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A Thousand Clowns

by Herb Gardner

Directed by Lisa Deutsch.

Murray Burns, the main character in "A Thousand Clowns," is the kind of guy who waxes profound on the allure of movie theaters on a week day afternoon. He talks back to the TV and the "weather lady" – that disembodied voice giving the daily forecast on the phone. He considers the birthday of Irving R. Feldman, the owner of his favorite delicatessen, a national holiday. He makes people laugh. What he isn't, in the view of the New York Bureau of Child Welfare, is fit to be the guardian of his 12-year-old nephew, Nick.

The bureaucrats set about suing for custody of Nick, a good-hearted kid with a practical take on life. "For me as an actual child," Nick tells Murray, "the way we live is a dangerous thing for my later life when I become an actual person." He gently urges Murray to get a job. Murray prefers a visit to the Statue of Liberty.

Murray describes Nick as a "a middle-aged kid. When I signed with the network he sat up all night figuring out the fringe benefits and the pension plans." But Murray likes having him around. To keep him, Murray has to make a choice – swallow his pride and go back to writing for the insipid "Chuckles the Chipmonk" show or let the bureaucrats win.

Herb Gardner, who wrote "A Thousand Clowns," may not have invented the curmudgeon-takes-on-the-establishment genre – come to think of it "establishment" meant something else back in 1962 when the play first premiered - but he certainly gave the world an enduring image of a man doing battle against life's idiocies the only way he knows how: with humor and "the pungent fantasy of corned-beef."

Director's Notes

I would like to dedicate this effort to my late, loving husband, Rick Deutsch, who valued me as an actress, a director, an artist and a wife. All who knew and loved him miss his honesty, his love, and his invaluable humor and laughter. This play is for all of us nonconformists who rather than sell out have found a way to be a contributing part of a community. I want to thank my family and my wonderful friends who have always appreciated my talents, dramatic (or foolish, depending how you view theatre) as they may be, and my off-beat personality. Also, thank you to the Players for allowing my family to bring great literature to the stage in Evergreen. I thank you all for coming to our truly community theatre. All the actors you will enjoy tonight live right here in Evergreen. I thank them for their trust and dedication to the art of acting.

- Lisa Deutsch

Cast

Lisa Deutsch Director

Lisa was last seen as Cookie in “Rumors.” Directing credits include works of Anton Chekhov, David Mamet, Sameul Beckett, Landford Wilson and others. Lisa studied theatre and speech At Kent State University and Modern Dance composition and performance at Ohio State University just after the flood (the one with Noah.) Her finest productions are her two sons, Sam and Oscar.

Sam Deutsch Nick Burns

I love the theatre and I am a lifetime member of the Evergreen Players. My Rubber Duckie was in Marat’s bathtub. I go to the Denver School of the Arts where I am a Drama Major. My favorite role before this one was Honza Kosec in “I Never Saw Another Butterfly.” Thank you to my Drama teachers, Ben Saypol and Mary Reynolds, and my directors, Michael Duran, Jimy Murphy, P.K. Worley, Peter Hughes and Mother Courage. My mother, Lisa, wrote this bio and I helped. Hello to my brother, Oscar.

Kate Horan Assistant Director

Kate is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She worked with “Scenic Overbite,” the Denver improv group at Comedy Works and also “The Groundlings,” a top L.A. improv group. She has done several productions in California and Colorado. Just recently she appeared in the Players’ production of “Heavens: A Nude Beach” at the 2001 Colorado Community Theatre Coalition competition in Aspen. This past fall she was assistant director for the Players’ production of “Rumors.” She’s very excited to be a part of “A Thousand Clowns.” “Lisa has been great to work with and I hope you enjoy the play!”

Larrie Horne Leo Herman

Larrie is a 25-year resident of Evergreen who has been with the Players since 1978. You most recently saw him at Center/Stage as Edouard Dindon in “La Cage aux folles”. Other past credits include Pozo in “Waiting for Godot,” Kolko the clown in “Marat/Sade” and Frank Burns in “M*A*S*H *.” He has been practicing real estate for 23 years and also represents several long-term care insurance companies in “real life.”

Joseph Mauricio Murray Burns

Joe received his BFA in Theater Arts from Emerson College in Boston. He studied with Uta Hagen, Herbert Berghoff, Kate MacGregor-Stuart andMaggie Donaghy. He has been an actor, writer and director for theater in Boston and New York, as well as summer stock, regional theater and children’s theater in Colorado, New England and Canada. He was a member of Boulder’s Reaction Slax a comedy improv group. He thanks to his primary teacher, Tibetan meditation master, poet and scholar Sakyong Mipham, Rinpoche. He thanks his mother, Trudy, and step-dad, Fred Roth; David Stubbs and the Little Bear; Cori, Mark and Graham of the Wildflower Café; Jimy Murphy; the cast and Kate and, of course, Lisa who once again played Mother Courage beautifully. Joe dedicates this performance to his mother, Trudy, whose guidance and support have been a constant inspiration.

Luke Pendley Albert Amundson

Luke was born in Washington, D.C., in 1983, then lived in Colorado until he was abducted by aliens. He has been in many high school plays and dreams of acting in Hollywood, then running for President. In addition to his love of drama, he loves Van Halen and other naughty things that start with “V.”

John Wakefield Arnold Burns

John, a recent arrival in the Evergreen area, fulfills a lifelong dream of acting. This is his first appearance on stage. His previous “roles” include class clown, Army vet, career photographer, world traveler, writer and dreamer, which (according to his mom) he “played” exceptionally well. Bolstered by his selection to play the part of Arnold, John looks forward to pursuing his new “role” as an actor.

Michele Wright Sandra Markowitz

This is Michele's second show with the Players (she played Chris in “Rumors” last fall). She’s very excited to be working with such a wonderful, talented cast. Michele holds a degree in Theatre from Adams State College and is currently training with the Denver Center Theatre Academy. When Michele is not on stage or thinking about theatre she can be found watching “Will & Grace,” eating sushi, or painting her toenails. She would like to thank Lisa for giving her such a great character to explore under her fabulous direction (remember, 50 percent is yours). Michele thanks Rob for being her biggest cheerleader.

Production Crew