INTERVIEW: In a time of sadness, Joel Jeske finds the laughs in Parallel Exit show
Photo: Parallel Exit’s The Artist Will Be With You in a Moment stars Joel Jeske. Photo courtesy of Richard Termine / Provided by Michelle Tabnick PR with permission.
There’s simply no other way to put it: the New York theater scene will never be the same again. The continuing coronavirus pandemic has shuttered Broadway theaters, concert halls and other large venues, while smaller theaters can operate at 50 percent capacity.
One show has decided to eek it out, and thankfully for the audience members, it promises some laughs. Parallel Exit’s The Artist Will Be With You in a Moment continues through March 29 at the Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre at the A.R.T./New York Theatres on West 53rd Street in New York City.
The show, directed by Mark Lonergan, features Joel Jeske as artist, performer and clown, according to press notes. His antics promise an interesting combination of art, physical comedy and immersive audience interaction.
Jeske, associate artistic director of Parallel Exit, recently exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about his new show. Audiences should know the performer from his previous theatrical efforts: This Way That Way, Cut to the Chase, Room 17B and Everybody Gets Cake! Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
How would you describe The Artist Will Be With You in a Moment to someone thinking about seeing the show?
It’s a comedy show for those who want to be in on the joke. It’s an art show for those looking for a creative spark. It’s a play for those who want to get involved. It’s a solo show for those who like to talk about themselves.
How is the show ‘immersive’?
Immersive performance is like a neighborhood basketball game; there are times you’re on the court and times you’re rooting from the bench. You watch the show with all the emotions and empathy that comes from being an observer, and, at the same time, you feel the rush and excitement of being an active part of the story being told. In The Artist Will Be With You in a Moment, audiences see my art and live comedy performances and are encouraged to share their own ideas and creativity. It’s a community experience. You have the power, and you determine the direction of the evening.
You are billed as artist, performer and clown — do you see a difference between these roles?
I don’t really see a difference between them as much as I focus on how they affect each other. As a clown, I have a distinct sense of humor. As an artist, I decide how that humor is going to be portrayed: is it a performance piece? A photograph? A high concept sculpture? Not all comic ideas are jokes or sketches. Finally, as a performer I decide what I am going to do, in what order and for who.
What’s it like to work with director Mark Lonergan?
I have been working with Mark for over 16 years. We have gone through so much together we speak in a short hand. We work intensely and very quickly. The best part about our creative partnership is that he knows to pull back when I have gone a little too far, and I know how to push him when we need to go farther.
What do you love most about the art of clowning?
I love the laughter and audience connection. Like stand-up and improv comedy, clowning happens in the moment. There are no theatrical trappings or illusion of time or place. The clown is in the room with you right here, right now, and his singular purpose is to get you to empathize and laugh. Sometimes laughter isn’t the only goal. Clowning also has the potential to move an audience emotionally and make them cry. It is a very powerful style of performing. I know many clowns who are great actors. I don’t know a lot of actors who would make good clowns.
Do you believe this type of performance art is still not respected as much as other art forms?
Nothing is respected until it proves its worth. I was involved in the improv scene in Chicago for a number of years. Comedy improv was viewed as theater games until performers from theaters like the Second City and ImprovOlympic started having success in theater, film and television. The jury is still out on performance art, but artists like Marina Abramović have shown that a performance art piece can have a deep and meaningful affect on people. I try to make you laugh and possibly think at the same time. I simply choose a non-traditional way to get my point across.
What do you hope is the ultimate takeaway of experiencing this new show?
Elation. Inspiration. Power. I want audiences to leave not only having laughed uproariously and had a great time, but feeling inspired and confident to go out into the world and create.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Parallel Exit’s The Artist Will Be With You in a Moment, created, written and performed by Joel Jeske, plays through March 29 at at the Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre at the A.R.T./New York Theatres. Click here for more information and tickets.
