PHYSICAL COMEDY AND UNIQUE INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY COME TOGETHER FOR SPECIAL RESIDENCY AT BROOKLYN’S CITY TECH

Mark Gindick knows a thing or two about physical comedy. Having been called “…the next level of clowning” by Spectacle Magazine and being described as “…on par with greats like Buster Keaton and Bill Irwin,” Gindick brings Wing-Man, his unique “one clown show” that he created, wrote and stars in, to the New York City College of Technology (“City Tech”) in Brooklyn for four performances from March 26 – 29. Produced by Michael and Tina Bongar of Clown Cloud Productions and directed by West Hyler (Jersey Boys, Big Apple Circus’ Legendarium), Wing-Man is a hilariously engaging and heartwarming tale of one man’s attempt to harness the power of social media to find love – or at least a meaningful date – in the 21st Century. Tickets are on sale starting March 1.

Audiences will know they are in for something very different before the show even begins when they are encouraged to keep their smart phones on for the beginning of the show. That’s because the stage is transformed into one large video screen that becomes part of the production itself and is interactive with both the performer and the audience. Not a word is spoken throughout the 90-minute theatrical comedy. Instead, it is Gindick’s considerable comedic talents and interplay with the audience and the unique technology that brings this romantic romp through the internet to life.

Wing-Man, which won BEST ONE-MAN SHOW at the United Solo Theatre Festival, is a live, interactive and modern take on Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times. While Chaplin’s classic film dealt with the struggle to survive in the rapidly evolving industrialized world of the 1930s, Gindick’s Wing-Man character must navigate the social pitfalls of a fast-paced world where “Likes,” tweets and texts often substitute for real interpersonal communication. With a ton of laughs and a trace of melancholy, Wing-Man confronts the demands of modern digital technology on our lives.

Wing-Man features a talented creative team including Choreographer Danny Mefford (Broadway’s The Bridges of Madison County, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Musical Director Matt Stine (Love’s Labours Lost, Here Lies Love) and Musical Director Justin Levine (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Here Lies Love, Murder Ballad). Projection Designer is Jason H. Thompson (Baby It’s You, Venice), Animator is Ryan Cushman (Lucasfilm, Edge of Tomorrow), Set Designer is Stephen Marsh (Pee Wee’s Big Top), Dramaturg is Anne Davison (Love’s Labours Lost, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Costume Designers are Mattie Ullrich (Il Due Foscari with Placido Domingo, The Pride) and Sylvianne Shurman (Blind Angels), and Lighting Designer is Susan Brandt (Production Manager, City Tech).

Mark Gindick is a graduate of the world famous Ringling Bros.’ Clown College and went on to perform in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey before becoming a featured performer for several years with the Big Apple Circus. In addition to Chaplin, Gindick takes a page from the classic greats of physical comedy such as Harold Lloyd and the Marx Brothers, along with modern influences Bill Irwin, David Shiner and his own co-star in Big Apple Circus, Grandma the clown (Barry Lubin). Wing-Man is a uniquely modern production that adds its own lovable stamp on the genre of physical comedy.

TICKET INFORMATION:
See Wing-Man at the Voorhees Building of New York City College of Technology at 186 Jay Street, Brooklyn NY from March 26 – 29. Tickets are $20.00 for general admission, $10.00 for non-City Tech students, and free to City Tech students with valid school ID.

Tickets are available starting March 1 at www.wing-man.brownpapertickets.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 at 8:00 PM
THURSDAY, MARCH 27 at 8:00 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 28 at 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, MARCH 29 at 8:00 PM
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ABOUT NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY:
The New York City College of Technology (City Tech) residency program is a unique opportunity for professional artistic organizations to work with undergraduate Entertainment Technology students to realize production values and work with technology unavailable to these artists in most other venues. The Voorhees Theater will be an exciting new performance venue in Brooklyn for experimental collaboration between art and technology. Production support is provided by students and faculty of the College’s nationally unique Entertainment Technology Department. For information about studying Entertainment Technology at New York City College of Technology, contact Professor Susan Brandt, Production Manager, Theatreworks at 718-260-5595 or sbrandt@citytech.cuny.edu. You may also visit www.entertainmenttechnology.org

Hello everyone!

Wing-man has just launched a new website that is simply amazing! Check out our reviews, media and don’t forget to get our swag from the shop or donate to Wing-Man!

– Team