Children of all ages love the comical silent clown known as MooNiE who is performing Saturday, June 30 as part of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival (ISF) 2018 Season.
The MooNiE Show is a silent one-man circus featuring juggling, rope-walking, comedic bits, and audience participation. This performance for general audiences in one act (approximately 1 hour) will be performed at the Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts Theatre at 2 p.m. Tickets are only $5 for children and $15 for adults. They will be available at the door or online at IllinoisShakes.com or by calling (309) 438-2535.
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The MooNiE character was born at the Festival in 1992 when Johnson, who has been an actor in the company since the 1980s, first pitched idea to festival founder Cal Pritner. Though The MooNiE Show has appeared many times at the Festival through the years, and around the country, this will be his first Festival appearance in many years.
Philip Earl Johnson very recently starred as Dr. Thomas Stockmann in Robert Falls’ production of Enemy of the People at the Goodman Theatre. He is an established actor of exceptional range and depth. His credits include Chicago productions at the Steppenwolf Theatre, the Royal George Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. His television and film credits include Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Early Edition. Last December he was seen in television commercials as the “helpful hardware man.”
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As part of last season’s 40th Anniversary celebration, Johnson was included in the Illinois Shakespeare Festival’s honor roll of 40 outstanding actors over the first 40 years.
