Serious clowning around in ACT's Humor Abuse
Lorenzo Pisoni recalls growing up as the youngest member of the Pickle Family Circus in his one-man show Humor Abuse at American Conservatory Theater. The photo behind him (by Terry Lorant) shows young Pisoni, his father, Larry Pisoni, and his paternal grandfather. Below: Pisoni describes how as a child clown he was stuffed into a trunk before making his big entrance in his father's act. Photos by Chris Bennion
Pisoni re-creates some of his dad's great bits (including an interaction with a lovely lady in the audience and a series of rogue red balloons) and shows off some of what he learned at the feet of a master (who also happened to be his dad, which leads to some tricky emotional territory that Pisoni does not shy away from exploring). The two best bits involve suitcases and a staircase and diving flippers and a ladder. The latter is especially interesting because it's the first act that the young Pisoni created without his dad, and it includes a fairly high level of (pretend and alarmingly funny) pain.Working with director Erica Schmidt (his co-creator), Pisoni melds his life story with deft and often delightful clowning. His leading man good looks are almost distracting – are truly funny clowns ever this handsome? But as Pisoni reminds us, he's not funny. That self-effacement is not really necessary, though, because he's funny. He even gets a laugh when he says he's not funny. He's got charm and is at ease on stage. His clowning skills don't make you forget the likes of Bill Irwin or David Shiner, but he's masterful in his own hard-working way.What's also interesting about this show is what Pisoni isn't saying. He is clearly not going to discuss his mother or his sister (a successful circus artist in her own right, Gypsy Snider of the extraordinary Canadian troupe Les Sept Doigts de la Main), who must have had a major impact on his life growing up. But this is primarily the story of a father and a son, their bond and their difficulties. During his teen years, Pisoni and his dad didn't talk a lot, and it's hard to get a bead on what their relationship is like now.Though filled with respect, admiration and even awe, Humor Abuse – perhaps the title is telling – doesn't brim with filial affection. This isn't a love letter to Larry Pisoni, but it does turn out to be a tribute to Lorenzo Pickle, the clown character created by Larry Pisoni. Larry, the father, remains an enigma in Humor Abuse, but his creations, Lorenzo Pickle and Lorenzo Pisoni, emerge as genuine stars.[bonus video]From last fall's Seattle Repertory Theatre run of Humor Abuse:[bonus bonus video]Lorenzo Pisoni tours his hometown, San Francisco.
HUMOR ABUSE VLOG 7: San Francisco from Lo Pisoni on Vimeo.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONLorenzo Pisoni's Humor Abuse continues through Feb. 5 at American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco. Tickets are $10-$85. Call 415-749-2228 or visit www.act-sf.org.