Affiliate Report

Mr. E Presents Another Winning Show

 

The fourth annual Mr. E's Night of the Jugglers was held April 29 at the Upper Darby Performing Art Center near Philadelphia. A crowd of 423 filled the center section of the vast auditorium to watch the performances of Dan Holzman, David Cain, Jack Swersie, Jay Gilligan and the team of Crash and Burn.

 

Holzman, half of the popular Raspyni Brothers team, started the crowd off with some of his ever-stylish humor, and soon had them roaring at his carefully trained toy dog Simba, his prowess manipulating a paddle ball and a volunteer, and his inimitable shaker cup routine.

 

David Cain, one of a seemingly unending supply of fine jugglers from Ohio, followed with a stylish three, four and five club routine set to music. He then delighted the younger members of the audience by juggling torches, and delighted jugglers in the audience by throwing some nice tricks with them.

 

Jack Swersie came on with three bowling balls in his arms and gave his impression of a juggler on the moon! His feat was soon made clear when he threw the balls into the air and they floated up to the ceiling! He proceeded to whip through a series of sight gags, comic juggling and one liners which were much appreciated.

 

The first set concluded with Jay Gilligan (Yes, from Ohio!) who did two stylish, innovative pieces. The first was a bounce routine off a drum which was surrounded by candles.

 

The second, a three glow ball routine in the darkened theater, was quite well-received.

Cain's second appearance, which opened the second set, was with the diabolo, finishing with a flurry of two diabolo tricks. Gilligan then returned and treated the audience to another innovative idea - his version of the ancient Chinese art of swinging two objects tied together by a rope.

 

Swersie, from nearby Scott Run, Penn., continued in the same comedic vein as his earlier set. He introduced Spam into his work, and his manipulation of this particular object left many people wondering. You had to be there! He is so identified with this prop that he is sometimes referred to as The Spam Juggler!

 

The closing act was the combination of Gilligan and Cain, known as Crash and Burn. These 1994 lJA team champions did not disappoint as they moved through their championship routine. They began with rings and ended with clubs. Lots of rings! Lots of clubs! Lots of different variations and innovations! What a treat to watch as they moved from one pose to another and entertained with a new series of throws and catches.

 

The theater director was so pleased with the outcome that he announced another edition of the show for the Saturday following Easter in 1996. Look for the ads and

plan to attend!