Directed by: Richard Saudek + Pher
With: Dana Dailey, Benjamin Domask-Ruh + Richard Saudek + Pher
"Sharply honed and fine tuned physical comedy...an inspired piece of vaudevillian theater. As important and entertaining as the clowns on stage is musician-clown Benjamin Domask-Ruh. He bangs away at a honky-tonk piano that's in deliciously ill-repair; strums a tiny banjo; supplies timed sound effects with percussion and a theremin and contributes bits of comedy himself. " -Blogcritics ★★★★
"The story is simple, but the presentation is boldly unique, using the patented skills of each of the creative team to their best advantage."-LavenderAfterDark ★★★★
"Very funny and extraordinarily touching... Rather than going for the macabre, Dead + Alive is incredibly moving because it’s played for absolute sincerity, realistically depicting the sorrow of loss in a world of humor. It’s beautifully funny...incredibly moving" -OnStage Blog Theatre Crawl ★★★★
"Richard Saudek is a grand clown...Dana Dailey is his formidable partner...an experience of mournful beauty.
-Theatre Scene ★★★★
Alive's vigil and the (mis)adventures of Dead's soul (and corpse) marry dexterous, funny physical theater with moving poignancy for a unique rendering of mourning and moving on. As the show reminds us, however, no show goes on forever, so make sure to see Dead + Alive while you can.
”-ThinkingTheaterNYC ★★★★
"The story is simple, but the presentation is boldly unique, using the patented skills of each of the creative team to their best advantage."-LavenderAfterDark ★★★★
"Very funny and extraordinarily touching... Rather than going for the macabre, Dead + Alive is incredibly moving because it’s played for absolute sincerity, realistically depicting the sorrow of loss in a world of humor. It’s beautifully funny...incredibly moving" -OnStage Blog Theatre Crawl ★★★★
"Richard Saudek is a grand clown...Dana Dailey is his formidable partner...an experience of mournful beauty.
-Theatre Scene ★★★★
Alive's vigil and the (mis)adventures of Dead's soul (and corpse) marry dexterous, funny physical theater with moving poignancy for a unique rendering of mourning and moving on. As the show reminds us, however, no show goes on forever, so make sure to see Dead + Alive while you can.
”-ThinkingTheaterNYC ★★★★
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DEAD + ALIVE was inspired by Jewish death and burial rituals as well as a classic clown routine which has basic bits in it like: missing a handshake, tipping a hat, and manhandling the corpse of a friend.
Jewish burial customs dictate that a guardian is assigned to watch the recently deceased to ensure that the soul doesn't escape and run amok. It’s an inherently clown-like structure with a “high-status” mourner trying to keep order and a foil: a “low-status” corpse as chaotic trickster. DEAD + ALIVE was the first clown act I ever learned when I was 10 years old. It cannot, however, help to prepare anyone for the sudden death of their most beloved partner. Nothing can. Open to all ages, but please note: Although this show has clowning in it, it is not intended as a children's show. Parental discretion is advised due to dark themes of death, grief and the embodiment of the undead. |
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For press inquiries, please contact:
DARR Publicity
DARR Publicity
DEAD + ALIVE is produced by:
DEAD + ALIVE poster image credit: John Behlmann
DEAD + ALIVE production images credit: Pher Gleason
DEAD + ALIVE production images credit: Pher Gleason