Pochinko workshop in Brooklyn 3/21-4/22/10

WORKSHOP Character Mask to Clown With Deborah Kaufmann Inspired by the teachings of Richard Pochinko, Canadian clown master teacher "If we face the six directions of self, we can't help but laugh at the beauty  and ridiculousness of all that we are." -- Richard Pochinko This investigation is an inspiring way for the artist to make direct connection to aspects of his/her true self. In the spirit of physical discovery and playfulness we will visit our childhood room, experience a bittersweet goodbye, and find the personal meaning in the colors of the rainbow.  Then we will each make six masks: North, West, South, East, Above and Below. We will connect to and physicalize each direction and then create a clay mask. The masks are explored and a character is developed for each one. All six characters are combined to create a persona that is unique, with a deeply personal mythology and imagined environment that can be used for exploration and the development of new material.  For artists in all disciplines and the seriously curious. March 21 through April 22, 2010 (First Day of Spring to Earth Day). Sundays and Thursdays; 5 weeks March 21 3-8 pm, Then Thursdays, 6-9 pm, Sundays, 4-7 pm $500.00, Scholarship available Maximum 12 Students Brooklyn Studio Deborah Kaufmann has performed and taught Clown and Hospital Clowning in the US, and around the world. She has been the National Creative and Educational Coordinator of Big Apple Circus Clown Care since 1994. In that capacity she trains, coaches and directs, as she oversees the artistic quality and growth of more than 80 unique “clown doctors.”  Of her 2006 performance at the New York Clown Theatre Festival,  nytheatre.com said, “this performance gleams most brightly, with true mischief and solid will operating unfettered at maximum strength.”     http://www.tooshorttofallover.com “It's a dream to find a teacher who combines a sharp directorial eye,  intuition as a clown, and a deep knowledge of techniques and material.                   --Tanya Solomon, clown and burlesque performer  The supportive way in which Deborah taught really resonated for me.”                --- an Australian Student  CONTACT: debdib@verizon.net             www.tooshorttofallover.com

Coppelia Project: A Clown Ballet in 3 Acts

Heidi Stubblefield, actor/creator, is the creator and director of The Coppelia Project: a clown ballet in three acts, which was a commission by Accessible Arts. It was produced at the Kansas City Fringe Festival and had extended runs at the Off Center Theatre and Lawrence Arts Center. She is a Kansas City, Kansas native. She received undergraduate training in Theatre at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, KS and went on to further study Physical Theatre and Ensemble Theatre at the Dell' Arte International School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake, California. Heidi has performed with many theatre companies in the KC area, including the Kansas City Rep, Unicorn Theatre, Coterie Theatre, American Heartland Theatre, and Actor's Theatre of Kansas City. She has toured nationally with the Lawrence-based company Seem-to-Be Players. As a creator of original work she has created works for Princess Squid Productions, Byrd Productions, and the Coterie Theatre. Heidi has also featured as an Emerging Artist by the Kansas City Star for her work with Arts in Prison, Inc., where she works with adult and juvenile inmates to write and perform original shows. Heidi doesn't seem to have a website, but if you know of one for her, please post it here!

ICHOF Names Greg DeSanto Executive Director

Couldn't happen to a nicer (or more deserving) guy.  Greg was one of my instructors at Clown College, and I've seen him a few times, including the couple of days that I was researching in Baraboo.  He's a very funny clown, and a historian and collector-- with one of the largest collections of clown video in the world (perhaps with a close second with Pat Cashin)  Anyway this is a great development, and will hopefully continue to advance the field of clowning.   ---   INTERNATIONAL CLOWN HALL OF FAME AND RESEARCH CENTER SENDS IN THE CLOWNS–AND BRINGS MUCH MORE – TO BARABOO World’s Foremost Organization Dedicated To The Preservation Of The Art, Craft And History Of Clowning Names Greg DeSanto Executive Director Baraboo, WI (January 18, 2010) – A bright addition to Baraboo’s unique circus heritage was revealed today as The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center announced the opening of its new headquarters in America’s Circus City. Internationally renowned for its research and involvement in the art, craft and history of clowning, the ICHOF boasts the world’s most wide-ranging collection of clown artifacts and memorabilia, including wardrobe and props from many of the most famous names in clowning history. “We are delighted to send in the clowns – and send them to Baraboo, back home where they belong,” said Greg DeSanto, recently named the ICHOF’s Executive Director. Himself a celebrated clown and circus historian, DeSanto, a Baraboo resident, performed at the Circus World Museum for over seven years. He’s also been featured in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, the Big Apple Circus and other major shows around the world. As we expand our presence in Baraboo, we hope that scholars and historians and the public at large will experience our fascinating exhibits and extensive archives,” DeSanto says. Founded in Delevan, WI in 1986, the ICHOF was created as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, honoring and supporting the international art of clowning. The first and only group of its kind, it provides both rich research opportunities and educational outreach, along with the world’s largest collection of artifacts and collections concerning the art of clowning. In 1988, the ICHOF began enshrining international artists who have enhanced and advanced the art of the clown. Since then, sixty-one performers have been inducted into the Hall, including Red Skelton, Lou Jacobs, Emmett Kelly, Otto Griebling, Felix Adler, Barry Lubin, Bobby Kaye, Jimmy Williams, Frosty Little, Steve Smith, Grock, Charlie Chaplin and Bill Irwin. The prestigious Lifetime of Laughter achievement award is also presented annually. Fulfilling its commitment to community outreach, the Hall’s Caring Clown program provides therapeutic humor for children and their families at the Milwaukee’s Children’s Hospital. With Long Term Laughter Care, the ICHOF brings fun and comfort to residents at skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers. “We are honored to join the Circus World Museum and the Al Ringling Theater as key spokes in Barboo’s celebrated wheel of circus history,” adds DeSanto. “We welcome residents and visitors alike to join us in our ongoing efforts to promote and preserve the grand and glorious history of hilarity.”

Chicagoist is featuring interviews with clowns

The Chicagoist, an online news blog, is featuring interviews with clowns all this week, in honor of Halloween. The series, called FACE YOUR FEARS, is intended to get to know people behind the greasepaint. It's pretty good, as far as it goes, but nearly all of the clowns interviewed are Primarily Birthday Party clowns and not circus clowns.  Who knows, maybe Jeff Jenkins of the Midnight Circus  is the last person interviewed (their Friday interview has not yet come out).  That might give this a little balance. UPDATE:  They balanced it in a different way-- the fifth interview was with LezBobo the Clown, who does more alternative clowning.  I've updated this post to reflect that. Here's links to the interviews: LezBobo The Clown READ THE INTERVIEW Website for more information. Kooky Da Klown READ THE INTERVIEW  Websites:  Clowns For Hire and Kooky's Myspace. Patricia "Dimples The Clown" Koopmann READ THE INTERVIEW Website for More Info Don "Tricky the Clown" Bothwell READ THE INTERVIEW  Website for more info Mirelle "Twinkles the Classy Clown" Gross READ THE INTERVIEW Website for more info

Jango Edwards 3 day intensive workshop Nov 9-11 (NY)

Jango Edwards Clown Workshop Nov 9–11 Jef Johnson's Clown Lab and Nouveau Clown Institute present: Clown: Formulas and Theory With Jango Edwards Jango Edwards is one of the founding fathers of the Nouveau Clown Movement. This is a rare opportunity to study with one of the world's great teachers. Jango was last here in 1982. The work he has done in Europe is the basis for much of the world scene these days. About the Instructor: Jango Edwards has dedicated his life to the study of comedy and the art of clown; not a job but a life style. His first company, The Friends Roadshow, formed in London with Nola Rae, exploded into a theatrical community with bases in London, Amsterdam, and Detroit. Over 400 members from around the world have actively participated. In 1975, after moving to Amsterdam, he gave birth to the internationally renowned Festival of Fools, which continued annually until 1984 and became the world's first comedy convention of the Nouveau Clowns. It set the foundation and form for a new trend in comic festivals, an annual gathering of a clown tribe, where all performed, taught, and exchanged the secrets to a new direction and the rebirth of an all but lost tradition. During the 1980s and '90s he had a performing tour schedule of more than 200 performances per year. In theaters, concert halls, stadiums, music clubs, open-air festivals, and venues as diverse as an amphitheater in the Sahara desert, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Ronald McDonald Comedy Awards, the International Banking Conference of Switzerland, a nudist beach, half-time at a football match, the Olympic Village in Barcelona, and a bathroom at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes. His devout fans include Salvador Dali, The Queen of Holland, the Chancellor of Germany, Catherine Denueve, Fedrico Fellini, Francis Ford Copola, Xaviera Hollander, and the Rolling Stones, to name but a few. In 2004 he moved to Barcelona and at the International Forum Festival he created The Fools Militia, a team of clown actors to create large scale clown performances and animations. From this he developed a special World Clown Theater Series at the Almazen Theater where each week international clown artists present their productions and where every Saturday night he writes, directs, and performs with selected guest artists at the Cabaret Cabron. During the first two years of Cabaret Cabron and with the cooperation of over 100 clown artists he wrote, directed, and performed ove 100 different productions. He is artistic director of Monsters of Comedy Festival in Rome and runs training programs for Clinic Clowns, Clown Doctors, and Doctors with Red Noses. In October of 2009, he launched the Nouveau Clown Institute. When: November 9, 10, 11 12–6pm each day Where: The Brick Theater 575 Metropolitan Ave. (between Union Ave. and Lorimer St.) Brooklyn, NY 11211 bricktheater.com Cost: $200; Space is limited. Reserve your place with a non-refundable deposit of $100 (PayPal accepted) Contact/Enrollment: Jef Johnson jefjohnson@nyclown.com

Dick Van Dyke on Slapstick

Thanks to Drew Richardson, Dramatic Fool for pointing this out -- a hilarious mini-lecture about how slapstick is no longer funny, and then Mr. D.V.D. proceeds to schlap the shtick all over it. This is an object lesson in how to build a physical routine where the audience know what's coming, but they can't help themselves from laughing anyway.

If a Clown: poem by Stephen Dunn

One of my favorite poets, Stephen Dunn, has a poem in the New Yorker titled "If A Clown" It gets into a lot of issues about fear of clowns, the magic of clowns, and a certain amount of the silly/hokey/crazy stuff you might do while dressed in white paint. Quite simply, this clown could have been me (although I rarely do birthday parties...) In the comments feel free to write a poem in response-- if we get a good one, we'll send it into the New Yorker. If a Clown by Stephen Dunn August 24, 2009 newyorker.com If a clown came out of the woods, a standard-looking clown with oversized polka-dot clothes, floppy shoes, a red, bulbous nose, and you saw him on the edge of your property, there'd be nothing funny about that, would there? A bear might be preferable, especially if black and berry-driven. And if this clown began waving his hands with those big white gloves that clowns wear, and you realized he wanted your attention, had something apparently urgent to tell you, would you pivot and run from him, or stay put, as my friend did, who seemed to understand here was a clown who didn't know where he was, a clown without a context? What could be sadder, my friend thought, than a clown in need of a context? If then the clown said to you that he was on his way to a kid's birthday party, his car had broken down, and he needed a ride, would you give him one? Or would the connection between the comic and the appalling, as it pertained to clowns, be suddenly so clear that you'd be paralyzed by it? And if you were the clown, and my friend hesitated, as he did, would you make a sad face, and with an enormous finger wipe away an imaginary tear? How far would you trust your art? I can tell you it worked. Most of the guests had gone when my friend and the clown drove up, and the family was angry. But the clown twisted a balloon into the shape of a bird and gave it to the kid, who smiled, let it rise to the ceiling. If you were the kid, the birthday boy, what from then on would be your relationship with disappointment? With joy? Whom would you blame or extoll? If a Clown: newyorker.com

Clown Make Monster

500 CLOWN, the genius clown trio from Chicago, has a documentary coming out about their work (and about the making of their show 500 Clown Frankenstein. Title of the show CLOWN MAKE MONSTER. Here's the description of the documentary: What happens to a group of clowns in a theater company that push against authority when they believe that theater itself is the authority? Popskull Video and Darryl Miller present Clown Make Monster, a documentary web series exploring the relationships between 500Clown ensemble members Molly, Adrian, and Paul as they take great physical and emotional risks to push their own boundaries as actors, performers and clowns. Revealed in multiple episodes, the filmmakers show the method and the madness behind creating improvised based clown theater spectacles where failure is used as a learning and narrative tool for both the clowns on stage and the audience in the seats. The web series gives an unprecedented behind the scenes look at the history of the group as they create their show “500Clown: Frankenstein”, the constant evolution of their shows as they push the boundaries of theatrical convention, and their drive to train, teach, and help others through their lives as Clown Performers. Below is the Youtube teaser for the documentary, that will come out in October. For more information, you can also visit http://www.clownmakemonster.com

upcoming Helen Donnelly Workshops (Canada)

Find out more about Helen's work in a previous clownlink. She'll be teaching a few upcoming classes in Canada. August 10-14, Haliburton, Ontario Clown: the discovery of your persona Suitable for actors and non-actors alike, adults only. This 5-day workshop is a level one approach to theatrical clown for students with limited or no clown experience. Drawing on various approaches, we uncover your clown persona through the use of the world’s smallest mask-- the clown nose. Both character and costume will be explored. www.haliburtonschoolofthearts.ca to register _______________________________________________ September/October: Discover Your Clown Suitable for actors and non-actors alike, adults only. This 6-night workshop is a level one approach to theatrical clown for students with limited or no clown experience. Drawing on various approaches, we uncover your clown persona through the use of the world’s smallest mask-- the clown nose. Both character and costume will be explored. 6 Monday nights September 14, 21, 28, October 5, 19, 26 6-9:30pm $255 ($204 for Equity actors) Labspace Studio, 2A Pape Ave Toronto, Canada Limit: 12 students to register, email: info@helendonnelly.com _______________________________________________ Develop Your Clown This level 2 clown class is a continuation of the work from “Discover Your Clown”. Students will further develop their clown persona, using rhythm, movement and verbal/non-verbal communication. Duo and group work will be explored. A short presentation will give the opportunity to prepare and play in front of peers. Prerequisite: “Discover Your Clown” or an equivalent class 6 Wednesday nights September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21 6-9:30pm $255 ($204 for Equity actors) Labspace Studio, 2A Pape Ave Toronto, Canada Limit: 12 students to register, email: info@helendonnelly.com

Hotel Bananas - This week at the Flea Theatre (NY)

Hotel Bananas The NY Goofs July 23 – 25 Clowns check in but they don’t check out at the Flea Theater, 41 White Street (between Broadway & Church Streets) An evening of raucous laughter with the New York Goofs America’s Got Clowns, Season Two, proves exactly what the title says, that America has some rocking physical comedians. New York Goof co-founders Dick Monday & Tiffany Riley bring together their Clown School faculty and professional clowns to create a hilarious show. Expect to see eccentric dance, musical entrees, bad magic, feats of tossing and manipulation (juggling), Godly and unGodly characters, and a lot of very physical comedy. The New York Goofs have presented three original clown theater productions at The Flea over the last ten years. The performances are July 23 – 25 at 7pm. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Flea website here More information about the goofs at http://nygoofs.com/

Gilkey- Pitt- Donlon - 2 performances in San Francisco in July.

Any one of these guys would be a treat to see. All three is just the icing on the cake on the ice cream. If you are in the San Francisco area, don't miss it! The FLYING ACTOR STUDIO is an international center that celebrates the imagination and invites a profound journey into the very heart of life. In Spring 2008, James Donlon, after a 40 year international teaching and performance career, was inspired to create a physical theater school in San Francisco, building on the rich history of clowning, mime, and circus that had flourished in the city for decades. Donlon invited fellow master teacher Leonard Pitt to share this vision, and together in 2009 they founded the FLYING ACTOR STUDIO, one of the few centers in North America where one can study physical theater. In the '70's both Donlon and Pitt operated nationally known movement theater schools in San Francisco and Berkeley, as part of a vanguard of artists that included Robert Shields, Geoff Hoyle, Bill Irwin, and The Pickle Family Circus. Now Donlon and Pitt continue. THE SHOW: To celebrate, master performers John Gilkey, Leonard Pitt, and James Donlon will perform a gala kickoff piece called ‘The Zany and the Surreal’ Two performances only July 18, 5pm & July 19, 3 pm at the EXIT Theatre in San Francisco. The Show Gilkey, Pitt and Donlon bring their individual "greatest hits” to the main stage of the EXIT Theatre, 156 Eddy St., San Francisco for two performances only, July 18, 5pm, and July 19, 3 pm. The Saturday (July 18th) show is followed by an 8pm to 11pm Gala at the new Flying Actor Studio, 40 First St. between Market and Mission, celebrating the launch of their new school dedicated to physical theatre and movement for actors. ABOUT THE PERFORMERS: John Gilkey has played a lead role in three Cirque Du Soleil productions; Quidam, Dralion and Varekai - more than any other performer. For each of these shows he developed and performed totally original characters and routines. With Cirque Du Soleil alone John has performed live for more than three million people. He also directed and performed in the clown troupe in Franco Dragone’s spectacular water show, Le Reve, in Las Vegas. Additionally, John has performed internationally for more than twenty-nine years in circus, variety, comedy clubs, theater and television. John Gilkey's innovative routine with a coat rack is widely recognized as a landmark juggling act of the contemporary circus movement. WEBSITE: http://www.johngilkey.com/ James Donlon has been a celebrated international performer and master teacher of Physical Theatre for 40 years, presenting his original works throughout North America, Europe, and Latin America to critical acclaim. James is the only physical theater artist ever invited to perform with legendary San Francisco street mime Robert Shields of CBS' The Shields & Yarnell Show. He is the first American clown to perform in the famed Teatro Dimitri of Switzerland. James has created award-winning ensemble works for James Donlon & Company touring nationwide and in Mexico, and also directed productions in Ireland and the Czech Republic. He has been on the faculties of acting schools such as The American Conservatory Theater, The North Carolina School of the Arts, The National Theatre Conservatory-Denver Center, The Yale School of Drama, UCSB, and UCSD, and has presented residencies with special institutions like El Teatro Campesino, Mexico City 's Bellas Artes, Prague's national Academy of Performing Arts (AMU), Dublin's Gaiety School of Acting, and Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown College where he taught Tony Award-winner Bill Irwin. He has been a film movement coach for Oscar-winners Javier Bardem, Kathy Bates, and Frances McDormand, as well as Benjamin Bratt and David Strathairn. To find out more about James Donlon's work, visit http://flyingactorstudio.com/flyingactorstudio/James_History.html Leonard Pitt has been performing and teaching for over forty years. In 1963 he traveled to Paris to study mime with Etienne Decroux, later becoming his assistant for two years. In 1970 he opened a school of physical theatre in Berkeley CA, attracting students from around the world. He has studied mask theater and carving in Bali and performed with the Balinese in their villages and temple festivals. He has presented his work internationally including England, Spain, Holland, Russia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Australia. He was a founding member of George Coates Performance Works, has received Chicago's Actor of the Year Award for his solo work, and was movement consultant for Jurassic Park and motion-capture specialist for the films Dragonheart and Three Wishes. In 1986 Leonard co-founded Life On The Water, a contemporary performance space at Fort Mason, San Francisco. He has written several books, one of which, Walks Through Lost Paris, has become a bestseller in France. The Leonard Pitt Website: www.leonardpitt.com To purchase tickets to the show, visit http://flyingactorstudio.com/flyingactorstudio/Show.html To find out more about the school, visit the website http://www.flyingactorstudio.com.

Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting (DC in July)

Just got word that Dog and Pony DC (a company of female artists in DC) is putting on a show at the Capital Fringe in DC titled (you guessed it) Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting. Want to guess what the show features? :o) First off-- great title for a fringe show-- this is a show that is going to sell out pretty much guaranteed, regardless of the quality of the show. But it's more than that- it's got a great promise as a concept-- that we can look beyond the titties to see a fantastic show of women doing the Errol Flynn thing with virtuosity. I saw a French mime woman a number of years ago who performed topless so that you could better see the dazzling muscles and work that she was doing. After the first few minutes of "Wow- nice tits!" you stop looking at the lascivious and start looking at the work. Now, I'm not sure if there ever stops being a lascivious quality to it, and the first few minutes I was most DECIDELY not looking at the work, but I love the idea of it, and I love the promise of this show. I have been planning a trip to DC to see some friends, and now I'm going to try to coincide it with this show. Who knows, maybe there's some other great fringe to see too! And there's also a blog about creating the show: http://bbwsf2009.blogspot.com/ Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting is a vaudeville that unleashes the feminine mystique in a whirl of petticoats and a dazzling display of strength, swords, and skin. Behold brutal buxom beauties! Take in tantalizing ta-ta titans! Gaze longingly at the titillating, tangoing Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting! (And, yes, this contains strong language and nudity.) conceived & directed by Lorraine Ressegger Performance schedule: July 16 @ 9pm; July 17 @ 10:30pm; July 18 @ 10:30pm; July 19 @ 8pm; July 22 @ 8pm; July 23 @ 8pm; July 24 @ 10:30pm; July 25 @ 10:30pm; July 26 @ 6pm. Tickets: $15. On sale June 22 at dogandponydc.com and capitalfringe.org.

Roberto Benigni does Dante

NY Times Article about Roberto Benigni, who is apparently a Dante scholar, and is performing next week in NY in a very short tour of a Dante show, “TuttoDante,” a monologue about Dante’s “Divine Comedy” that mixes literary insights with off-the-cuff political jokes. In Italy, where he has been doing the show regularly for three years, it has drawn more than a million people. Sounds a lot like my Italian hero Dario Fo. Great quote from the article: “Only comedians can talk about death, life, God and Virgin Mary,” he said. “If was a tragic actor, I couldn’t allow myself. But with this accent I can do it. I can talk with death in person because I am a clown. Yes. And I am proud to be a clown — very much.” Here are the North American Tour Dates: May 26 2009 - San Francisco - Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall May 30 2009 - New York - Manhattan Center June 3,4 2009 - Montreal - St. Denise Theatre June 6 2009 - Boston - Berklee Performance Center June 7 2009 - Toronto - Casino Rama June 10 2009 - Quebec City - Grand Théâtre de Québec June 12 2009 - Chicago - Harris Theater Find out more about the show at http://www.tuttodante.it FULL ARTICLE BELOW: Funnyman Takes on Dante’s ‘Comedy’ By BEN SISARIO Published: May 22, 2009 Roberto Benigni leapt up with a riff on the 26th Canto of Dante’s “Inferno,” in which fraudulent advisers are engulfed by flames that scorch them. “It’s like landing in Los Angeles or Manhattan, full of little lights like a skyscraper,” he exclaimed in his frenetically choppy English. “Dante describes the lights like fireflies, like a farmer who sees billions of fireflies. And every single firefly is hiding a fraud — people like Madoff. Very cunning, very shrewd. These people are hiding inside the flame because they are hiding in life. The Florentines, you know, they invented finances.” The delivery is familiar: Mr. Benigni, of course, is the endearingly manic Italian comedian whose Holocaust tragicomedy, “Life Is Beautiful,” won three Oscars in 1999. But for Americans, at least, the subject of Mr. Benigni’s latest project is almost incongruously new. Next week he will begin a short North American tour of “TuttoDante,” a monologue about Dante’s “Divine Comedy” that mixes literary insights with off-the-cuff political jokes. In Italy, where he has been doing the show regularly for three years, it has drawn more than a million people. “We need to have the nerve to understand why a man with a big nose 700 years ago had the heroic shamelessness to write,” Mr. Benigni, 56, said in an interview the other day at a Manhattan hotel. “Really this is the most daring, bold poetry ever. In 2,000 years of Christian poetry they never surpassed this. They never produced such a scandal of beauty. Never, never, nobody.” Mr. Benigni’s love of poetry has never been a secret. In “Down by Law,” the 1986 Jim Jarmusch film that introduced Mr. Benigni to American audiences, he cites Walt Whitman and “Bob Frost.” Collecting his Oscar when “Life Is Beautiful” won best foreign film in 1999, he quoted Dante and Blake (after climbing over the seats and blurting, “I want to kiss everybody!”). “This face that he puts forward as a sort of clown is only a very small percentage of Roberto’s personality,” said Mr. Jarmusch, who also cast Mr. Benigni in “Night on Earth,” from 1991, and in a segment in the 2003 compilation film “Coffee and Cigarettes,” and who remains a close friend. “TuttoDante” (“Everything About Dante”) introduces Americans to the savant-intellectual side of Mr. Benigni. In each performance he recites a canto in Italian from memory, with detailed explications of poetics and history in English. For this tour, which begins in San Francisco on Tuesday and comes to the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York next Saturday, Mr. Benigni will perform Canto V from “Inferno,” with the story of Paolo and Francesca, the adulterers who spend eternity tossed by gales of lust. “He’s a natural scholar,” said Robert Hollander, the Princeton professor. “He calls, and we just talk about Dante. He calls from Rome and says, ‘Bob, what do you think about this passage?’ ” Mr. Benigni wrote a preface for an edition of “Inferno” translated by Mr. Hollander and his wife, Jean, in which he asks whether Dante has been receiving royalty checks in Purgatory. Mr. Benigni says he sees himself primarily as an entertainer, not a teacher. That means a lot of political jokes, often about his old nemesis, Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister. Mr. Benigni mocked him relentlessly during Mr. Berlusconi’s first term of office in the 1990s, and he clearly relishes the chance to banish Mr. Berlusconi to Dante’s depths. “You know, Berlusconi, he passed a lot of laws just for him, just for one man,” he said. “So maybe his punishment could be to build for him a circle in hell, but very personal, just for him: ‘Eh, this is just for you, Mr. Berlusconi!’ ” “TuttoDante” could also be seen as a kind of purgatory for Mr. Benigni, or perhaps a way out of one. Since “Life Is Beautiful,” which grossed $229 million around the world, his movie career has stumbled. There was no shortage of offers from Hollywood, but Mr. Benigni said that most roles were Italian stereotypes like the pizza man or the Mafioso. He was even urged to make a “Life Is Beautiful” sequel. “Never in my life will I do this,” Mr. Benigni said, shaking his head. So he continued making movies in Italy, but with mixed results. “Pinocchio,” in 2002, was a moderate hit in Italy but did poorly elsewhere. Mr. Benigni’s decision to cast himself — then 50 years old — as the puppet boy struck many critics as perverse. “The Tiger and the Snow,” from 2005, which Mr. Benigni also directed, did even worse at the box office. “Maybe sometimes I have been wrong with some movies,” he said. “Anyway, I try to do my best. I was sincere. I was honest. But I am sure this path that I took is the right path.” After “The Tiger and the Snow” he began to devote himself to the Dante readings. And although he said he is eager to return to filmmaking (“I would like to make not a divine comedy but a comedy”), Dante is his foreseeable future: requests for the show, he said, keep pouring in, from Korea and Japan, from South America, from towns in Italy he has not been to yet. “Only comedians can talk about death, life, God and Virgin Mary,” he said. “If was a tragic actor, I couldn’t allow myself. But with this accent I can do it. I can talk with death in person because I am a clown. Yes. And I am proud to be a clown — very much.”

Think Foolishly: Tips From a Pro

Drew Richardson, the Dramatic Fool, is hard at work again. His blog, Think Foolishly, is currently featuring his takes on how to Think Foolishly. He's got 60 great tips across five categories on how to create a clown logic for your work, how to enhance, create, or otherwise extend a clown routine in a logical and foolish way. He's currently on #18, so you've still got plenty of time to read all of the tips before they overwhelm you. With tips like # 13: Give Up and #12 Never Give Up, you can see that you are in for a little bit of a blender ride. Although he doesn't specifically say so, I think it's safe to assume that you probably shouldn't do ALL OF THESE AT ONCE. (although that might be very funny) But as one of my teachers Daniel Stein would say, "If you follow all of the rules of great theatre, you are guaranteed to make mediocre theatre." If you are looking to transform one of your clown ideas, try approaching the problem from one of these 60 ways, and see if that changes how you are feeling about your potential clown idea. If that approach isn't working for you, try another. Maybe even try two at once. After all, you've got 60 potential keys to unlock the secret to your new routine, and one or more of them might solve the problem. Well, right now there are only 18 ways, so maybe you should just wait 40 days before doing anything else... then come back to your creative difficulties (if you can remember them) Read his blog here: http://www.thinkfoolishly.com Find out more about Drew's work: http://www.dramaticfool.com

Interview with Dominique Serrand

A video interview with Dominique Serrand, one of the principals of Theater de la Jeune Leune, a Minneapolis theatre which recently closed. Jeune Leune was known for their physical theatre-- I believe that Serrand or one of his partners studied with Lecoq, and others in the company studied with Carlo Mazzone-Clemente of Dell'arte. Also, Chris Bayes either taught or performed there (or maybe both) The 34 minute interview is quite interesting, and well worth viewing. (Thanks to Mike Daisey for the heads up.) http://www.vimeo.com/2880009

Golden Nose Award Winners

I attended the Third Annual New York Downtown Clown Golden Nose Awards last night. This now annual event was a lot of fun-- not because of the awards (although it's great to see deserving people get awards) but because of the community that has been created/nurtured by founders of New York Downtown Clown Christopher Lueck and Amanda Pekoe. It's great to see all of these really funny talented people all in a room together. It's even bettter to have a drink with them before (and after the show) This year's award ceremonies were a little different-- there were only two People's choice awards (that got voted on) and three number of honorary awards. The nose awards were designed by ProKnows HONORARY AWARDS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN CLOWNING Hovey Burgess got a lifetime achievement award. Hovey, who is truly one of the instrumental early instructors of circus and clown, has been a constant presence in the NY Downtown Clown Scene. As one of the presenters noted-- not only does he go everywhere, sees every show, but everybody likes him. He's a tireless advocate for circus and clowning, and a great circus historian and archivist to boot. Wearing a formal suit and a very large tie (not shown here) He told a very funny story about John Ringling North, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, and Lady Godiva which ended up crediting LaGuardia for the development of pasties and a G string (he was the mayor that raided Minsky's Burlesque) He also read the famous "But Dr. I am Pagliacci" joke from Watchmen in his best Rorschach voice. (It's the old famous joke--a man goes to the doctor, who checks him out and says "There's nothing wrong with you. There's a famous clown Pagliacci in town-- go see the show, and he'll make you feel better." To which the man replies in tears "But Doctor-- I am Pagliacci!") CLOWN ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: Clowns Without Borders USA received a Clown Organization of the Year award for their work bringing laughter and clowns to strife ridden places. I've featured them on this site a number of times. Deven Sissler, who had just come back from Haiti, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. For more information on the great work they do, visit http://www.clownswithoutborders.org CLOWNS OF THE YEAR: Dick Monday and Tiffany Riley of the NY Goofs Received the Clowns of the Year award for their dedication and enthusiasm for clown arts. They've been teaching clowning in NY for over 10 years, and though they are now based in Dallas, they are also truly integral members of the NY Downtown Clown Scene. For more information about their work, visit http://www.nygoofs.com AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS Audience Choice Best Clown Act WINNER-- Musique, by Joel Jeske, Mike Richter, and Christopher Lueck OTHER NOMINEES: Eccentric Dance and Hat Act, by Spencer Novich Kill Me Loudly: A Clown Noir, by FOOLS ON FIRE (Butt Kapinski, Chris Manley, ChrisRoberti and Jeff Seal, Dir. Eric Davis) The Pajama Men, by Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez Audience Choice Best Clown Character: WINNER: Spencer Novich OTHER NOMINEES: Emily Carragher Nina Levine Tweedy

Fools on Fire Cabaret April 18

Dead Herring and Fools on Fire Present a Benefit Cabaret 141 South 5th Street, 1E Brooklyn NY 11211 Saturday April 18th Doors at 8pm, Show at 8:30 $10 (includes 1 free drink) Good Food and Drink! Lineup: ZeroBoy www.zeroboy.com 'Coney Island of the Mind' piece. Follow along as Zero Boy takes his nephew and the audience on a magical cartoon like audio tour of coney island past, present and future The Lady's Circus Static Trapeze http://www.ladycircus.com Mike Dobson Balloon Bongo Drums http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-nBRlZ61AA http://www.mikedobsonmusic.com/live/ Spencer Novich and Brett Alters, Clown Duo: http://brettalters.com/ http://www.youtube.com/Snovich1 Mitchell "The Human Jukebox" Yoshida For a dollar, he'll play on his accordion your request of ANY pop song EVER. Sapphire Jones www.myspace.com/worldfamoussapphirejones Comedic Burlesque And your hosts Jeff and Buttons youtube.com/jeffseal http://newexcitementcomedy.com/

Maximum Clown Class with Eric Davis (NY)

Eric Davis-- He of the Red Bastard, and director of some top notch bouffonery, is teaching a clown class in NY. It's a one week intensive designed to take you farther than you've ever gone before... (AND THEN SOME!) An invitation and a challenge to yourself! One concentrated week of extreme overindulgence and fun. Participants will explore taking an impulse (an emotion, an attitude, a concept) to its wild and ridiculously extreme conclusion. A particular concentration will be given to the paradox of "staying true and real" and "committing" to an impulse. CLOWNS GO TOO FAR! They indulge themselves and their inner impulses! With the only rules being we do not hurt ourselves, we do not hurt others and we do not hurt the space, let us pass through something cute or novel and enter deep into the edges of something wild! What unknown and ridiculously fun territories might we reach? Have an impulse to take this workshop? INDULGE IT! Space is limited. Reserve now. REGISTER HERE WITH PAYPAL https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3724344 Dates & Times Sunday April 5, 1-4 PM Monday April 6, 6:30- 9:30 PM Wednesday April 8, 6:30- 9:30 PM Thursday April 9, 6:30- 9:30 PM Saturday April 11, 1-4 PM 15 hours total. Cost: $250 Location: NYC . TBA

MOVE IT- Free Physical Theatre March 19 at HERE (NYC)

MOVE IT! – a free evening of Physical and Visual Theatre Parallel Exit, New York City’s award-winning physical theatre company, offers audiences a free opportunity to see some of New York’s most exciting physical and visual theatre artists in MOVE IT! Featuring brand new physical theatre from Parallel Exit’s Joel Jeske, Mike Dobson, and Spencer Novich, dance-theatre from The Chase Brock Experience, clowning from Ishah Jannsen-Faith, and juggling from World Champion juggler Tony Duncan, MOVE IT! is presented at HERE Arts Center on Thursday March 19th at 8:30pm. Parallel Exit launched MOVE IT! in the fall of 2006 in order to support and promote the work of quality physical theatre artists and companies in New York City. This performance series appears throughout the year to invite audiences to experience the diversity and excitement of physical and visual theatre artists working in dance-theatre, mime, puppetry, clown, and circus. MOVE IT! Thursday March 19, 8:30pm, FREE HERE Arts Center 145 6th Ave. (between Spring & Broome, enter on Dominick), Subway: C, E, 6 to Spring St. For Tickets & Information: www.here.org 212-352-3101 This production is being presented through HERE’s Supported Artist Program, which provides artists with subsidized space and equipment, as well as technical and administrative support. To find out more about Parallel Exit, the producer of the program, visit their website listed below: http://www.parallelexit.net/ To find out more about some of the other artists, click on their names below: Parallel Exit’s Joel Jeske, Mike Dobson, and Spencer Novich The Chase Brock Experience Ishah Jannsen-Faith Tony Duncan

Big Apple chooses new artistic director

Big Apple Circus has chosen as its new artistic director (to replace Paul Binder, who is retiring) their performance director Guillaume Dufresnoy. Dufresnoy, a former aerialist, has been with the show since 1992. Full story here: http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090202/COMMUNITIES39/902020326 You can find out more about the Big Apple Circus, including their latest show "The Play's The Thing" at their website, http://www.bigapplecircus.org

Fwd: Don't miss Improviso! by Dell'Arte's first year students

Directed by Stephanie Thompson Thursday - Saturday, February 5-7 at 8 p.m Dell'Arte's Carlo Theatre in Blue Lake. $8 general and $5 for students/seniors (click here). The Thursday, Feb. 5 performance is Pay What You Can. For mature audiences. For reservations, call 707-668-5663 Ext. 5. Visit www.dellarte.com for more information. A physical celebration of rhythm, attitude and improvisational madness, Commedia dell'Arte pushes passions to the extreme. The characters, defined by the mask, require a level of play from the performer where the body is fully engaged, alive and always playful. True to Commedia, a simple storyline is the structure that allows the actors to create and play all'improvviso - a style that is constantly nourished by improvisation and virtuoso developments of comic themes (lazzi). Just Announced! Summer Workshop 2009 Schedule COMING UP AT DELL'ARTE MFA Adaptations Directed by Ronlin Foreman Presented by Second-year MFA students Thursday - Sunday, Feb. 19-22 8pm, Carlo Theatre Click here to buy tickets. Join the second-year students of the Dell'Arte International MFA program as they translate the written word into dynamic worlds rich with poetic imagery, music and storytelling. Although working independently, the groups have found tales that explore personal transformation, a search for peace and survival despite life's adversaries. Join these dynamic ensembles as they explore artwork, poetry, character study and improvisation to bring these lively and moving stories of humanity and redemption to life. For mature audiences only. ABOUT DELL'ARTE Dell'Arte is located at 131 H Street in Blue Lake California. Just five minutes from Arcata, east on Highway 299. Call 707-668-5663 ext. 5 for more information or to reserve tickets. The DELL'ARTE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL THEATRE is the North American center for the training and performance of the actor-creator. This year we celebrate 32 years in Blue Lake, where students from around the world study amidst the majestic redwoods and rugged beauty of California's North Coast. We are the only institution in the U.S. offering a full-time professional actor training program in physical theatre, through a one-year certificate program, and an accredited three-year MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre. We also offer summer workshops, open training sessions, and Study Abroad programs in Bali and Denmark. Dell'Arte international is an extraordinary community of artists. The combination of our training programs, research, the original touring productions of the Dell'Arte Company, our summer festival, our youth education programs in public schools, and our work in economic/community development makes us a destination unlike any other on the American theatre map. http://www.dellarte.com/

Scott & Muriel (and sometimes Joe)

Scott Nelson & Muriel Brugman are award-winning illusionists and visual comedians. Based in the Netherlands, they have traveled to over 14 countries, won the Grand Prix at the 2000 World Championship of Magic in Lisbon, have worked with Cirque du Soleil (on their television show Solstrom) and create their own illusions. Last year they were a big hit at the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival (double prize winners!) On occasion Scott & Muriel work with former Ringling clown/Dellarte graduate Joe Dieffenbacher in a three person show called (aptly) Scott & Muriel's Big Show (with Joe). It also features four musicians, and a lot of physical and visual comedy. Other shows are called Grand Delusions and Two By Two. To find out more about their work, visit their website listed below: http://www.scottandmuriel.com You can also watch this video below of them at work at the 2008 Monte Carlo festival.

Fwd: See TARTUFFE in Boston Oct. 25

"Staged by Perrone as a cornucopia of physical gags and played to hilarious perfection" - Rob Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle SATURDAY, OCT. 25 Cutler Majestic Theatre, Emerson College, Boston 8pm, Tickets $45 Boisterous characters, lavish comedy and the trademark physicality of the Dell'Arte ensemble combine with the finely crafted satire of Moliere for an evening of masks, music and laughter. In Tartuffe, a religious charlatan takes over a family's life until the tables are turned by virtue of his own excesses. One of Moliere's most acclaimed plays, this work has a clear contemporary resonance for our times in a visually spectacular production the whole family will enjoy. Visit the Cutler Majestic Theatre website for more information and to buy tickets. You can also call 1-800-233-3123 for tickets. The Culter Majestic Theatre is located at Emerson College in the Heart of Boston's Historic Theatre District, 219 Tremont Street. ** STAY AROUND FOR A POST-PERFORMANCE TALKBACK CAST & CREW Michael Fields  | Tartuffe Deborah Taylor Barrera  | Elmire Adrian Mejia | Orgon, Flipotte Andrew Phoenix  | Cleante Barbara Geary | Pernelle, Carina David Ferney | Valere Jackie Dandeneau | Mariane Keight Gleason | Dorine Giulio Cesare Perrone | Director  Kristen Schumaker  | Stage Manager Bruce Marrs | Mask Designer Tim Gray | Sound Designer ABOUT DELL'ARTE: Dell'Arte International is the North American center for theatre training, research, and performance of the actor-creator. We are a committed community of artists who model and share in a sustained ensemble artistic practice. International in scope, grounded in the natural living world, inspired by our non-urban setting, Dell'Arte International explores theatre making, theatre practice and theatre training for ourselves, the world and the future. For more information, visit www.dellarte.com

Support Hospital Clowns in Haifa!

A friend of mine who is a rabbi is doing a bike tour in Israel with his congregants next week, raising money for a cause. This year the cause is hospital clowns of Haifa! Read his letter, and if you are so inclined, support his efforts. You can find out more about the program "Dream Doctors" at http://www.le-haim.org.il/site/index.asp You have to wait for the flash, and then click on the English logo. Pick a hospital, and you can find out more about the program, and the clowns who work it too. ---- Dear Friends, A dream is about to become reality for myself and a number of my congregants who will begin a ten day, 350 mile biking adventure on October 19th, 2008 in Israel. In the spirit of fixing that which is broken in the world, we have selected The Children's Hospital Medical Clowns Project of Rambam Medical Center in Haifa to be the recipient of our fund raising efforts. This initiative brings clowns to the oncology ward, using their skills to entertain the children, providing them a much needed respite for them and their families through laughter, compassion and joy. I am looking for your help and support in making this dream a reality through your generosity. Please help us put a smile on a child's face by making a donation of sponsorship. Donations can be made easily and quickly online by clicking on the following link: http://www.shaaraytefila.org/we_care/tzedakah.php Many thanks in advance for your support and much love, Jason

Dell'arte Goes to Bali 2009 Feb 9-March 12, 2009

FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 12, 2009 Check out the Bali Blog 2007 by School Director Joan Schirle Since 1996, Dell'Arte International has invited students, teachers, designers, directors, and artists to immerse themselves in the traditional arts of Bali and encounter the profound spirit of the Balinese people. In this unique and wonderfully successful program participants study traditional Balinese performing arts and crafts with village masters, as well as Dell'Arte mask and movement techniques led by Dell'Arte's Founding Artistic Director Joan Schirle and Dell'Arte faculty. Bali is an extraordinary island where creativity is ordinary. In Bali, art serves the community, the religious practices, the economy and everyday living. This trip introduces students to Balinese performing arts in a way that allows them to experience how the Balinese live and create, and how family life and religious customs are woven into the creation of art. Unlike programs designed for art tourism, this program is designed for those who want to participate in the family life of outstanding Balinese master teachers as they teach. Due to the sacred nature of most Balinese arts and the complete intertwining of daily life with ritual, this trip can be an opportunity to deepen our internal connection to our own artistic practice, as well as to take inspiration for creative projects. THE PROGRAM The program begins with a relaxing traditional Balinese buffet dinner, followed by three days of orientation to the language, customs, and ceremonies of Bali, as well as informal meetings with Balinese teachers to observe their work. Orientation will include a symposium on masks with famous carver I. B. Anom, visits to the studios of several mask carvers and puppet makers, and attendance at the famous kecak, or monkey-chant dance by firelight. During the three and a half weeks of formal study, classes meet five days a week. Sometimes our study will take place in a classroom setting, sometimes outdoors, and most often in its traditional setting at village and temple ceremonies. In addition to their core area of study, all students will study kecak, the rhythmic vocal chant, as well as participate in alternating yoga/Alexander Technique, ensemble voice/chant sessions, plus symposiums on the links between Balinese and western mask performance traditions. All along there will be time for recreation such as mountain hiking, beaches, scuba, nightlife and shopping, including guidance on how to buy Balinese crafts. Massage and revitalizing body treatments are available at extremely low cost. CORE AREAS OF STUDY The core of the program is designed so that each student spends a large percentage of their class time on an area of interest most important to them, and we offer the following options: • Mask Carving • Mask Carving/ Balinese Dance (topeng) • Shadow puppetry (wayang kulit) / Balinese dance MASK CARVING Learn from a Balinese master carver how to work with the wood, the traditional tools (axe, chisels, knives), and the paints to create traditional and contemporary masks. You may order and bring home their own complete set of tools for under $40. Students will spend 4 – 6 hours daily in the home of their teacher. For a lively account of one man's encounter with mask carving, visit this link for interview with design Professor Ron Naverson (S. Illinois U, Carbondale), who was on our '03 trip. MASK CARVING/BALINESE DANCE Your morning will include one hour of Balinese dance. Topeng is the name of the masked dance form performed at most Balinese ceremonies. You will work in the studio of a Balinese master teacher, learning the basic walks, postures, arm and head movements in the mask. Topeng is based on stock characters like the king, minister, clown, and you will have the opportunity to see it performed at village ceremonies during your studies. Your carving program is the same as that described above, except that you will have a break after dance, and be carving in the afternoon, spending up to four hours daily with your teacher. SHADOW PUPPETRY(wayang kulit) & BALINESE DANCE Wayang kulit is the traditional art of storytelling through shadow puppets, performed by firelight. The puppet master is a combination of priest, storyteller, therapist, actor, and improviser, who manipulates and voices dozens of puppets in one play. Your morning will include one hour of Balinese dance (see above). Your afternoon will be spent at the home of a shadow puppet master, or dalang, who will instruct you in the art of leather puppet making: design, using the metal punches, painting and rigging techniques. You will observe how the traditional shadow screen is used and develop a short shadow play. Those who are interested in learning Balinese music may elect to spend some time learning the gamelan instrument, the gender, which accompanies shadow plays. For students who wish to study more dance, we will arrange for other teachers depending on your interest, at a small additional cost. ACCOMODATIONS Cost is based on double occupancy in fan-cooled rooms with two beds, private bath, and breakfast included. (Single rooms available for supplemental cost). There is a swimming pool, beautiful gardens, and a covered, open-air studio where some of our classes will be held. Other meals are available in nearby restaurants at very reasonable costs. Vegetarian food is easily available. You may apply for a shortened version of the program, but must be able to begin the course on the start date. Address inquiries to the Bali program director. All interested participants will receive detailed advance information on what to bring, how to prepare, and much more. FOR MORE INFO: EMAIL OR CALL info@dellarte.com 707.668.5663 or visit http://www.dellarte.com

Deborah Kaufmann- Veni Vidi Vici (NY)

Deborah Kaufmann spent her childhood in dance and acting classes. She earned a degree in Visual Art from Bennington College. After brief careers as a production potter, a sign language interpreter, a props mistress, a typesetter and an aluminum can inspector, Deborah stumbled into her life as a clown. By seeking out master teachers such as Richard Pochinko, Tony Montanaro, Bob Berky, Avner Eisenberg and John Towsen, she has studied the art of clowning in its many facets. She was part of the production team of the First and Second NY Clown Theatre Festivals presented by If Every Fool, Inc. in 1982 and 1985. Since its inception in 1986, Deborah has performed with The Big Apple Circus Clown Care (sm). “Dr. Dibble” brings her own brand of buffoonery to hospitalized children and their caregivers. As the Creative and Educational Coordinator for Clown Care, she auditions and trains new performers, and oversees the ongoing artistic development of almost 100 unique “clown doctors.” She has taught hospital clowning in Brazil, France, The Netherlands, Finland and Australia. As the tuba player for The Baltic Street Blowhards, an eccentric band, she played NYC Parks, Symphony Space and Avery Fisher Hall. Deborah has performed her original works in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Brazil and Australia. Of her performance at the 2006 New Clown Theater Festival nytheatre.com said, “this performance gleams most brightly, with true mischief and solid will operating unfettered at maximum strength.” Deborah will be performing that same work, entitled Veni Vidi Vici, for three nights only at the Access Theatre in Manhattan. Take equal parts of dance, theater, and circus clown, add Native American mask work, flavor with a pinch of bouffon, a touch of true mischief, and a nod to "Harold and the Purple Crayon, " and you get this delightful look at greed and acquisition. "An exploration of human instincts at so basic a level that thought can be put aside and impulse thoroughly enjoyed . . . this performance gleams most brightly, with true mischief . . . unfettered at maximum strength." --nytheatre.com VENI VIDI VICI Written for adults, appropriate for children over 7 Dates: Sunday-Tuesday, August 17, 18, 19, 7:30pm Place: Access Theater - 380 Broadway, 4th floor, at White Street (two blocks below Canal) Subways: A, C, E, N, R, Q, W, 6, J, M, Z to Canal St; 1, 9 to Franklin Tickets: $10.00 theatermania.com, 212-352-3101, or 1-866-811-4111