59E59 Theaters production of Parallel Exit, with the US premiere of ROOM 17B, created by Mike Dobson and Joel Jeske and directed by Mark Lonergan, ends performances on February 6. To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or go to www.59e59.org.
The boss wants to maintain control; his assistant wants to be the boss; the sales rep wants to win; and the company man wants to avoid conflict. Welcome to the chaotic office of ROOM 17B, where filing cabinets hold something stranger than paperwork. The ideal show for anyone who feels like they work in a circus.
The Drama Desk nominated comedy troupe Parallel Exit returns to 59E59 Theaters (This Way That Way, Cut to the Chase) with a show that explores the power struggles, rivalries and one-up-manship in the most absurd office in New York City. If Buster Keaton and Monty Python did office work, it would look like ROOM 17B.
ROOM 17B features Joel Jeske (from the Big Apple Circus) along with Danny Gardner (Parallel Exit's Time Step at the New Victory) and Brent McBeth (Parallel Exit's Time Step, Face the Music at City Center Encores!). They are joined onstage with percussionist Mike Dobson (Big Apple Circus, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris) on the marimba. The set and lighting design is by three-time Drama Desk nominee Maruti Evans.
Percussionist Mike Dobson (composer, co-creator and performer) enjoys a career of highly diverse performance opportunities. Classically trained with degrees from Mannes College and The Hartt School, Mike has performed with orchestras such as the Westfield Symphony, New Haven Symphony, Waterbury Symphony, and Bridgeport Symphony. Mike has also toured with Circus Smirkus as percussionist and music director. Other circuses include the Big Apple Circus and the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. With Parallel Exit, Mike has performed in Time Step, Exit! Stage Left!, and Cut to the Chase. He has also played percussion in off-Broadway productions of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Target Margin's The Old Comedy, and Political Idol. Mike's versatility is revealed in the multi-genre list of outstanding and unique artists he has performed with, including master percussionist Glen Velez; jazz virtuosos Ira Sullivan, Nester Torres, and Dave Samuels; soprano Dawn Upshaw, comedian Mike Myers; and pop icon Paul Anka. He has been heard on NPR radio as well as CBS, MTV, and NBC television. Mike has also appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Joel Jeske (co-creator/performer) is a professional clown, actor, physical comedian, director, teacher, writer and creator of his own theater shows. He has appeared in major feature films including Two for the Money with Al Pacino and Two Weeks Notice with Sandra Bullock. On television, Joel was featured in Sex and the City, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Live with Regis and Kelly. Joel created and starred in Parallel Exit's Off Broadway hits This Way That Way and Cut to the Chase. He was nominated along with Parallel Exit for a Drama Desk award in 2008 for creating the show Cut to the Chase. As a clown, Joel toured and created clown acts for Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus and hosted The Big Apple Circus 2006-07 production of Step Right Up! Joel teaches circus and clown with The Big Apple Circus and Cirque Du Jour both internationally and at home in New York. Most recently with Cirque du Soleil, Joel was principal clown swing for their Broadway variety show: Banana Shpeel. Joel was honored as Clown of the Year at The New York Downtown Clown Golden Nose Awards in 2007 and Audience Choice Best Clown Act in 2009.
