Tag: Jennifer Miller

“Bloody Brains in a Jukebox” – An Interview with director Jennifer Miller

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date March 20, 2020

Considering the cancellation of so many wonderful shows due to the ‘coronavirus’. I decided to ‘rerun’ some of the wonderful interviews I did with directors/performers of those shows. Today is the delightful, Jennifer Miller. A uniquely talented performer/director. Listen in as she talks about the show “Bloody Brains in a Jukebox” (written by Dick Zigun with music by Nikos Brisco) that she directed and never ‘OPENED’ due to this event. We are thinking it will arise and OPEN in the not-too-distant future at the delightful Coney Island USA.

Keep your eyes on Coney Island USA website for updates on this rock-opera!

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Tags Bloody Brains in the Juke Box, Coney Island USA, Dick Zigun, Jennifer Miller, Nikos Brisco, Rock Opera, Sideshow

Circus Amok Comedy Coney Island USA Interview Performing Arts Rock & Roll Sideshow Vaudevisuals Interview Video Women

Vaudevisuals interview with Jennifer Miller

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date February 25, 2020

Dick Zigun’s rock-opera ‘Bloody Brains in a Jukebox‘ is being directed by none other than Circus Amok’s own Jennifer Miller. I sat down with her at Coney Island USA and ask about the upcoming show and her directing of it.

Bloody Brains in a JukeBox is a rock opera, with a libretto by Dick D. Zigun, music by Nikos Brisco, and direction by Circus Amok’s Ethyl Eichelberger Award-winning Jennifer Miller. In this sung-through and psychedelic sci-fi satire, characters resembling Sidney Poitier, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Coogan, and Jayne Mansfield tussle with a talking, flying, brain-eating Wurlitzer Model 1100 jukebox – with results as mind-blowing and out there as anything you’ve ever seen at the sideshow.

Composer Nikos Brisco checking the score for “Bloody Brains in the Jukebox”.

**Some props and multi-media projections during rehearsal.**

For more information/tickets click here!

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Tags Absurd, Audrey Hepburn, Bloody, Bloody Brains in the Juke Box, Circus Amok, Comedy, Coney Island USA, Dick Zigun, Ethyl Eichelberger, Horror, Interview, Jackie Coogan, Jayne Mansfield, Jennifer Miller, Nikos Brisco, Rock and Roll Music, Rock Opera, Sidney Poitier, Singing

Coney Island USA Vaudevisuals Interview Video

Vaudevisuals interview with Dick Zigun – “Bloody Brains in the Juke Box”

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date August 13, 2019

Last week I took my camera and visited Coney Island USA to speak with Dick Zigun about his upcoming rock musical “Bloody Brains in a Juke Box“.

BLOODY BRAINS IN A JUKEBOX!

A ROCK OPERA by CIUSA Founder and Artistic Director Dick D. Zigun (libretto) and Nikos Brisco (music), directed by Circus Amok’s Jennifer Miller

To be presented at Coney Island USA’s Sideshow by the Seashore

In this sung-through and psychedelic sci-fi satire, characters resembling Sidney Poitier, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Coogan and Jayne Mansfield tussle with a talking, flying, brain-eating Wurlitzer Model 1100 juke box – with results as mind-blowing and out there as anything you’ve ever seen at the sideshow. Bloody Brains in a Jukebox is Coney Island USA’s most ambition stage production ever, wherein Dick Zigun’s libretto and Nikos Brisco’s music interface with the patented madness of Circus Amok and the talents of several alum of the Bread and Puppet Theater, including Ethyl Eichelberger award winning director Jennifer Miller.

While best known for such programs as the Mermaid Parade and the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, Coney Island USA has also been the longtime home of Funhouse Philosophers, a resident theater company devoted to presenting the plays of artistic director Dick Zigun, a Yale School of Drama and New Dramatists trained playwright whose previous works have included Dead End Dummy, Killing Republicans, The Ride Inspector’s Nightmare, and last season’s show The Education of Al Capone as Told by Jimmy Durante. In recent years, Funhouse Philosophers has been experimenting with the rock opera format in an effort to make abstract ideas like cosmology accessible via music and parody. Bloody Brains in a Jukebox is the culmination of that long-term exploration.

Funhouse Philosophers is the experimental theater company in residence at Coney Island, USA.

Help Funhouse Philosophers raise funds for our next production!

DONATE HERE

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Tags Audrey Hepburn, Bloody Brains in the Juke Box, ConeyIslandUSA, Dick Zigun, Ethyl Eichelberger Award, Funhouse Philosphers, Jackie Coogan, Jayne Mansfield, Jennifer Miller, Musical, Sidney Poitier, Vaudevisuals Interview, Wurlitzer 1100 Juke Box

Coffeehouse Chronicles History LaMaMa etc Performing Arts Photography Video Women

Coffeehouse Chronicles #151: Ethyl Eichelberger @LaMama

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date February 24, 2019

Celebrating the life and work of Ethyl Eichelberger with panelists, live performances and archival materials!
Moderated by Miss Joan Marie Moossy
Panelists: Brian Belovitch, Joe E Jeffreys, John Kelly, Lori E Seid, Black Eyed Susan and Mark Russell
Performances by: Jennifer Miller with Heather Green | Jeremy Halpern with Auntie Belle.

Coffeehouse Chronicles’ Michal Gamily introduces the event.

(l to r) Miss Joan Marie Moossy, Joe E. Jeffries, Mark Russell, Lori E. Seid, John Kelly

Black Eyed Susan performing a short piece written for her by Ethyl Eichelberger.

Still from short film by Peter Hujar featuring Ethyl Eichelberger shown at event.

Coffeehouse Chronicles #151 Panel and performers.

For more information on upcoming Coffeehouse Chronicles visit this site.

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Circus Circus Amok Clown Comedy Dance Music Photography

Circus Amok – “Enough is Enough” – Summer 2018 Parks Tour

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date September 29, 2018

There is always wonderful performances when you see Circus Amok in the parks. I attended the Tompkins Square Park performance on Sept 14th (one of 5 parks they performed in) and had so much fun! Here are a few photographs and video from the show.

The Circus Amok Band needs attention first. They add so much to the show!(left to right: Jenny Romaine, Lee Free, Mary Feaster, Jessica Lurie and Ben Myers.)

Some delightful audience members who came to support Circus Amok.(Lori E. Seid, Peggy Shaw, Lois Weaver and Circus Amok‘s own Jennifer Miller.)

The audience was growing an hour before the show began.Jennifer Miller on stilts announces the beginning of the show.

The Circus Amok even has a tiger trainer.

The audience filled the entry way to the park with children and adults.The Circus Amok clowns had plenty to do and say about America.Jennifer Miller leads the audience through the show with her charming patter.The show always presents wonderful props and scenery to illustrate the theme.Juggling rings and clubs are always a great addition to the circus.

The pyramid balancing of founder/director Jennifer Miller was the finale.

Video Excerpts from the Circus Amok Tompkins Park show.

Here is the link to Circus Amok website.

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Circus Circus Amok Clown Comedy Dance Dixon Place Juggling Music Photography Variety Arts Video Women

Monday of 1000 Stars – Circus Amok Benefit @Dixon Place

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date May 24, 2018

Circus Amok Benefit

Opening the show was a wonderful musical introduction by the Circus Amok Band.

While the band ‘warmed up’ the audience Jennifer Miller did some juggling.

The first act of the evening as LaMama’s wonderful Nicky Paraiso.

Nicky Paraiso‘s exuberant demand that the audience joins in and sing along.

Monstah Black moved the show along ‘beautifully’ with a song and wardrobe.

Monstah Black sang and hypnotized the audience with this charm and smile.

Stinkmetal and May worked their ‘performance art’ magic.

Stinkmetal and May had a crowd of performers helping them get across their message.

Jennifer Monson performed a dance depicting a series of animals.

Michelle Matlock and Jennifer Miller pick a winner from the Raffle bucket.

Cathy Weis and assistant perform a surreal performance piece.

The fish shadow on the background added another dimension to the piece.

Machine Dazzle sang a song in the most elaborate costume and makeup. (accompanied by Viva de Concini -Not pictured here)

Jennifer Miller and Ashley Brockington share a moment during the raffle.

Bindlestiff Family Circus’ Keith Nelson performed two lovely balancing acts with glasses.

The STREB Extreme Action Repertory Company were attached and flying.

David Hamilton Thomson (Left) and Patricia Hoffbauer performed a hysterical sendup accompanied by kick-a** song.

Becca Blackwell performed a ‘stand-up’ routine like I had never seen before. So Funny!

Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Choir ended the show with a moving sermon & song.

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Like what you see? Help Circus Amok bring shows this summer to all the city parks!

The Shows are FREE!

We need your help. Please donate here.

For More information/Schedule of shows go HERE!

Photography

Circus Amok Entertains in Prospect Park – Sept 17, 2017

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date September 20, 2017

On the warm and beautiful Sunday afternoon in Prospect Park last Sunday I attended the delightful antics of CIRCUS AMOK.

This was the last stop in a multi-park tour they did this summer. The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Sunset Park and now Prospect Park.

Gathering together some of New York’s finest performers, Circus Amok is a real treat for audiences of all ages.

Founded and directed by the juggler, Professor (Pratt Institute) and former Coney Island USA Sideshow performer Jennifer Miller.

I captured some photographs and video of that day’s festivities. BUT if you really want to witness Circus Amok you have to see them LIVE!

I was there 15 minutes before the show and captured some backstage shots.

Seated (with hat)Lee Houck with band and Carlton Cyrus Ward with Clare Dolan.(stilts)

Heather Green

Jenny Romaine

Mark Ettinger on Trumpet, Lee Free on Drums

Heather Green, Jules Skloot, Carlton Ward, Jennifer Miller, Ariel Federow, Kali Theirren, & Claire Dolan.

Ariel Federow and Jules Skloot. (Band in background)

Jennifer Miller and Carlton Ward as The Liberty Sisters.

Ben Meyers on the Trombone

The cast – Heather Green, Jules Skloot, Carlton Ward, Jennifer Miller, Ariel Federow, Kali Theirren, Clare Dolan

The Cast doing a Pyramid Balance.

The Curtain Call with Cast and Circus Amok Band.

(The Circus Amok Band was Jenny Romaine, Lee Free, Mary Feaster, Mark Ettinger (filling in for Jessica Lurie.)

For more information on CIRCUS AMOK visit their website here!

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American Circus Circus Amok Clown Comedy Coney Island Juggling Music Performing Arts Pranks Women

Circus Amok – Coming to a Park Near YOU!

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date August 31, 2017

Are you ready for some Circus Amok??

For those of you not familiar with this wonderful group here is an excerpt from a book written about Radical Street Performance by Mark Sussman.

(Circus Amok…reinventing the circus form, borrowing drag fabulousness from Charles Ludlam’s Theater of the Ridiculous, large scale transformation using whole-body masks from Bread and Puppet Theater, and the outdoor bally and verbal rhythm and repertoire from the sideshow, as well as movement vocabulary from post-modern dance. The troupe balances danger with laughter, slipping its critique between the pies in the face and the surreal, scary, and sometimes gender-bent characters of the charivari.)

Saturday, Sept 2
Socrates Sculpture Park, Astoria
Broadway & Vernon Blvd.
3:00pm

Sunday, Sept 3
Coney Island, Brooklyn
On the Boardwalk near 10th Street.
2:00pm & 4:00pm

Friday, Sept 8
Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan.
9th Street and Avenue A
4:00pm & 6:00pm

Saturday, Sept 9
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
6th Ave and 44th Street
3:00pm

Sunday, Sept 10
Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan
Madison Ave and East 122nd Street
3:00pm

Saturday, Sept 16
St. Mary’s Park, Bronx
St. Ann’s Ave and East 149th Street
3:00pm

Sunday, Sept 17
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Enter at 9th Street, cross the road and down the hill.
2:00pm & 4:00pm

ALL THE SHOWS ARE FREE!

To make a donation to Circus Amok (since these shows are FREE they need some $$$ to produce them)

Circus Amok is a 501(c)3 organization and all of your donations are tax-deductible!!

Go HERE. And Thank You!

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Tags Astoria, Bread and Puppet Theater, Charles Ludlam, Circus Amok, Coney Island, FREE, Jennifer Miller, Manhattan, Marcus Garvey Park, Mark Sussman, NYC Parks, Postmodern Dance, Prospect Park, Radical Street Performance, Sideshow, St Mary's Park, Sunset Park, Theater of the Ridiculous, Tompkins Square Park

Coney Island USA Juggling Magic Music Party Performing Arts Photography Sideshow Vaudeville Video Women

Coney Island USA Benefit – Amazing Night for All!

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date March 27, 2017
1 Comment on Coney Island USA Benefit – Amazing Night for All!

CONEY ISLAND USA BENEFIT SPECTACULAR

The Great Fredini (Fred Kahl) and Coney Island USA founder/director Dick Zigun.

Adam Bishop and Patrick David Wall

Bambi The Mermaid and Chuck Varga

Reverend Billy and his megaphone reached out to all those present to honor Coney Island USA and Founder Dick Zigun.

Coney Island’s ‘in house’ photog Norman Blake hard at work capturing the essence of Coney Island USA for years!

Tiger Bay (Miss Coney Island 2017) Patrick Salazar (Mr. Strange) and Fancy Feast (Miss Coney Island 2016

Velvet Crayon performing some of his own tunes.

Adam Realman performs his awesome cigarette swallowing act.

The Great Fredini performs the infamous sideshow trick “human blockhead” with 2 ice picks.

Mat Fraser performs the ‘Sealo the Seal Boy’ act made famous by Stanley Berent in 1941.

Jennifer Miller performed a juggling act with machetes and a hysterical monolog.

Fire eating performer Nola Star lights up the stage with fire and heat! Wonderful act!

Tesla coil, fire and wild makeup are the token ingredients for Jellyboy the Clown.

Unzipping the overalls and revealing the bird costume was burlesque performer Tiger Bay’s act.

One of the many Auction Table’s where curious and wonderful items were going to the highest bidder.

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Reverend Billy with his megaphone preaches to the crowd!

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Abrons Art Center Avant_Garde_Arama Bushwick Starr Dance Dixon Place LaMaMa etc Music Performing Arts Photography PS122 Puppetry Video

PS122 – “AVANT-GARDE-ARAMA” @ Abrons Arts Center – Fri/Sat, May 1st,2nd, 2015

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date May 6, 2015

On May 1st and 2nd Abrons Arts Center hosted the ever so popular PS122 show Avant-Garde-Arama. Curated by Salley May and featuring numerous downtown performance artist. Friday night was hosted by Erin Markey and Penny Arcade and Sat night was hosted by Erin Markey and Carmelita Tropicana. The list of performers is as follows:
Friday night: Jennifer Miller & John Jasperse, Animals, niv Acosta, Theodora Skipitares, Rebecca Patek, The Ballez by Katy Pyle, Ismael Houston-Jones.
Sat night: John Fleck, Uzi Parnes and Ela Troyano, Half Straddle, Martha Wilson, Travis Chamberlain (for Jennifer Monsoon) Holly Hughes, Jack Ferver, Yin Yue Dance and the Institute for Psychogeographic Adventure.
This video is the OPENING sequence of both nights!

Here are some memorable images from both nights!

Salley May busts thru the “Social Reform” tissue and starts to cause havoc to society.