From Broadway to the Big Top

A Broadway star was spotted walking through the neighborhoods of Des Plaines this week, rustling an elephant parade, of all things.

Chuck Wagner sang the role of the Beast on Broadway, in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," and later Javert, in "Les Miserables," before originating the dual roles of "Jekyll and Hyde."

Now, he has a new gig: ringmaster.

Wagner opens today as ringmaster of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Circus at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, bringing his Broadway trained voice and show business background to the center ring.

"I see it as an extension of my theater background," Wagner says. "It's a different kind of theater, but it still goes back to the idea of storytelling."

Circus fans will get to hear what made Wagner a success on Broadway, when he sings the circus's title song, written for him by Craig Safan (who composed the theme song for "Cheers.")

Aloongside the elephants Wagner was dressed casually, but in the circus he dons a bright red tuxedo and top hat. His hat is at the center of the show, called "Over the Top," as he and eccentric clown, Tom Dougherty, compete for control of the magical top hat that brings their fantastical imaginations, to life.

Wagner says the biggest difference between his Broadway roles and his current job is the unpredictability of the circus. The daredevil stunts and animal acts are all real, and sometimes things go according to script, leaving the unflappable ringmaster to carry the show.

That's the circus for you, Wagner says, and he's loving every minute of it. Even living on the train. Though some of the performers now travel in customized trailers, he prefers the traditional circus train, whose cars number more than 90 in all, between the 45 passenger cars and 45 flats carrying equipment.

"I feel like P.T. Barnum, himself," Wagner says.