VAUDE_VISUALS

The New York Downtown Clown Revue

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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A wonderful evening of variety, song and birthday wishes!

Co host John Leo and Andy Sapora lead the way to a great evening of fun!

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Bee Bernard‘s FINALLY gets to her cello!

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Glen Raphael with his quirky love songs.

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John Leo searches for the true meaning of  hurricane Irene.

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Gustavo Pace tells tales of unrequited love.

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Redhot Pinky is Lady M.

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Barbara Michaels, the tinyDANGEROUS sound lady shows off…

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The Thirteenth Act gets over frozen peanut butter, lack of hurricane sex and mud slides.

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FREE COOKIES!

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Will Shaw is the Tops!

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COBRA GOLD

John Waters (trumphet), Josh Bisker (Uke) and Cecil Scheib (Trombone)

Josh Bisker is Ludacris

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Paper Cut, created and performed by Yael Rasooly

She sold out at the NYC Fringe and has Encore Performances from Sept 9 – 13th and we know why!!

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Co Host Andy Sapora tries to keep quite a few items in the air.

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The neighborhood librarian (performed by Audrey Crabtree) tries to entice and audience member.

DON’T FORGET TO COME TO THE NY CLOWN FESTIVAL THIS MONTH!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY

Andy Sapora after the 39 + 1 kisses from Audience members!

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Video of the Finale song GOOD NIGHT IRENE.

OCTOBER 25th – Mark that date on your Calendar to attend the next ‘tinydangerousfun’.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS © 2011 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!

The hosts for the evening’s festivities are John Leo and Andy Sapora.

The show was great and they had an idea it would be!

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Billy Dee Bedlam

The janitor never was this wild when I had one in my school.

Broom in one hand and ‘what’ in the other! Hiccup!

Down to his underwear in a real stretch~

Flying off the stage on his broom and clothed in ‘what’? Whew!!!! Wild man!

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Ragdoll Engine Collective

Alyson Perry and Mary Cavett

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Richard Harrington

Hysterical deadpan comedy monolog.

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Brian Zimbler

A 93 year old Henry Tzim answers all the questions you can ask him. (In the time alloted!)

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Glen Raphael

An original song writer (caustic, hysterical love songs) who accompanies himself on the guitar.

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Marina Tsaplina

A monolog about going to work and discovering there is life outside that world. (funny and insightful!)

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Will Shaw

A funny juggler who has mastered the art of top spinning. (All size of tops!)

A seasoned professional who always leaves me laughing!

A large top free spinning on his hand is not an easy feat!

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John Leo and Andy Sapora going over the artist’s cue cards. Did they really read them before the show?

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Tanya Solomon – Stage Manager and Expert Food Commentator (&magician)

A delicious meat sandwich prepared by Tanya for dinner. She explained the how’s and where’s of getting this food for FREE!

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Alaska Thunderfu*k 5000 and Handsome Jeremy

A wild and delicious trip to the other side of the music spectrum!

See for yourself!

Alaska Thunderfu*k 5000 singing her/his heart out!

Handsome Jeremy accompanies Alaska on the Keyboards.

A wild and crazy song for the audience.

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Curtain Call

The next ‘tinydangerousfun’ variety show will happen on Feb 22, 2011.

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Photographs © 2011 Jim Moore

The show was a collection of performers that HAD to be at least 50 years old…IF not older!

The hostesses of the show were Karen McCarty and Deborah Kaufman.

Of course the IDEA for this foolish evenings festivities came from the mind of Jan Greenfield. (over 50 too!)

I had a chance to get to the theatre early and take a portrait of the hostesses.

Deborah Kaufman and Karen McCarty Host the Cabaret

They get the show on the road by dancing a number together to rev up the audience spirits.

Are you ready for the show to begin?

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First to start the show is Hilary Chaplain with her delightfully demented piece  THE DIVA.

Uh Oh…What show must go on?

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GORK (Michael Getlan)  the stage hand helps clean up the roses.

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The next act to appear in the cabaret comes from the wilds of Finland.

LILI’s HAIR AND BEAUTY PARLOR

Lily Sukula-Lindblom and audience member Bryce Kasson.

Innocent audience member gets her ‘makeover’ and responds!

The Final Picture for Hair and Beauty Parlor

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The ‘oldest mime in the world’ is Richmond Shepard.  He was there and performed a few comic mime pieces.

Comical stories with nice funny mimetic touches.

Richmond was an inspiration for many mime performers to follow.

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The show was not without disturbances. An act titled ‘Clifton’s Senior Moment’ turned out to be an impostor.

John Leo tried to get in on the show’s action but got pulled off soon.

Out you go impostor. Stay out of here!

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THE HOLE

Next up was the piece featuring Nancy Smithner(c), Therese Schorn (r) and Bernie Kramer(l).

It was a strange piece to say the least!

The young girl is being scolded by the grandmother for misbehaving.

After climbing down a ladder into ‘the hole’ they put on mask and play. They also pull out their tails.(?)

After playing they climb out of ‘the hole’ and back to the drawing room. Grandma reads them the bible.

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WILL SHAW sings ‘This Old Man’.

Very unique discussion of the lyrics during the song! lol

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JULIE GOELL performs ‘Feminity Tonight’.

Preparing a nice facial using uncommon ingredients.

A little egg on the nose is always good for the overall appearance.

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VASES with David Sharps

Not only is David an accomplished juggler and performer he also happens to be a captain of a sea vessel.

Karen and Deborah with signs.

David manipulates the small vase.

David with the very heavy and large chinese vase.

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BERNARD KRAMER performs “My Way”.

Singing Frank Sinatra’s  MY WAY as he proceeded to visually portray his ideas about his ‘way’.

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Mildred and Foo Foo

Here we had another example of a performer trying to ‘get in’ to the show even though he wasn’t qualified. (not 50+)

John Leo was remarkable in his never ending attempts to perform in the show.

(and his never ending array of wild and funny characters! Thanks for the hilarity JOHN)

The gig is over. They found out who you really are John Leo!

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THE AMAZING ZAKAHHR

featuring Michael Christensen

Michael has had a long revered career in the NY circus scene. Having performed in Europe with the one-ring circus’  he and juggling partner Paul Binder came back to NY in 1977 and created the BIG APPLE CIRCUS. Michael also created in 1986 the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit. One of the first season’s of the BAC Michael performed his new act with his new character The Amazing Zakahhr.

Now many odd years later he shows us again his wonderfully creative and off beat mind in action.

“Carnavorium bloodius maximus, the Latin name of one of the most remarkable and vicious creatures of the animal kingdom, the Long Haired, Silverback, Soldier Mole! The Soldier Mole, capable of burrowing through solid granite, having no known predators, this mole reigns supreme in the vast arid wastelands of the middle east.

Ladies and gentlemen, for your safety please remain seated!

We now present

The Amazing Zakahrr

And his trained Soldier Mole, Githha!”

Karen and Deborah help Zakahhr get curtain away for the entrance of his trained mole.

His head to the ground to hear the rumblings of his trained mole.

Exasperated by the effort to keep the trained mole from causing havoc on stage.

His arm under the carpet means only one thing. He is performing the finale  ’grip of death’!

(he is taking a huge chance not to have his hand chewed off  by the mole Githha)

With a hand bloodied he comes out from beneath the rug ‘alive’.

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Final Curtain Call. All of the performers are ready for bed!

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Every Sunday at 1pm and 4pm on a historical restored waterfront barge there is a show! WOW! What a show!

Ring Mistress and Artistic Director Karen E. Gersch

It is called Showboat Shazzam and every week there are new performers doing their amazing acts!

Pictured here is ballerina Lea McGowan and acrobat Rudi Macaggi.

You have a view of the Statue of Liberty and see an amazing show. Great for families and adults.

Here is a photograph and video from Will Shaw’s very funny act. He performed last weekend.

There are two more weekends to go in June. Make sure you go and see it before it ends for the year.

Upcoming acts include a trained flea circus, handbalancing act, jugglers, silk aerial act, comedy slack wire, contortion, magic and more!!

For more information and tickets go here: http://waterfrontmuseum.org/circus.htm