VAUDE_VISUALS

The New York Downtown Clown Revue

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

A Clown Experiment  of High Risk and Humiliation

Joel Jeske greeted the audience from behind his suitcase with title cards.

When the audience didn’t respond to his ‘Title Card” vocally he directed them to do so.

Joel handed out clip boards and pens to the audience members (Mask Maker Stanley Allan Sherman) and proceeded to time them.

An audience member (Triskelion Executive Director Abby Bender) helps Joel Jeske gets his balloons in his suit.

He certainly hasn’t done this before!

With helmut and glasses he is ready to take to the skies.

Singing a uke song with assistance from the audience holding his song book.

Joel Jeske is certainly a very funny man!

Grabbing another audience member by demonstratively pointing them out.

The show ended on a high note with a ‘pillow fight’ between audience members.

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Here is Joel performing “I Will Survive” at the Amuse Bouche.

Joel Jeske will be performing his one man show I HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE at the Amuse Bouche: NY Clown Theatre Festival presented at The Brick Theater. Tickets can be purchased here.

I had an interest in finding out about this new show ‘I HAVE NOT DONE THIS BEFORE”. I ask clown, physical comedian Joel Jeske about his new upcoming show.

[From 'Amuse Bouche' Festival Brochure]
In his first ‘Amuse Bouche’ offering, clown and physical comedian Joel Jeske presents himself raw and unpredictable. Jeske takes his career experience in circus, theater, and variety and throws it all aside to do what he has truly never done before.

He discusses his show in this interview.
Video by Jim Moore
Vaudevisuals.com
Tickets for Joel’s show here: bricktheater.com/​

The Evening was hosted by The Leroy Sisters.

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Tivo la Resistance is back for more fun!

Wild and fun ventriloquist act with a never ending fake mustache.

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‘Haming it up’ for the camera, Hew Parham from Australia.

Hew Parham performs an excerpt from his show ‘Odessey Schodyssey’.

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Mark Gindick performs a feat of ‘daredevil’ magnitude in an excerpt from his show ‘Wing-Man’.

Feeling a level of achievement Mark Gindick flails his arms after swallowing a mouthful of Pop-Rocks and drinking Coke!

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Jeff Seal(foreground) and Chris Manley looking on during an excerpt form their show ‘Neon Lights’.

Chris Manley reads am audience members palm as partner Jeff Seal looks on.

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Christopher Rozzi entertaining the audience in a scene from his one-man show ‘Bezinkule’.

In the spot light is Christopher Rozzi in a wonderful verbal-voyage to places we aren’t ever going to visit again!

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Joel Jeske performing a segment which will not be part of his one-man show ‘I Have Never Done This Before’.

Joel Jeske leading the audience members in a ‘Radio City Rockettes’ type line.

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Gabriela Munoz is performing a segment from her duet show ‘Flocked’. Along with:

Audrey Crabtree performing in the same show ‘Flocked‘. Opening Thursday night!

‘Flocked’ is directed by clown/director Hilary Chaplain.

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The marvelously charming and funny duet ‘The Donovan Ensemble’ will be hosting the cabaret on Wed. Sept 14th 8pm.

Joe Kolbow and Johnnie Niel are the C0-Artistic Directors.

Also in the festival but not here are CHANNEL ONE with Emily James and Ishah Janssen-Faith and ‘Morro and Jasp GONE WILD.

Information about the festival can be had here.

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ALL PHOTOGRAPHS © 2011 JIM MOORE

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.

Joel Jeske relaxing (I guess?) with his standard cup of coffee.

Joel backstage in his costume ready for the NY Downtown Clown Revue.

Joel in the highly successful and very funny show ROOM 17B.

I talked to Joel a year ago about meeting up for a photo session to begin this project. We finally got to it today in April 2011.

Joel Jeske is one of the funniest men around. And not just when he is performing! I have seen and worked with him on quite a few shows/projects including the recent Parallel Exit show ROOM 17B and we did a book together on Clown. His stage persona is so strong and funny that the audience always remembers him after the shows are over. I had the pleasure to photograph him at my home. . One of his other performing projects is the family show Hey Ya Brothers with Christoper Lueck.

If you want to laugh a lot – I suggest you take your friends, kids, aunts and uncles to see JOEL perform where ever he is appearing!

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Photographing the ingenious comedy (which is the creation of Joel Jeske and Mike Dobson) of ROOM 17B was so much fun. A series of surreal, comedic, absurd vignettes. I had a chance to ask the Director Mark Lonergan about his inspiration for creating the show and  the process.

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“The inspiration for ROOM 17B goes back to a show we did at 59E59 Theaters in 2007 called CUT TO THE CHASE.  One of the reviews for the show challenged us to take some daring leaps and explore new avenues with our work.  With that gauntlet thrown down, we began discussing how to inject contemporary material into a vaudevillian format – purposely pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone.”

(left to right) Mike Dobson, Danny Gardner, Joel Jeske, Brent McBeth

“Mike Dobson and Joel Jeske, the authors of the show, began developing some ideas that we explored over a weekend at the Kraine Theater in 2009.  At the heart of these ideas was a group of businessmen putting on a bizarre and interactive presentation.  As we continued to work on the material, our set and lighting designer Maruti Evans ran with the business presentation idea and came up with the perfect setting for the show – a surreal office of floor-to-ceiling filing cabinets.”

Danny Gardner and Joel Jeske

“With Maruti’s design in place, the concept evolved into what we have today – a long-forgotten room in a huge office building in which all the props and costumes appear from the file drawers.  The result is a cross between Buster Keaton, Monty Python, and Tim & Eric – surreal, funny, physical, and modern – and hopefully, a great night of theatre.”

Joel Jeske and Danny Gardner in a surreal office moment.

Brent McBeth taking a seriously uneasy note.

Joel Jeske in absurdly wild pose while being introduced.

I recommend this show to anyone who wants to laugh and  be entertained by 4 wonderfully hysterical performers.

Written by Mike Dobson and Joel Jeske .

Directed by Mark Lonergan.

Original Music by Mike Dobosn

Choreography by Danny Gardner and Brent McBeth.

Set and Lighting by Maruti Evans

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Get more information and tickets here.

Host - Christopher Lueck introduces the evenings Talent!

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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

Mark Lonergan knows how to put together a good ‘variety show‘. He has  produced quite a few MOVE IT shows in the past plus his usual calendar of shows gives him a good ‘edge’ over the competition.

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