Michael Bongar was the featured performer at the November 2009 NY Downtown Clown Revue. Coming from a theatre background but being enticed by the circus, Michael tells us about his move from theatre to clown and what things he thinks are important to the discipline of the clown.
Michael Bongar sheds his three-piece suit for this wild excerpt from his one-man show MAGIC MIKE. A wonderful mockery of mediocre magic and the people that perform it.
And here is a wonderful video Michael used to promote his business BongarBiz.
Many of New York’s finest variety performers are hired by Michael Bongar (BongarBiz) for any number of different kinds of shows/events. He really deserves a lot of credit for featuring many acts in many jobs for quite a few years!
My hat goes off to Michael – Thanks for helping keep the variety-arts and clown community alive!
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.
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?
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.
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
Tonight we saw the Golden Nose Awards Ceremony. IT was a festive evening with Golden Noses going to Eric Davis for “Clown of the Year’. The “Clown Organization of the Year” Golden Nose Award went to Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit. Michael Christensen accepted the award. The Audience Choice award for Best Clown Act went to “Otto and Lewis” and the award was accepted by Brian Foley. His partner Matthew Duncan was in St. Louis getting married. The Audience Choice Best Clown Character went to Brett Alters for his – Squeeks the Clown.
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!
