I’ve interviewed some people you might call “clowns”….but, never an actual clown. I didn’t know what to expect when I went behind-the-scenes at TOTEM by Cirque du Soleil for Maniac Magazine.
Excited like a little kid who was, well, headed to the circus, I marveled with anticipation at the huge, telling blue and yellow tents before heading in to interview Pippo, one of the shows two clowns, and Amanda, head of wardrobe.
Pippo Crotti, a charming, laid-back guy from Italy, spoke with animation and an obvious passion for the things he loves: his art, and his family. I asked the kind and enthusiastic gentleman the question that’s on the minds of so many: how does one actually get into performing with Cirque du Soleil? The literary and somewhat melodramatic part of me was really hoping for an, “I ran away and joined the circus” kind of story, but, what I got was much more impressive, to be quite honest.
Pippo, a well-trained actor, was sought out to audition by Cirque du Soleil themselves after they spotted him in a video. He auditioned with a bunch of clowns and comic actors, and won one of two coveted roles as a clown on the TOTEM by Cirque du Soleil show.
On stage, he’s Pippo the clown, a “stereotypical Italian tourist” – a flirty, boisterous, over-the-top caricature that pokes fun at typical Italian stereotypes. He’s in 3 acts, and cannot choose a favorite, as they’re all very funny. Pippo says that his act includes, “flirting, talking about my mama, and talking about food…” all while wearing the production’s smallest costume: an itsy-bitsy teeny weeny yellow Speedo-type getup. During his performance, Pippo will give out his business card, egging on ladies to “give him a call” – this audience interaction is something that he really likes about his part. He has to stay on his toes and, occasionally, improvise – which he acknowledges can get pretty funny. When asked about if there were ever any “bloopers,” Pippo just laughed. I take that as a yes!
Off stage, Pippo likes to enjoy whatever city it is that he’s staying in at the time. He says that Pittsburgh is beautiful and that he really likes it. One tradition that he keeps is to try and get pizza from every city he’s in – whether it is Amsterdam, Montreal, or, yes, Pittsburgh!”It’s a hard business,” he says. “Everyone in every country has a different sense of humor, and you really have to learn to adapt, and act to the unique audience. What’s funny in England may not be funny in the U.S. You have to adapt. It’s a challenge, but, it keeps you growing!”
In addition to Pippo Crotti, I also got to talk with the head of wardrobe at the TOTEM show. Her name was Amanda Balius, and her main focus is to see that the costumes look as the designer intended them to look. In addition to preserving this vision, she monitors the costumes, handles alterations and repairs, and is responsible for 700 individual pieces that travel with the show from city to city. In addition, each of these 700 pieces has a backup counterpart…..that’s a lot of clothes and headpieces!
I asked Ms. Balius what the inspiration behind the costumes was, so that I could get a feel for what the style of the wardrobe would be. “A lot of our costumes come from ‘first nations’ and indigenous populations….but we also have animals: fish, frogs, monkeys,” she said. “We have Neanderthals, too, whose outfits are made of silicone, and, despite the ‘caveman’ looks, are embellished with nuts, washers, and bolts, to kind of show what people will dig up of us….symbolic of what our people will leave behind, as our mark on the history of mankind.”
She said, “The exactness of it all, especially down to the fit of the costumes, is excellent. Cirque has definitely excelled at that.”
That, and much more!
Cirque du Soleil’s TOTEM is sure to be a thrilling, visually pleasing, and simply amazing experience. Be sure to catch it while it’s in Pittsburgh until June 5th – you won’t want to miss it! Read more about Totem in the next issue of Maniac Magazine!
— by Ashley Boynes
