The Red Nose

The red nose, that mark of chronic inebriates everywhere, was long ago appropriated by theater performers in Europe seeking a visible symbol of their humility. And believe it or not, the town drunk went on to serve as the muse of a million clowns (those working outside the parade and birthday-party circuits, anyway). In order to discover the clown within, each artist must submit to the rigorous, if not embarrassing, exercise of publicly identifying his or her physical imperfections—perhaps a big butt, twiggy legs, or a frizzy, unmanageable mop. By chance, a group of Minneapolitans has just been through this wringer. Performances of The Red Nose culminate a three-week workshop, led by the visiting Italian clown Giovanni Fusetti, who convinced a dozen or so local performers to embrace and amplify their problem spots. Bedlam Theatre, 1501 6th St. S., Minneapolis; 612-341-1038.