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Event
Piti Theatre's 5th Annual SYRUP: One Sweet Performing Arts Festival
Celebrating the Sweetness of Spring . . .
the 5th Annual SYRUP: One Sweet Performing Arts Festival
March 22-23
From Broadway to Memorial Hall: Avner the Eccentric's "Exceptions to Gravity" comes to Shelburne Falls
New Englanders know that March is the time of year when the sap flows in the maple trees and people from around the region travel to our area to enjoy their favorite syrup at their favorite sugar house. On Saturday March 22nd, they can also savor the sweetness of performance with Piti Theatre Company's 5th annual SYRUP: One Sweet Performing Arts Festival at a favorite Pioneer Valley venue - Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls. This year's headline performer is Avner the Eccentric, considered one of the world's great clowns. See a selection of reviews below. www.ptco.org/syrup
CALENDAR LISTINGS FOR THE 2 DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL
March 22nd at Memorial Hall, 2 pm - 6:30 pm: Performances and . . .
Piti Theatre Company presents another delicious potpourri of theatre, music, clowning, syrup tasting, food and . . . free pickles. This year's headline performer is Avner the Eccentric who lives on an island off the Maine coast when he is not touring the world with his one man show "Exceptions to Gravity." Avner, a master of physical comedy, was recently inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame, has won numerous awards, and is perhaps best known as the Jewel, the scene-stealing holy man, in "Jewel of the Nile" co-starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. His show "Avner the Eccentric" was a hit of the 1984-1985 Broadway season.
Festival Line up:
2 pm: Piti Theatre Company's "Elmer and the Elder Tree" Piti's dance-clown-theatre nature fable has toured New England since its' 2008 premiere. Audience members will receive organic flower seeds to plant after the show. Beverley Creasey wrote in theatermirror.com: "The charming tale is conceived and performed by Mirin and Richard against a magical backdrop of gorgeous butterflies, gleaming mushrooms and colorful beetles (and wonderfully noisy, evocative music) . . . " Read the whole review
3:15 pm: John Porcino will share stories and songs for all ages. John is one of the Valley's favorite storytellers, plays a variety of instruments from around the world and has been touring for more than 30 years.
5 pm: Avner the Eccentric in "Exceptions to Gravity" Avner Eisenberg's award-winning solo performance has been performed on and off Broadway, across the U.S. and around the world. A show of hilarious predicaments that defies the barriers of language and culture. "I laughed for 2 solid hours. The show only lasted an hour and a half." - Joel Siegel, ABC-TV
http://www.avnertheeccentric.com
Intermissions include a raffle, syrup tasting, mural-making, food and complimentary pickles from Greenfield's Real Pickles. Tickets are $5 (children 12 and under), $12 (general admission). Seating is limited. Ticketholders are entitled to a 20% one time discount at Baker's Oven Bistro in Shelburne Falls valid from date of purchase until Sunday, March 23rd. Advance tix available at Boswell's Books (S.F.), World Eye Bookshop (Greenfield) or online at www.ptco.org/syrup
March 23rd, "Introduction to Eccentric Performing" Avner the Eccentric's physical comedy workshop for teachers, performers and anyone interested in provoking laughter
Shelburne Falls Yoga, No. 1 Deerfield Avenue, Shelburne Falls
2 - 5 pm: ages 15+
This introduction to the world of Eccentric Performing is open to performers of all experience levels (including teachers and other "performing" professionals). Avner teaches a physical approach to acting, comedy, and presentation skills that teaches participants how to create and maintain rapport with any audience, use breath to increase your comfort on stage and turn any audience volunteer into an exceptional volunteer.
Avner is one of the world's leading teachers of physical comedy. He has taught Eccentric Performing and Clown workshops in the US, Switzerland, France, Germany, Finland, Spain, Mexico, and Japan.
Exceptions to Gravity Reviews:
"Avner The Eccentric is a brilliant comichurt yourself hysterically funny. I laughed for 2 solid hours. The show only lasted an hour and a half."
Joel Siegel
ABC-TV
(read full review)
"If you are feeling low, take two hours of Avner for comic relief."
Mel Gussow
New York Times
"Here is what Avner the Eccentric does best: he reduces his audience to laughter and giggles and applause."
New York Times
(read full review)
"Astonishing and funny. A clown for the thinking manAvner the Eccentric leaves you hungry for more."
John Simon
New York Magazine
About Piti Theatre Co.
The Piti Theatre Company is based in Shelburne Falls, MA and Les Ponts-de-Martel Switzerland. Piti (pronounced "pea-tea") is an ancient Indian (Pali) word which can be translated as joy or rapture. The company's mission is to create new work for the stage which lends itself to the happiness of artists and audiences. The company was founded in 2004 by a husband and wife team, Godeliève Richard and Jonathan Mirin. Richard is a Swiss dancer, choreographer, director and designer. Mirin is an American playwright, actor and director. Piti has been nominated for two Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) awards. Piti Theatre is Shelburne Falls' only professional touring theatre company. Upcoming projects include "Bee Weeks" (weeks activities designed to benefit pollinators) in 4 communities this spring-summer: Amherst, the Hilltowns, Greenfield and Springfield inspired by their touring show "To Bee or Not to Bee."
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Buckland and Shelburne Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Avner the Eccentric's performance/workshop is funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.
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LocationMemorial Hall, Shelburne Falls (View)
51 Bridge Street
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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