Final Line-up Announced For THE PHYZGIG VAUDEVILLE FESTIVAL

Acorn Productions annual Phyzgig festival, a celebration of physical comedy and variety entertainment for the family, will take place in downtown Portland between Christmas and New Year's Eve 2010. The week includes 6 Main Stage Vaudeville Shows at the Portland Stage Company (including 2 shows on New Year's Eve), 8 Phyzkidz shows at SPACE Gallery and a rare appearance by Phyzgig's Artistic Director and Peaks Island resident Avner the Eccentric, who will be performing his full-length show for the first time in 4 years in Portland. Acorn has finalized the composition of each performance, showcasing the 12 performers who were chosen from a competitive application process that attracted interest from both national and international acts. As audiences have come to expect, these entertainers will create a full-blown week of zany insanity, featuring clowning, juggling, magic, slapstick humor, and other acts that defy classification. Tickets to Phyzgig are a very reasonable $8 to $20, and more information is available by calling 854-0065 or visiting www.phyzgig.org.

Phyzgig not only offers Portland audiences a rare look at form of entertainment with a rich and honored tradition, but has also helped to put Maine on the map as a state that nurtures the spirit of vaudeville. Phyzgig features two types of performances: Phyzkidz shows take place at SPACE Gallery and feature 3 performers in a format and venue designed for younger audience members, while mainstage variety shows showcase 4 performers and the live Phyzgig Gypsy Swing Band, appealing to audiences of all ages. This year's Phyzgig festival features the talents of the following performers: Jamie Adkins, Ambidextrous. Daniel Forlano, Drew the Dramatic Fool, Shane Miclon and Aaron DeWitt, Karen Montanaro, Norman Ng, Phil Smith, Michael Trautman, Yo-Yo People, and Zany Umbrella Circus. Complete bios for the performers follows the listing of the line-up for each individual Phyzgig performance.

Phyzgig is presented by Acorn Productions, an organization dedicated to nurturing and developing the performing arts community in Southern Maine. Although the festival continues to showcase the work of performers from around the country, the focus continues to be on Maine artists who trained with the famed master of mime Tony Montanaro at the Celebration Barn Theatre in South Paris, Maine. Tickets for Phyzgig are currently on sale - call Acorn Productions at 854-0065 or visit www.phyzgig.org to purchase or for more information.