Pontine Presents 5th Annual WEST FEST, 12/26-30

For the fifth year, Pontine Theatre hosts a host of New Vaudeville performers at its WEST FEST. Performances are scheduled for 2pm, 26-30 December at Pontine's West End Studio Theatre located at 959 Islington Street in Portsmouth.

The WEST FEST is modeled on the Phyzgig Festival which was founded in Portland Maine in 1997. It's a family-oriented festival that chases away the blues with performances featuring magic, mirth, and mayhem. Each show features three performers. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online at www.pontine.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door a half-hour prior to each show (cash & checks only), based on availability. Contact: info@pontine.org / 603-436-6660.

All the featured performers are skilled in multiple forms: physical comedy, clowning, juggling, acrobatics, magic, and more. Michael Trautman, of Portland ME, delights audiences with by manipulating an ocean of ping-pong balls. Sam & Lenny, of Portland ME & Greenfield MA, balance, sing, juggle, and more. Roderick Russell, of Burlington VT, performs magic, reads minds and swallows swords. Randy Judkins, of Portland ME, not only juggles, he also enchants audiences with his wry downeast storytelling skills. Ryuosuke Yamazumi, of Quebec, Canada, is an extraordinary juggler from Japan. BJ Hickman, of Dover NH, is a master magician who consistently charms audiences. John & Rebecca Higby (The YoYo People), of Amherst MA, not only amaze audiences with their yoyo skills, they also perform with hula-hoops and a unicycle. Daniel Forlano, also of Amherst MA, specializes in physical comedy which has been described as both spotaneous and engaging. Jody Scalise, of Charlemont MA, is a classically trained mime who has been entertaining audiences with his antics for over forty years. Henry Lappen, of Amherst MA, has been tickling audiences all over New England for decades with his juggling skills...clubs, rings, balls and more!