This interview is with the creators and performers of the show CHANNEL ONE. Ishah Janssen-Faith and Emily James are the duo aka ‘James and JF‘. I had a few minutes before their show at The Brick to ask them a few questions about how the show came about and what their original idea was to create it. The show is part of the NY Clown Theatre Festival.
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CHANNEL ONE
This wild roller coaster of a show had me laughing so hard I found myself having trouble shooting the photographs.
It was broken down into sections. Each one was a ‘TV Show’ of sorts that takes place in the future.
I cannot comment on all the sections of the show except to say it was delightful, hysterical, intelligent and original.
I am posting the best images i have of the show for your perusal.
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Opening sequence of the show was really fun.
Karla’s Kitchen was a cooking show with flare and laughter.
Dancing on the cooking show. Wouldn’t that be fun!
Emily just had so much trouble getting her show to start.
Heidi’s show and she made you know it.
Another dance number – this time on Heidi’s show.
This is the show “He’s Your Man Now’.
Thinking about the issue at hand.
He is your man now!
Next up was a ‘healer’ show with Emily.
The duo had a funny show called THE MONO SISTERS.
Never able to complete anything due to their case of mono.
Curtain call for two very funny and talents women.
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 TheatreJ.E. Cross and The Cosmic Bicycle Theatre
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.
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.
Fantasy Grandma hosts the NY Clown Theatre Festival CABARET
Summer Shapiro dances with audience volunteer in excerpt from IN THE BOUDOIR
Billy Schultz performing as Gooper Junior in the “Re-enactments of Country Life”.
Karim Muasher and Carrie Brown perform in the “Vindlevoss Family Circus”.
Z Smith performs as Pepito in ‘Pepito’s Big Date’.
Fontaine and Bernie are Emily James and Ishah Janssen-Faith in “We’re Not Here”.
Mona Ray performing an excerpt from her one-woman show “Don’t Run, RUSH!”
Mister & Missus Clown perform in “Blind Love”.
