Highest rating! "90 minutes of nonstop hilarity . . . a tour de force of physical comedy [and] a gift to the Bay Area."
—San Francisco Chronicle Read the entire review.
Some people run away to join the circus. Lorenzo Pisoni was born into one.
In this hilarious stage memoir filled with stupendous physical feats, Pisoni takes us under the big top with the incredible true story of growing up as the youngest member of San Francisco's Pickle Family Circus. Celebrating the complicated, no-holds-barred life of a performer, Pisoni shows off the tricks of the trade he learned from his father, Pickle cofounder Larry Pisoni. A hilarious and heartfelt event that will delight audiences of all ages, Humor Abuse dazzles with unforgettable stories and mesmerizing routines—all performed by the "one-man whirlwind" (WOR Radio) Lorenzo Pisoni.
"Spellbinding and wickedly funny . . . one of the most entertaining stage shows of the year" —BeyondChron
"Hilarious . . . Pisoni is a master of comic timing." —The San Francisco Examiner
"A clowning tour de force . . . simply wonderful" —Marinscope
"A truly delightful way to spend an evening" —Chad Jones, theaterdogs
"Pisoni's performance is breathtaking." —The New York Times
"Utterly charming, absorbing, and hilarious"
—TheaterMania
"A heartfelt story of a son looking for what makes his father tick" —Associated Press
"Funny, poignant, and inspired" —Bloomberg
"Great fun! Lorenzo Pisoni is a one-man whirlwind. The stunts will amaze you and the kids will enjoy it." —WOR Radio
"Surprising, funny, and entirely theatrical. Other solo performers take note: you can describe your troubled childhood, but can you do it with balloons?" —Variety
"A charming and moving tribute. Lorenzo Pisoni is a performer of charisma and charm with the split-second timing and aplomb of Buster Keaton." —New York Post
"Delightful slapstick routines . . . [Pisoni has] killer comic timing and acrobatic prowess." —The Seattle Times
"I can completely recommend running away and joining Lorenzo Pisoni's circus for an evening." —Broadway World
Presented in association with Seattle Repertory Theatre
InterACT Events Splashy parties, lively discussions, and more—all free with your ticket.*
Prologue
January 17, 5:30 p.m.
Get inside the artistic process at this lively preshow discussion with the director and A.C.T. artistic staff.
Audience Exchanges
January 24, 7 p.m.
January 29, 2 p.m.
February 1, 2 p.m.
After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors, moderated by a member of the A.C.T. artistic staff.
OUT with A.C.T.
January 25, 8 p.m.
The best LGBT night in town! Mingle with the cast and enjoy free drinks and treats at this popular afterparty. Visit www.act-sf.org/out for information about how to subscribe to OUT nights throughout the season.
Stage Left Screening
January 29, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a special free screening of Stage Left: A Story of Theater in San Francisco, a celebration of the unique theatrical community of the City by the Bay—including the Pickle Family Circus! Admission is free, but reservations are recommended. Visit the Stage Left tab for more information.
A.C.T. Family Series
February 4, 2 p.m.
Join us before the show at 1 p.m. for a lively, interactive workshop on clowning and physical theater led by Paoli Lacy, former director and core clowning teacher for the Clown Conservatory at San Francisco's Circus Center. Click here to learn more about A.C.T.'s Family Series.
*Most events are free for ticket holders. Please note that performance times vary.
Free movie screening—San Francisco premiere!
Stage Left: A Story of Theater in San Francisco Directed by Austin Forbord
Sunday, January 29, at 6:30 p.m.
The American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary Street, San Francisco
Admission is free, but reservations are recommended.
Click here to reserve your free tickets.
Please note: Tickets will be held in will-call for pickup on day of screening.
Click here to learn more about Stage Left.
Join us for a special free screening of this incredible new documentary film! Stage Left celebrates more than 50 years of extraordinary Bay Area theater, including A.C.T. and the Pickle Family Circus, which launched the career of Humor Abuse star Lorenzo Pisoni.
Beginning with the founding of The San Francisco Actor's Workshop in 1952, the film covers the theatrical landscape in San Francisco through 2010. Stage Left brings together the directors, actors, composers, playwrights, artists, and eccentrics who have made the Bay Area theater scene an experimental, multidisciplinary, and political hotbed, including A.C.T. Associate Artist Bill Irwin, who launched his career as part of San Francisco's Pickle Family Circus.
The evening will begin with a 15-minute conversation with Stage Left director Austin Forbord and A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff. Following the screening of the 90-minute film, all audience members are invited to greet Forbord during a lively mixer in Fred's Columbia Room, located in A.C.T.'s lower lobby.
Thanks to everyone who entered our Pickle Memories Contest!
We received dozens of your incredible memories and photos from attending performances by San Francisco's Pickle Family Circus, and we've posted many of them on the A.C.T. Blog. Click here to read more!
Additional Credits
Ben Krall (Assistant to Mr. Stanton)
Terry Lorant (Photographic Images)
Randall Craig ("Larry's Memory")
Brian Fauska (Scenic Coordinator)
Denise Damico (Costume Coordinator)
Insight into the Play, the Playwright, and the Production
Each entertaining and informative issue of Words on Plays, A.C.T.'s in-depth performance guide series, contains a synopsis, advance program notes, study questions, and additional background information about the historical and cultural context of the play.
Words on Plays is available for purchase in the lobby of the theater during performances or online ($12 each + postage and handling or $5 each for the electronic edition). For more information about how to subscribe to a full or partial season, click here.
Words on Plays Prepared by
Elizabeth Brodersen, Director of Education
Dan Rubin, Publications Manager
Michael Paller, Resident Dramaturg
Emily Hoffman, Publications and Dramaturgy Associate
Emily Means, Education and Publications Fellow
Amy Krivohlavek, Marketing Writer
Adobe Reader is required to view A.C.T. publications.
Production Photos
Click to view larger images from Humor Abuse at A.C.T.
Humor Abuse Video Blogs
Video Blog #1
Lorenzo Pisoni talks about the process of preparing his show for its debut in his hometown.
Video Blog #2
Lorenzo Pisoni takes us inside his New York City apartment where he rehearses for Humor Abuse.
Video Blog #3
Lorenzo Pisoni packs up the numerous props used in the production and ships them to
Seattle, where Humor Abuse opens Seattle Repertory Theatre's new season.
Video Blog #4
Lorenzo Pisoni takes us behind the scenes of Humor Abuse as he interviews Hannah Cohen,
the show's production stage manager.
Video Blog #5
Lorenzo Pisoni talks about the evolution of Humor Abuse with cocreator Erica Schmidt.
Video Blog #6
Lorenzo Pisoni talks with his father, Larry Pisoni, cofounder of San Francisco's Pickle Family Circus, about how he became a clown—and how he feels about Humor Abuse.
Video Blog #7
Lorenzo Pisoni takes a trip down memory lane as he revisits some of his favorite San Francisco landmarks in preparation for the Bay Area premiere of Humor Abuse.
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