Ringmaster!: My Year on the Road with "The Greatest Show on Earth"

by Kristopher Antekeier, Greg Aunapu

Kristopher Antekeier was a struggling New York performer when, on a whim, he responded to a rather unique audition notice in Backstage. Selected from among hundreds of competitors, Kristopher and six other finalists were whisked Chicago where, with the magic words “Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of All Ages,” he was chosen—at age twenty-seven— the youngest ringmaster in the 115-year history of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Ringmaster! journeys from the highly publicized audition through the grueling year of performing and living on the circus train: Kristopher and the circus traveled nearly 16,000 miles in 47 weeks to do over 500 shows in 52 cities in 28 states! Here, Kristopher shares his one-of-a-kind adventure—as seen from the very center of the center ring—giving us the first such account of life behind the scenes of "The Greatest Show on Earth." Follow Kristopher as he encounters honorary ringmasters Larry "J. R." Hagman, Roger Staubach, Pat Sajak, and Vanna White. Meet that Masterful Manipulator of Maneating Mammals—Gunther Gebel Williams, the world's greatest animal trainer. Is there truly a sucker born every minute? Find out when Kristopher reveals the secret behind the supposedly one and only "Living Unicorn." Commiserate as the Clowns Consider the Corporation's Cunning Contractual Connivance! (Discover how this cherished American institution is at the mercy of Big Business Tycoons: the Circus grosses as much as half a million dollars a day while the performers risk their lives for peanuts.)

It's all here—from Hungarian teeterboardists to Mexican trapeze artists, from highwire disasters to the aroma of cotton candy, from sequins to sawdust. And, of course, clowns, clowns, clowns! Throughout, your host will be the always delightful Kristopher Antekeier, a man allergic to and terrified of animals, suddenly thrust into the lead of the world’s largest pachyderm parade.

Dazzlingly entertaining, sure to be controversial, Ringmaster! is irresistible for anyone who ever dreamed of running away and joining the circus. A big-top Travels with Charlie, this is truly a story for Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of All Ages.

KRISTOPHER ANTEKEIER (aka Kristopher Kyer)

Kristopher, seen most recently as Dick Van Dyke in the feature film SAVING MR. BANKS, has been seen in many TV shows, commercials and stage productions. He was the on-set acting coach for the primetime TV series BOY MEETS WORLD; GRACE UNDER FIRE; and THAT 70’S show; as well as the Bruce Willis film HOSTAGE. Co-starring roles on TV include SEINFELD, QUANTUM LEAP and BOY MEETS WORLD.

Stage roles throughout the U.S. and regional Equity theater have included the leads in THE MUSIC MAN, BARNUM, WILLY WONKA and my signature role now has been CAPTAIN HOOK in PETER PAN. Currently he is directing and starring in many musicals throughout the U.S.

For 18 years he was the owner of his own acting school THE KRISTOPHER KYER WORKSHOP FOR ACTORS in Burbank, CA, where he personally trained over 18,000 young actors going on to major careers in the entertainment industry, including Anton Yelchin, Tyler Hoechlin, and Emmy winner David Lago.

GREG AUNAPU

Greg is author of Without a Trace: The Disappearance of Amy Billig – A Mother’s Search for Justice and co-author of American Spy, the memoir of infamous Watergate conspirator E. Howard Hunt.

Genres: Nonfiction

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 1989

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express how perfect a peek into Ringling Bros. circus life this book presents. This is the story of Kristopher Antekeier's one year as Ringmaster of the 115th Edition (1985). The culture shock as an outsider coming in, the concern over perceptions, the shift to train life, the transience, the bitterness and drama and dedication of the show, the confusion of absolutely loving and utterly loathing everything at the same time. Amazing how little changes in 20 years (thankfully crew living quarters are one of them!). Right down to endless games of canasta between shows (and nearly being late to show as a result of trying to finish a hand!). This is beautifully honest.

[Shel E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kris’s charisma as he tells his story of being the ring leader for the traveling circus. I love stories that take place pre-tech take over and they’re just about people hangin with people. This book also lead me to two of my favorite games… Racko and Canasta. Go ahead and give it a read!

[Kellie Schelhaas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic recount of a year in the life of the circus. Kristopher does a great job recounting his time in a descriptive storyteller teller style. It makes it easy to imagine the characters and experiences he had in his year with The Greatest Show on Earth.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book gives a pretty accurate account of working for TGSOE but, the writing lacks style.