A series of tribute concerts will take place at Pickard Theater this weekend in celebration of the life of the late Tony Montanaro, Maine's own internationally-renowned mime artist, film director, and theater teacher. The performances will feature the work of Montanaro's former students and will include 11 acts ranging from interpretive dance to poetry to comedic skits. Shows are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. plus a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee.
Montanaro's death, at the age of 75 in December 2002, marked the end of the career of one of the world's most significant physical comedians. With a repertoire boasting television appearances, film direction, and extensive teaching, he made a strong impact on the performing world.
After earning a theater degree from Columbia in 1952, the mime work of Marcel Marceau greatly interested him after viewing a performance at New York's Phoenix Theater. Montanaro traveled to Paris in 1956 to study under Marceau and his teacher Etienne Decroux. He founded the acclaimed Celebration Barn theatrical school in South Paris, Maine in 1972 after his studies in France. The school, now a mecca for modern day 'vaudevillians,' was a home to each of Friday and Saturday's performers.
Among the concerts' performers are Tom Bergeron, host of CBS's Hollywood Squares, and Brian Meehl, formerly a puppeteer for Sesame Street and currently for The Muppet Show. They will perform a comedic skit about a yoga lesson gone wrong and a monologue from Comedia del Arte, respectively. Additional acts on the program include an illustrated performance of Tom Petty's "Free Falling," juggling, mime routines, acrobatics, and a séance; the constructing of each of which Montanaro's teaching greatly influenced.
Montanaro's widow, Karen Hurll Montanaro, whom he met when they both appeared in the Portland Ballet's production of The Nutcracker, directs the shows. The two co-wrote Mime Spoken Here: The Performer's Portable Workshop in 1995. The book is a guide to mime and acting. Karen will be performing, as well as directing, in several miming, dancing, and acting pieces throughout the programs.
A documentary film using footage from the upcoming performances is in the planning stages. The film, to be entitled Tony Montanaro, the Miracle of Inspiration, will be released in 2005 and proceeds from ticket sales will go toward its creation. Created by Richard Searls, Leland Faulkner, and "Huey" of Productions by Huey, the film is projected to be one hour in length. Jazz selections from this weekend's featured artists such as Glenn Jenks, Edvard Grieg, Chris Moore, and Brad Terry will accent the film as well.
Documentary co-producer Huey seeks to convey the empowering impact that Montanaro had on his students through recording the performances. He describes Montanaro's influential mantra to be, "To live in the moment of your art not to only think about art but to create art. To respect and respond to the audience, the life blood of why you are a performer. To be the best that you can, not to be something you are not."
"The Tribute Concerts will show the variety and individuality of Tony's students and his approach to teaching. The film will show Tony's artistry in the archival film footage and show his legacy is being carried on by his former students, now performers and teachers in their own right," he said.
Tickets for 300 students are available free of charge to Bowdoin students for Friday's show at the Smith Union information desk. All shows are open to the public. All additional ticket purchases and tickets for Saturday showings are available for purchase in advance through Bull Moose Records for $15 or $20 at the door.