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MAGICMOUTH THEATRE
PRESENTS
AMERICAN GYPSY
As part of the 2010 NEW YORK
INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL
Straight from a sold out run in
Chicago, MAGICMOUTH THEATRE presents the New York premiere of AMERICAN
GYPSY, written and performed by Ben Whiting and directed by Alexander “Sandy”
Marshall, at The Kraine Theatre (85 East 4th Street). The production
is part of the 14th Annual New York International Fringe Festival.
Whiting, whose magic was hailed by Artview Magazine as “better
than Copperfield,” has performed magic all over the world for diverse
audiences ranging from Viennese street crowds to Dr. Maya Angelou. For
tickets and performance times please visit http://www.FringeNYC.org
.
A blend of theatre and sleight
of hand magic, AMERICAN GYPSY is a charged and inspiring tale of friendship,
separation, and ultimately, connection. Based on the life story of the
legendary Jim Cellini, the play follows a brash young magician as he is
apprenticed to his idol and then forced to choose between a life of human
interaction and a life behind the fourth wall. Cellini, as a young man,
earns a coveted spot to study with legendary magician Tony Slydini which
is the surest path to a career of fame as a professional magician in the
1960s. While first attracted to large-scale stage illusions, Cellini finds
himself seduced by the poetic possibilities of humble street performance.
What he calls the “connection between two human beings that arises out
of the impossible” temps him from his studies, forcing a rift with Slydini
that will change both their careers and lives forever.
While writing AMERICAN GYPSY,
Whiting visited the master magician’s workshop and spent time
with his family to further develop his portrayal of Cellini’s signature
style. The story that emerged from this experience, Cellini’s story, explores
the powerful decision some people make to stand on a sidewalk every single
day in an effort to genuinely touch people’s hearts, tickle their funny
bones, and make their day just a bit more magical.
BEN WHITING (Performer)
is an actor/magician based out of Chicago, Illinois. Selected acting credits
include: Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Steppenwolf Theatre) The Elaborate
Entrance of Chad Deity (Victory Gardens) Much Ado About Nothing
(First Folio Shakespeare Festival) Regional credits include: Romeo and
Juliet (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks) Woman in Black , Our Town
(Twin City Stage), Awakening, Rubber Doves, Virtual Reality (MagicMouth
Theatre). He is a 2007 graduate of the Chicago School at Steppenwolf. As
a street performer he has busked in over 15 different countries around
the world.
ALEXANDER “SANDY” MARSHALL
(Director) has more than forty years of experience as a writer,
director, producer, and actor. A two-time Emmy Award-winner (seven nominations),
he has also won the Clio Award, Golden Eagle, Gold medals at the New York
Film & TV Festival, and a dozen international awards. Sandy’s play,
And in the End: The Death and Life of John Lennon received critical
acclaim for productions in Great Britain and Australia. No stranger to
magic, Sandy is related to two Deans of the Society of American Magicians:
His grandfather, Al Baker, and his father, Jay Marshall. His recently released
biography about his father’s life, Beating a Dead Horse: The Life and
Times of Jay Marshall has garnered international rave reviews. His
column, “Sandy’s Rants” appears in The Newest Tops (http://www.topsmag.com
). http://www.alexandersandymarshall.com
MAGICMOUTH THEATRE (http://www.magicmouth.org
) is a Chicago-based theatre dedicated to the development of a new theatre
genre that combines the art of drama with the art of illusion, while
educating fellow artists and communities in both art forms. Previous productions
Awakening and Rubber Doves garnered a Kauffman Fellowship
as well national media coverage. GoTriad Magazine says MagicMouth
“inspires audiences of all ages” and Entrepreneur Magazine proclaims
“It’s the right time for MagicMouth Theatre.” Rubber Doves ran
in both North Carolina and Chicago, winning the New Horizons Playwriting
Competition and a spot in Magic Chicago. Sheldon Patinkin, Co-Founder of
Second City, called the company’s work “wonderfully inventive” while
Steppenwolf Theatre Company Ensemble Member, Alan Wilder, found it “engaging,
humorous and personal.” AMERICAN GYPSY is MagicMouth Theatre’s third
all-original production.
American Gypsy plays Sun. 8/22@6:45PM;
Tues. 8/24@5PM; Thurs. 8/26@11PM; Fri. 8/27@7PM; Sat. 8/28@1:15PM.
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