MUSCATINE, Iowa —The comedy of Charlie Chaplin and the music of the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra will be combined in the upcoming production of “Charlie Chaplin at the Symphony” on April 18.

Muscatine will be introduced to the show’s creator and star, musical mime Dan Kamin, whose goofy antics will be performed as he creates a silent movie live on stage in the style of Chaplin.

“Playing with people’s heads is my specialty,” Kamin said.

Chaplin (1889-1977) was one of the biggest stars of the silent film era, best known for his lovable, down-trodden character, The Tramp. He later made the transition to sound films. He was also an accomplished writer, filmmaker, composer and musician. Some his most famous movies include “The Gold Rush,” “Modern Times,” and “The Great Dictator.”

Visiting Muscatine

During his time in Muscatine, you might also catch Kamin during a series of “performance stunts” that will take place throughout the community during organized events.

People may not know his name now but “If I’ve done my job they will know  me before I leave,” he said.

He plans to visit schools and catch people off guard at other local meetings and events.

Kamin said he threatens to be “the worst speaker the Rotary and Kiwanis have ever had.”

He also plans on staying around for several days at Muscatine Community College’s arts department where he’ll share his insights and experiences in hands-on workshops, class visits, and “Funny Bones,” his full class in comedy.

Kamin, who describes himself as the “classical clown,” said he’ll pull Muscatine Symphony Orchestra director Brian Dollinger and the musicians into his routine.

“I have a lot of talking and acting to do during the first half of the show, which is a real hoot,” said Dollinger.

During the first act Kamin and Dollinger struggle for control of the conductor’s baton and by the end the whole show turns ito a silent movie.

“The music was just finished weeks ago. There are some quite difficult passages and they have no recording to listen to,” Dollinger said.

The one-night showing of “Charlie Chaplin at the Symphony” will be held at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18 at the Muscatine Center for the Performing Arts. Kamin will also introduce two Chaplin film classics, “Easy Street” and “The Immigrant” which will be accompanied by symphonic scores by Grant Cooper.

Classic inspiration

Kamin has written two books about Chaplin “Charlie Chaplin’s One-Man Show” and “The Comedy of Charlie Chaplin: Artistry in Motion,” which reveal the secrets of Chaplin’s comic art.

He learned to do physical comedy from a man named Jewel Walker who taught in the world-class drama department at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Penn., where he was studying industrial design. He learned to create illusions and tell stories in movement through hours of practice and study.

Kamin played the roll of the wooden Indian that came to life in the 1987 cult-classic movie, “Creepshow 2,” and created Martian movement for Tim Burton’s 1996 movie “Mars Attacks!”

He trained actor Robert Downy Jr. for his Oscar-nominated performance in the 1992 bio-film, “Chaplin.”

Kamin enjoys classical movies and believes his comedy act will make others fall in love with them as well.

“Classic movies inspired me and I came full circle by adding classic, visual comedy to modern films,” Kamin said.

 “I taught Johnny Depp how to roll the coin around his fingers the way he does at the end of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’ But does he call? Never,” he joked.

Kamin also incorporates magic in his shows and said he learned from “various shady criminal types” who showed off their skills in crime-ridden parts of Miami, Fla., where he grew up.

Kamin enjoys bringing Chaplin’s work to audiences with a new spin on the classics.

“This production brings the films the 21st century,” Kamin said. “And the music is sophisticated and contemporary.” 

Details

What: “Charlie Chaplin at the Symphony”

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18

Where: Muscatine Center for the Performing Arts, Central Middle School Auditorium, 901 Cedar St.

Tickets: $12 adults and $10 seniors; students 18 and younger are free. Tickets are available at HyVee food store, 2400 2nd Ave, Muscatine, or at the door.

For more information: Contact the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra at 563-288-6195, ext. 1608, or Brian Dollinger at conductingbassist@hotmail.com 

Online

Dan Kamin

www.dankamin.com/home.htm

Charlie Chaplin

www.charliechaplin.com/