The Circus Comes to West Orange

Flying ballerinas, balancing miracles and a kiss of death with one of the largest reptiles known to man — welcome to the Zerbini Family Circus. 

The big top came to West Orange for one day Wednesday, gracing residents with three performances. 

Children and adults were awed by the talent of each performer: the soaring team known as the "flying condors" ricocheting off of a Russian swing; the 52 somersaults by a young man on the trampoline and the dancing tight rope fiends, effortlessly gliding across the wire.  

Of course, the show would not be complete without Gustavo, the clown, grooving to salsa, techno and funk, all the while yanking members of the audience to aid his act — including myself.

I was picked to stand smack dab on on center stage with two others. The man to my left was handed a miniature guitar and an orange wig, the man to my right, a set of drumsticks and a wig of black curls. I was given a golden microphone. And for once, it wasn't quite for the purpose of reporting ...

There was no breaking news, no parade to cover and no weekly , just the tunes of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face." Clutching a gold microphone, sporting a blond wig and sunglasses, there was nothing I could do but dance, my drummer and guitarist in tow.