Hello again,
Once again we are gathered in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for the month of September. With all the teeming cafes, bars and theatres, it amazes me that I can still find parking every time. (I hope I didn't just jinx myself by putting that in writing.) Always so much fun to congregate with the New York clown community, as well as all the out-of-town and international clowns we get to meet.
The 2012 Festival is underway and it is off to a great start. The Opening Cabaret on Friday night was so much fun and displayed the incredible variety of clowning styles represented in the Festival. The following two shows were presented one performance each for this Festival.
MACHINATIONS
Created by the cast: Lauri Berritta, Andy Dickerson, Perry Garvin, Ethan Leinwand and Jason Leinwand. Director: Andy Dickerson, Musician: Ethan Leinwand, Lighting Design by Andy Dickerson; sets, masks, and puppets by Jason Leinwand and Andy Dickerson, animations by Ethan Leinwand and Jason Leinwand
Saturday night I attended Machinations, the lastest show from the Cirque This company of performers. It is set in a myterious scientific lab full of strange characters: a couple of mad scientists, a mad scientific study subject, and a mad machine maintenance man. There were song and dance numbers, animations, a drug trip, and general silliness centered around a curious piece of machinery. Particularly enjoyable was the use of an audience member in a surprising twist. The live piano accompaniment and fantastic sound effects enriched the production. I wouldn't mind at all if the characters went even further into the clown realm, and the dance number with the machine parts connected more directly to other happenings in the story. All in all, it was a delightful show to watch as it unfolded before our eyes.
BUFFOON ANONYMOUS: 12 STEPS TO INANITY
Creator/performer: Adam G. Gertsacov
Sunday evening performance. Presented in a one-circus ring, the clown reviews his life story as though attending a 12-step meeting for people who can't stop clowning. We are witness to a mini-circus made up of doll-size figures, juggling and traditional circus clowning. There was a lovely bit where the clown retires to the audience, making an opportunity for someone to get up and perform in his place. We were treated to an entertaining rendition of "All That Jazz" by a willing volunteer named Zooey. There was an overwhelming audience vote in favor of the "obligatory avant-garde dance piece". I would have liked to see more ridiculousness in that number. There is an opportunity to play more off of actual 12-step programs here, as suggested by the show's title. Adam is a friendly clown who is clearly in love with his profession.
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