Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Some might argue that Yadier Molina is our local Superman, but there’s another Man of Steel who truly looks the part. Charlee Soffer (a.k.a. Charlee Chartrand) dons the classic costume and performs using the handle St. Louis Superman (stlouissuperman.com). He takes photos for tips outside Busch Stadium during most home games, and his hair is amazing.
• I enjoyed watching Superman with my Mom and Dad as a kid. It was Christopher Reeve that really did it. The first one I saw with him was Superman IV. A lot of people don’t like that one, but I’m a fan.
• What really started the idea of the costume was my senior year of high school. On Halloween, I wanted to be Austin Powers, but my father wanted me to be Superman. Let’s just say I’m really glad my father won the argument! When I went to high school that day, the teachers wouldn’t shut up about it.
• I eventually got the idea of street performing from the street performers in New York. Then I started doing conventions and getting into costuming, and using my imagination. I love it.
• I try to get out to the game an hour or two before the opening pitch. I’m usually in costume on the MetroLink. At the stadium, I’m on the sidewalk walking around saying hello to people. If you see me, please stop and say hi.
• Gates One, Two, and Four are the smoking gates, and I try to circulate around those. I’m constantly walking that horseshoe. The outfit is constricting, and I have to keep moving. I stand by the Stan the Man statue around the seventh or eighth inning.
• Most of my gratuities come toward the end of the game. By the time I leave, after the very last people are gone, I’ve stood for about six or seven hours total. Sometimes I walk around the Arch or Washington Avenue after.
• Typically, I’m walking around and someone says, “Hey, Superman!” I talk with them, and they say, “How are you?” I say, “Super.” It makes them laugh. I ask if I can high-five any kids.
• When people want to photograph me, I might do the classic Superman pose with my hands on my hips or showing off my muscles. A lot of people like to take a “flying shot,” where I have a leg up or an arm out like I’m going to take off.
• If there’s a birthday girl, I might have them take my arm so it looks like we’re getting ready to take off together. I actually pick up my fiancée—she’s my Lois. I’m not insured to pick up people otherwise, so I avoid that.
• One of the other performers outside Busch Stadium is the guy who makes balloon sculptures. He’s my best friend.
• Before this, I bounced around a lot. I did pizza delivery, retail at the mall, managed a candy stand, worked in a call center, worked the docks at Famous-Barr, and was a courier/driver. The one job I had before this I liked the most was at Six Flags as a Justice League character. I was the Flash and occasionally Green Lantern and Robin. They asked me to do Batman, but I said I was too nice; I wouldn’t make a good Batman.
• To get my hair to look like this, I use six different hair products: protein styling gel, wax, hair glue,
hair spray, a water spritzer, and mousse. I also use a hair dryer for extra volume.
• The spit curl means Superman knows how to relax, too.
• I also dress as Spider-Man and as Mon-El, who is an alternate version of Superman from another planet. I’ve done Nightwing and George Perez–era Robin. I’ve also done Spider-Boy from the Amalgam universe, and the Superboy clone with the leather jacket from the ’90s.
• I’ve also worked Rams games, the University City Loop, and Washington Avenue. On Washington Avenue, they like to break the “family-friendly rule.” Some of the St. Lousians party hard. I’ve had a couple people try to tackle-hug me. Sometimes, I point to the ring that’s on my finger, and I mention Lois Lane, but they won’t take no for an answer.
• I’m a member of a group called the Gateway Superfriends. I started it with my friend Krissy, who played Wonder Woman at Six Flags with me. We’re a group of volunteer costumers who try to give back to the community. We go to parades, like St. Patrick’s Day and July Fourth, and we volunteer for groups like the USO and Autism Speaks.
• If I’m really cold, I will layer up. I’m also developing a suit with a neck, a more winter-friendly suit with thicker material. That could be good for the playoffs, too.
• Sometimes, a kid asks me if I can fly, and I tell them Busch Stadium is a no-fly zone. I’m not allowed to use my powers near the games.
