Bethlehem, PA - Touchstone Theatre kicks off 2018 with award-winning guest company Happenstance Theater from Washington, D.C. Their show, an absurdist romp entitled BrouHaHa, plays on Touchstone’s stage February 1-4, 2018.
The existential escapade of BrouHaHa follows a troupe of six clowns walking the precipice at the end of the world with pathos and levity. Along the way, they sing, tumble, serve drinks, and find moments of connection. This original show devised by the actors of Happenstance takes its inspiration partly from the dark comedy of Irish playwright Samuel Beckett, famous for his play Waiting for Godot, and from Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini’s late Neorealist-derived film about circus performers, La Strada, as well as Greek mythology, images of fleeing refugees, and Victorian-inspired aesthetics. The show runs 75 minutes with no intermission and will include a brief post-performance talkback with the performers.
Happenstance Theater is a multiple Helen Hayes award-winning ensemble hailed by the Washington, D.C. press for its superb improvisatory skills, physical humor, and, above all, spontaneous interactions with the audience. BrouHaHa has been part of their touring repertoire for three years now, garnering praise for its “Impressive comedic timing, cunning word play, and incredible live sound effects and songs” (Margot Manburg, Washington City Paper). Tim Treanor of the DC Theater Scene advises, “If you like your apocalypse infused with moments of joy… this show is for you.”
Similar to Touchstone, Happenstance Theater is rooted in the traditions of commedia dell’arte, clowning, circus, and vaudeville and is committed to creating original theatrical work that celebrates the moment of exchange between performers and audience. Additionally, Touchstone Managing Director Lisa Jordan notes that the clowns of BrouHaHa feel very much akin to the type of zany and irreverent, but entirely loving and earnest characters that Touchstone often creates in its annual holiday show, Christmas City Follies. “If you like the clowns of Follies, you’ll definitely enjoy the poetic antics of the clowns of BrouHaHa."
Touchstone's season is supported locally by season sponsor RCN. WDIY provides media sponsorship and Working Dog Press provides print sponsorship.
BrouHaHa plays February 1-4, 2018, Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $25 for adults / $15 for students and seniors, with group rates available on request. On Thursday, Touchstone offers a pay-what-you-will ticket option at the door, allowing walkup patrons to name their own ticket price. Advance tickets may be purchased at 610.867.1689 or online at www.touchstone.org The Touchstone Café is open one hour before show time and will remain open after the show, with pastries and gourmet coffee by Nazca K-Fé Premium Peruvian Coffee available for purchase.