“The Petite Palace” explores the kooky world of a royal family reunion where everyone has chosen a different path of life. The characters will take the audience on a journey of wacky rituals and fractured fairy tales.
Marty Van Kleeck, Manager of the Bath House Cultural Center, should be hugely proud of the success of the opening night and current run of “The Petite Palace.” The extremely talented cast, as well as a constantly metamorphosing stage, contributed to a hilarious and never-ending circus of reality mixed with unforgiving illusion. While there is absolutely nothing to prepare the audience for what comes next, there is absolute collusion amongst the artists that makes transparency lucid and ludicrous.
The show which relies heavily on audience participation has a combination of diversely-aged actors including life partners Dick Monday and Tiffany Riley who have been twenty-year life partners together with the circus. Their non-profit organization, Laughter League, produces “The Petite Palace,” and when I spoke with Dick at the cast after-party, he stated that after the end of the Barnum and Bailey era, his mission was to bring the circus and the integrity of it back to the local community that he has been a part of for the last fifteen years. His loyalty to his profession is fueled by his passion for children and even his daughter Lily who is part of the show, has been performing since she was five years of age. The cast also includes Skip Gladstone, a nerdy magician who also has twenty years of experience, as well as Kelli and Julio Ramazinis, a clowning duo who does acrobatics on the high wire as well as massively impressive juggling and several other amazing feats that left the audience wildly, yet pleasantly entertained, act after act. The entire cast seemed to be totally in sync with one another and were able to feed on one another’s strengths as well as find the funny in their missteps.
Audience members of all ages will find themselves taken in by the unpredictable path of the hilarious group and will be able to relate to every aspect of the show which includes a love triangle, hugely popular accompanying music, stunning juggling acts and challenges among the cast and audience members that keeps the laughter rolling. In addition to the circus run, the Bath House is also hosting a Children’s Festival that boasts of a ninja warrior obstacle course and several educational and fun activities for children. For a day or night of fun and wholesome family entertainment without barriers, be sure to check out “The Petite Palace” which runs now through November 3rd.
Now playing at the Bath House Cultural Center Oct. 17 – Nov. 3
