Herb Gardner’s A Thousand Clowns

Herb Gardner’s famous comedy is currently on stage at Seattle’s Intiman Theater. The play was nominated for a Tony Award and an Academy Award for its film adaptation. The play takes place in 1962 set against the backdrop of a live children’s television program. It explores the time period’s clash between conformists and free-thinkers. An unconventional relationship between an uncle and nephew explores society’s deeply conventional oppression.

Playwright, Herb Gardner

The production features Matthew Boston as Murray, an anti-establishment New Yorker, and Nick Robinson as his nephew Nick, a 12-year-old genius who brings “The Man” into their lives when he writes a school essay on the advantages of Unemployment Insurance. The cast also includes Bradford Farwell (Albert Amundson), Tim Hyland (Leo Herman, aka “Chuckles the Chipmunk”), Julie Jesneck (Sandra Markowitz) and David Pichette (Arnold Burns).

The creative team includes scenic designer Nayna Ramey, costume designer Marcia Dixcy Jory, lighting designer Marcus Dilliard, sound designer Joseph Swartz, dialect coach Judith Shahn and ukulele coach John Ackermann. The New York casting is by Janet Foster, C.S.A. and the stage manager is Kandra L. Payne. Ramey and Dilliard previously worked at Intiman on The Diary of Anne Frank.

Tickets are available from www.intiman.org or call 206.269.1900.

Tickets range in price from $40 to $55, with discounts available for youth, seniors and groups.

All patrons who were 12 years old in 1962 will receive $12 off the adult-ticket price, with proof of age. Patrons 25 and under can purchase tickets to any performance for $10.

Pending availability, rush tickets will be sold 15 minutes before curtain for $20. Intiman will offer a pay-what-you-can performance (with a $5 suggested minimum per ticket) on Friday, May 22 at 8 p.m. This production runs from May 15 through June 17 and is recommended for ages 12 and up.

For more information about the production, including complete biographies of the company and the creative team, visit www.intiman.org.

WHERE: Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center Map and Directions

WHEN: First Performance: Friday, May 15 at 8:00 p.m.
Press Opening: Wednesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m..
Pay What You Can: Friday, May 22 at 8:00 p.m.
Closing: Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m.