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The New York Clown Theatre Festival - Shows
Posted September 20, 2007
Note: The first festival, last year, was awesome. Leave your preconceptions, and check out these events! See also Workshops.
The Brick presents the second annual
The New York Clown Theatre Festival
October 5th - 28th, 2007
MAINSTAGE SHOWS
The Art of Silent Screen Comedy
(Ben Model) New York City
(2 hours)
From Spongebob to Mr. Bean to YouTube videos, visual humor is making a comeback. Join Ben Model, noted film historian and MoMA silent film accompanist for The Art of Silent Screen Comedy. Model will show short films and clips of the great clowns of the silent screen, and will talk about the history and origins of the timeless visual and physical humor in film.
Sat, Oct. 13th 1:30-3:30pm
Bouffon Glass Menajoree
(Ten Directions) New York City
(60 minutes)
Gentlemen callers beware: The Wingfields plume their nest with broken glass, twisted morals, and perverted minds. Each night a new audience member will get to play the role of Jim. Tom, Amanda, and Laura claim no responsibility for your hurt feelings or offended sentiments. Why would anyone do this to an American Masterpiece? Written by the performers, Lynn Berg, Audrey Crabtree, Aimee Leigh German and director, Eric Davis. Nominated for 4 NY Innovative Theatre Awards.
Fri., Oct. 13th 10:30pm
Bubkus
(Jesse Buck, Michael John Dubue) Canada
(60 minutes)
Bubkus is a simple story of mythical proportions featuring monsters, the hero and (of course) a damsel in distress. Without words, and using only a blanket, a pillow and a toothbrush, Jesse Buck takes the audience through a story about imagination, by transforming himself into its many characters. Written by the performer, Jesse Buck, and Michael John Dubue, directed by Adam Lazarus. A SHOW FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
Sat., Oct. 6th, 3:30pm, Sun., Oct. 7th 8:30pm, & Mon., Oct. 8th 7pm
Burnt Umber
(The Combustibles) New York City
(60 minutes)
When global disaster strikes, two clown secretaries piece their world together and go on working. Tami and Tamari take you to the 27th floor, where small disasters happen everyday and larger problems loom. Burnt Umber is a wacky, dark show inspired by Beckett and too many hours as temps. The Combustibles, a stupidly skilled Lecoq-trained duo, provoke, inspire, and delight. Created by the performers Anne Sorce, Liza Zapol and director Rachel Eckerlind.
Sun., Oct. 14th 5:30pm, Tues., Oct. 16th 7pm, Sat., Oct. 20th 10:30pm
Chiche Capon's Cabaret
(Associates Les Nouveaux Gitans) France
(90 minutes)
A show for kids lost in adult clothes, or adults who've kept point of view and sensibility of youngsters, this show presents a gallery of characters successively fragile, possessive, jealous, authoritarian, candid and magnanimous. In search of beauty and harmony, they're looking for meaning to life and to time's race. Created and performed by: Frédéric Blin , Matthieu Pillard, Richard Lo Giudice, and Patrick de Valette.
Fri., Oct. 12th 10:30pm, Sat. Oct. 13th 8:30pm, Sun., Oct 14th 3:30pm, Tues.,
Oct 16th 10pm, Wed., Oct17th, 7pm
***FINAL SHOW PERFORMED IN FRENCH
Circus Minimus-The-One-Man-Circus-in-a-Suitcase
(Circus Minimus) New York City
(60 minutes)
A SHOW FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! From Kevin O’Keefe’s suitcase an entire circus emerges: tent, band, lights, the boisterous ringmaster Steve Fitzpatrick, the officious Mervin Merkle, the incredible Bumbilini Family, the Magician to the Stars Clyde Zerbini, and Keefer—an innocent trying to runaway and join the circus. However, the most important performers emerge from the audience. Each performance becomes a dialogue between the characters and the audience—a light-hearted collaboration. Created by performer Kevin O’Keefe with directors Barbara Karger & Erin Maile O'Keefe.
Adult tickets $6, Ages 4-12 $4
Sat,. Oct. 13th Noon, Sun., Oct. 14th Noon
The Clowns of Vaudeville
(Trav. S. D.) New York City
(60 minutes)
Throughout the vaudeville era right up through the middle of the twentieth century, most of America's favorite comedians were clowns. Trav S.D., author of No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book that Made Vaudeville Famous will talk about some of the most important of these, from once-famous but now obscure performers like Ed Wynn, Joe Cook, Harry Langdon and Clarke & McCullough to better known names such as Charlie Chaplin, the Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields and Red Skelton. In a style both humorous and enlightening, he'll trace the original rise and fall of this kind of comedy as well as its recent resurrection, and offer some theories about why late twentieth century audiences (and some contemporary ones) turned away from greasepaint.
Sat., Oct 27th 2pm
Cops
(EFS) Catalan
(65 minutes)
The non-verbal/mimetic clowns of EFS bring their popular show to premiere in the U.S. Three characters give their point of view about police world. Law and disorder! Some shooting practices, a robbery in a museum, an infiltration in the mafia, a surrealist interrogation...You will enjoy a lot with this show and its gags so that you could not stop laughing. Created and performed by Ferran Aixala ,Jaume Jove,Jordi Huete. Directed by Caroline Dream & Alex Navarro.
Sat., Oct. 6th 10pm, Sun., Oct. 7th 2pm, Mon., Oct. 8th 8:30pm, Wed., Oct. 10th 9pm
Clownifornia
(The Damsels /Jeff Seal) California/New York
(60 mintues)
Two California trained groups share the bill for this night of shorts.
The Damsel’s Demise features the girlie girl, in love with her mannequin boyfriend, and the tomboy, playing war games from her cardboard box fort, are polar opposites and yet they are all there is to each other. They operate in a world of ferocious play: of deep companionship and perilous betrayal. During the 30 minute journey the audience finds themselves literally part of their world. Created and performed by Suzanne Santos and Summer Shapiro.
A Sudden Gust of Gravity features one clown's existential journey through quantum and theoretical physics, his obsession with gravity and his heroic attempt to defy it by jumping off of the Earth. If he ignores gravity, will it in turn forget about him? Probably not, but he'll be wearing padding and knows how to take a fall.
Fri., Oct. 12th 7pm, Sat., Oct. 13th 4pm, Sun., Oct. 14th 10pm
Dill & Diger
(Vestlandske Teatersenter) Norway
(45 minutes)
A show for the whole family!
The show consists of a classic comedy duo - classic, except for the refreshing fact that they’re female! - who are accompanied by a lively musician on a washtub bass. The story begins when Dill and Diger decide to have a picnic in the park together, but everything that can go wrong does. It’s old and new -Vaudeville meets Beckett meets Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. The Play was developed in cooperation between Vestlandske Teatersenter and the New York clown Peter Daniel Straus. The show is almost without words, and appeals to people in all ages. Created by performers Camilla Svingen, Margareth Hosoy with director Peter Daniel Straus. Also featuring musician Lars Sveinung Lid.
Sat., Oct. 6th 6pm, Sun., Oct. 7th 10pm.
Grandma Speaks: Barry Lubin of Big Apple Circus
(60 minutes)
Barry Lubin has been clowning forever, but professionally since 1974. With Ringling for 5 seasons, and having appeared in various films, television, circuses, and theatrical productions, as well as a number of European circuses recently, Barry is now appearing at Lincoln Center in the 30th Anniversary edition of the Big Apple Circus, Celebrate, his 16th season with the Big Apple Circus. The show closes January 13, and he is jetting that same night to Monte Carlo to perform in the International Circus Festival of Monaco, and will be touring Germany in a theatrical clown show in March and April. Barry was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 2002, and still basically has no idea what he is doing or how he has managed to fool people into hiring him for the past 33 years. He will share his experience of working in professional clowning in a circus ring in America versus Taiwan, Budapest, Rome, Munich, and Monte Carlo.
FREE EVENT!
Sun., Oct 21st 9pm
The Glories of Gloria Revue
(Mooky) Canada
(75 minutes)
Gloria’s a triple threat: she can sing, dance and turn cartwheels. And if she doesn’t know how to do something, she’ll fake it. Mooky, as Gloria, bumbles her way through a series of theatrical vignettes, puppetry and video segments while her dream of being a star becomes reality. Mooky’s credits include, lead clown in Cirque du Soleil’s, Varekai, the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, and The New Pickle Circus.
Sun., Oct. 21st 3:30pm, Wed., Oct 24th 9pm, Sat., Oct. 27th 8pm, Sun., Oct. 28th 3:30pm
Lester and Louis Save the World
(FreeWheelin’ Theatre) Kentucky
(50 minutes)
The end is nigh! Civilizations only hope for survival lies in the hands of Lester and Louie, and Louie’s a chair (hence, no hands). Blood, sweat, fist fights and Mexicans are all a part of the plan to help Lester not only save the world, but himself. Come to the forest, and let laughter save your soul. Created and performed by Justin and Rachael Dobring, directed by Rachael Dobring.
Fri., Oct. 19th 8:30pm, Sat., Oct. 20th 5pm, Sun., Oct. 21st 2pm
The Maestrosities: The Coolest Band Ever!
(Maestrosities) New York City
(70 minutes)
If no one tells these clowns how stupid they are, they will continue to tour the world, believing that they are, indeed, "The Coolest Band Ever!" Inspiring Resilience or Obstinate Mediocrity? You decide. In the mean time, just try arguing that it wouldn't be pretty cool to see Material Girl and Turning Japanese performed on tuba, ukulele, trumpet, clarinet, accordion and spoons! Created and performed by David Gochfeld, Glen Heroy, Roderick Kimball, Jenny Lee Mitchell, Gina Samardge, and Andy Sapora.
Wed., Oct. 24th 7pm, Fri., Oct. 26th 9pm, Sat., Oct. 27th noon, Sun., Oct 28th 5pm
Moving Target
(Empty Oven Theatre and The Theatre Resource Centre) Canada
(60 minutes)
Flam St. Cyr is back and wound tighter than ever. She's in the ambivalent process of daydreaming her life back from devastating illness, with only the company of a 2nd hand radio. However, out of the bowels of somewhere she pulls out the one true thing that gives her permission to get on with it. Created by performer Erin Bouvey and director Sue Morrison.
Sat., Oct. 6th 8pm, Sun., Oct. 7th 4pm, Tues., Oct. 9th 7pm, Thurs., Oct. 11th 8:30pm
No Place Like Home
(Funeeestuff Productions) Florida
(80 minutes)
If actions speak louder than words, this show screams fun!” This word-free comedy can be understood in any language. Whether he’s changing his clothes, setting the table, or just sitting down, you’re guaranteed to have fun. Rob Torres has a unique way of finding absurdity in common everyday tasks. If you’re looking for laughter, this is where you’ll find it. Created and performed by Rob Torres, directed by Avner Eisenberg.br>
Sat., Oct. 6th Noon, Sun., Oct. 7th 5:30pm, Wed., Oct 10th 7pm
Patatrac (Crash, Crack, Bang)
(Delikatessenduo) Italy
(60 minutes)
After touring all over Europe Patatrac travels from Italy to make their U.S. début! This show features a comic-musical duel between two clown-musicians. They create innovative musical instruments, with mime and physical comedy . The end is a love story. Created and performed by Moreno Raspanti, Christina Glogowsky Family Friendly Show.
Sun., Oct. 14th 2pm, Tues., Oct. 16th 8:30pm, Fri., Oct. 19th 10pm, Sat., Oct. 20th 2pm.
Red Bastard
(Eric Davis and Sue Morrison) New York City
(60 minutes)
Red Bastard is New York's King of Fools! This one-man bouffon show stars critically acclaimed cult icon, Red Bastard as a grotesque, yet disarmingly charming creature, whose enormous ego is matched only be his colossal red ass. Highly interactive, Red Bastard's performances are a dialogue with the audience where anything could happen. Marvel as this impish ton of fun mocks the institutions of theatre, education, American pop-culture and politics.
Sat., Oct. 13th 7pm
Ridiculosity
(The Glass Contraption) New York City
(60 minutes)
See Ted juggle 65 chain saws, light himself on fire, hold his breath for twenty minutes and then turn himself inside out!? A drama, a comedy, an epic! Entertainment for the people with singing and music, tap dancing, loud noises, attempted feats of acrobatics, falling in love and falling down. Hailed as "theatrical, lyrical and poetical on the one hand and controlled chaos on the other", The Glass Contraption takes you inside the beautifully stupid and wildly funny world of the clown. A New York premiere, The Amazing Ted Show! was chosen as one of the "Ten Best of the Festival" by the Grahamstown Herald at the National Arts Festival, South Africa. Created by the ensemble: Katie Down, Robert Grant, Andy Grotelueschen, Piper Harrell, Catherine Mueller, Justine Williams, and with director Virginia Scott.
Fri., Oct. 19th 7pm, Sat., Oct. 20th Noon, Sun., Oct. 21st 5pm
Savage Amusements
(Daredevil Chicken Club) Germany
(50 minutes)
A Transylvannian mail-order bride caught in Florida finds herself having to make ends meet. Known as the Gymnastic Genie from years ago in her home country, Svetlana Flamingo resurrects her old acts to wow the crowd with her "physical stuntings." An accomplished splitski-ologist performs The Rings of Despair, The Upside Down Flamingo, Squished Bug and The Ternal Dance of Fluffy Pink. Through her re-invention of former glories, she finds the key to freedom from the trailer park. Created and performed by Anne Goldman.
Sat., Oct. 20th 6:30pm, Sun., Oct. 21st Noon, Tues., Oct. 23rd 7pm
Solo: A Two-Person
(Under the Table Theatre) New York City
(60 minutes)
As two brothers find themselves suddenly lost in a ridiculous puzzle about their own lives, they become entangled in colliding worlds of fantasy, reality, and memory! This insightful physical comedy takes the audience on an intelligent journey of imagination and play, through steamy jungles and bitter cold! The race is on to figure out what may or may not have just happened as they sort through the details of their last moments together. Created and performed by Matt Chapman and Josh Matthews. Creative consultant Ronlin Foreman.
Sun., Oct. 21st 8pm, Fri., Oct. 26th 10:30pm, Sat., Oct. 27th 3:30pm
Tápate/Cover Yourself
(Pez En Raya) Catalonia/Andalusia
(90 minutes)
This award winning show has toured all of Europe and is performing in the USA for the first time. Cover Yourself is a tragicomedy. Yoli, a local woman, has murdered her husband. The entire police force are in pursuit. All airport, stations, borders and bridges have been closed. The famous Holloway prison awaits her arrival. She wants to prove the whole world that her crime was a simply domestic accident, a mishap, a misunderstanding... Created and performed by Cristina Medina & Joan Estrader. Directed by David Sant.
Thurs., Oct. 25th 7pm, Fri., Oct. 26th 7pm, Sat., Oct. 27th 6pm
***FINAL SHOW PERFORMED IN SPANISH
Trav S.D.: A Jerk in Progress
(Mountebanks) New York City
(60 minutes)
Vaudeville host, comedian and author Trav S.D. (NO APPLAUSE, JUST THROW MONEY: THE BOOK THAT MADE VAUDEVILLE FAMOUS, Faber & Faber, 2005) presents his first solo clown show, developed with, and directed by Maggie Cino (Ascending Bodily, New York International Fringe Festival).
Thurs., Oct. 25th 9pm
Under the Skiff
(Three Times Nothing/InterAction) New York/France
(60 minutes)
As two clowns wait in the barren immigration office of a strange country, in hopes that their Papers will be approved, they invite the audience to follow their stream of anxious, confused consciousness as they play out their daydreams of paperwork hurricanes, operatic tales of epic struggle, government surveillance carnivals, and various other fantasies of catastrophe. Taking the perilous imaginative landscape of Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea as inspiration, Under the Skiff is a lyrical farce told in the Lecoq School's poetic clown style and created by an international partnership of artists committed to exploring the absurdity and pathos of the human situation. Created and performed by Maja Bieler and Jenny Sargent.
Tues., Oct. 9th 8:30pm, Sat., Oct. 13th, 5:30pm, Sun., Oct. 14th 7pm
Zen Cabaret: A Contemplative Burlesque
(Nina Rolle) Colorado
(60 mintues)
Zen Cabaret: a contemplative burlesque is the illegal marriage of Buddhist contemplative art and lowbrow humor. Enchanting music, sexy clowns, homemade instruments, accordions and Absurdist Retail Therapy come together to form a new hybrid genre: Sonic Theater. Nina Rolle is hilariously seductive – or seductively hilarious - as the charlatan-emcee of this traveling medicine show. Performed by Nina Rolle,Liz Stanton, Davina Cohen, Gleason Bauer, Ashley Hughesand Jessica Cerullo, as Zen Wrangler and Retail Therapist.
Sat., Oct. 6th 2pm, Sun., Oct. 7th 7pm, Thurs., Oct. 11th, 7pm, Sun., Oct. 14th 8:30pm
See www.bricktheater.com for show info.
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