VAUDE_VISUALS

Before going to SPOLETO in May, and after winning ‘Best of Edinburgh Award 2011′, ‘The Scotsman Fringe First Award’ LEO is being presented in New York for a limited run.

Based on an original idea by and performed by Tobias Wegner.

Directed by Daniel Briere from Montreal.

Creative Producer Gregg Parks

Sets and Lighting Design by Flavia Hevia

Video Design by Heiko Kalmbach

Animation Realized by Ingo Panke

Costume Design by Heather McCrimmon

Choreography by Juan Kruz Diaz de Garaio Esnaola

Presented in New York by The Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation and Circle of Eleven

I got a chance to sit down with Tobias before his show and ask him about the ‘origin’ of the idea and how it evolved into the multi award winning gem it is today.

After doing the interview I was very excited to see the show. It was a surreal blend of technology and classically performed acrobatics.

The integration of the video projection with the live performance, animation, live music and sound track was seamless.

Tickets available thru Telecharge or at the Clurman Theater Box Office – 410 West 42nd St.

“A MUST SEE SHOW IN NEW YORK”

This is a wonderful show with lots of talent and a ‘Dream Big’ theme!

GRANDMA (Barry Lubin) assists the comedy magic team SCOTT & MURIEL.

Scott & Muriel perform wonderful magic and are also hysterically funny.

Comedy magic at it’s best. It is funny and very magicial!

Jenna Robinson is delightful as the Ring Mistress at the Big Apple Circus.

Anna Volodko performs aerial rope. Beginning in Russia she is beautiful in her act.

She flies thru the air on her rope and doesn’t seem to stop.

Grandma spits water in the ring with a spotlight on her.

Audience member and Grandma compete with the ‘spitting water’ contest.

Jenny Vidbel is an amazing animal trainer and has been for many years.

Jenny with her beautiful trained dog. She has trained many exotic animals over the years.

Here is Jenny with her trained African Porcupine on a runway.

Here is Muriel Brugman playing the saw in center ring.

Shandong Acrobatic Troupe performing amazing physical acts.

Wonderful costumes accentuate the great physical acts of wonder.

Dimitry Chernov juggling in a almost Sci-Fi costume.

Melanie Chy has amazing balance and poise in this beautiful act.

Melanie Chy in her amazing balance and strength act.

Muriel Brugman (Scott & Muriel) in an amazing display of a large production magic act in full view of the audience. AMAZING!

The Flying Cortes Trapeze act was so terrific. Many members fly and do somersaults.

Ysabella Wallenda-Cortes is the youngest member of the act at 10 years old.

Andrey Mantchev not pictured here. A vital member of the BAC ‘DREAM BIG’ Cast.

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The Big Apple Circus ‘Dream Big’ Creative Team

Renaud Doucet, Andre Barbe, Guest Director/Choreographer, Set and Costume Director

Guillaume Dufresnoy – Artistic Director

Barry Lubin – Consultant

JP Perrueaux – Sound Designer

Mathals Ruegg -Composer

Guy Simard – Lighting Designer

Rob Slowik – Musical Director

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For tickets go to this site. TICKETS

For more information or schedule go to this site. INFORMATION.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS © 2011 Jim Moore

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I was very interested in hearing the history of the NYGoofs. I had seen the name around for years and knew a few performers that worked with them. Finally a few years ago I began documenting their shows.

(Thanks to original Goofs member Hilary Chaplain)

Located at the Flea Theater in Lower Manhattan, the NYGoofs held a ‘Clown School‘ that lasted between one and two weeks two times a year.

Many aspiring clowns, comedians, actors and other physically trained movement performers take these classes. The second year I photographed the workshops they had Avner The Eccentric teaching as well as Dick Monday and his wife Tiffany Riley, Hovey Burgess, Barry Lubin, Jay Stewart, Hilary Chaplain and many others.

This year I wanted to get more information about the origins of the group and hear what Dick Monday had to say about this ‘clown venture’ that has lasted quite a few years!

Here is an interview that covers all that and more. I enjoyed working with Dick, Tiffany, Chet and Lily as well as the entire cast of performers that did the

WATER FOR CLOWNS show this year. Go here for photographs and more information on that show.

Dick Monday Interview

Recently Dick and Tiffany sat for me to do a portrait for my Clown Un_Mask series.

This video can NOT be Embedded to play on other sites!

I had a chance to do a video interview with NYGOOFS co-founder Dick Monday at the Flea Theatre while he was preparing for the WATER FOR CLOWNS show.

I haven’t finished editing the whole 20 minutes but wanted to put up an excerpt.

The press release for this show reads as follows:

WATER FOR CLOWNS is the yet untold story of a troupe of traveling clowns during the depression who endure the harsh reality of show business when a drought prohibits the use of water in their routines. Our story follows a young meteorologist who is just about to graduate from MIT when he learns his dog Biscuit has been hit by a car driven by the parents of a guy who was about to graduate from veterinarian school.

The story of the veterinarian was told in Water For Elephants. Our meteorologist, Dusty Hinkle, gets his turn in the spotlight when he jumps on a train that leads him to the Martini Brothers Circus.

Combining the skills and spills of eight professional loonies, WATER FOR CLOWNS guarantees a night of surprises and visual delights performed by some of America’s greatest clowns. Perfect for all ages, this group of professional clowns and clown teachers gather at the end of the NY Goofs Ultimate Clown School and put together a riotous night of pure insanity and laughter.

Led by Dick Monday, the Goofs received the 2009 Golden Nose Award for Best Clowns, and have appeared worldwide in festivals, theaters and circuses, including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

The cast includes some of America’s most accomplished physical comedians: Hilary Chaplain, Jay Stewart, Joel Jeske (2011 Drama Desk nominated for Room 17B with Parallel Exit; Live! with Regis and Kelly), Tom Doughterty (Big Apple Circus, Ringling Bros. Circus) Evelyn Tuths, Rob Lok, Mark Gindick(Big Apple Circus), Tiffany Riley and Dick Monday (Late Show with David Letterman; The Tonight Show; Sweet & Lowdown).

The show on OPENING NIGHT was hysterically funny, touching and full of heart felt moments.

Jay Stewart, Mark Gindick, Hilary Chaplain and Evelyn Tuths.

Tom Dougherty and his dog Lucy.

Jay Stewart(l) and Joel Jeske passing some ‘bucks’!

Jay Stewart and Tiffany Riley wash the dishes together.

Tiffany Riley and Dick Monday making moves.

Joel Jeske and Tom Dougherty making funny music.

Hilary Chaplain performing her piece FRANK.

Dick Monday a little ticked off at the failure of his juggling trick.

Tiffany Riley provides the Water for Clowns

Tom Dougherty and his companion Lucy on stage relaxing.

Chet Monday showing off his technical skills with charm.

Hilary Chaplain helps close out the show with some juggling skills.

Rob Lok preparing for the jump rope routine on stilts! He is crazy.

After jumping rope on stilts he proceeds to do a handstand on top of 3 chairs on stilts.

The cast all together ends the show on a high note of dancing and music. (Not visible is Tom Dougherty and Rob Lok)

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Here is a video excerpt from the show.

Dick Monday founded The New York Goofs with wife Tiffany Riley.

Dick Monday in one of his eccentric moments juggling cigar boxes in the NY Goofs show.

Dick Monday performed with GRANDMA (Barry Lubin) as his partner when they both were with Ringling Brothers Circus.

Here is a video clip (Thanks to Pat Cashin’s Clown Alley blog) of Dick and Barry performing together in 1986.

During the years 1994 to 1998 Dick was the Director of Clown College for The Feld Entertainment Company.

He recruited, trained and created clowns to perform with The Greatest Show on Earth.

Dick and Tiffany split their time between Dallas and New York. (Mostly Dallas!) Between bring up two children and performing in hospitals and other venues in Dallas they are quite busy!

I just finished doing a video interview with Dick Monday about the NY Goofs and it’s history.

Coming SOON!

While researching for this post I found a quote from Dick that I thought was great!

“Utilizing the power of laughter to uplift the spirits of humanity is a huge responsibility and one that historically has been left to the clown. As a clown, I gladly accept this challenge and will strive to parody the power and enlighten the people where ever and when ever it is called for. This is what I do for a living. I’m also good at Ping Pong.”   –  Dick Monday

Tiffany Riley of The NY Goofs and Funnyatrics Clown Program

Slappy (Tiffany Riley) performing at the NY Goofs show at The Flea Theatre, NYC.

The New York Goofs recently completed a week workshop in NY for aspiring clowns with guest instructors Tom Dougherty and Barry Lubin.

Their new show WATER FOR CLOWNS will be performed for only 3 Nights beginning Thursday, Aug. 11th, 2011.

For ticket information click here!

Usually Tiffany can be found hanging around with Dick Monday!

“International Man of Mirth”

Rob Torres photographed in his trailer at the Big Apple Circus lot in Stamford, CT.

Performing in the Big Apple Circus in Stamford, CT. on tour.

Rob Torres has performed his way through 43 countries, and across 6 continents. (Including street performing)

Rob Torres performing an excerpt from his one man show at The New York Downtown Clown Revue 11/2010.

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ALL PHOTOGRAPHS © 2011 by Jim Moore

On Monday at 11am a Celebration was held at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital on Broadway and 165th St.

Serving that facility for 25 years, The Big Apple Circus Clown Care staff sang, blew bubbles, played music  and entertained the children and adults.

In 1986, Big Apple Circus co-founder and Creative Director Michael Christensen founded this professional hospital clowning program.

In the beginning it was only three clowns. Michael Christensen (Mr. Stubbs), Barry Lubin (Grandma) and Jeff Gordon (Gordoon)

Today the Big Apple Circus’s Clown Care is at 18 leading pediatric hospitals nationwide with over 80 talented professional clowns.

It also has inspired many other groups world-wide to develop in Germany, France, Mexico etc.

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The ceremony began with remarks by Big Apple Circus Chairman Chris Wearing.

Chris Wearing

Dr. Robert Seigle, pediatric nephrologist spoke about his relationship with the Clown Care group from the beginning.

Dr. Robert Seigle

The other speaker was nine time Emmy  award winning broadcast journalist Jane Hanson, host of NBC’s LX NEW YORK.

NBC’s Jane Hanson (w/clown nose)

They had celebratory cup cakes donated by Magnolia Bakery.

Philip Thurston, Press Contact for the Big Apple Circus organized this delightfully heartfelt event.

Philip Thurston and Clown Dikki Ellis.

The event was very emotional. Michael spoke about the role of the clown in the hospital environment. The Big Apple Circus Clown Care has been working in hospitals for 25 years and has brought joy and laughter to many children.

Mr. Stubbs (Michael Christensen) speaks to the hospital patients and press.

Directing part of his talk to the clown members of the audience he spoke of the importance of their work.

The Clowns gathered together at the end of the celebration and collectively chanted;

“See you down the road”

The tuba and banjos began playing as they marched out of the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and into the street.

They gathered their belongings, suitcases and instruments and paraded out the front door and took the subway to another hospital in Harlem.

Here are some photographs from the day.

Karen McCarty

Deborah Kaufman

David Engel

Audrey Crabtree and Andy Sapora

Dikki Ellis and Deborah Kaufman

Getting ready to Parade out the door.

The Big Apple Circus Clown Care CLOWNS!

(Not listed in order)

(Michael Christensen, John Grimaldi, Erin Schmahl, Karen McCarty, Josh Matthews, Julie Pasqual, Will Shaw, Audrey Crabtree, Watson Kawecki, Laine Barton, Leo Dessilets, Phyllis Capello, Ron Hoffman, Deborah Kaufman, Sarah Petersiel, David Engel, Lauren Sharpe, John Leo, Dikki Ellis, Hilary Chaplain, Maria Para.)

(L to R)Audrey Crabtree, Michael Christensen, Deborah Kaufman and Hilary Chaplain

The Big Apple Circus Clown Care ensemble (in hospital coats) travel to the next hospital in Harlem.

Mr. Stubbs (Michael Christensen) entering the subway at 165th Street station with props and gear!

Juggler Will Shaw with Big Apple Circus Clown Care 25th Anniversary Banner getting on the elevator with peers.

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Help the New York  Big Apple Circus Clown Care community outreach program continue by donating here!

Most people have heard about ‘Doctors without Borders‘. But my favorite group is CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS.

On Saturday April 30, 2011, performer, actor, director and teacher Peter Musante taught a workshop at Soundance in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Physics of Play: Curiousity – Imagination – Spontaneity – Abandon

The attendees were: Aya Tucker, Lynn Levy, Natalie Elizabeth Weiss, Ranjana Mendes, Kurt Carlson, Jeff Smithson, Jason Hicks, Tanya Solomon, Jesse Garrison, Ben Dziuba, and Sayda Trujillo.

Peter Musante with the workshop group working in a circle.

Many attendees were working on character and physical comedy routines.

Peter is elated at the character created by workshop attendee.

Up in the air with this exercise given by teacher Peter Musante.

The workshop description was as follows:

This 3-hour workshop, led by Peter Musante (Blue Man Group, Legs and All), explores ways to liberate our bodies and voices through insanely fun group exercises inspired by various improvisational physical theater approaches.

Working in pairs they explored many different physical attitudes.

Peter conducted a wonderful, spirited and playful workshop for all the attendees.

The workshop was a benefit for CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS.

All proceeds from the workshop attendees went to Clowns Without Borders.

Clowns Without Borders USA

Clowns Without Borders offers laughter to relieve the suffering of all persons, especially children, who live in areas of crisis including refugee camps, conflict zones and territories in situations of emergency.  We bring levity, contemporary clown/circus oriented performances and workshops into communities so that they can celebrate together and forget for a moment the tensions that darken their daily lives.

To DONATE to this wonderful group click here!

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