Tag: Parallel Exit

25 Years Celebration~Parallel Exit 2/26/21

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date February 19, 2021

You’re invited to a double birthday party.

Next Friday, on Parallel Exit’s Artistic Director Mark Lonergan’s birthday, Parallel Exit celebrates 25 years.

On Friday, February 26th, at 7:00 pm, we celebrate a quarter-century of work, with laughter, performances, and interviews with some of your favorite Parallel Exit artists

I have photographed many of this company’s wonderful shows and I can say that they are ‘brilliant’. Both the director and the company bring so much joy and laughter to the audience. You will not be disappointed if you attend this Celebration!

GO HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION/TICKETS

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Tags 25th Anniversary, Anniversary, Benefit, Birthday Party, Joel Jeske, Laughter, Mark Lonergan, Parallel Exit, Physical Comedy, Theater

Bindlestiff Open Stage Variety Show

Bindlestiff Open Stage Variety Show – Quarantine Edition – May 11th, 2020

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date May 14, 2020

Bindlestiff Open Stage Quarantine Edition

Another great night of LIVE entertainment online!

Host Keith Nelson introduces the show and the lineup of talent.

Curtis Carlyle juggled tin cups and was charming and fun.

Nicole Taylor performed a wonderful and classy hula-hoop act.

Shreeyash Palshikar and Princess Zara performed a wonderful magic act together.

Parallel Exit‘s Joel Jeske and Danny Gardner performed a wonderful comedic verbal duo.

Hovey Burgess talked about the early circus amusement elephant and the Elephant Hotel.

Sabrina Chap played two instruments and sang a lovely ‘original’ circus song.

Rod Raven (Matthew Morgan) and Princess Wendy (Heidi Brucker-Morgan) perform a most unusual act.

Thom Wall juggles with the most unusual objects and does it with class!

Richard Maguire hand balances and eventually removes his pants while upside down.

Pio Carrada performs a beautiful aerial act with multicolored lighting.

The cast takes their online Curtain Call!

Please consider making a donation so the performers can get paid for their work in this show!

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Clown Performing Arts Physical Theater Vaudevisuals Interview Video

“The Artist Will Be With You In A Moment” – An Interview with Joel Jeske

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date March 24, 2020

Since many shows have been CANCELLED in the past weeks I have decided to rerun some of the interviews I did that are with the performers/directors involved in these shows. Today is the funny man Joel Jeske who created with Parallel Exit director Mark Lonergan “The Artist Will Be With You In a Moment“. It was open for several performances BUT I didn’t get to see it! The reviews are ‘great’ so I am thinking it will be mounted again in the not-too-distant future! In the meantime here is Mr. Jeske talking about his show.

“The commanding performance artist Joel Jeske during his uproarious, clever and thoughtful self-created and self-written show, The Artist Will Be With You in a Moment. Relying on his dazzling clowning, his winning presence, and plentiful audience participation, it’s 70 delightful, breezy and theatrical minutes.”

Keep your eyes open for more information at Parallel Exit‘s website!

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Tags Clown, Comedy, Interview, Joel Jeske, Mark Lonergan, Parallel Exit, The Artist Will Be With You in A Moment, Vaudevisuals

Cinema Comedy Music Performing Arts Photography Physical Theater Silent Film Story Teller Women

Parallel Exit – “The Final Reel”

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date March 28, 2018

The Final Reel is inspired by the iconic films Sherlock Jr and The Purple Rose of Cairo. An eccentric historian discovers the holy grail of silent films: the final reel of a forgotten classic thought to be lost to history. As he presents the film for the first time in a hundred years, his bumbling assistant accidentally steps into the movie and falls in love with the heroine. The two-love birds step back into the modern world and the heroine is left to make a fateful decision – one that changes every night of performance with the help of the audience.

Concept by Mike Dobson, Joel Jeske, Mark Lonergan, and Scott McCord

Directed by Mark Lonergan

Scenic and lighting design by Maruti Evans

Costumes by Oana Botez

Projections by Daniel Vatsky

Original Musical Score by Ben Model

Stage Manager: Angela Perez

Performed by Darien Crago, Shereen Hickman, Harold Moeller, Scott McCord, and Peter Michael Marino.

It was a delightful, comical and well-produced show! Produced in association with City Tech TheaterWorks. Here are a few still photographs I was able to capture while really enjoying the show.

The show is over but hopefully it will come back to be performed again!

For more information on Parallel Exit performances go here!

For information on CityTech TheatreWorks go here!

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American Circus Big Apple Circus Circus Clown Comedy Juggling Music NYDownTownClownRevue Performing Arts Photography Tent Show The Clown Un_Mask Writer

The many faces of Joel Jeske – A review….of sorts~

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date December 2, 2015

I have had the ultimate pleasure of photographing and videotaping Joel Jeske in many shows and moods in many venues over the past several years. I will attempt to post here a collection of images and such to reflect his incredible talents and charm.

Currently, he appears in the Big Apple Circus show “The Grand Tour” at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

But wait…he does not only appear on the show but he also Wrote and Created the show with direction by Parallel Exit’s Mark Lonergan.

Also, the clown material for this show was created by Joel Jeske. He performs the material along with the delightful Brent McBeth.

(these are not chronological)

First. Here is my Clown Un_Mask shot of Joel.

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Next is a still from a video I did of Joel talking about ‘what is funny‘ in Sept 2011.

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Joel Jeske performing at the New York Downtown Clown Review at Dixon Place in Sept. 2012.

Joel Jeske opens his piece – “I have seen over 16 midgets today and it’s only Monday” by yelling the title at the audience.

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Joel Jeske performing at the AMUSE BOUCHE Festival at The Brick in Sept. 2011

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Parallel Exit’s “MOVE IT” show at Canal Park Playhouse in April 2013

Joel Jeske reads from his index cards all the qualities of his likes and dislikes.

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Joel is performing at the New York Downtown Clown Revue at Under St. Marks Place in 2011.

Joel Jeske performing in the hysterically funny and successful Parallel Exit show “Room 17b”.

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Joel Jeske and Mark Lonergan of Parallel Exit talk about their upcoming physical comedy workshop in this video.

March 2013 workshop video here.

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Brent McBeth and Joel Jeske in a scene from the current Big Apple Circus show “The Grand Tour”.

Joel Jeske and ringmaster John Kennedy Kane perform the ‘Red Nose Transplant’.

Joel Jeske looks quite disturbed in this fantastic version of musical chairs with audience members.

Brent McBeth is seen behind Joel directing the Big Apple Circus Band. Did Joel lose this contest?

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I expect to experience much more mirth and joy from Joel Jeske and hope to have to photograph it as well.

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Do yourself a favor and see Joel Jeske perform live at The Big Apple Circus. Now till Jan 10th, 2016

Clown Comedy Dance Juggling Magic Magic Move It Variety Revue Performing Arts Photography Physical Theater Puppetry Variety Arts Women

MOVE IT! – Parallel Exit’s Variety show – June 27th, 2015 @ Brooklyn Public Library

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date June 27, 2015

Parallel Exit presents MOVE IT!

Saturday June 27th, 2015 @ Brooklyn Public Library

The line up for this hour of variety arts is:

John Grimaldi

Daniel Passer

Nelson Lugo

Stephanie Fribourg

Paul Valenti

Mark Gindick

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Hosted by Parallel Exit’s own Mark Lonergan.

A ‘dapper’ Mark Lonergan ‘welcomes’ the audience to the show

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Opening the show is John Grimaldi performing a lovely juggling rings act.

Following his lyrical juggling John captivated the audience with his wonderful ‘bubbles’ act.

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Daniel Passer was next on stage with a nonsense song and a surreal amount of oats and greens flying around.

Daniel’s assistant splatters him with a handful of oats.

Eventually the entire audience was covered with oats and greens. Hysterical!

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Magic man Nelson Lugo got the audience thinking they were going to learn a real magic trick. But he fooled them!

The illusion wasn’t what the audience thought it was going to be. Great audience involvement.

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Stephanie Fribourg performed a wonderful very low-tech puppet piece about Greek mythology.

Utilizing barbie dolls and a cardboard stage she brought the wonderful story to life.

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Physical comic Paul Valenti used slapstick and an audience member to entertain.

Paul Valenti dances with audience member

Paul Valenti gets audience member on stage and tricks into dancing.

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Mark Gindick opens a bottle of water to begin his ‘tribute’ to Singing in the Rain.

Dressed in the traditional Gene Kelly look he puts out his hand to see if there is any ‘rain’.

First he get a cup of water splashed in his face by the innocent audience member.

Then he gets more ‘water/rain’ from the other ‘more than willing’ audience member.

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You can find out more about PARALLEL EXIT here!

Tags BRooklyn Library, Bubbles, Clown, Daniel Passer, John Grimaldi, Juggling, Magic, Mark Gindick, Mark Lonergan, MOVE IT, Nelson Lugo, Parallel Exit, Paul Valenti, Puppetry, Stephanie Fribourg, Woman

Cabaret Canal Park Playhouse Clown Performing Arts Photography

Parallel Exit’s “MOVE IT” Variety Show @ Canal Park Playhouse April 15, 2013

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date April 16, 2013

Parallel Exit presented their wonderful variety show “MOVE IT” at the intimate Canal Park Playhouse last night. Hosted by Mark Longergan. Along with the in-house talent they added students from their physical comedy workshop to the lineup.

Here is the list of performers:

Joel Jeske

Harold Moeller

Danny Gardner

Mariko Iwasa

Miss Saturn

Jack O’Somebody (Marina Tsaplina)

Here are some photographs from the evening’s performance.

Joel Jeske reads from his index cards all the qualities of his likes and dislikes.

Joel Jeske performing his “Five Waiters” routine. Here is one of the waiters.

Joel Jeske performing another waiter character.

Joel Jeske performs a character from his “Five Waiters” piece.

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Harold Moeller gets caught up his his own ‘craziness” in his piece “A Little Motivational Speech”.

Harold Moeller tries again to make his speech without much success.

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Danny Gardner performs in a silent piece “The Rental Car”.

Danny Gardner has some unexpected surprises in his ‘Rental Car’.

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Mariko Iwasa performing in “An Adventure on the Train”.

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Joel Jeske performing in his piece “Five Doctors Reacting”.

Another Doctors reaction to the X-Ray.

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Miss Saturn recruits Chuck (audience member) to assist in her act.

Miss Saturn hula hoops so brilliantly!

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Jack O’Somebody performs “Hunting for The Wild Things”.

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Danny Gardner performs “Man and Machine”. A dance piece with a machine’s help.

Danny Gardner performing in his piece “Man and Machine”. Not getting along too well with the machine now.

Danny Gardner performing in his piece “Man and Machine”.

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Joel Jeske performing ‘My Coat is Full of Balloons’.

Joel Jeske closes out the show with “The Patient Yet Vindictive Exterminator’.

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For more information on Parallel Exit go here~

Tags Canal Park Playhouse, Clown, Comedy, Dance, Danny Gardner, Eccentric, Jim Moore, Joel Jeske, Mark Lonergan, Mime, Move It Variety Show, Parallel Exit, SIlent Theatre

Clown Move It Variety Revue Performing Arts Vaudevisuals Interview Video

Vaudevisuals Interview with Parallel Exit’s Joel Jeske and Mark Lonergan – Comedy Academy

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date March 20, 2013

Joel Jeske and Mark Lonergan discuss the upcoming "Comedy Academy" workshop .
Informing the viewer how they approach their teaching/coaching and the various methods
of participating in the workshop.

For more information on this upcoming workshop go here:
http://comedyacademy.bpt.me/

Joel Jeske (left) and Mark Lonergan (Right) discuss their upcoming “Comedy Academy” in this interview.

On April 1, 2, 3, 4,8, 9, 10, 11th. 7-10pm

Location: 520 8th Avenue (Between 36th and 37th St.) 3rd Floor

Go here to sign up!

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Tags Big Apple Circus, Comedy Academy, Joel Jeske, Mark Longergan, Parallel Exit, Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Clown College, Vaudevisuals.com

Dance Mime Move It Variety Revue Performing Arts Photography Variety Arts

“MOVE IT” Variety Show – May 9th, 2011

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date May 15, 2011

Mark Lonergan knows how to make great shows! His last production was a terrific hit. ROOM 17B.

His company PARALLEL EXIT has been making great shows for quite a few years now. So it is no surprise that when he puts together a variety show it is wonderful!

Tonight’s show wasn’t any exception.

Mark Lonergan introduces the first act of the evening.

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ERIC WRIGHT and KATRINA DENNY

A puppet performance with different disciplines used.

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COMPANY SoGoNo

Choreography by Tanya Calamoneri

A humorous dance piece about birds.

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Carol Sirugo with Jonathan Kaplan

A very funny dance piece about relationships!

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Honey Goodenough

A precious teddy bear and his coming of age outside the box.

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KEVIN C. CARR

A clown and his relationships. Wonderful physical humor.

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PARALLEL EXIT – DAPPER TAP TRIO

Derek Roland – Brent McBeth – Danny Gardner

Talented tap dancers and physical comedians as well!

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MICHAEL KARAS

Michael Karas has amazing juggling skills and comedic timing to go along with it.

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HONEY GOODENOUGH and MARTA MOZELLE MACROSTIE

A fun collaboration involving plastic manipulated objects, food products and a human being.

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PARALLEL EXIT NEEDS YOUR HELP!

The funding for Parallel Exit’s theatre performances has been cut drastically.

Help them out with any donation you can give. Click here.

Mark Longergan is tipping the hat for your helpful donation.

He deserves whatever you can give. A wonderful presenter of great variety.

Make sure you see one of Parallel Exit’s next shows!

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Tags Brent McBeth, Carol Sirugo, Company SoGoNo, Danny Gardner, Dapper Tap Trio, Derek Roland, Eric Wright, Honey Goodenough, Jim Moore, Jonathan Kaplan, Katrina Denny, Kevin C Carr, Mark Lonergan, Michael Karas, MOVE IT, Parallel Exit, Room 17B, Tanya Calamoneri

Dance NYDownTownClownRevue Performing Arts Photography The Clown Un_Mask

The Clown Un_Masked – Joel Jeske

Post author By Jim R. Moore
Post date April 29, 2011

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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Tags Hey Ya Brothers, Joel Jeske, NY Downtown Clown Revue, Parallel Exit, Room 17B