Avner the Eccentric will mesmerize audiences with his hilarious brand of silent comedy, juggling and magic on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 3 p.m. at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Tickets are $20 and can be obtained at the box office at (203) 254-4010.

The premise of the show is that Avner is not really on stage to perform but a janitor caught off guard by the audience. As he rushes to please them, he tumbles like Evil Knieval, balancing an odd, amazing array of chairs, ladders and a six-foot stack of paper cups on his chin while dressed in baggy pants, a red nose, a bowler hat and suspenders.

"Avner is part Emmett Kelly, part Marcel Marceau and part Flying Karamazov Brothers," said Deborah Sommers, program director at the Quick Center. "The show is hysterical, family entertainment but with a sophisticated side. Avner is not a Bozo or Ronald McDonald, but a serious artist and illusionist capable of conjuring up tricks to surprise and delight the audience."

Lively tunes punctuate the numbers as they move from the simple to the complex. A red napkin becomes an ornery, hyperkinetic baby who won't stay on Avner's shoulder and flies out of the house, and a sip of water becomes a gushing fountain. Audience members are also encouraged to become a part of the act, though those who come late, be forewarned, Avner may decide to retaliate.

"When you say 'clown' to people they conjure up images of Krusty the Clown, Ronald McDonald, Ronald Reagan - you know, funny hair, too much make-up," said Avner.

Posted On: 01-15-1997 09:01 AM

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