Summer Shapiro and Peter Musante | Photo credit: Misha Kutuzov

Enter a magical world where language is unnecessary and human relationships are fresh and effective – full of whimsy and enchantment – with a simple encounter between a man, a woman and a box.  With precise physical comedy and crisp clownmanship, Summer Shapiro and Peter Musante deliver a most mesmerizing performance in Legs and All, at the Frigid New York Festival.

We are first introduced to a big blue square box in the middle of the stage, from which Miss Shapiro emerges and sets the tone with a most flowery hunger (sorry kids, you have to see it to know what I’m talking about). You could say that a normal flexi-yoga person could find a way to fit in this big blue square  box (that should give you an idea of the size). After Summer leaves, out emerges a handsome Mr. Musante,  who cleverly lets us in on his most precious treasure chest, in which he keeps colorful boxes within boxes within boxes… within boxes, roaring elephants, most valuable books, manuscripts and other nick-nacks. But whose treasure box is complete without an itsy-bitsy ball? One that he has just spotted on the big blue square box. And here starts the dance between Summer Shapiro, who rightfully owns the miniature ball, and Peter Musante, who must complete his treasure.

Like a dance, Shapiro and Musante innocently get to know each other, tease each other and ultimately share not only the miniature ball, but a new found intimacy. Both performers are a delight to watch, whether they are “clowning around” outside or contorting inside the big blue square box. That’s right, now the box fits two. Rest assured these are not your birthday party scary clowns (yes, I still find clowns scary), but precise comic and physical performers who have created a genuine journey into the heart of a first encounter between two people. One of the standout moments (which is pictured above), is when the improvised picnic turns into an illusory vertical feast.

The Frigid New York Festival was officially over on Sunday, but Legs and All was one of the shows that received a well deserving extension. Adding one final performance this Friday, March 12th at 8:30pm.
You would be a fool to miss it.

——

Legs and All

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• Lickin’ With Bricken – An Interview With Bricken Sparacino
• Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Penny Pollak
• Following The Path Of Yoga
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Okay, okay, so these last few days have been relatively mild, I admit.  Even that giant pile of grey gunk that the plow flung upon my curb which – at it’s all time high – reached up to my shoulders has now evaporated enough to reveal the mounds of garbage that were piled there so eagerly just before the snowstorm hit a few weeks ago.  So, in all fairness, it’s not really “brrrr” worthy out there.  Still, don’t let that stop you from getting in the Frigid spirit!

This morning while you were nestled all snug in your bed, the Frigid Fairy came down the chimney and … hell … I don’t even know where I was going with this.

BUT, what I do know is that today is the start of the Frigid Festival, which is something we take very seriously here at The Happiest Medium!  For more information please visit the official Frigid site and check out the blurbs for some of the shows that are on deck.  And also check this spot often, because we’re going to be covering some really good 1 hour shows.  Here’s what we’ll be reviewing in the next few days:

Fishbowl - Written by Mark Shyzer

“Shockingly funny and equally moving, Mark Shyzer’s Fishbowl slyly reveals the connections between five outrageously hilarious characters: a nerdy schoolgirl obsessed with physics, a nihilistic teenage hipster, a gin-soaked divorcee, a perky aerobics instructor and an octogenarian with an odd sense of humour… all played by Shyzer.”

The Red Room   Wed 2/24,9:30,Fri 2/26,6:30,Sat 2/27,3:30,Tue 3/02,6:30,Sat 3/06,9:30,Sun 3/07,5:00

It or Her – Written by Alena Smith

“Somewhere between Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure  and The Tell-Tale Heart, this provocative dark comedy explores the basement of a suburban home where Andrew has devoted himself unconditionally to his incredible collection of figurines.  Suffering the loss of The Red One, he seeks to uncover The Ultimate Arrangement before his hideout is invaded, and his dark secret is revealed.”

The Red Room  Wed 2/24,6:30,Fri 2/26,8:00,Sun 2/28,2:00,Mon 3/01,6:30,Thu 3/04,8:00

“With delightful and poignant tales of a Southern Songstress and her gay family, Alex Bond and David Carson read selections from Ms. Bond’s novel and transport you to Dallas 1977, a magical time before HIV/AIDS, but not before ignorance and prejudice. A favorite at the 2008 San Francisco Fringe and the 2009 Fresh Fruit Festival.”

UNDER St. Marks Wed 2/24,6:00,Sat 2/27,7:00,Mon 3/01,9:00,Fri 3/05,6:00,Sun 3/07,2:30

“A physical exploration of limits, perspective and chocolate cake.  Rooted in physical comedy and set to music, it takes a magical look at the mundane where two people stumble into the extraordinary. It peeks at human loneliness and hits up against reality’s glass ceiling to poke about in the breathing space beyond.”

UNDER St. Marks  Fri 2/26,6:00 PM,Sun 2/28,1:00 PM,Mon 3/01,7:30 PM,Wed 3/03,7:30 PM,Fri 3/05,9:00 PM,Sat 3/06,8:30 PM

Directed by: Samantha Jones

“In a narcissistic attempt to win her family’s attention, Abigail decides to perform the greatest stunt of all- attempted suicide. When her childish venture turns into unexpected reality, Abigail finds herself trapped in purgatory – a warped version of her apartment with two exits.  Heaven or Hell. As a result of her foolish mistake, there is atonement and penance to be paid… and time is running out.”

UNDER St. Marks  Thu 2/25,10:30, Sat 2/27,10:00, Sun 2/28,7:00, Wed 3/03,10:30, Sat 3/06,5:30

“KILL THE BAND IS THE ORIGINAL, COMEDY ROCK AND ROLL, ANTI-CABARET! Coinciding with the release of their first concept album, KILL THE BAND takes you on a cleverly comedic, musically theatrical trip through the band’s breakdowns and breakthrough.  Free CD with every ticket!”

UNDER St. Marks, Wed 2/24,10:30 PM,Fri 2/26,10:30 PM,Tue 3/02,7:30 PM,Sat 3/06,10:00 PM,Sun 3/07,4:00 PM

“Rather than abuse her, Leslie’s alcoholic father would buy her shoes, drag race the lawnmower, and burn the neighbor’s bills, while her mother managed a doomed Christian bookstore and prayed in tongues over Leslie’s ailing sister. Leslie’s storytelling navigates a humorously tragic journey through childhood with frighteningly endearing characters.”

UNDER St. Marks Thu 2/25,7:30 PM,Sat 2/27,4:00 PM,Thu 3/04,9:00 PM,Fri 3/05,7:30 PM,Sun 3/07,1:00 PM

Related Posts:

• Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Penny Pollak
• Following The Path Of Yoga
• Review- Legs And All (Frigid Festival 2010)
• “Kill The Band” Knocks ‘Em Dead (Frigid Festival 2010)
• It’s Time For Mini-Fridge Elevenses With Kill The Band – Mock Bottom Mockumental CD Release Experience!