Quote of the Day:  This may be the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever done. Robert Dorfman, on playing the part of the Old Man (or, the Balloonman as my friend Em, age almost 4, puts it).

 

Robert Dorfman and his costar The Red Balloon.

Robert Dorfman and his costar The Red Balloon.

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Photos by Dan Norman, The Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, MN

Robert Dorfman is a skilled actor who knows how to engage even the youngest of audience members. He began his career in the Barnum and Bailey Circus, which explains his fantastic facial expressions and body language. With the masterful music and sound effects of Victor Zupanc and other supporting crew, this show comes alive! Peter Brosius is such a good director that he can even get a balloon to perform on cue. Together, they understand what engages a preschooler, how to keep them focused on the action, and allow them to interact without interrupting. I loved watching the youngsters get into the show, sometimes pointing, calling out warnings, giggling at the antics, and commenting on the drama.

A few of us adults were wondering how many balloons, balloon stunt doubles, and balloon understudies are needed for this show. It is expertly choreographed and the ideal length and setting for the little ones to enjoy.

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A bit more about Robert Dorfman:

ROBERT DORFMAN (Old Man) is very glad to be making his CTC debut in Balloonacy. He has performed most recently at the Guthrie Theater in Freud’s Last Session and Uncle Vanya. He toured for a year with the 1st National Tour of The Drowsy Chaperone playing at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in St. Paul. He also appeared on Broadway in The Lion King, Social Security and To Be Or Not To Be. He has played major roles off-Broadway for Classic Stage Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights’ Horizons, Public Theater and Second Stage and around the country in productions for Arena Stage, Portland’s Center Stage, Dallas Theater Center, Geffen Playhouse, Goodman Theater, Huntington Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Long Wharf Theater, Mark Taper Forum, DC’s Shakespeare Theater Company, South Coast Repertory, Virginia Stage Company, Wilma Theater and Baltimore’s Center Stage where he was a long-time associate artist. His many film and TV credits include Boardwalk Empire (HBO), Fool’s Fire (dir. Julie Taymor) and It Could Happen to You (dir. Andrew Bergman). He began his career as a clown for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Balloonacy written by Barry Kornhauser, directed by Peter Brosius, Composer of sound and design by Victor Zupanc, and starring Robert Dorfman and The Red Balloon is playing at the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, MN, March 25 – May 4, 2014.

Coming next to the Children’s Theatre is Shrek the Musical! Super excited!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever tried to act with a balloon as a costar? Do you know how to make balloon animals? What’s your best/worst experience with a balloon?

If you go to the show, you can wear sock puppets on your feet!

If you go to the show, you can wear sock puppets on your feet!

The girls who accompanied me to Balloonacy. I hear they’re still acting out some of the scenes from the play!

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