PBS Salutes "Bill Irwin, Clown Prince" — with Taymor, Williams and Guare — Dec. 15

By Andrew Gans
and Robert Simonson
10 Nov 2004

Bill Irwin in his play Mr. Fox: A Rumination
Bill Irwin in his play Mr. Fox: A Rumination
Photo by Joan Marcus

A one-hour profile of actor, playwright, director, choreographer and clown Bill Irwin will be presented on PBS Dec. 15.

Part of the famed "Great Performances" series, "Bill Irwin, Clown Prince" will air on WNET/Thirteen at 8 PM ET; check local listings. The program will include excerpts from 25 year's of Irwin's most memorable moments, including scenes from The Regard of Flight, The Harlequin Studies, Mr. Fox: A Rumination, Largely New York, Fool Moon and Waiting for Godot.

In addition to an interview with Irwin, the one-hour broadcast will also feature chats with Irwin friends and colleagues, including director Julie Taymor; playwright John Guare; critics Mel Gussow and Richard Schickel; producer James Freydberg; actors Robin Williams, Steve Martin and Brendan Fraser; Signature Theater's artistic director James Houghton; and Geoff Hoyle, an actor, clown and longtime Irwin collaborator.

Mark Mannucci, who produced and directed the television profile, said in a statement, "A lot’s been said about how Bill has reinvented the clown, about his prowess as physical comedian, about his utter originality and unique brand of theater – and it’s all true. But the bottom line is that he’s funny. Funny like silent-screen clowns Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd were funny. Funny because, like them, he makes us laugh at the little stuff that reveals the larger truths about life."

Bill Irwin began his clowning with San Francisco's famed Pickle Family Circus, and Irwin's comic antics and physical feats are now well known through his many original works, including the Broadway productions of the Tony Award winning Fool Moon, The Regard of Flight and Largely/New York. He is also known for Texts for Nothing (Classic Stage Company and New York Shakespeare Festival) and Scapin for the Roundabout Theater Company. His appearances as an actor range from Edward Albee's The Goat on Broadway and Waiting for Godot for Lincoln Center Theater to Mr. Noodle on "Sesame Street." He was also the Signature Theatre's playwright-in-resident during the 2003-04 season.

For more information visit www.thirteen.org.