The physical theater group “The Combustibles” is developing a show about trash called “Detritus" in which characters live in a landfill and clothe themselves in reused materials. Even the promotional fliers for the show are recycled.

The cast uses bouffon and grotesque styles of clowning and theater to create a show of satire with an outcast, deformed set of characters. They wear plastic bags and smears of makeup. Jeff Seal slides around a stage on one roller skate.

Liza Zapol, one of the show’s creators, said a “green sensibility is really important to people right now, and it’s a way of looking at it maybe with a little humor, spinning it around a little bit.”

For the Green Circus, interaction is encouraged.

At a performance in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, an audience of children yelled at Smog Gog, and then jumped on stage to dismantle his power plant. In the act – unlike in the real world – the environment wins every time, said Justin Finley, who plays Hempy the Clown.

Garrett Ramirez, site coordinator of Two Coves Garden, where the troupe often rehearses, noted that the Green Circus’ acts have helped attract attention and resources to the Astoria community garden that was formerly an abandoned lot.

“The sheer publicity of it helps us – particularly with their knowledge of environmental issues,” Ramirez said.

Clowning with a social purpose

The Green Circus and the Combustibles are part of a long line of performers who have blended activism and laughter to amplify their impact.

Humorists, like Lenny Bruce and the Smothers Brothers, made social activism a staple of their acts during the 1960s – often drawing controversy by turning the comedy stage into a platform to protest the Vietnam War and censorship and to promote civil rights

In the early 1970s, Johnny Carson was credited for helping to bring down the Nixon administration by incorporating the Watergate scandal into his daily monologue. Now, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have managed to shape public opinion by finding a punch line in controversial news events such as the souring economy and the war in Iraq.

“On the surface humor or satire can appear to be very sophomoric,” said Glenn Earich who teaches comedy and writing at Second City, the fabled comedy school in Chicago. “But underneath that you can get a message across.”

Earich who has been a professional comedian for 13 years, said a comedic message can be a tension release for serious topics – as long as it is funny and avoids being preachy.

“You aren’t going to change the world this way, but you can get attention,” Earich said, “more attention then you would standing on a podium.”

Referring to more traditional clowns, Silverman said, “You don’t need to be riding big bicycles to get a message across.”

PAGE 1 | 2

AUDIO:

As Earth Day approaches, two New York City performance groups tackle environmental issues. Sydney Beveridge reports.

Where to see the clowns

Green Circus Shows:
Saturday, April 26
12 to 4 p.m.
Dope Swan and The Green Circus Present
“How to Build a Community”
Earth Day in Rainey Park
33-01 Vernon Boulevard, Astoria Waterfront

Saturday, May 3
1 to 4 p.m.
“Green Circus Rock it in Rockaway”
Rockaway Beach

Detritus Shows:
Tuesday, April 22 and Wednesday, April 23
8 p.m.
Prospect Theatre Company’s
DARK NIGHTS SERIES 2007-2008
Prospect Theater
Hudson Guild Theatre
441 West 26th St.

Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, April 27 at 6 p.m.
Six Figures Theatre Company’s
Artists of Tomorrow Festival
West End Theater
263 West 86th St.