Howard Payne University presents Grimaldi: King of the Clowns – a unique treat!
Combining Italian commedia dell’arte and English pantomime, “Grimaldi” is a play based on the life of Joseph Grimaldi, Jr., the father of the modern day clown. His father, Joseph Grimaldi, Sr. was the old clown, known as “Iron Legs” for his dancing and leaps. Grimaldi, Sr. taught Joe the art of the panto, but Joe took it to new heights. Rather than using a mask for his expression, Joe created the clown makeup that broadens the facial features and makes a clown’s expressions much bigger, more easily seen from a distance, and more animated. His clown character, Joey, was so famous that subsequent clowns have all been called Joey in his honor.
The play has many moments of humor and clowning as well as some dark moments as Joe’s father was a mean taskmaster. In truth Joe’s father would beat his sons if they forgot a line or didn’t perform as well as he thought they should. Since he put them onstage at a very early age (Joe was 28 months old), these beatings were frequent. The clown bits and sketches are classic Grimaldi and are a delight for audiences.
The play was written by Randy Murray, who received his MFA in Playwrighting, from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He and the play’s director, Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld, were colleagues at SIU where Dr. Humfeld first learned of the play. “I was the assistant director for the production at SIU and fell in love with the show. It has humor and pathos and is a wonderful vehicle for a number of incredible actors. I am delighted to bring it to the stage in Texas.” Murray continues working as a playwright and professional writer. He is the author of “Writing Assignments” and publishes daily at http://whowritesforyou.com. He lives and works in Columbus, Ohio.
“Grimaldi, King of the Clowns” is a unique drama with a subject that, although largely unfamiliar to American audiences, presents a character that resonates strongly with them. Joseph Grimaldi is recognized as the creator of virtually everything we recognize today as the clown. His genius was born out of his struggles with family and an overwhelming desire to fit in, to succeed. In the face of tragedy and loss, he created something iconic and eternal. And by taking off the mask and using his own painted face, he connected with his audience in ways that comic actors never had before. Grimaldi offers look behind the ever-grinning mask of the clown and asks if the price of fame is worth the cost.
“I’m excited and pleased that HPU is presenting ‘Grimaldi’. It holds a special spot in my heart,” said Randy Murray, playwright and author of ‘Grimaldi, King of the Clowns.’ “‘Grimaldi’ is a complex play to present, but I know that Dr. Humfeld and her cast and crew are more than up to that challenge.”
Performances are February 24-26 at 7:30 pm and February 27 at 2:30 pm in the HPU Theatre. The company will travel to Plainview to Wayland Baptist University to participate in the Christian University Theatre Festival where their performance will be Tuesday, March 1st at 8:00 in the Wayland University Theatre. Tickets for the HPU performances are $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for students, and free to all HPU Faculty, Staff, and Students and may be reserved by calling 325-649-8516 or they may be purchased at the door.
Click below for photos from Monday’s dress rehearsal.
Photos by Ray Tipton.
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