Season 5, Show #58

Christopher Lueck hosting the Downtown Clown Revue.

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Will Shaw

Will Shaw performs a new piece of business which includes a dry wit and dazzling skills.

Will Shaw spins a top on top of his cigar box structure.

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The Ridiculous Romantic

Kevin C. Carr and Carol Sirugo in a still from the film “The Ridiculous Romantic”.

Directed by Jim Moore, edited by David Katz, with Kevin C. Carr, Peter Daniel Straus, Kenwyn Dapo, Carol Sirugo, Emily James, Ishah Janssen-Faith, Emily Season, Music Score by Polygraph Lounge.

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Matthew “Phineas” Lish

Matthew ‘Phineas’ Lish juggles 9 balls all at once!

Matthew ‘Phineas’ Lish juggles 3 machete knives.

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Christopher Lueck prepares the audience for the next act by reading the cue cards.

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Everybody Nose It’s My Birthday

A series of short vignettes about dating and family life.

An offer from the audience to ‘marry’ the on stage actress.

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No Reservations

Billy Schultz takes Audrey Crabtree out on a date in ‘No Reservations’.

This piece gets wilder as it goes along but I will leave that to you when you see it!

This new piece is being directed by John Towsen.

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Season 5, Show #57

Katherine M. Horejsi performs as the ‘clean up lady’ ~Cleaning up what the clowns leave behind~

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Hilary Chaplain

Not able to stand up with her shoe in her hand Hilary brings a new character to the show.

Bagel with cream cheese is the food of choice for Hilary Chaplain’s new character.

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Ben Model

Playing piano for a silent film excerpt of Harry Langdon “Remember When”.

Ben Model talks to the audience about the silent film star Harry Langdon.

Still of Title Card from Harry Langdon’s silent film “Remember When”.

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Christopher Lueck helping his assistant (played by Katherine Horejsi) prepare for next act

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Kiki, featuring Special Guest

Kiki (Aya Tucker) prepares to play the glasses with her spoon.

Kiki performs finally while the ‘special guest’ looks on!

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The Game

Christopher Lueck introduces ‘The Game” which happens at every Revue.

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Amy Larimer

Amy Larimer tells a story using cryptic images and movement.

Using the drawing sharpies and easel she draws out her character’s personal saga.

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Joel Jeske

Joel Jeske opens his piece – I have seen over 16 midgets today and its only Monday -by yelling the title at the audience.

Joel Jeske eats a ‘rotten’ apple in - This is a Really Bad Apple- using his hysterical mime skills.

Joel Jeske hugs audience member Amy Virginia Buchanan during his piece - A Desperate Hug.

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Curtain call for the performers at tonight’s Downtown Clown Revue.

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All Photographs © 2012 Jim Moore

Season 5, Show 56

Master of Ceremonies Christopher Lueck cranking up for the show.

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Animal Engine

- “It’s A Wonderful Life” a 10 minute version.

The entire play was performed in the rectangle made from PVC. The company created the piece.

Directed by Karim Muasher

Starring: Carrie Brown, Emily Corinne, Katie Morrison, Karim Muasher, Aya Tucker, Megan Venzin.

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Christopher introduces the next act.

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BEN MODEL

Ben Model played live piano accompaniment for silent film “GOOD NIGHT NURSE” with Lupino Lane

As the curator of SILENT CLOWNS FILM SERIES Ben has years of experience performing live for many venues worldwide.

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OLIVIA LEHRMAN

Private detective Olivia finds out there is a ‘bomb’ in the ceiling.

Using the silk to climb to the ceiling and finds the bomb. In the interim she performs some amazing aerial feats.

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THE GAME

Christopher introduces the “GAME” and finds a couple of contestants to play.

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BILLY SCHULTZ

Mixing a musical number with audience participation and a ‘song and dance’ piece.

He hands out a few plastic buckets to the audience volunteers for the percussion element of the act.

Billy playing the trombone and unicycling AND leading the audience clapping.

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Host Christopher Lueck hands out some Xmas Gifts to the audience.

A Clown Mug and Clown Dish are presented to the lucky audience member.

Another of the gifts from Christopher was a ‘clown tie’.

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MICHAEL KARAS AND JEN SLAW

Michael Karas looks on in wonder as Jen Slaw juggles and eats the apples.

Great skills and duo coordination was the center of Jen and Michael’s piece.

An Excerpt from their full show. For more information on them and the show visit:

www.michaelkaras.net

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It was December 2006!

It was being presented at the cellar space on St. Marks Place called UNDER ST. MARKS.
Christopher Lueck and Amanda Pekoe began the show on a shoe-string budget.

The sign was attached to the wrought iron gate at the top of the stairs that led to the basement performing space.

Christopher and Amanda worked constantly getting new talent to perform in the revue.

Every week it was a new group of performers. On several nights they would have performers that weren’t clowns but comedic and funny. The Pajama Men performed in the review and now have a run at St. Ann’s Warehouse.

Some of the regulars at the revue are pictured below.

The NY Downtown Clown Revue has a new home!

DIXON PLACE

Come and see the show. You will have a great time laughing and smiling.

Click HERE for more information and to buy tickets.

The evening’s program was ALL WOMAN and ALL GRREEAT!

Zea Barker performing her character BonyLil.

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Brenn Swanson

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Christopher chops down on a slice of pizza between acts!

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THE GAME

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Butt Kapinsky – Private Eye

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AMANDA CROCKETT

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Curtain Call

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Photographs © 2010 Jim R Moore

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Jacob Deustachio

Visiting home from circus school, Jacob Deustachio wowed audiences with his freshly polished juggling act packed with amazing skill. He’d have to have balls to come on stage with that act and he had 7.  7 balls all by himself!

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Chispi El Payaso

Chispi El Payaso is working his way around the world spreading his message of joy and peace. His brief stop here in NYC resulted in an orchestra of squeaking, squawking, and thumped balloons. Have a safe journey Chispi El Payaso!

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The cleaning lady wasted our time yet again. (Katherine M. Horejsi)

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THE GAMES

Mariko Iwasa was the winner of the evenings clown game (a variation of musical chairs played with clown noses). Showing true Japanese sportsmanship she beat out contestants from GA, PA, and NJ  taking home a DVD of classic clowning and three rubber chickens!

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Michael Schruefer

Just back from Japan and on his way to Flordia, Michael Schruefer took on the commission to create a musical clown act with a tramp character. He pulled together his skill as clown and flautist to create a fun and silly piece. Mr. Schruefer is off to be married soon, so get ’em while you can ladies!

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Matt Mitler – Commission Work

Matt Mitler took on a commission that only he could create. The commission was to create a shamanistic clown piece with musical themes. If you missed it, you missed some serious comedy and serious spiritual cleansing.

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JOEL JESKE

Finishing up the evening were comic greats Joel Jeske and Barry Lubin, with guest appearance by Mr. Lubin’s Swedish sweetheart. These two are one of the best duos imaginable. Joel’s serious stillness is the perfect invitation for Grandma to run amok and slowly torture the great Jeske. Barry also proves that water-spiting with your girlfriend is always fun. Who knew?

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Curtain Call

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Blog Text by Christopher Lueck

PHOTOGRAPHS © 2010 Jim R Moore
ALL

The new home for The New York Downtown Clown Revue.

More commissioned work and a variety of eccentric clowns.

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Audrey Crabtree

was ask to create a work based on a Thanksgiving dish of Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmellow Topping.

Her act was with one of her fun character ‘Graspy‘.

Arriving on stage with her suitcase and some rough manners.

Once she realizes there is an audience she begins dispersing her ‘home cooked’ meal.

A little coaxing from her gets the audience to give her their possessions.

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The Amaziny Amy

was commissioned to create a 5 minute act of gratitude and transformation. The act was to follow the guidelines.

Walking on stage with a cane and serious physical discomfort.

After taking off her outdoor garments she loses the head band and tries to pick it up.

Amazing Amy gets herself tied up like a pretzel.

Physical acts of amazement are her trade.

Off the stage with her chair prop and cane.

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Jonathan Kaplan

performed his whimsical  ”Le Fleur” act.

Growing out of the seed into the flower.

He turns into a full fledged ‘rapping’ flower.

“Le Fleur” has an audience member on stage performing. (Anna Zastrow)

A psychedelic ending to a ‘bravura’ performance.

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New York Downtown Clown INTERN ENSEMBLE

Performing routines created from their classes at the  ’Slapstick Dojo’.

Summer the Clown flexes her clown muscles.

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The host Christopher Lueck introduces another act.

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Mr. Fromage Meets Coccina

A wonderful duet with Peter Daniel Straus and Carol Sirgo.

Mr. Fromage plays the music and makes flowers magically appear.

He has to communicate with Coccina that he doesn’t want to read the letter she has for him.

After reading the letter he realizes it was really bad news and he can’t take it.

Coccina cleans up while Mr. Fromage meditates on the ‘best friends’ last banana.

Finally we discover that his friend (the monkey)isn’t dead. But there are many other wonderful discoveries to be had.

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Rob Torres

A delightfully simple and funny piece of clowning by Rob Torres finished the evening off.

Greeting the audience was his first task. No problem!

He tied the knot in the rope without touching the rope.
Taking notes on an audience member’s technique on putting on a tie.

Then he proceeded to follow the instructions and tie the tie without touching it! Amazing skill.

Taping up the box with a string attached to make it work the way he wanted it to.

The final moments of a very funny act.

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Christopher Lueck pops open a bottle of champagne to toast the evening’s talent.

Everyone gets a glass of champagne to celebrate the work.

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Come and see next Month’s Revue.

Check here to see what is going on.

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All Photographs are ©2010 Jim R Moore

The New Home for The New York Downtown Clown Revue

October 2010 NY Downtown Clown Revue has many new surprises in store for the audience.

Commissioned work by Kevin C. Carr and Nina Levine along with performance by Chris Allison, Jef Johnson and Hilary Chaplain.

To open the night Christopher Lueck performed a short clown Intro.

A pratfall is a wonderful way to open a clown revue!

The balloon took center stage.

Playing with the ball and the audience.

After the large balloon popped he had an audience member (Peter Daniel Straus) get the remains.

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“CONEY ISLAND CHRIS”

One of his fun stunts is getting his tongue stuck in a large rat trap.

He was so excited to try out his new Xray vision glasses he had a woman audience member stand up as he put them on.

With a raw egg taped to his head he attempted to smash it with his new ‘bed of nails’ mechanical smasher.

Travel far and wild to see ‘CONEY ISLAND CHRIS’ do this act.

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Host Christopher Lueck introduces the next act JEF JOHNSON

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JEF JOHNSON

An abstract clown piece from head to toe.

Walking on stage he was pulling a balloon on a string.

Balancing on top of a ladder listening to a ipod. Audience could hear silence.

After having recruited audience members he was pushed around the stage through the maze of music stands.

In and out of the music stands on stage until he reached the original starting point.

The little balloon that finished the piece intact with him.

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One of the fun audience participation segments is:

THE GAME!

Tonight’s game had two contestants that were given a deck of cards with many aces that needed to be found & run across the room to be put on a music stand.

The Winner was Monica who won 2 tickets to see PLAY DEAD at the Players Theatre.

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NINA LEVINE – The Quitter

A Commissioned Work by the NY Downtown Clown Revue
What is must be like to try and give up smoking when you have a habit?

On all fours looking for that next cigarette.

Pleading with the audience to give her a cigarette.

Ahh..that is more like what I remember it to be like!

Collecting all the cigarettes from the audience members.

Having ‘QUIT’ she plays the flute as the lights fade out. Funny Piece indeed!

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Host Christopher Lueck introduces the next commissioned act. Kevin C. Carr.

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KEVIN C. CARR

The Hoboken Hobo

A Commissioned Work by the NY Downtown Clown Revue

Flask in hand ready to take on the world.

Blowing up a balloon in preparation for a trick.

Pushing the skewer into the balloon with it popping.

Showing off that terrific ‘hobo’ physique.

Always wants to be in the ‘spotlight’.

Kevin C. Carr can be seen in the upcoming film The Ridiculous Romantic.

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Host Christopher introduces the new VOTE containers.

Every month the audience is encouraged to VOTE for their favorite act/performer and at the end of the season the winners are selected and presented with

THE GOLDEN NOSE AWARD.

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HILARY CHAPLAIN – The Diva

Dressed so elegantly and performing an aria so nicely.

Then the audience realizes she is pregnant. The show must go on!

The singing is divine.

But she still feels a little uncomfortable.

The ‘bambino’ is born and the diva completes her show!

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Curtain Call for the cast. Drinking a glass of champagne to celebrate the New Season!

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For information on upcoming shows of The New York Downtown Clown revue click here.

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DIXON PLACE is available for parties, performances and other events.

Host and Producer Christopher Lueck leaves the stage a proud man!

Christopher Lueck (and Amanda Pekoe) have  produced the show for the past 4 years and has presented over 400 clown acts during that time. The entire clown community would come out for these shows which happened the 3rd Monday of every month. Christopher announced during the March show that he was going to not produce the show any more and the Golden Nose Awards Ceremony would be his last ‘hurrah’. It was a splendid evening with great performers and organizations getting their just awards. It will be missed!

Great Job Chris. We will Miss You!

We had Dave McKay from Toronto, Summer Shapiro from San Francisco and Peter Musante from the Blue Man Group. We had Claire Wedemeyer from Chicago and Rob Lok with his two estranged partners Christina Gelsome from Acrobuffos and Erin Schmahl.

If you click on the picture of the MC Christopher Lueck you can see all the photographs from the show.

Click on image for Gallery Launch!

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS © 2010 Jim Moore / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED