The Greatest Show on Earth, The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus comes to Allentown for six shows this weekend. I can almost smell the sweet aroma of cotton candy, peanuts, and popcorn filling  the PPL Center.

Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Steve Weiss, drummer, and one of the main characters of the show.

For most adults, everyone knows the name Ringling Brothers, and the extensive history and popularity  of the circus. But this isn’t the same circus I attended as a child.

“This is a reimagined version of that show you saw as a child,” Weiss began.  “So for the adults that go, there’s still a lot of elements of the old time circus. You’ll get a little bit of that nostalia.  The kids are viewing it for the first time. There’s a little bit of something for everybody. The focus has shifted away from the old show with animals, its now a modern show, a modern social climate that shifts the emphasis on the performers.

We have a performer that rides the world’s tallest unicycle, so you get to see a world record broken with each performance. So it’s equally impressive, just in a different way.

Plus, this show is a multi-cultural cast. There are 75 performers representing 18 different countries.”

What’s that like working with so many different ethnic backgrounds of performers?

“You make friends from different places, that’s how the world turns, and that’s how you grow. And you never know what’s going to happen and I think that’s a beautiful thing, that’s where the magic comes from onstage.”

Well, let’s back this up a bit, I heard you’re originally from Pennsylvania? How did your upbringing lead you to the circus?

“Yes, I’m originally from Pennsylvania, from Delaware County. When I was growing up, I went a very traditional route. I was at a school assembly in the fourth grade and was told to pick an instrument. i picked the trumpet, which lasted about two weeks,” Weiss laughed. “Then I moved to the drums. I played in middle school, high school, marching band, the choir, school orchestra and theatre (drama). I went to Penn State and was in the marching band, which was a big deal. There was also jazz combos and rock bands, and regional theatre.  I’ve always been a chamelion, so to speak.”

And then in your adult years you worked on other ventures, like America’s Got Talent?

“I ended up doing a lot of different things, like America’s Got Talent, and also worked on cruise ships. It’s an interesting career, you can’t exactly map it out. You can have your goals and ambitions, but its not exactly a straight line.”

Do you still live in Pennsylvania?

“No,” Weiss started, ” I moved to New York City for a few years, then a couple of years ago I purchased a house in Las Vegas. I was working on a residence show in Vegas for Cirque du Soleil. I’ll tell you, it’s a lot easier when I can drive to work and then drive home, which is one of the biggest differences from touring.”

What foods do you miss most that you only could find in Pennsylvania?

“Here’s a true story, we landed at LVI airport on Monday, and I rented a car so I could see my Dad in Philadelphia, and the first stop was WaWa. That’s my happy place!  They’ve expanded the menu from when I was growing up, back then it was just hoagies. I’m a fan of the Turkey Gobbler, and I like the stuffed pretzels.  The ones that are stuffed with the sweet cream cheese are my favorites.”

What do you like best about living in Las Vegas?

“Las Vegas is centered around hospitality, tourism and entertainment.  There’s so much going on at all times. It’s become a melting pot. I also teach yoga and pilates.”

So how long have you been working with the Ringling Brothers Circus?

“I started in August! I thought it was a really cool opportunity, and was welcomed into the fold with open arms.  It’s not like a Vegas show, per se, it’s that kind of style, the lights, the sounds, its a spectacle for the audience.  I’ve done some touring in my time, but never like this.  It’s pretty cool that when we roll into a town, we kinda take over. It’s fun that we’re a part of a large scale production. It’s big city entertainment to all types of towns in the United States, from coast to coast.”

Has there been a moment you experienced while working with Ringling Brothers Circus, that was heartfelt? Something that really meant a lot to you?

“Well, when we performed in Grand Rapids, MI., I got a Facebook message from a guy I went to Penn State with, that I literally haven’t talked to in 15 years!  He said I was just at your show in Grand Rapids, and have lived here a few years for work, and he was so proud of me. I went to Penn State for business school. He went on to say that I can’t believe your still playing the drums and following your dreams.  It was so awesome to see you rocking the stage.  He said the best part was to see that awe on my kids’ faces, that was a special thing to me.  It’s magical.”

Well, here at The Valley Ledger, we want to thank. you for your time today.  Do you have anything else you would like to say to our readers?

“Yes!  Come out to the show! It is the greatest show on earth! Come out and have the greatest time of your life!”