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Troy circus turns trash into treasure

Circus performer doing a stunt at 2019's circus
PAUL SOKAL
Performer doing a stunt at 2019's circus

At one time or another we all have been served a meal by a person we would deem a clown.

One way we could come to that description is by an engaging server who offers pleasant witticisms and jokes. The opposite is a person who is so unknowingly inept they become funny.

“Oh, Garcon,” a dining experience presented this Friday and Saturday by The Contemporary Circus and Immersive Arts Center, will feature both types.

Aaron Marquise, the executive director of CCIAC, which he plays, under a circus tent in Troy’s Prospect Park will be purposely inept and funny.

That’s because as a professional clown, who has worked throughout Europe after training at the Ecole Nationale de Cirque in Montreal, he understands how to make people laugh.

“Oh, Garcon” features a three course meal prepared by a private chef and served by one inept waiter.. Because Marquise wants the audience to be as involved as possible, he often leaves the room, as would a normal waiter at a restaurant. This way the guests who share a common table get to know each other and perhaps plot challenges for Garcon to overcome.

Marquise calls it a unique dining experience. Adding tongue in cheek, “One the customer never wanted before.”

He refuses to be specific about the performance, but explains most of it is improvisational as the guests dictate the flow of the show. He did say that his circus skills such as juggling, slapstick comedy and mime will likely be on display. “This is an immersive experience. Anything can happen and probably will.”

The project is new as a public venture, but the company has performed “Oh, Garcon” at private parties and fundraisers. Normal attendance for those events have been 12 people. At the Troy tent there will be seating for 20, which Marquise believes will maintain the intimacy the dinner party needs. ‘Oh, Garcon” will be offered Friday and Saturday Aug. 19-20 from 7-9 p.m.

Diners might have to move locations during the course of the meal, so anyone with limited mobility should contact CCIAC when reserving tickets. Dietary concerns should also be mentioned at that time. Tickets are only available on line at cciac.us

The following week CCIAC presents their trademark circus open to the public at large. The difference is the tent which will now serve as a performance site.

The group has been offering shows in Prospect Park since 2019, with 2020’s show cancelled by COVID.

Over the years several performances have been cancelled because of rain. This year everything takes place under a 34-foot tall, 4,000 square foot tent that holds 225 people.

Of course, as an administrator, lack of fear about weather-related cancellations makes Marquise much more comfortable. And as a professional performer, the technical improvements of working under a tent are just as important. He explains that the tent gives them better control over lighting and sound. It will also enable them to offer more aerial acts.

On August 26-28 the Boston-based Cirque Us is offering three shows in Prospect Park. It’s titled “One Man’s Trash: A Repurposed Circus”.

This is not your traditional circus with three rings, animals or side-shows. The contemporary cirque-type circus is more focused on strength, dexterity and agility. Some like “One Man’s Trash” don’t even have a story line. However, it’s doubtful that any version of a circus would be genuine without clowns, and clowns play a major role in this show.

“One Man’s Trash” is set in a junkyard, filled with dumpsters, trash cans and stacks of debris. During the show acrobats, aerialists, clowns and other circus artists explore the litter and make treasure out of the trash. The transformations are clever, inventive and funny.

The point, says Marquise, is to show how many objects can be recycled and reinvented. He admits there is an environmental awareness element in the show, but he says. “No one hits you over the head with a message. This is about having fun and making discoveries.”

One reason he is excited about having Cirque Us appear in Troy is that it is kid-friendly. He says almost all the performers have travelled the country working in shows that focus on family entertainment. Stealing a line from traditional circuses, he adds, “This is truly a show for children of all ages.”

“One Man’s Trash” plays at Prospect Park in Troy Friday and Saturday August 26-27 at 6 p.m. and Sunday August 28 at 2 p.m. The tent seats 225 people. 75 reserved side seats will be set aside for free for each performance. First come first served. They are only available on line at cciac.us.

However reserved free seats will only be held until 5 minutes before show time. At that time, any unclaimed tickets will be released to anyone standing on line. For reservations and information go to cciac.us

Bob Goepfert is theater reviewer for the Troy Record.

The views expressed by commentators are solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of this station or its management.

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