According to MTC, "Humor Abuse stars Pisoni (The Young Horseman/Nugget in Broadway's recent Equus) with direction by Schmidt (Debbie Does Dallas) and is the unique story of Pisoni's upbringing as the youngest member of the Pickle Family Circus, the Bay Area's tiny big top that entertained thousands of people worldwide and launched the careers of several legendary performers. Filled with the clowning that Pisoni learned at his father's knee, and the wonder, heartache and complexity of stepping into (and out of) his father's shoes, Humor Abuse shows that running away with the circus isn't always all fun and games."
The creative team includes Ben Stanton (lighting design) and Bart Fasbender (sound design).
Opening night at New York City Center Stage II (131 West 55th Street) is March 10.
Pisoni (creator/performer) has credits that include Broadway's Equus, Henry IV (Lincoln Center Theater), Off-Broadway's Devil's Disciple (Irish Rep), Election Day (Second Stage, Lortel nomination), Last Dance (MTC), As You Like It (The Public), Much Ado About Nothing (NYSF/The Public), Troilus and Cressida (TFNA) and regional productions of The Injured Party (South Coast Rep), The Great Gatsby (Guthrie/Seattle Rep), Tuesdays With Morrie (Seattle Rep), The Tempest (McCarter) and more. Other credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream (Lincoln Center/NY Phil), Pickle Family Circus, Cirque du Soleil.
Schmidt (creator/director) staged Rent (Tokyo); Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Sorcerer and Copland's The Tender Land (all at Bard Summer Scape); Carnival (Paper Mill Playhouse); People Be Heard (Playwrights Horizons); Trust (The Play Company, Callaway Award nominee); As You Like It (The Public Theater/NYSF, chashama and New York International Fringe Festival 2000 Winner for Best Direction); Debbie Does Dallas (wrote the adaptation and directed Off-Broadway at the Jane Street); Spanish Girl (Second Stage Uptown) and more. Her upcoming gig is The Burnt Part Boys (The Vineyard). Tickets are $52. For tickets visit the City Center box office, call City Tix at (212) 581-1212 or visit www.nycitycenter.org.
For more information visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.
