HARTFORD, Conn. » The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is preparing for the first performance of its "Legends" show since an aerial accident sent eight acrobats plummeting to the ground in Rhode Island.

The circus opens in Hartford, Connecticut, on Thursday night and runs through the weekend.

Producer Nicole Feld plans an afternoon news conference to discuss the accident and changes to the show.

The "human chandelier" stunt, in which performers hang by their hair from a suspended apparatus, won’t be performed.

Acrobats Dayana Costa, Julissa Segrera and Stefany Neves remain in serious condition at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

They were among those injured Sunday when a clip at the top of the apparatus snapped, dropping them 20-feet to the ground. Officials haven’t determined why that clip failed.