Avner the Eccentric and Friends

Avner weaves a spell of poetic simplicity. He will entrance, amaze, and amuse you in a show of hilarious predicaments.

Hailed as one of the greatest clowns of all time, Avner Eisenberg is often a featured performer in comedy, magic, clown, and theatre festivals. He also teaches clowning and Eccentric Performing. Avner is a certified Ericksonian hypnotist and the curator of this night of oddities.

At this specific spectacle, Avner is joined by miniature theater legend and opera singer, David Worobec of Tophat Productions and magician Peter Boie!  

Do not miss these three artists showcasing their unconventional talent.

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Saturday, June 1 at 7:00 PM (doors 6:30 PM), approximately 90 minutes with an intermission

Tickets are available for $20 in advance, $23 at the door, and $27 for preferred seating (pay-what-you-can-available).

ARTIST BIO

Avner Eisenberg enjoyed a generic childhood in Atlanta, Georgia. As a kid his passions were snakes and juggling. He wanted to be a doctor, but after a year as an honors chemistry and biology major his parents forced him into performing.

Applying the art of juggling to education, Avner attended four universities moving counter-clockwise around the United States, and ultimately earned a BA in theatre from the University of Washington in 1971. He studied in Paris with Jacques Lecoq for two years, and once, while street performing in Paris was arrested for buffoonery in public.

On returning to the United States Avner taught at Carlo Mazzone Clementi’s Dell’Arte School of Physical Comedy in California. Avner is greatly indebted to these two men: “Lecoq, who taught me everything I know, and Carlo who taught me the rest.”

Avner is probably best known for his endearing portrayal of The Jewel, the scene-stealing holy man, in The Jewel of the Nile, co-starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. He was also featured in the film Brenda Starr and the television series Webster and Mathnet.

Avner’s one-man show, Avner the Eccentric, was a hit of the 1984–1985 Broadway season. He co-starred in Lincoln Center’s production of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, and returned to Broadway in 1989 in a principal role in Ghetto. In regional theatre Avner has played both Estragon and Vladimir in Waiting For Godot, played the title role in R. Crumb Comix, and co-starred with his wife, Julie Goell, in the world premier of Zoo of Tranquility.

Avner’s  Exceptions to Gravity, defies the barriers of language and culture and has toured extensively all over the US and abroad. Avner has often played on subscription at regional theaters including Arena Stage, Trinity Rep, Actor’s Theater of Louisville, The Empty Space, Indiana Rep, The Goodman Theater, Portland Stage, Merrimack Rep, Virginia Stage Company, Dallas Theater Center, Seacoast Rep, San Jose Rep, Theatre Fontaine (Paris), and Teatro Alfil (Madrid).

David Worobec, Tenor, graduated from The Boston Conservatory of Music in 2011 with a degree in vocal performance with Opera emphasis, in the studio of Victor Jannett. He has always sung and, beginning with Peter & The Wolf at age 4, has performed musical skits with miniature “actors”. At the age of seven, when he was delighted to note that in opera and musical theater, “you can have a conversation without talking,” he decided to pursue a music career. Before he discovered the Victorian toy theaters, his characters acted in improvised miniature theaters built by his mother. His musical debut took place three years later when he was featured in the title role of Boston Bel Canto Opera's production of Menotti's Amahl & The Night Visitors. Many productions with companies such as Boston Bel Canto Opera and the Boston Conservatory followed.

He made his Opera Maine debut in the summer of 2019, as a member of the chorus as well as the understudy for the role of Monostatos in Opera Maine's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute. David loves to entertain family and friends with one-man toy theater productions of his favorite musicals, whether in a theater, at someone's house, or elsewhere. Productions include South Pacific, Camelot, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Jekyll & Hyde, Les Misérables, Guys & Dolls, Kiss Me Kate, and Brigadoon. New shows/projects are always in the works. He also performs a broad range of songs at weddings and other special events and, in addition, is available to play the piano and/or sing for cocktail parties. David has been interviewed by TV stations as well as NPR. Two short documentaries have been made about David's work. He is currently working part-time at Mayo Street Arts in Portland, ME. He is also the owner of Tophat Productions, LLC.

Peter Boie first became fascinated with magic at the age of eleven when he stumbled across a magic book at his local library. He now travels around the country performing his award-winning magic that will defy your reality. Peter's show is about two things, astonishing magic, and having a good time; and he doesn't skimp on either. You might recognize him by his trademark orange sneakers, or from the group of people around him freaking out at his magic and having a good time. The title Magician for Non-Believers is about being honest with his audience. Magic isn’t real... but Peter will make you believe it is for the length of his show. Combining original mind-blowing magic, and a heavy dose of humor is his secret to success and why it’s made him one of the top-booked college acts around the country.

Peter recently showcased his talents on national TV, where he performed for the CW Network's hit show, Penn & Teller Fool Us. He was also nominated for "Entertainer of the Year 2015" from Campus Activities Magazine. Other nominations include ‘Best Variety Performer’ (2010,2011,2012, 2013), ‘Fastest Rising Star’ (2010 & 2012) and ‘Best Male Performer’ (2011 & 2012).

He has performed for such celebrities as legendary musician Neil Young, quarterback Tom Brady, and the Patriots football team and ownership.

PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN POLICY

No one will be turned away for lack of funds; contact MSA at 207-879-4629 or info@mayostreetarts.org to take advantage of our pay-what-you-can admission policy.

COVID-19 POLICY

Mayo Street Arts no longer requires audience members attending public events to wear masks. Audience members who feel sick—whether due to COVID or any other illness—should stay home out of respect for others.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Mayo Street Arts has a no refund policy for all reservations. In the event that MSA is forced to cancel an event due to weather, illness, etc., refunds will be offered via the Ticket Tailor platform.