Pat Cashin's CLOWNALLEY: 3/29/09

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

SHANE CASHIN: 21 In a Row!!!

Shane has now reached 21 consecutive perfect grades in both kindergarten and first grade spelling, and drew this picture of the two of us together for an art project last week.

CLOWN COLLEGE AUDITIONS: Madison Square Garden April 5, 2009

Yesterday morning Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey hosted their first clown auditions in New York City since 1997, the year that I attended Clown College. Terry and I had a doctor's appointment so I arrived at Madison Square Garden after most everything was over but I got to talk with some friends in the Alley and had lunch with some others.

It was really good to get together with some friends that you've never actually met and some others that you don't get to see often enough.

Stars of the Red Unit Clown Alley with some of the hopefuls.

The auditions were overseen by Ringling's Vice-President of Talent and Production (and Clown College graduate) Tim Holst (with fellow CC grad Thom Wheaton in the background)

And, umm... did I mention that I saw a blue car the other day?

CIRQUE IDIOTIQUE (2009)

New promo photos of Mark Lohr, Andrew Scharff and myself, Cirque Idiotique.

THE DAILY LAMA

"I am open to the guidance of synchronicity, and do not let expectations hinder my path."

HARP AND FOOL: Sue Richards and Mark Jaster

BALLOON HORSES

LES CELE: Cirque Barletti

Monday, April 06, 2009

CLOWN ALLEY: Ringling - Barnum (late 30s/early 40s)

An extremely rare photo of Paul Jerome, Felix Adler, Lou Jacobs and Paul Jung, four of the greatest clowns of the Golden Age posed together.

MIKE SMITH AND RON YARBOROUGH: Hejaz Shrine Circus (2009)

THE DAILY LAMA

"Natural environment sustains the life of all beings universally. Trees are referred to in accounts of the principal events of Buddha's life. His mother leaned against a tree for support as she gave birth to him. He attained enlightenment seated beneath a tree, and finally passed away as the trees stood wintness overhead."

CLOWN ALLEY: Ringling - Barnum at Madison Square Garden (1967)

Video courtesy of producerslibrary.com

Sunday, April 05, 2009

KURT COBAIN: February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994

CLOWN ALLEY: Tadmor Shrine Circus (2009)

Photos courtesy of Jeff Potts

Last week along with Tom Wheaton and Todd Zimmerman, we also had a guest Ringmaster -Mike Naughton. Clowns (From left to right) Tom Wheaton, Josh Potts, Noah Potts, Jeff Potts, Tom Zimmerman, Ringmaster -Mike Naughton.

~Jeff Potts

THE DOLLY LAMA

We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

CLOWN ALLEY: Clown Car, Clyde Beatty Circus (1954)

Clip courtesy of producerslibrary.com

This looks to be an outtake from Martin & Lewis' final film, Paramount's Three Ring Circus, shot in February and March of 1954 on the Clyde Beatty Circus. It might also be from Ring of Fear which was also shot on the Beatty show in 1954, but that was shot by Warners in Cinema Scope and WarnerColor and this looks to me to be in Paramount's Vista Vision.

I can't identify any of the clowns in the scene except for Larry Cross, the first one out of the car.

COLE BROS.: Advance Clown, Radio Appearance

Shane and Terry and I went to Surf Taco for lunch today.

We used to go to the one in Belmar but they opened one in Long Branch, so we go to that one now.

We parked next to a blue car.

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

I just watched Julie Taymor's Across the Universe.

I had avoided seeing it in theaters. I'm glad that I did.

The music of the Beatles means quite a bit to me. It means quite a bit to a great many people.

Why is it then that something so wonderful, so universal, so timeless as the Beatles music is reduced to the level of an '80s music video starring the cast of the O.C., even in the hands of someone as creative as Julie Taymor? Why is it that in 2009 theater and film have so little understanding of the true power of rock & roll?

Or circus?

Watching Across the Universe is for fans of the Beatles' music like listening to Dustin Hoffman on the soundtrack album of Lenny. I just can't see any reason for it to exist. If you liked the original, you'll loathe the re-creation. If you didn't like or are indifferent to the original work, you won't care. So who is it for?

CIRCO COMEDIA: Saucier and Côté

Jean Saucier & Patrick Côté from Montreal. I've seen this show several times with Saucier's former partner Lawrence Smythe. Does anyone know if the show is the same or has Côté brought in new material?

Saturday, April 04, 2009

THE RIVELS

THE DAILY LAMA

"In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems. Every individual has the responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged."

PETE GEIST: Comedy Waiter Show

FRANEK

Friday, April 03, 2009

WAITING FOR GODOT

I saw the Roundabout Theater Company's new Broadway production of Waiting For Godot featuring Bill Irwin, Nathan Lane, John Goodman and John Glover last night.

Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

I was out working most of today and I have a really early show tomorrow morning so I'll write more about it this weekend but I'll say this now... go!

If you do nothing else in your life, go! Now!

Do not miss this.

John Glover, Bill Irwin, Nathan Lane and John Goodman

The Roundabout Theater Company cast of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot

THOM WHEATON & TODD ZIMMERMAN

Thom & Todd, partners through seven years on Ringling and several years since at Sea World in Orlando, FL. Ringmaster Mike Naughton's camera caught them backstage at their Shrine Circus debut last weekend in Canton, OH where I've been told by several folks in attendance that they were a huge success.

LEO BASSI

THE DAILY LAMA

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."

MARCOS CASUO

ARY CORAZON

Thursday, April 02, 2009

MORE REJECTED BABY NAMES

Terry has already said no to each of the following...

Bruce Wayne Cashin
Richard Grayson Cashin

Clark Kent Cashin

Barry Allen Cashin

Ralph Dibny Cashin
Bruce Banner Cashin

Carter Hall Cashin

Peter Parker Cashin

Billy Batson Cashin

Tony Stark Cashin

Reed Richards Cashin

Steve Rogers Cashin

Hal Jordan Cashin

John Stewart Cashin

Guy Gardener Cashin

Bizarro

Thus, the search continues...

MONTE CARLO 2010 POSTER

Scan courtesy of Raffaelle DeRitis

I expect that my personal invitation to perform will arrive from Princess Stephanie any day now. I know that there has been a lot of talk over there about my brilliant fright wig reprise being the centerpiece of the next festival.

I'll have to check my schedule. It may conflict with the Grand Opening of a Pizza Hut that I've been in discussions with.

ROBB ZEISER: Club de Payasos Espanoles y Circus Artistas

Hi Pat!

I had the honor of being a guest at "The Club de Payasos Espanoles y Circus Artistas" in Madrid. Our hosts were beyond gracious and made me feel very welcome. I loved spending my time there looking at all the portraits and listening to their stories.

Warm Regards,
Robb Zeiser

THE DAILY LAMA

A young man caught a small bird, and held it behind his back. He then asked, "Master, is the bird I hold in my hands alive or dead?" The boy thought it was a grand opportunity to play a trick on the old man. If the master answered "dead,"it would be let loose in the air. If the master answered "alive," he would simply wring its neck. The master spoke, "The answer is in your hands."

BABY CASHIN

My wife Terry and I would like to thank the five blog viewers who wrote in yesterday to point out something about our unborn child that we hadn't noticed...

we don't know yet if it's a boy or a girl but it does look to be a

"Lou-theran"

No, the photo isn't doctored and it wasn't part of any April Fool's joke on our part.

It does clearly show that the baby has a very healthy sense of humor and knows how to make an excellent first impression on Dad ; )

RINGLING: 138th Edition Blue Unit

I was invited down to Baltimore yesterday to see the Ringling 138th edition, now in it's second year, at the 1st Mariner Center by two time clownalley.net award winner Mr. Tom Dougherty. We had a chance to hang out for a bit before. I gave Tom some videos and he gave me some incredible slides taken in 1979 that I have to drop off and have transferred today.

I also had a chance to catch up with Marketing Director (and Dad-to-be) Dan Bennett who I remember well from our days together doing advance for the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus, said "hi" to Jenny Vidbel and hope to see her again in May when she comes to visit Circus Vidbel and got to meet some old friends and new in the current Clown Alley.

The show is looser than it was last year, in a very good way. It's a lot of fun.

Afterwards Tom and I joined circus historian Dick Flint and local "Squire of the Wire" Michael Rosman for dinner and a grand time was had by all, especially after Michael left ; )

INSIDE JOKE

"Pay no attention to what Chuck Wagner says."

BARRY LUBIN ON FOX NEWS

Link courtesy of Don Covington

Please stop whatever it is that you are currently doing and click the title of this post to be taken to video of Barry "Grandma" Lubin's appearance on Fox News!!!

It can best be described as exceedingly "Lubinesque".

Brilliant!