I was told there’d be no clowns – nothing scarier than a clown. -Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City
Actually, there is one thing scarier than a clown, and that is two clowns simulating sex on stage.
Hartbeat Ensemble‘s Rich Clown, Poor Clown, Beggar Clown, Thief is so good that you should get over any deeply embedded clown fears you may have in order to see it. I will admit to being uneasy for about the first five minutes because the slapstick antics and clown make-up creeped me out. As the show progressed, the idea grew on me.
For those who are, like myself, totally not into audience participation, I would advise seating yourself strategically where you may be behind others. With that said, it’s hilarious to watch others get roped into different interactions with the clowns, especially when food is involved.
The show acts as an historical reenactment of the War on Poverty. Gregory R. Tate performs as several bumbling U.S. presidents. I think his renditions of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were my favorites. The best part was that George W. Bush’s appearance was minimal, a mere blip.
This is why you should see the show: vamping, reference to the bailout, table drink service, juggling (it’s what gets juggled that’s funny), government cheese, jazz hands, diaper humor, and the Cabaret-style introductions. Though I found the Plays in the Parks to be a bit unpolished and heavy-handed, this show was the opposite. I think they prove that serious issues do not need to be treated with solemnity, as humor delivers the message as well, if not more effectively.
It will be playing through November 1, 2008 at 233 Pearl Street. Showtimes are at 8pm on Thursday and Friday, and at 7pm and 9:30pm on Saturday. The doors open about 30 minutes before the show. The ticket price is suggested as $15, though they have a policy of not turning people away for lack of funds. You can preview the show on the Hartbeat Ensemble website.
P.S. This is an adult show. While there’s no nudity, I think many parents would feel uncomfortable with their children hearing/seeing the bawdy jokes.
