Here's Bonzo Crunch of Austin, Texas, presenting his show at the Cedar Park Library with a fine example of why it's important to put on a show with as much showmanship as possible. It's one of my pet peeves, I guess. There are some very good performers out there that don't put enough effort into the look of the show. Maybe it's because their audience is comprised primarily of children and don't think the kids will notice one way or the other. Why bother. Not Bonzo Crunch!
He's got all the bases covered: First and foremost, he has a very good show consisting of magic, juggling and music presented in a skillful, comical fashion. He's got a great costume and makeup, great props that fit his character. Now, he could have been content with that but he went a step further. He added some fabulous scenery like the one pictured above and below. What a difference it makes. It adds so much to the performance transforming an ordinary setting into a performance space that suits that completely suits the character. It doesn't take much to make and the set piece can be made light-weight for easy transport,assembly and tear down.
Bonzo has been entertaining audiences of all ages for years and as all good performers know, you have to keep improving your show to keep your audiences coming back for more. Setting the bar high means you can't sit on your laurels. That's okay.
And Bonzo Crunch is just one person. He's not part of a large non-profit theater company with deep pockets nor is he a corporate, brand- name character that has massive amounts of moolah to back him up. Bonzo Crunch is a very resourceful and creative person running a small business who truly loves what he does AND respects his audience. Very nice, Mr. Crunch.
