Ringmaster, wife travel with children in tow
Courtesy photoJohnathan Lee Iverson, ringmaster for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, travels the country by train with his wife and their two children, Matthew and Lila. "It's a family business, run by family people. ... It's a marvelous community," he says.
By Bill Lynch
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' Johnathan Lee Iverson and his wife Priscilla say one of the things people might not know about the circus, his circus, is that it spoils you.
"They ruin you," bemoaned Iverson, the ringmaster.
After all, once you've been part of the world's most famous circus, where do you go from there?
The Iversons, along with a host of acrobats, contortionists, daredevils, clowns, elephants and tigers are at the Charleston Civic Center through Sunday. It's part of their 44-week tour of America.
For Iverson, his wife and their two children, Matthew and Lila, riding in trains and traveling is an amazing adventure.
"The children have their own bedroom," Priscilla said. "Bunk beds. Our son sleeps on top. We sit together as the train moves and watch the country. It's very nice."
"They ruin you," bemoaned Iverson, the ringmaster.
After all, once you've been part of the world's most famous circus, where do you go from there?
The Iversons, along with a host of acrobats, contortionists, daredevils, clowns, elephants and tigers are at the Charleston Civic Center through Sunday. It's part of their 44-week tour of America.
For Iverson, his wife and their two children, Matthew and Lila, riding in trains and traveling is an amazing adventure.
"The children have their own bedroom," Priscilla said. "Bunk beds. Our son sleeps on top. We sit together as the train moves and watch the country. It's very nice."
Courtesy photo
Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson with wife, Priscilla; son, Matthew (left) and daugther, Lila.
"Ringling Bros. really is a family show," Iverson said. "It's a family business, run by family people. The circus has a school and nursery. They're very accommodating. It's a marvelous community."
Iverson grew up performing. He was a member of the Boys Choir of Harlem through his teens and studied to become an opera singer while at The Hartt School, the University of Hartford's performing arts conservatory.
Shortly after graduation, Iverson tried out for a part in the Fireside Dinner Theater's Christmas show. That's when Ringling Brothers recruited him.
"The director of the show was also the director of Ringling Bros.," Iverson explained.
At the time the circus was looking for a ringmaster who could also sing. Iverson fit the bill and joined "The Greatest Show on Earth."
He met his future wife a year later. She was one of a group of Brazilian dancers who had just joined the show.
READ MORE: http://wvgazette.com/Entertainment/201104270782
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