Why gizzard? Because the title of the novel Geek Love comes from the carnival act of geeking chickens, or biting their heads off. That’s bloody why.
POISON CIRCUS went off like a smoke bomb. People screamed, cringed and brought me dead flowers. Follow the photo story of POISON CIRCUS, A Musical Tale of Transmogrify, staged Oct 2019 at PianoFight. Yes, there’s video. It’s coming. Keep your legs on.
Squeezebox Queen, Renée de le Prade warmed up the crowd before blowing her bellows down at Oktoberfest.
POISON CIRCUS is the story of a small dysfunction circus family whose relationships quick dissolve into poisonous revenge and freak transmogrify. Care for a taste? #PoisonCircus
Before norms and theatre bloggers “Prologue to Poison” kicked off the show, showcasing what’s to come. It featured special guests: hex bugs. Performed by Samson Y Hiss on melodica and homemade stilts.
The former circus performer and tyrant, Eubie played by Alex Taite, kept everyone confused with art song “Maggot of Mine” about his missing son.
The first screamer of the night, “Entrance of the Test Subjects” introduced just that, with full band and circus performers: Hunny Bunny, Renée Sedliar and Nikola Printz.
“The circus is mine, passed down the family tree. My father he died and willed it to … my brother.” Nikola Printz as Barbara.
Stronger than the strongest thigh master, but not immune to poison. Renée Sedliar as strongwoman.
A vengeful plot to poison the circus performers bubbled up. Finally the main character takes the stage. “Energy Drink” or poison is here. #toxic
No performer was safe from the long arm of poison. No matter how bendy. Here is Hunny Bunny and her money shot performing “Contorting the Waltz.” #contortion
“A Ssshow of Hand(s)” about a deadly tie was performed by mime, Renée Sedliar and—with one hand tied behind his back—Paul Dab on organ.
The intermission train blew through the theatre, whistle and kazoo and drums and horn and cow bell and all. #unicycle
The multitalented Alex Taite as Eubie and Barbara’s son, Copland singing, “Musicians, Bottles and the Zoo.” #artsong
Before losing her hair and growing a hump, Renée Sedliar took a call mid-performance. It must have been important. #hairhanging
Improvising key narratives with key touches of percussion and just wondering, “What the hell is going on here?” Robert Lopez on drums.
Backstage just mere minutes from the headlining act danced by Hunny Bunny and Nikola Printz. #hat
“Take Two” with Hunny Bunny and Nikola Printz and two parasols of pure translucence. Their transformation? Take a guess.
And so the poison flowed and the mutations bubbled up. The final dual or duet between Barbara and Eubie ended with a surprise guest. Who? #PoisonCircus
To the shock and surprise of all, a Freak Show was born. Here’s the contortionist with her newly grown mutation—mermaid legs.
Trilling and swelling through every act, the Poison Circus band was toxic from note one to endless measures of cluster chords.
Paul Dab - Electric Organ
Matthew Ebisuzaki - Trumpet
Tiffany Bayly - Tuba
Robert Lopez - Drums
POISON CIRCUS was composed, written and directed by Samson Y Hiss. It was inspired by the novel Geek Love. It was a world premiere. It was toxic.
A video is coming. Shots courtesy of Jim Zachary.
-Samson
