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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Office  relationships sometimes have funny consequences.

Juggling paper garbage and balls are part of the charm in this delightful show.

Jen Slaw waiting by the phone for that call.

Michael Karas doesn’t stop surprising the audience with his technical ability.

Jen Slaw juggles cigar boxes with grace and finesse.

Although I have many other photos of the show I don’t want to spoil it for you!

A Delightful way to spend an afternoon or evening.

The Canal Park Playhouse is located at 508 Canal Street  near the West Side Highway.

A historical landmark and is a beautiful Federal Style building.

Information and tickets are here.

This MOVE IT show included some amazingly talented physical/variety performers.

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Starting the show off was a delightful “Oddotorium Puppet Freak Show”. Performed by J. E. Cross.

A pupppet  ’Coney Island’ type side show with the barker and the ‘main attraction.

J.E. Cross and The Cosmic Bicycle Theatre

J. E. Cross and his COSMIC BICYCLE THEATRE presented a beautiful “Puppet Freak Show”.

A very innovative puppet theatre company garnered with much attention which it surely deserves!

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The next act to perform was juggler/dancer Jen Slaw.

Combing the best movement with the grace of a beautiful juggler she made her work look effortless and charming.

Her act was simple, stunning, lyrical and and she is very talented.

Jen Slaw with Clubs

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One of producer Mark Lonergan’s favorite performers and  collaborator on some of Parallel Exit’s best shows is a charmingly gifted funny man Joel Jeske.

His stage presence is hysterical and he played the audience well with his JOEL JESKE TRIO.

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Book Kennison is one of my favorite unique comedic juggling acts.

He is a young man wit lots of talent and abilities.

Keep your eyes out for ‘Book Kennison‘. He is a rising star in the variety scene.

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Shana Solomon’s Phastasamic Physical Theatre

Performing their interpretation of Akira Kurosawa‘s film RAN

The six member company made use of corporeal talent and  unique physical discipline to interpret the essence of the film on stage without hardly any words and no scenery.

A great actor uses these skills before adding the voice.

I was very moved with the creative work that went into this piece.

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A playful duet James and JF came on stage walking cardboard dogs.

The piece was set in the future and included plenty of verbal banter and visual gags.

The comedy duet James and JF consist of  Emily James and Ishah Janssen-Faith.

Inventive, wild, sexy and off the wall funny!

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The Final performer for the evening was one of my favorite clowns. Chris Allison performing his wacky “CONEY ISLAND CHRIS“.

This act is so curious. He proclaims to have learned how to perform  ’sideshow’ feats in an online class.

What happens to him in front of the audience as he attempts to show off his new found skills can only be described as ‘hysterical’.

He was one of the finalist on “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” and just returned from Germany where he performed in a revue of ‘Newcomers’ with all international artists.

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The evening would not be complete without a chat with the audience by Mark Lonergan.

SUPPORT THE VARIETY ARTS!

He knows how to make it happen. It is up to you…the audience to support it!

Watch out for the next MOVE IT show. They are SOLD OUT fast!

For additional information about Mark Longergan and/or Parallel Exit contact: Parallel Exit

(This is not a complete description of the show. Many of the performers did another turn.

I covered the parts I had room for!)

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS © 2010 Jim Moore