The Amazing Ted Show at Ars Nova (NY 10/7)

I saw a presentation of this show at the Clown Festival last year-- it was very good, and this is a re-presentation. It's probably gotten even better. It's produced by Glass Contraption. Go check it out if you have a chance. See Ted juggle fifty-six chainsaws, set himself on fire, hold his breath for twenty minutes and then turn himself inside out. Featuring renowned entertainers from The Glass Contraption, THE AMAZING TED SHOW! is full of singing, dancing, ukulele, loud noises, attempted feats of acrobatics, falling in love and falling down. Audiences of all ages will love clowning around inside the beautifully stupid and wildly funny world of Ted! Directed by Virginia Scott. To find out more, visit http://arsnovanyc.com/ or buy tickets online at smarttix.com

Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth seeks performers

Got this in from Viveca Gardner, of Playful Productions, and the Youth Director of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. They are looking for Youth under age 21 to perform in the Cavalcade of Youth-- see below for more information. If you'd like to perform, email or call Viveca pronto. They've got spots available, and are always looking for the next generation of fantastic new performers. ======= Hello! It's that time again--we're looking for jugglers, clowns, magicians, musicians, dancers, acrobats, and other variety performers under age 21! We want to put you in the spotlight! The next Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cavalcade of Youth performances will be September 26 and November 16 (both Sunday afternoons) at the beautiful Zipper Factory Theater in Midtown Manhattan. If you would like to participate, please reply soon! Also, please help spread the word about these great shows--both to potential audience members and to potential performers. All the information is below. Thanks and best wishes to all. I look forward to hearing from you! Viveca Gardiner Director of Youth Programs, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus President, Playful Productions 212-989-4718 EMAIL: Viveca@playfulproductions.com ***** The Zipper Factory Theater presents a Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc. and Playful Productions production Bindlestiff Family Cirkus's CAVALCADE OF YOUTH The Performers of Tomorrow Steal the Stage Today! _______________________________ What: Bindlestiff Family Cirkus's Cavalcade of Youth When: Sunday, September 28, 2008 Showtime: 2 pm Where: Zipper Factory Theater 336 West 37th Street, New York City Admission: Advance Purchase: $7 youth / $12 adults At the Door: $10 youth / $15 adults Info/reservations: 212-352-3101 http://www.thezipperfactory.com _______________________________ Bindlestiff Family Cirkus presents a special showcase for young variety performers, ranging from amateurs to world-class professionals. Juvenile jugglers, diminutive dancers, adolescent acrobats and a host of other moppets and mummers present a full show of vernal vaudeville. Acts range from debuting amateurs to world-class champion performers—all under the age of 21. Now in its fifth year, Bindlestiff's Cavalcade continues to feature an amazing array of young talent. These are the future stars of Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and television. Where else can you see juvenile unicyclists, tap dancers, magicians, clowns, and contortionists sharing the stage with Broadway-bound singers and classically trained musicians? Since its inception in January 2004, Bindlestiff's Cavalcade of Youth (COY) program has grown markedly. In September 2006, a few of the COY participants were featured performers in the Speigeltent at the South Street Seaport. In the past year COY has had programs at Abrons Arts Center, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, and COY instructors are offering circus skills in after school programs throughout the city. This past summer, COY participated in the American Circus Youth Festival in Illinois. The 2008 Cavalcade of Youth performance season is hosted by the Zipper Factory. * * * * * * * http://www.bindlestiff.org * http://www.thezipperfactory.com * http://www.playfulproductions.com -

Besserwisser

What do you get when you take two European Cirque du Soleil performers who decide they want to focus a little bit more on clowning and a little bit less on spectacle? Besserweiser. Which in English translates roughly as "Know-it-all" , features two very skilled performers from Cirque who do just that. In their own words: In our society we are constantly trying to be faster, better, and smarter… only to realize that we are consistently trying to reach unattainable goals. Rather than be content with where we are, we deform ourselves to reach an ideal that we have self created or bought into. This pushes us to the ridiculous, eventually becoming a know-it-all, hence a Besserwisser. Jesko and Guennadi present their comedic duo “Besserwisser”. They offer unique situations with extraordinary objects to reveal the human interaction between he who thinks thar “he knows” and is perfect, and he who tries to aspire toward perfection. Two sides of the same psyche… A besserwisser, Nothing more annoying… The artists Jesko von den Steinen Jesko von den Steinen was a solo clown with Cirque du Soleil’s “Saltimbanco” for 5 years. He is currently also performing with Familie Flöz, a Berlin based, physical theatre company. Jesko works on occasion in Paris, France with Philippe Gaulier, as his teaching assistant. He recently co-wrote co-directed and choreographed a film for Bravo! TV. The film “Corps” uses acrobatics and contemporary dance as its form of narration. It has been selected for various international film festivals. Guennadi Tchijov Guennadi has performed with Cirque du Soleil for 12 for years. Creating the role of “The Dreamer” for Saltimbanco and later working in Mystere. He originates from the Ukraine and is a former student of Valentine Gneuschiev. He subsequently has worked as Character and clown, for example with Rolf Knie’s “SaltoNatale” and has performed in various Varietés such as Roncalli’s WinterGarten. You can find out more about the duo on their website, listed below: http://www.jesko-guennadi.com

Goofs & Bongar at the Flea August 7-9

Michael Bongar, former Ringling clown, graduate of clown college and now one of the most well-versed and influential of the variety bookers in the NY Area, is coming out of retirement for one set of shows as part of a NY Goofs reunion night at the Flea Theatre. Billed as his "Farewell Tour", I'm sure there will be lots of ribbing, poking fun, and that old-fashioned stuff... Oh yeah, comedy. Other Goofs will also be performing, including Dick Monday, Tiffany Riley, Hilary Chaplain, Mark Gindeck, Watson Kawecki, Joel Jeske, Evelyn Tuths, Michael Preston, Larry Pisoni, Mike Smith, Jay Stewart, Therese Schorn, Kim Winslow AUGUST 7, 8 & 9 7 PM $20 Tickets - 212-352-3101 The Flea Theatre 41 White St New York, NY 10013 (212) 226-0051 or visit www.theflea.org

Historic & Triumphant Return of the Flea Circus to Coney Island

A little bit of a shameless plug, but truthfully, I've done most of my best work by being shameless. It's when I get shameful that I have to worry! Anyway, it's probably the last flea circus gig before the baby is born (unless something happens in the next week!) so come check it out if you can! Click the image for a larger poster. The Flea Circus Returns To Coney Island! ============================== WHAT: Acme Miniature Flea Circus at the Coney Island Museum WHERE: Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Ave. Brooklyn NY 11224-2816 WHEN: Sunday July 27, 2008 at 4pm. COST: $5 MORE INFO: http://www.coneyisland.com MORE INFO: http://www.trainedfleas.com/coneyisland.html CALL: 718 372 5159 ELECTRONIC PRESS RELEASE: Press Release PDF (707K: must have Adobe Reader) PUBLICITY PHOTOS: Press Images of the show ============================

Clown school in Norway June 24-July 20, 2008

International clown teacher Giovanni Fusetti will lead a class in Theatre Clowning in Kristiansand, Norway this summer from June 24-July 20. The class is limited to 14 students, and there are still a couple of places available. The class promises to be highly international-- thus far they have received applications from Austria, Finland, Germany, Greece, Norway, South Africa, UK, and USA. The four week program will consist of the following: First Week: THE CLOWN “STATE”-- Play, action/reaction and fun. From the Neutral Mask to the Red Nose. Second Week: THE PLAY (le jeu)-- Playing with space, objects, hierarchy. Clown numbers and le bide (fiasco). Third Week: THE SKILLS -- The actor’s skills in the service of the clown, The writing of a Clown Number. Fourth Week: THE SHOW-- Devising a clown variety show, & public presentation of the show. (a much more comprehensive listing is available on the website listed below) Tuition is 950 euros, but reduction of tuition is offered to students traveling from North America (-150 €), South America, Asia and Africa: (-200 €), and Oceania (-250€) The tuition does not include accomodation. However, the organization will provide different options of affordable acccomodation. Rosegarden Theaterhouse also will provide the use of a communal kitchen space. The official language of the workshop is English. A basic understanding is required. For practical and administrative information please contact AUDUN WEA ROSEGARDEN THEATERHOUSE post@rosegardenteaterhus.no Telephone: +47 91648649 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 09:00 am- 4:00 pm norwegian time (GMT+1) For further pedagogic information and applications please contact: Giovanni Fusetti e-mail: giovanni.fusetti@tiscali.it Telephone: (+39) 349 7130121 Or visit Giovanni's website and click on workshops

Director's Note for We Won't Pay

Here is the director's note I wrote for the production I just directed of Dario Fo's We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay! Overall, the play went very well. The set was fantastic, the lighting and costumes were great, the actors really stepped up to the considerable challenge.(In fact, Ron Jenkins, translator of the play, Dario's onstage translator and collaborator, and a clown college graduate and theatre professor) told me that he thought we really got the rhythms of Dario Fo in the play-- something that he has seen a lot of professional companies fail at. And later told the people that hired me that they really picked the right guy! -- Ron, the check is in the mail! ) Considering that I was in rehearsal beating the rhythm of the play out with a stick, I feel pretty vindicated and happy. And a lot of the clown routines I added in (including a three minute chase sequence, complete with Chariots of Fire Slow Motion) were very well received. There were of course notes I could have given to the end (and continued to work on) but I am very pleased with how the show came out. Anyway, here's the director's note: DIRECTOR'S NOTE I met Dario Fo in 1996 in Copenhagen as part of ISTA (the International School of Theatre Anthropology). Dario and Franca Rame (his wife) were presenting at the conference. I'd known who he was, and was excited to meet him of course, but I didn't really get how great he was until he spoke/performed. He was recovering from a stroke, and he apologized for his weakened state. But with each sentence he spoke he drew strength from the audience’s reactions, until 45 minutes laughter (I mean later), he had transformed into seventeen or eighteen different characters, had us eating out of the palms of his hand, and looked and sounded as strong as an ox. He spoke in Italian, and although I speak nothing more than "Ciao Bella", I felt like I understood Italian perfectly. He was that clear at communicating. I ended up following Dario to every performance, lecture, and art exhibit he attended for the next two weeks, listening to him speak, watching him drink coffee. I'm lucky I wasn't arrested for stalking. Dario was (and is) my ideal theatre artist -- a hybrid playwright/actor/director/artist/theater owner/social activist who was (and is) equally adept at all of them, and just plain hilarious. I realized that I wanted to become Dario Fo when I grew up. Eleven years later, I haven't managed it, not by a long shot, but Dario Fo is still at the root of my thoughts about what makes compelling theatre. We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay! is perhaps Dario’s most produced play and is emblematic of his work-- a story that starts simply, but quickly gets outrageously complicated. His stories and plots have tangents, embellishments, digs at authority (the pope, the cops, and big business among them) and concrete visual images that are logical and absurd, both at once. These tangents and images push the actors to constantly engage the audience, to charm them, to conspire with them, and to entertain them. It is amazing how relevant this 35 year old play is today. It's a story about two couples pushed to the edge by rising prices, shrinking jobs, skyrocketing crime (both real and imagined), an uncaring government, and an inability to pay for the necessities of living. In the age of the $3 gallon of gas, the $4 cup of coffee, and the $5 gallon of milk, does this sound familiar? I thought so. I want to say thank you to EVERYONE at Theatre Fairfield. Everybody I’ve met from students to professors to other guest artists, have acted like real professionals. And of course, I must thank my talented, talented cast, who have generously given of their creativity and talent to make this show the wonderful working experience that it's been. Enjoy the show! And to quote Dario and Franca (who are quoting Moliere) “Laughter opens the mind of the audience so that the nails of reason can be hammered in. " I hope you leave the theater with your head full of nails. Adam

Clown Jonas

Clown Jonas (aka Prosper O, aka John Ghysenbergh) is an internationally known performer from Belgium. He has performed in a number of countries, including an upcoming performance in Japan next week as part of the 3rd Yakumo International Theatre Festival. (See their website for additional information. (in English) Clown Jonas uses juggling, puppetry, magic, music, and clowning to create his shows. In his street show, as Don Prosper O, he cleans up the street sort of like a Don Quixote of dust. He also has a musical clown show with another Belgian clown (Saxofien) called Allegro con Dysastro which features a number of musical disasters that the two clowns cause and then narrowly avert. There are several other shows as well that he tours through Belgium and internationally. John is the founder and main teacher of Jonna Theater, a Belgian Youth theatre that teaches students workshops in clowning, t'ai chi, rhythm, theatre-making and much more. He has been teaching there for over 20 years, and has taught workshops internationally as well. To find out more about John's work, please visit the Jonna Theatre website listed below: http://www.digilife.be/jonna/ (PLEASE NOTE: The website is in Dutch, so may be difficult to follow. There is an English component to their website, but it's not complete)

Portrait of a Clown as a Young Man (okay, not so young)

I sat for a portrait with Bill Wadman, a photographer working on a 365 day project. Each day he takes a portrait of a different person, and posts it. It might be a book or a calendar, or a something one day. I'm 11/02. (and the rest of the photos are even more amazing!) He's been doing this project for a whole year! It was a lot of fun to be photographed for this purpose. I generally love getting my photo taken, and like most clowns, have been photographed thousands of times (and am probably on refrigerators and flickr accounts all over the country) Bill was really great to work with, and he has a great eye. So much of being a good photographer is catching someone in the act of being themselves. (and hopefully fabulous) So here's the photo that he ended up choosing of me. And then a gallery of 11 others that he took that were possibles. (our photo shoot ended up with over 100 shots-- but to get eleven that were print inclusive worthy is amazing.) What can I say, I give good photo! If you like the photo, please click the image to see Bill's page, and comment on it there! All photos by Bill Wadman for his project 365 portraits

Directing Dario Fo's WE WON'T PAY

I'm directing Dario Fo's We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay! at Fairfield University in CT Here's a Press Release, along with some information about the show. Of particular interest is that opening night will feature a talkback with me and the translator, Ron Jenkins. Ron is a professor of theatre at Wesleyan University, and has been Dario Fo's onstage English translator for over 15 years. He is a graduate of Ringling Clown College (as am I) and has written one of the best books about contemporary clowns Acrobats of the Soul (available via Amazon.com) Clown Laureate Directs Nobel Laureate's Work in Connecticut Adam Gertsacov, Clown Laureate of Greenbelt, Maryland, will direct Nobel Laureate Dario Fo’s We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! The show will perform at the Quick Center for the Arts on the campus of Fairfield University in Fairfield CT from October 31-November 4. The show will feature Fairfield University students. Gertsacov has been in residence at the University as a guest artist. The opening night performance will be followed by a talkback with director Gertsacov and translator Ron Jenkins Fairfield, CT, October 22, 2007 --(PR.com)-- We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! is a social farce with a message. In the play, high prices have caused a revolution in the supermarket, with housewives stealing food from the market. When they get home, they realize they can't tell their husbands where they got the food, and pretend to be pregnant. From this one simple lie, a farce develops so that by the end of the play nearly everybody in the cast (including the policeman, who looks suspiciously like a number of other characters in the play) has become pregnant. Written in Italy in the early 1970’s, the play has sparked social actions. Soon after the play was first performed, a similar supermarket riot took place in Italy. The play was later performed on the site of a Fiat plant strike, and has become a much loved play among workers and political leftists. Since 1974, the play has been translated into over a dozen languages, and performed in more than 30 countries around the world. It is considered by many theatrical critics to be one of the great comedies of the twentieth century. The author, Dario Fo, is an Italian satirist, playwright, actor, director, composer, and clown. In 1997 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. In 2006 he ran an unsuccessful race for mayor of Milan, and lost by a very tiny margin. He is the author of more than 20 plays, and currently runs a theatre company in Italy with his wife, celebrated Italian actress Franca Rame. The director, Adam Gertsacov, is a clown and performer based in Yonkers, New York. Adam is the current Clown Laureate of Greenbelt, Maryland. He has performed his original shows in over 39 states and 7 countries, as well as on Czech, Canadian, and American television and radio. Gertsacov is the artistic director and boss clown of the Acme Clown Company. In addition to his work as a performer, Gertsacov is the director and curator of Bright Night Providence, a New Year’s Eve Celebration in Providence, RI. The show is at Fairfield University, Fairfield CT (exit 22 off of 95) at the Quick Center for the Arts Schedule: Wednesday October 31 @ 8 pm (talkback afterwards with Ron Jenkins, translator & director Adam Gertsacov) Thursday November 1 @ 8 pm (talkback afterwards with director Adam Gertsacov & Fairfield University professors) Friday November 2 @ 8 pm Saturday November 3 @ 2 & 8 pm Sunday November 4 @ 2 pm. Tickets are $12 ($5 for students of any high school or college) Call 1-877-ARTS-396 or (203) 254-4010 to purchase tickets or for additional information. You may also visit http://fairfield.edu/x1534.html for more information. ###

NYC Tramp Workshop with Giovanni Fusetti 10/31-11/4

HUMAN TRASH A theatrical exploration of the American Archetype of THE TRAMP a workshop led by Giovanni Fusetti New York theater company The Combustibles is hosting a workshop taught by Giovanni Fusetti exploring the archetype of the Tramp. This workshop is part of the research and generation phase of a new production, Detritus, a show about waste in New York City. The workshop will explore the Tramp as a human and poetic archetype: homeless, excluded, rejected, rebel, mad, fool, crazy, lunatic, human trash in the cycle of existence, unfit individual, broken mind, broken heart, broken life, witness, judge…he belongs to every contemporary society. The Program -exploring individual clown through movement analysis -from clown to bouffon: from being mocked to mocking -from clown to grotesque: amplification and distortion of forms -from movement archetypes to Tramps: creating characters Admission The workshop participants will be Combustible company members and invited artists as well as external participants. A strong background in physical theatre is required, as well an experience in self devised, creation based theatre. The number of participants is limited to 12 The Tuition is $450. Early registration (BEFORE OCT 15): $400 To enroll, please contact The Combustibles at: info@thecombustibles.com Or call Liza Zapol at (646) 220-8981 Schedule From Wednesday October 31st to Sunday November 4th Wednesday and Thursday: 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm. Friday- Saturday and Sunday : 10 am-1 pm; 2 pm-5 pm Before and during this period participants will be encouraged to explore NYC observing the life of homeless people. Giovanni Fusetti was a student, pedagogical assistant and improvisation teacher at the Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, France. He co-founded and served as pedagogical director of KIKLOS International School of Theatre Creation in Padua, Italy, and is now developing the school’s new form: HELIKOS. Giovanni has taught and collaborated internationally with theatre companies, schools and universities such as Scuola di Teatro a l'Avogaria (Venice), The University of London, Rosegarden Theatre House (Norway), Naropa University (Boulder, CO), Centre Generation Tao (Paris), and LISPA: London International School of Performing Arts (London). He is visiting teacher at Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre (Blue Lake, CA) and has taught THE RED NOSE workshops throughout the US in collaboration with TigerLion Works (Minneapolis), Mugwumpin (San Francisco), Octopus League (Boulder), Pig Iron (Philadelphia) and the Boulder Fringe Festival. Giovanni’s 20 years of pedagogical research includes training in Theatre in Education, Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed, Gestalt Therapy, Bioenergetics, Wutao and Process Work. His pedagogy integrates physical theatre with different practices of physical and emotional awareness. For more information about Giovanni Fusetti, please visit his website listed below: www.giovannifusetti.com. For more info about The Combustibles, please visit their website listed below: www.thecombustibles.com (The Combustibles show Burnt Umber is playing at the NY Clown Theater Festival tonight and tomorrow night. Check out the festival website for more info.)

Amy Gordon

Amy Gordon is a clown, physical comedian and character actress. She acts and co-directs with the Daredevil Opera Company along with Jonah Logan, and has performed with them over 600 times in 20 countries. Shows with Daredevil Opera include Cirkus Inferno , Rocket & Roxy's Stunt Show , and Drakonsbreath . Amy has also performed in a number of other shows, including AntiGravity's Crash Test Dummies , the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and for the Spiegeltent in NY and Australia. She has performed, directed, and choreographed solos and group pieces in most of the NY downtown theatre, dance, and comedy venues. In addition she has worked the cruise ship market, directing the Cruise Comic program for Royal Caribbean International. Amy has a degree in Theatre Arts from Western Washington University where she was lauded as a Finalist in the Kennedy Center/Irene Ryan ACTF Competition and with the Outstanding Senior Award. She continues her studies with masters including Phillipe Gaulier, Rene Bazinet, David Shiner, Avner Eisenberg and Kenny Raskin. Amy's next performance is the premier of her solo show ON A ROLL at the Dance Theatre Workshop in Manhattan. This is part of their Family Matters series. The show will feature many comedic solo bits, and combines dance, music, and their ugly step-sibling, comedy. The show is on Saturday October 27 at 2 pm at Dance Theatre Workshop, 219 W 19th Street in New York. Tickets are $20 adults/ $10 for kids. Purchase tickets for this show. To find out more about Amy's work, please visit the websites listed below: http://www.amy-g.com/ http://www.daredeviloperacompany.com/

Parallel Exit Gala 10/29 featuring Barry Lubin

Parallel Exit will produce a Halloween Gala that will include entertainment from the company and special guest star Barry Lubin (Grandma the Clown). The benefit takes place at 7:30pm on Monday October 29 at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45th Street. Tickets are $75 for VIPs and $30 for patrons, and can be reserved at 917-407-7537or parallelexit@hotmail.com. Barry Lubin is the creator of Grandma , one of New York City’s best-loved cultural icons and the star of the Big Apple Circus. He appears this season in their 30th Anniversary show Celebrate! at Lincoln Center (Oct. 19-Jan. 13). Mr. Lubin’s appearance at Parallel Exit’s benefit will allow audiences the chance to see his beloved Grandma in a rare solo performance. Last season, Mr. Lubin starred with Parallel Exit’s Joel Jeske in the Big Apple Circus show Step Right Up! and they both join Parallel Exit for an evening of Halloween fun, food, drink, raffle, and prizes. Proceeds from the evening go towards producing Parallel Exit’s newest show CUT TO THE CHASE, the “biggest wee show in town” as part of the holiday season at 59 E59 Theaters from December 5-30, 2007. This family vaudeville revue is directed by Mark Lonergan and features Laura Dillman, Mike Dobson, Joel Jeske, Juliet Jeske, Ryan Kasprzak, Andrea Kehler, and Derek Roland. Parallel Exit will present excerpts from the show as part of the evening’s festivities with Joel Jeske warming up the crowd with a special Halloween-themed performance. VIP tickets include priority seating, a reception with Mr. Lubin and the performers, and recognition in the evening’s program and company website. Who:Parallel Exit with special guest Barry “Grandma the Clown” Lubin What: Halloween Gala Benefit When: Monday October 29, 7:30pm Where: 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street Tickets: $75 VIPs, $30 Patrons, at 917-407-7537 or parallelexit@hotmail.com

The Midnight Circus

The Midnight Circus started as a collaboration between circus clown Jeffrey Jenkins and actress Julie Greenberg. They combined their talents to create a 5 minute eccentric acrobatic act to be featured with Vermont's Circus Smirkus. While on tour with the show, they apprenticed themselves to two former stars of The Moscow Circus. In between shows and practice, they would all sit over a cup of tea (or a more than occasional vodka!) and share aspirations and ideas for the future of performance. It was in that backlot that the seeds were planted for The Midnight Circus. In 1997, having returned to Chicago, they created a show called The Midnight Circus: When Circus and Theatre Collide, which was what happened when a Shakespearean troupe and a Circus troupe end up sharing the same performance stage, and what happens when they mix. That show got great reviews and ending up running in various incarnations for the next year. Later that show was licensed by the Big Apple Circus, which took it on tour to large theatres across the United States. Since that time Jeff and Julie have served as artistic directors for Circus Smirkus, have created many other shows in the Chicago area, including a tented show called The Big Bang and Other Amazing Adventures! which played in a tent on Chicago's Museum campus for three months, and an annual Haunted Hijinx show in Daley Plaza, which combines the theme of haunted house and circus arts. They also work with many of the other Chicago Theatres, performing and directing. In addition to this work they tour the cruise ship circuit, create shows for corporations, and have collaborated on another front: they have a child together. The Midnight Circus also has had at one time or another training opportunities and performance opportunities for most of Chicago's clowns at one time or another. Next up for the Midnight Circus is a weekend of performances in Chicago's Welles' Park Four shows Sept 29-30. Shows are at 3:30 and 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 each (children under 2 are free) To find out more about the Midnight Circus, please visit their website listed below: http://www.midnightcircus.net

Fringe Wrapup....

Gardi Hutter won the Overall Excellence Award for acting in the NY Fringe! Considering there were over 200 shows performing, I think that's an incredible feat. Congratulations, Gardi! I saw 3 shows in the fringe this year, which is less than previous years-- All of them clown related (You can search this site for Fringe to see my show reviews). I meant to see two others, but one (Paul Rajeckas Notes From the Fatherland)[ READ THE NYTHEATRE.COM REVIEW ] I got closed out of due to the Fringe's strict No Latecomers Rule. The other one (Antarctica) featuring Chris Lueck of the NY Downtown Clown Revue as the Enchanted Polar Bear, [READ THE NYTHEATRE.COM REVIEW ]I ended up having to miss because I had to do some last minute preparations for my show in DC, which ended up turning into an all day shopping affair, looking for just the right replacement props and tools. And my shows in Washington DC went very well [CLICK HERE TO READ WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE]

Daredevil Chicken Club

The Daredevil Chicken Club is the combined talent and imagination of performers Anne Goldmann and Jonathan Taylor. Together with their extensive training in physical theater, circus, and clowning they continue to create unique performances that have been seen around the world. They have performed together on the street, on the stage and in the circus ring for the past nine years. Their show features character driven physical theater and audience participation. A husband and wife team Mark and Svetlana Buttersworth share their story of being the best daredevil superstars the world has ever seen!(or so they imagine.) They combine absurd acrobatic moves, banana spitting feats, an eight foot high slackrope, and a Tango to make a 45 minute spectacle. This show has been performed in almost every environment, outdoor and indoor, and on three continents! This show is designed for ALL AGES. Anne Goldmann has trained extensively as a gymnast, actor, circus performer, clown, and musician. She studied hand-balancing, acrobatics, and trapeze at the S.F. Circus School, and also trained with Sue Morrison at Clown Hall. She has toured North America performing Children's Theater; performed in many theater productions ranging from Shadow Theater to Musicals with Robots; written, produced, and performed in an award winning Clown show, 'Does This Mean Anything To You?'; and has performed in Cabarets and Street Theater around the globe. Jonathan Taylor has trained in Physical Theater and Clowning, attending The Dell'Arte School of Physical Theater, Ringling Bros. Clown College, and at Clown Hall with Sue Morrison. He has performed in 10 countries from Circuses and Cabarets, to Festivals and on the Street. He is also a five year veteran performer of the Off-Broadway hit, BlueManGroup. To find out more about the Daredevil Chicken Club, visit their website listed below: http://www.daredevilchicken.com

Shoebox Tour- Jugglers

The Shoebox Tour was founded by Jay Gilligan, who had been performing in Berlin with Les Sept Doights de la Main. While performing in a very showy environment, he felt less connected to his audience and to his reasons for performing. He decided to produce a tour with a few friends that would get away from the glitz, and focus on the fun of performing with his very talented friends. Now, the Shoebox Tour is committed to making contemporary and experimental juggling performance and techniques accessible to interested audiences around the world. Their final aim is to establish a cohesive and self-sustaining network of venues and areas of public interest that can support up and coming jugglers and help foster international exchange. Regional tours of various countries will be launched in an effort to get a grass roots organization secured, which can relieve and streamline the challenges in producing annual events that both artists and audiences can count on as a concrete and reliable source of inspiration, information, and community. This year's tour features, Jay Gilligan, Erik Aberg, Marcus Monroe, along with special guests Komei Aoki, Masaki Hirano, and Sean Blue. All of them are fabulous jugglers and are well worth checking out. Most of these guys have wn IJA and other Juggling awards, and if they haven't, they probably should have! They'll be performing in NY on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 7:00pm at the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn Campus. Memorial Hall The show is free and open to the public. OTHER TOUR DATES BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE MONTH August 22 NYC- Pratt Institute Memorial Hall, 200 Willoughby Ave, Brooklyn 7 pm FREE August 23 Boston -MIT, Room 10-250 77 Mass Ave, Cambridge 8 pm $10 August 24 Philadelphia- Greg Kennedy's Studio, 6122 Greene St 7:30 pm $10 August 25 Pittsburgh- U.Pittsburgh, Frick Fine Arts Building 7 pm $5 August 26 Toledo, OH-- Toledo Zoo-- Amphitheater 7 pm FREE August 27 Toledo, OH- Performer's School of Dance, 6801 W. Central, Suite 7 8 pm $10. August 28 Louisville, KY- 1211 Long Ridge Trace, 7 pm price TBD For more info about the Shoebox Tour, visit the websites listed below:: http://www.shoeboxtour.com http://www.myspace.com/shoeboxtour Thanks to Jeff Seal for the heads up!

FRINGE REVIEW: Gardi Hutter's JOAN OF ARPpO

(PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS REVIEW ARE COPYRIGHT © 2007 BY PHOTOGRAPHER JIM MOORE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.) I saw Gardi Hutter's show yesterday, and can highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. The show is original, creative, playful, physical, and downright wonderful. You should definitely see it if you have the opportunity. Gardi starts with a simple concept-- a set of washing machines on stage, and a large pile of clothes. Enter Gardi as an old washerwoman lady-- clown nose and stuffed body. She notices us and is slightly surprised by us, but then goes about her business. She reads a little from her book JOAN OF ARC & OTHER HEROINES, and starts to let her imagination go. By the end of the show she's fought in a war, caused the destruction of innocents, created and destroyed a golem made of clothes and a washerwoman's tub, and entertained the entire audience. In between she's explored a number of different comedy ideas, including getting stuck in her washer-tub, getting stuck in the washing machine, walking a tightrope/clothesline, and infinite hilarious variations on clothing and laundry gags. Part of what makes Gardi's clowning so wonderful is her inventiveness and her openness. She takes simple ideas and makes them understandable, but does it in a way that continually surprises and delights. At the end of the show I was sitting there feeling inspired, and trying to figure out how I can make my show more like her show. And that is one of the best compliments that I can pay to this show-- it gives you license to let your imagination run wild. Click on one of the dates listed below to purchase tickets online. JOAN OF ARPpO Gardi Hutter Writer: Gardi Hutter - Ferruccio Cainero Director: Ferruccio Cainero Sloppy laundry woman dreams of becoming a heroine like Jeanne d'Arc, but lacking worthy enemies, she transforms her washhouse into a grotesque battlefield. A tragicomic parable of the today world with a tousled, fury, nasty, touching and poetic female clown. 1h 10m Lugano Switzerland Clown/Mask Solo Show VENUE #2: The Cherry Lane Theatre www.gardihutter.com Sat 11 @ 9:30 Wed 15 @ 5 Thu 16 @ 9:30 Thu 23 @ 2:30 Sat 25 @ 12

Shameless Hype!: Flea Circus in DC August 26

Let me take a moment to shamelessly promote my own project! Trained Fleas To Perform In Our Nation's Capital ============================== SUMMARY: WHAT: Acme Miniature Flea Circus at the Palace of Wonders WHERE: Palace of Wonders, 1210 H Street NE Washington DC WHEN: Sunday August 26, 2007 at 4pm and 8 pm. (4 pm is an all ages show) COST: $8 MORE INFO: http://www.palaceofwonders.com MORE INFO: http://www.trainedfleas.com CALL: 202-398-7469 (SHOW) ELECTRONIC PRESS RELEASE: Press Release PDF (707K: must have Adobe Reader) PUBLICITY PHOTOS: Press Images of the show ============================ Washington, D.C., 8/1/07 This summer, our nation's flea circus will not be performed in the White House or the Capitol Building, and will not feature any elected officials. That's because this year, the flea circus will take place in Washington D.C's up and coming Atlas District, and will feature insects. Trained insects. Fleas, to be exact. The show, the Acme Miniature Flea Circus, is an authentic Victorian flea circus that features trained fleas Midge and Madge who perform spectacular circus stunts as seen before (and on top of) the crowned heads of Europe. Midge and Madge will perform their star turn at D.C.'s wildest and wackiest venue, the Palace of Wonders on Sunday August 26. Details magazine called the show "One of the top alternative circuses in the country." The New York Times said "The appeal is irresistible... Gertsacov is every bit the fantastical impresario, in his purple top hat and cash-register voice, introducing us to the wondrous insects itching (sorry) to perform" And the Los Angeles Times says that "Professor Gertsacov holds the audience (and the stars of the show) in the palm of his hand." According to Professor A.G. Gertsacov, ringmaster and proprietor of the Acme Miniature Circus, flea circuses were popular entertainments during Victorian times, but had nearly disappeared since the advent of television. The last popular American flea circus was Professor Heckler's of Time Square, which left New York in 1957. The rumor is that Heckler thought that the nude shows were giving his fleas a bad name. There are now only a handful of flea circuses still performing throughout the world. Gertsacov's is arguably the most famous. The Rhode Island native (now based in Yonkers, NY) and his amazing insect stars have performed throughout the country, and in Canada, Chile, and Brazil. He recently spent three months performing in Times Square, less than two blocks from where Professor Heckler once had his fleas. Gertsacov has also been filmed for documentaries on the History Channel, the Travel Channel, and numerous news programs. He's even been a question on Jeopardy! Gertsacov's educated insect stars pull chariots, dance on a tightwire, and perform other circus-like stunts. While he does not reveal his method of training (a proprietary secret, he explains) , he assures the curious and the civic minded that he uses only methods of positive reinforcement to teach the insects their routines. "I treat them as if they are my own flesh and blood," Gertsacov says. "And in some ways, they are." Professor Gertsacov will bring his minuscule marvels to perform at Washington's wildest and wackiest venue on Sunday August 26 . He invites all curious parties to come and see the show that was deemed one of the top shows of the world famous Spoleto Festival in 2004. But he asks that you leave your dogs and cats at home. Gertsacov quips, "I don't want anyone to steal the show." Shows are at the Palace of Wonders, 1210 H Street NE in the Atlas District of Washington DC. Shows are at 4 pm and 8 pm. Admission is $8. The first show is for all ages. The second show is for over 21 only. (In this show, the fleas will perform completely nude! PLEASE NOTE: At the 8 pm show ID's will be checked!) For more information about the show, or to reserve tickets, call the Palace of Wonders at 202-398-7469 (SHOW) Or visit http://www.palaceofwonders.com For press information, photographs, or interviews, please contact Flea Master Professor A.G. Gertsacov at 401-351-2596 or visit the flea circus website: http://www.trainedfleas.com.

Gaulier in NY

Internationally acclaimed clown and acting teacher Philippe Gaulier will conduct workshops in New York City during September. Philippe Gaulier was a master teacher at the Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris before starting his own school in 1980. After ten years in Paris, he moved his school to London and finally, in 2002, back to France. The Ecole Philippe Gaulier is an important center for theatre training for students from around the world. Philippe's unique approach to actor training has influenced performing artists as diverse as Emma Thompson, London's Theatre de Complicite and Sacha Cohen's Borat and Ali G. Workshops will include: SPECIAL 2-DAY Weekend Workshopdays SEPTEMBER 15-16 An introduction to the teachings of Philippe Gaulier. This workshop will be a short version of the Ecole Gaulier foundational course Le Jeu. The basic relationships of actor/audience and actor/actor will be explored. MORE INFO MORNING SESSION 2 weeks M-F weekday mornings SEPTEMBER 17-28 The morning session will focus on teachings from the Ecole Gaulier. Specifically: Le Jeu, Bouffon and Melodrama. MORE INFO AFTERNOON SESSION 2 weeks M-F weekday afternoons SEPTEMBER 17-28 The afternoon session will focus on Clown. MORE INFO Courses will be held in New York City at an undisclosed location. The morning and afternoon workshops are $750 each, or $1300 if you take both. The weekend workshop costs $300. The Registration Form For further information email: Gaulier2007@gmail.com or visit the website: Gaulier in NY Sept 2007 "BOOOORRRIINNG!!!" Read an interview with Gaulier in Fast Company Magazine

NY Workshop with Mario Gonzalez

Master Commedia Dell'Arte Mask and Clown Teacher, Mario Gonzalez, former principal actor with Le Theatre Du Soleil and Master Mask Teacher at the Conservatoire National Superieur D'Art Dramatique in Paris, will teach two workshops in New York in the beginning of August. The workshops are designed for professional actors and other performers, yet are also appropriate and useful for teachers, directors, therapists, and others who work with the public. The class has three parts: 1) Le Choeur: (chorus) Working with the Neutral Mask. 2) Le Naissance (birth) Creation of characters using masks. 3) Improvisation: texts, songs, prop