Karen Montanaro’s one-woman, multi-media show, Tony Montanaro-A Love Story, is a comical, profound, intimate, and breathtaking account of the personal and professional relationship between Tony and Karen Montanaro.

When Tony and Karen met in 1987, Tony was a world-renowned mime artist and Karen was a professional ballet dancer. Tony was 60 years old and recently divorced. Karen was a 27-year-old virgin. Tony was ready to leave his former life, buy an Airstream, and hit the road. Karen was at a dead-end, suffering from anxiety attacks and a life-threatening malaise. Thus began a relationship that Karen credits with saving her life; imparting grand lessons in vulnerability, artistry, playfulness, and more playfulness. This is a straight-up, unadulterated story about Love. 

Tony Montanaro - A Love Story is partially funded by an ARPA (Artist Rescue Plan Act) grant from the Maine Arts Commission that was generously matched by Tom Bergeron, former television host of Dancing with the Stars, America’s Funniest Home Videos, and Hollywood Squares, and arguably Tony’s most famous protégée. Director, Robert Post.

Saturday, June 4 | Doors open at 7:00

Show begins at 7:30 PM; 60-75-minutes

Tickets are available for $15 in advance, $18 at the door, and $22 for preferred seating (sliding scale available)

ARTIST BIO

An early student of both Marcel Marceau and Marceau’s teacher, Etienne Decroux, Tony Montanaro was one of the great masters of mime. Tony taught his personal style of “physical eloquence” to thousands of students and other teachers for over 50 years – and not just to mimes. Actors, musicians, acrobats and clowns, storytellers and dancers, jugglers and magicians – all sought out Tony for his unique ability to turn individual talents into true and marketable theatre. Tony founded the Celebration Barn in South Paris, Maine, where he taught for 17 years, directing several touring companies and launching many duet and solo careers. He toured nationally and internationally with his wife and partner, Karen Hurll-Montanaro as the Montanaro-Hurll Theater of Mime and Dance.

SLIDING SCALE ADMISSION POLICY

No one will be turned away for lack of funds; contact MSA at 207-879-4629 or info@mayostreetarts.org for information on our sliding scale admission policy.

COVID-19 POLICY

All patrons and staff attending events will need to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (or negative test from within 48 hours) along with a matching photo ID.

Audience members, staff, and volunteers will be asked to mask while not actively eating, or drinking.

Mayo Street Arts is committed to the safety of everyone at our events and will adhere to all Federal & Maine CDC guidelines on the day of the event. As we anticipate mid-season changes to our COVID-19 policy, please click here to visit our website and view the most current information.

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.

Pictured: Tony and Karen in Act II of the Portland Ballet’s Coppélia, 1988 by CC Church