Arts Live show has little bit of everything
Published 1:47 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008
SNOQUALMIE – They call it “multitasking,” and indeed it is. Circus acts, comedy, juggling that defies the law of gravity and a tap-dancing saxophonist is included in this entertaining show by Rhys Thomas and Shoehorn that kids of all ages will love.
Adults will be just as enthralled as the youngsters in the audience by the fast-paced, diverse and full-of-surprises program presented by Snoqualmie Valley Arts Live on Saturday, Jan. 19, in the Mount Si High School theater. Of the two shows scheduled, at 1 and 4 p.m., seats are available only for the 1 p.m. production. The later show is sold out.
Who are Rhys Thomas and Shoehorn? Well, Thomas is a witty showman with a sterling set of credentials.
He has two university degrees and a career as a junior-high school teacher prior to beginning to perform full time in 1987. Since then, his fame has spread across the country and beyond. He has competed as the only American in the invitation-only World Cup Street Performance Competition in Japan; he has served as artist in residence at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.; is in the Cirque du Soleil prestigious performers resource directory; and opened the Science Museum of Minnesota with Bill Nye the Science Guy.
These are only some of the highlights of a career that has earned dozens of accolades so far.
And Shoehorn? He does have another name. In real life he is Michael Conley, who recently returned from New York City where he performed at Town Hall in “The Elegance of Tap and The Comedy of Tap.” He was featured along with many other noted dancers, including performers from “Riverdance,” “Bring tha Noise, Bring tha Funk” and other Broadway shows. He is equally skilled as a saxophonist and has succeeded in merging these two talents into a highly entertaining act that complements Thomas’ remarkable performance.
Tickets are available at Nature’s Marketplace in North Bend; Isadora’s in Snoqualmie; Video Nites in Fall City; and Mills Music in Issaquah. Mount Si High School is located at 8651 Meadowbrook Way S.E. in Snoqualmie.
