| |
 |
|
Jay
Alexander’s New Swing Circus
Written by Specter
As I approach the entrance a well dressed type in a black pin-striped
suit, black fedora, and shoes that had that Lemon Pledge shine
was barking at passersby to no avail. “Tonight only! Jay
Alexander’s New Swing Circus features acts both bizarre
and death-defying! For a mere twenty American dollars you too
can witness the mesmerizing magic of Jay Alexander and the swingin’
sounds of Lee Press-On and the Nails. Step right up!”
He spotted me. “You, sir, look as though you might enjoy
a night of the bizarre and mysterious.”
By the squawking of the barker I expected the joint to be as
empty as a blonde show girl’s gaze. Yet as I slipped through
the black curtain it was packed, standing room only.
I had just enough time to slip into a dark corner when the ten-piece
band that had been tuning up started to swing-not the sweet
swing of the Casa Loma Orchestra but the relentless full speed
ahead swing of Lee Press-On and the Nails. A couple of bars
into the tune this little Gomez Adams-looking guy comes burning
across the stage waving one of those music sticks and shaking
like a leaf in a hurricane to the tune of “Symphony Sid.”
But the words were all wrong. It wasn’t “Symphony
Sid” anymore-it was now the Jay Alexander introduction
song.
Then-blamo!-out pops Jay Alexander looking like Alice Cooper
in a purple zoot-suit complete with chain, hair, two tones and
plenty o’schtick. Mild mannered Alexander becomes Mr.
Charisma as soon as the stage lights land on his goateed face.
With a diabolical glint in his eyes he could convince an audience
to do just about anything, including acting as a human pin cushion
for his knife throwing act. Jay manipulates the audience like
Silly Puddy. And magic ain’t his only forte – the
guy’s also a gut buster with his jokes and antics.
Alexander breaks out his suitcase and starts working his magic.
Believe me, with his sleight of hand you would swear it was
magic. Card tricks, bottle tricks, mind tricks… just when
your scratching your head over one gag this spellbinder is already
on the attack with another.
His somewhat moronic sideman, Olaf, was wearing Harold Lloyd
glasses and pants that would stay dry in any flood, making him
a cross between Harold Lloyd and Jerry Lewis. Olaf played off
his master like a last call fading beauty trying to swoon you
for one last drink. The crowd was roaring with laughter. Even
I may have cracked a smile or two at the half wit, dead pan
antics of this sideman.
Along with Alexander’s amazing illusions this show offers
the kind of entertainment you can only see in old movies. Like
the girl in skintight leotard who climbs up a rope, hangs on
with her chompers, and spins like the Tasmanian Devil. Or the
guy who stacks up a half dozen chairs and balances on them like
an elephant on dental floss, twisting and contorting his body
through a maze of chairs ready to topple at any second.
But my favorite part of the show is when Alexander grabs Mr.
Press-On, throws him in a basket, and sticks the lid on. The
sorcerer then shoves a bunch of swords in it, yanks them out,
removes the lid, and out pops this six-foot vision of pure beauty
in a dress as slinky as good taste will allow. Not only was
this doll an inspiration to all red blooded American boys, but
this canary could sing.
After all the magic, hijinks, and hoopla, Lee Press-On and the
Nails launched into a hair raising set of souped-up jump swing,
with Lee twisting, turning, and jumping into the splits like
a short white Cab Calloway pounding through the set. Jay Alexander
and Lee Press-On are a match made in vaudeville heaven!
By the end of the night Jay Alexander sat smiling like a crocodile
with the knowledge that he had created something unique. Classic
vaudeville and high powered 90’s swing. Ah, dare I say
it, a magical combination.
|
|
