Clown Bar, a production of the Pipeline Theater Company at The Box on Chrystie Street, is a kind of vaudeville show/Halloween party by Adam Szymkowicz, with music and additional lyrics by Adam Overlett. Directed by Andrew Neisler, the show creates a kind of Clown Mystique which, real or imaginary, is quite entertaining. The cast is red-nosed, white-faced and loud, and they give you a red nose to wear as you enter. No, you don’t have to do anything but enjoy the raucous party, which includes murder, mayhem, melodrama, romance between a marvelous singer/clown, Jessica Frey, and a John Garfield-esque Shane Zeigler. Plus, there’s a super stripper, Claire Rothrock, vaudevillian Michael Lorz, and a cast of enthusiastic silly clowns spouting corny jokes, with a bang-up Shakespearean ending. It’s all emceed by singer/actor/clown Salty Brine and underscored by the terrific Ian Axness on piano. And they serve drinks.
Frey has all the elements to be a star: terrific looks, physical flexibility, charm, comedic timing, and an excellent singing voice (other than that, she’s got nothing going for her). Don’t go unless you want to have a good time.
