been great," Maxine said. "When we have any questions about working with Costello, we just call out, 'Hey! Abbott!' and he comes right over. They're a terrific team. Abbott and Costello really make us laugh!"

Apparently Costello has taken a particular liking to Maxine. "His favorite thing to do is sit under the shade of our apple tree, but Costello won't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me."

The girls are also excited to be working with the other performers in Cirque du Soleil. "The best acts from all over the world will be part of the show," said Laverne. "There's the juggler from Indonesia, Mr. Sie Hoo. Then there's the famous acrobat from England, Lily Watt. And the tightrope walker from Korea, Ida Noh. When we perform, Hoo's on first, Watt's on Second, Ida Noh is on third. Then we come out with Costello!"

Things could not have worked out better for the girls. Cirque du Soleil has several companies touring. Originally they were slated to be part of the B company and  partnered with a French trumpet player known as the Bugle Boy, but that would have meant touring overseas. "Our parents didn't like the idea of us being so far from home," said Patty, "so they made arrangements for us to stay in America with the A company and that's how we got partnered with Costello. Otherwise we would have been partnered with the Bugle Boy of company B."

Cirque du Soleil will begin its next tour early next year with the triplets making their debut. They are looking forward to it and are working hard to ensure their success. The Andrews Sisters, along with Abbott and Costello are sure to be making people happy for years to come.