HUMOR ABUSE Opens 9/21 at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum

"Humor Abuse," the hilarious and heartfelt story of growing up in the circus, opens September 21 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. Performances of the Obie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Award-winning play continue through November 3, 2013. (Previews are September 17 through 20.)

Through reminiscences and a whirlwind of juggling, pratfalls, double-takes, dodging sandbags and flinging himself in and out of a trunk, Lorenzo Pisoni's "Humor Abuse" delivers a tender homage to his perfectionist father, to the art and the discipline of comedy, and to the magic of the circus.

Pisoni took to the stage at age two as the youngest clown in the Pickle Family Circus, the much beloved one-ring circus founded by his parents in San Francisco. He signed his first contract as a performing partner at age six, all under the eye of his exacting father, who taught him that comedy is a deadly serious business.

"Humor Abuse" is created by Lorenzo Pisoni and Erica Schmidt, directed by Schmidt and features a tour de force performance by Pisoni. Lighting design is by Ben Stanton, sound design and original music by Bart Fasbender and the production stage manager is David S. Franklin.

Charles Isherwood of The New York Times said, "Physically, Mr. Pisoni's performance is breathtaking." Robert Hurwitt of the San Francisco Chronicle called the show "... 90 minutes of nonstop hilarity ... a probing, affecting look at a child's relationship with a father who was mentor, clown partner and boss."

"Humor Abuse" was originally presented in the spring of 2009 at the Manhattan Theatre Club.

Tickets for "Humor Abuse" are available by calling (213) 628-2772, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, or in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets range from $20 - $70 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Taper is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

Photo by: Craig Schwartz