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Photo Coverage: Banana Shpeel Opens at The Beacon

By: May. 20, 2010
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Banana Shpeel celebrated it's opening night yesterday, May 19 at 7:00pm at the Beacon Theatre. Previews began on April 29 and performances are scheduled until August 29. BroadwayWorld was there to capture the starry arrivals.

Banana Shpeel is the latest show from producer extraordinaire Marty Schmelky and features a colorful array of slapstick comedy, eclectic dance and unique acrobatic acts. The larger-than-life personality presents the diverse talent he has gathered from around the world, as zany characters spread chaos throughout the theatre.

In his long and illustrious career, Schmelky has created such unforgettable hits as The Phantom of the Banana; Annie Get Your Banana; Fiddler on the Banana; The Best Little Banana in Texas; Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Banana; and Gentlemen Prefer Bananas.

Banana Shpeel Writer and Director David Shiner started out as a mime in Paris. His career took off in 1984 when he was discovered at the renowned circus festival Cirque de Demain. Shiner later teamed up with Bill Irwin to create the wordless two-man show Fool Moon, which played from 1992 to 1999, including three Broadway runs. Fool Moon picked up numerous prizes, including a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award. In 2007, Shiner directed his first Cirque du Soleil production, the big top touring show KOOZA.

Banana Shpeel tickets are available for performances through August 29, 2010 and can be purchased at www.schmelkyproductions.com or www.ticketmaster.com or at 1-866-858-0008.

May 21 - August 29, 2010: Tickets range from $45 to $110, with a limited number of premium seats.  The show plays Wednesday at 2pm & 8pm, Thursday & Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm and Sunday at 2pm & 6pm.

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Photo Coverage: Banana Shpeel Opens at The Beacon  Image

Photo Coverage: Banana Shpeel Opens at The Beacon  Image
Josette Wiggan, Schmelky (Danny Rutigliano) and Kassie Brown

Photo Coverage: Banana Shpeel Opens at The Beacon  Image
Josette Wiggan, Danny Rutigliano and Kassie Brown

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Danny Rutigliano

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Josette Wiggan, Danny Rutigliano, Daniel Lamarre (President of Cirque) and Kassie Brown

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Danny Rutigliano and Daniel Lamarre

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Mark Indelicato

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Mark Indelicato

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Marcia Gay Harden gets her children ready for the Yellow Carpet

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Marcia Gay Harden and family

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Marcia Gay Harden

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Christopher Meloni

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Christopher Meloni and Son

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Christopher Meloni

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Saul Rubinek and Daughter

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Saul Rubinek and Family

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Jake T. Austin and Sister

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Jake T. Austin

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James Gandolfini and Family

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James Gandolfini and family

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Shereen Hickman (Margaret), James Gandolfini and Danny Rutigliano

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Shereen Hickman and Danny Rutigliano

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"Real Housewife of New York" Sonja Morgan

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Matthew Settle

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Matthew Settle

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Matthew Settle, Shereen Hickman and Danny Rutigliano

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Corbin Bleu

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Corbin Bleu

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Danny Rutigliano, Corbin Bleu and Shereen Hickman

Photo Coverage: Banana Shpeel Opens at The Beacon  Image
Shereen Hickman, Corbin Bleu and Danny Rutigliano

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"Real Housewife of New Jersey" Danielle Staube

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"Real Housewife of New Jersey" Danielle Staube

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"Real Housewife of New York" Countess LuAnn de Lesseps

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Luke Hawkins and DeWitt Fleming Jr.

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Luke Hawkins and DeWitt Fleming Jr.

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Anna Torv

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Luke Hawkins

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Connor Paolo

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Connor Paolo

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Luke Hawkins

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Max Von Essen

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Luke Hawkins and Max Von Essen

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Max Von Essen

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The Creative Team of Banana Shpeel: Simon Carpenter, Eleni Uranis, Bruno Rafie, Jasmine Catudal, Shereen Hickman, Serge Roy, and Dominique Lemieux

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Constantine Maroulis

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DeWitt Fleming Jr., Shereen Hickman, Constantine Maroulis, and Luke Hawkins

Photo Coverage: Banana Shpeel Opens at The Beacon  Image
DeWitt Fleming Jr., Shereen Hickman, Constantine Maroulis, and Luke Hawkins

Photo Coverage: Banana Shpeel Opens at The Beacon  Image
Constantine Maroulis

Photo Coverage: Banana Shpeel Opens at The Beacon  Image
Constantine Maroulis

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Luke Hawkins, Shereen Hickman, Constantine Maroulis, and DeWitt Fleming Jr.

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Luke Hawkins, Shereen Hickman, Constantine Maroulis, and DeWitt Fleming Jr

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Luke Hawkins, Jared Grimes (Choreographer) and DeWitt Fleming Jr.

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Jared Grimes

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"Real Housewife of New York" Kelly Killoren Bensimon

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Rocco DiSpirito

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Rocco DiSpirito

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"Schmelky" off to start the show

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