JOE BESSER: From KETC-TV'S LIVING ST. LOUIS

KELLY-MILLER 2009 REVISITED

I had the chance to peruse some of the other circus blogs tonight and thought that it was worth clarifying some things about my earlier Kelly-Miller post before they get misquoted or misconstrued any further...

"You said Kelly-Miller wasn't a good show."

No, I didn't say it wasn't good. I said it parts of it weren't very good and that it could very easily be much better. Kelly-Miller is one of the better traditional circuses on the road today. Is it a good value for the money? Yes, yes it is. Could it be a better value for the money? Absolutely. There is much more right with the show than wrong and it is maddening that what little needs to be fixed hasn't been by this point in the season.

Small elements compromise the greater whole and leave the show grounded where it could, and should, soar. It is a serviceable show where it could easily become an extraordinary show.

"You only went there to go see your friends' acts."

Yes. Yes I did. I expected to enjoy those and I did enjoy them very much. The rest of the audience did too.

"None of the other acts were worth mentioning?"

Fridman Torales' rola-bola is also a stand out. I thought that the show would have been greatly improved if he'd done the aerial number that he'd done last season as well.

"So you won't mention the acts that you didn't like by name?"

No.

"And you won't be specific about what you didn't enjoy about them?"

No.

"So you didn't like any act that you didn't mention by name?"

I didn't say that. I said that I saw my friends and that I really enjoyed their acts. I also mentioned that I think are doing an outstanding job.

"This is just sour grapes. You have some axe to grind."

No, no I don't. I have several friends on the performing side and some on the office side on the show. That doesn't mean that I have to enjoy the show.

To be very honest I've found every show that I've seen this year to be a disappointment, but this one in particular because it is so close to being really good. Again, there is more right than wrong on Kelly-Miller.

Above all, it is especially great to see a show where classic American-style clowning is done and done very well. Steve and Ryan are doing something really incredible and you should absolutely go and see them if they are anywhere near your area.

"If you're so smart, why aren't YOU on a show right now?"

I am not available this year. I need to be home with my family. I will not be available next year either. In fact, depending on what happens when my son is born in October, I expect that it won't be feasible for me to be away and working in traditional circus much at all anymore.

"If you're so smart, what do you think Kelly-Miller needs?"

Off the top of my head I'd say that they need to seriously rethink and retool their approach to pacing and presentation and to abandon unnecessary production elements that bring a good show down to the level of amateurishness.

Kelly-Miller needs a director. Someone to tighten up some of the weaker acts and help push the stronger ones above the level of simply meeting our expectations and into the level of exceeding them and delivering something truly extraordinary.

"So, what you are saying is that they need to hire YOU?"

No. I am not saying that at all. I am NOT a director. I am saying that they should find one and hire him or her.

"What, specifically, could be done to improve the show?"

Hire a director. They can tell you far better than I ever could.

But I would suggest the following for free...

Kelly-Miller has a performer on the show who plays guitar and sings pretty well. The show also travels with a live drummer.

A live singer, accompanying himself live, in the center of the ring is a far stronger anchor for an aerial web display (and would be a lot more interesting for the audience) than listening to a recording of a number from a movie that the they have never seen or even heard of.

And a country/western number as a close for the first act would help make a lot more sense of the "Salute to Cowboys" finale that isn't supported by any other part of the performance.

Is that performer even interested in singing in the show? I have no idea but K-M should explore and exploit as much of the talent on hand as possible.

Or does no one else see the potential in writing and recording an original song that could be sold as a CD single at the concession stand?

I bet Mr. North's uncle would have.

"You expect an awful lot from a one ring mud show from Hugo."

Yes. I do.

"Why do you hold Kelly-Miller to a different standard than other shows?"

Because, unlike most shows, I know that Kelly-Miller is fully capable of doing something amazing. They have a great staff and have some really great acts over there. The elements are all in place and just waiting to explode. I saw it last year, I see it this year. There isn't a show on the road with more raw potential than Kelly-Miller.

I hope this helps clarify, without the snarkiness of the original post, my feelings and I apologize for the ruffled feathers of anyone except Doug Terranova.

MIKE POTEETE AND ?: Hamid Shrine Circus

Anyone know who this whiteface is with Mike?

ABBOTT & COSTELLO: Crazy House (1952)

Season 1, Ep 13

Peace and Quiet

Lou sleeps all day but can't sleep at night. Bud takes him to see a psychiatrist. Eventually Bud checks him into a sanitarium for a night's rest. The classic burlesque scene "Crazy House" is performed.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

DON OTTO: El Kahir Shine Circus, Marion, IA ( June 19th, 2009)

Very nice guy, nice wife, nice kids. One of my very favorite acts to work with, Don Otto.

MISSED BIRTHDAY! Clownalley.net is 3 years old!

I completely missed our third birthday! On 5/28/09 clownalley.net began it's fourth year!

RUDI LLATA: Book Due in October!

Dear Mr. Cashin,

We are the 4th generation of clowns. I am sending you an email to let you know that a book comes out at the end of October on the life of the Rudi Llata.

Best regards,
Oslo (Rudi Llata)

I'm looking forward to it, Oslo! Please keep us updated and let us know when and where we can order copies.

NY GOOFS ULTIMATE CLOWN SCHOOL: Greg DeSanto Video Show

The New York Goofs and The Foundation for Laughter

present

ELEVENTH ANNUAL ULTIMATE CLOWN SCHOOL

JULY 13-25, 2009

THE FLEA THEATRE, NYC

This two week intensive workshop will focus on learning the basic tools of improvisation and character development needed to enhance your journey as a physical actor, clown or comedian. The instructors have extensive backgrounds as performers in the circus as well as on stage and in film. They currently clown in traditional and non-traditional venues around the world, and they are considered some of the best artists in the field.

Two full weeks of clown immersion at the Flea Theatre.

Seven terrific instructors and an unforgettable life experience.

Feel free to email us with any questions!

TUITION: $750 for Week One only, $1350 for Both Weeks.

WHEN: JULY 13-25, 2009

WHERE: THE FLEA THEATER

41 White Street

NY, NY 10013

CALL: 972-513-0669

EMAIL: riley@nygoofs.com

ALSO ANNOUNCING:

CLOWNS, COMICS AND COMEDIANS - A Video Master Class in the Art of Comedy 

From the DeSanto Clown Archives comes some of the greatest European Clown Entrees, American Clown Gags, Vaudeville, Burlesque & Music Hall performers, Variety Acts, Ice Show comics, Rodeo Clowns, Film & Televisions Greatest Funnymen and the Modern Masters of the New Vaudeville Movement.

If you've ever wanted to see Grock, Lou Jacobs, The Fratellini, Joe Jackson, Jr. & Sr., Otto Griebling, Charlie Rivel, George Carl, Gene Sheldon, Felix Adler, Buster Keaton, Chaz Chase, Freddie Trenkler, Max Patkin, Emmett Kelly, Toto Chabri, Tommy Cooper, Jimmy Savo, Oleg Popov, Paul Jung, Pio Nock, Wally Boag, Spike Jones, Don Saunders, Milo & Roger, Charlie Caroli, Red Skelton and Karendash among hundreds more, then this two day video master class is for you!

July 20th & 21st at the NY Goofs School at the Flea Theater, 41 White Street, between Broadway & Church Street, three blocks south of Canal.

Class times are from 7:00pm till 10:00pm both days

Fee is $20.00 per day! Recession-Proof Comedy! Tickets can be purchased on our website on the Clown School page.

Special Guest Instructor:

GREG DESANTO

Currently entering his third decade as a professional circus clown and variety performer, Greg DeSanto brings his unique talents and comic point of view to every facet of performance.

Greg graduated in 1985 from the acclaimed Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Clown College. He was the featured producing clown and created, wrote and directed original clown material for the Blue, Red and Gold Units of the Ringling Circus for 10 years. He then became the featured clown on the 1996-1997 and 2005-2006 tour of the Big Apple Circus.

His work as a performer has been featured in such diverse locals as center ring of Madison Square Garden to the historic vaudeville stages of the Al Ringling Theater and the Sarasota Opera House to Cultural centers like the White House and Lincoln Center. Greg joined fellow clowns Lou Jacobs, Bill Irwin and Steve Smith as the 1995 recipient of the FUNNY FACE Award from the National Clown Arts Council for his creative leadership in clowning. He was inducted into the 2001 EHS HALL OF FAME for his contributions to the arts and humanities. He and his wife and performing partner Karen were recently awarded the 2007 Paul Jung Award for best comedy duo.

Greg has served as the Director of Clowning for Feld Entertainment, was a staff member of Clown College for 10 years, taught master classes in physical comedy for the Universities of Virginia and Wisconsin, serves on the Board of Directors for the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center and continues to perform in circus's, festivals and performance venues here and abroad.

GLEN HEROY: Big Apple Circus (2009)

A few people have performed this routine over the span of the Big Apple Circus' history, but I don't think that anyone has ever done this routine better than Glen.

DANNEBROG`S WEIHNACHTSCIRCUS: Hamburg

Don Christian

CLOWN ALLEY: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (1969)

Mr. Karp, would you be good enough to ID all your alleymates and fellow Clown College grads here who joined you in so shamelessly leering at the lovely Ms. Mary Gill?

THE CAIROLIS (circa 1930)

My French is, how you say... non-existent, so I would appreciate any help in confiming that this is a photo of Charlie Cairoli having his pants stitched up by his father Jean and his brother Philip.

THE FRATELLINIS: La Fleur d'Amor

The Fratellinis in a staged photograph at the Cirque d'Hiver performing their "Flower of Love" entree.

GENSI, MONTI & CIA: Circus Roncalli (2005)

THE JACKSONS: Sharpshooter; Cirkus Brazil Jack (1985)

YMCA CIRCUS: Chaplin and Slivers Program

Scans courtesy of Gene Wolande




Read that last page one more time...

That's right, the audience at an amateur circus, put on by the YMCA March 30th and 31st 1911, were treated to 20 professional clowns as well as CHARLIE CHAPLIN and SLIVERS OAKLEY WORKING ON THE SAME BILL in between the gymnastics of the "circus camp" kids.

Not only are they on the same bill, but Slivers is described as the "famous" one!!!

Wow. Holy... wow.

SLIVERS OAKLEY PROJECT: 2016

Someone had recently asked if any progress had been made in the effort to get Slivers Oakley a headstone...

I'd like to begin a drive next year that would give us five years to raise the funds to commission a statue similar to the one at the gravesite of Yuri Nikulin.

We could have it created and installed in time for the 100th anniversary of his passing.

"Why, something like that would be impossible!!!"

No. No, it would not.

CARL MARX: Atomic Dinner Club Floor Show (Sept. 1947)

HORACE LAIRD: Cole Bros. Circus (Aug. 15, 1947)