Reston — “Bringing its extremely funny and remarkably touching look at a band of
clowns as they search for a place to exist in a volatile world” is the way Paul Douglas Michnewicz, arts and events director, Reston Community Center, describes Happenstance Theater’s production of “BrouHaHa” coming to CenterStage. “In short, they show us ourselves.”
Happenstance Theater is a professional company founded a decade ago by DC-area’s Mark Jaster and Sabrina Mandell. “We are committed to devising, producing and touring original, performer-created visual, poetic theater,” said founders Mandel and Jaster in an interview. The troupe has developed and performed over 25 new works about life and its meaning throughout the United States.
“We harvest imagery from the past and re-contextualize it in works that address eternal themes of life and death.” noted Jaster and Mandell. “With the simplest means of humor, music, silence, text and beauty, we seek to elevate the moment when the performers and audience meet, to lift the encounter beyond the daily and pedestrian into the realms of dreams, poetry, and art. “
What was the inspiration to develop a clown-esque performance called “BrouHaHa” that is about "what would you do at the end of the world?” According to the Happenstance Theater “BrouHaHa” was developed as the world “refugee crisis was rising and we could not help but wonder what it must be like to be told that you have five minutes to grab your possessions and flee. And then what would it be like to find yourself walking, for days and days, not knowing your destination. This is where we set our characters. In transit, not knowing, but hopeful.”
At CenterStage, a small ensemble will perform “BrouHaHa” with fascinating costume and lots of captivating props. The audience will come to know the different characters depicted well. During the performance the ensemble cast will highlight a variety of their theatrical skills including imaginations, improvisation and physical comedy.
“BrouHaHA” has eccentric characters full of ridiculousness and poetry all while they examine not only impermanence but doom. In the hands of the Happenstance Theater ensemble the subject of impending doom will become an outlet for humor. The characters get distracted easily and try to make games out of their struggles.
Through its clown-esque performance, Happenstance Theater aims to have audiences reminded of the importance of taking delight in every moment even though the world is very topsy-turvy.
<inline type="text" title="Where & When" align="right" >Happenstance Theater performs “BrouHaHa” at Reston Community Center, CenterStage, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Hunters Woods Village Center, Reston. Performance: Wednesday, May 17, 8 p.m. Tickets: $15 Reston/$20 non-Reston. Tickets call: 703-476-4500