Immersive circus–theater extravaganza
The Great Clown Bank Show
premieres at Open Fist Theatre Company
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2026) — Step right up to Atwater Village Theatre, where Open Fist Theatre Company presents an immersive theater extravaganza. Under the cracked neon glow of the Big Top, a wild-eyed, clown-capitalist circus fantasia erupts in a fever-dream spectacle of greed, glitter and grotesque excess. Created and directed by our ringmaster, Hank Jacobs, and featuring original circus music by Stephen Jacobs, songs by Michael Messer with lyrics by Jacobs and Messer, music direction by Robby Good and choreography by Raquis Petree, the world premiere of The Great Clown Bank Show opens on June 27 for a six-week run through August 1.
The gleefully deranged story follows the rise of the Greedy family — a scheming dynasty of powder-faced hustlers who transform their tiny carnival cashbox into the most powerful clown bank in America. Wildly funny, sharply satirical and packed with playful circus acts (a different guest performer every week), The Great Clown Bank Show skewers capitalist America with razor-toothed humor, exposing a world where wealth is the greatest magic trick of all — and everyone outside the ring is paying for it.
“The idea is to combine circus with some pointed observations about capitalism and income inequality for an easy, fun-filled 90-minutes of communal laughter and togetherness,” explains Jacobs. “It’s a way to ecstatically welcome our audience to Open Fist: Come on in, we’re all f**ked, we might as well have a good time together.”
A Los Angeles-based writer, director, producer, editor, actor and voice actor, Jacobs has a particular passion for circus. He grew up in Minneapolis where, at age 15, he joined Theatre De La Jeune Lune, a relocated French company known for its visually rich, highly physical style of theater derived from clown, mime, dance and opera. Moving to New York City in his early twenties, Jacobs co-created and ran Delicious Vaudeville, a circus that ran for two years in different locations around the city. Although most of his professional life has been spent working as a writer and voice actor, Jacobs has also earned his living as a mime, a clown, and a go-go dancer.
The Great Clown Bank Show features the talents of Tambrie Allsup (Grizz Greedy), Davis Barber (Gus Greedy), Kevin Brennan (Glenn Greedy), Elle Engleman (Greta Garrotte Greedy), Matthew Goodrich (Gary Greedy), Torrin Kelly (Griffin Greedy) and Clara York (Glenda Greedy). The ensemble includes Aimée Conn, Carmella Jenkins, Bethany Koulias and Raquis Petree, as well as aerialist Avery Lynch and a different, special guest circus performer every week.
The Immersive Experience is designed by DJ Handcrank, with lighting by Matthew Richter, costumes by Benny Lumpkins, and clown apparatus and props by Anna Kraus. Circus art and graphics are by Kris Kish, D. Morris and Ian Pitts. The production stage manager is John Dimitri, assisted by Ashleigh Gilfort. Jeremy D. Thompson produces for Open Fist Theatre Company; Kelsey Kusinitz is associate producer. The Great Clown Bank Show is made possible in part by the generous support of Drew Thaler.
Open Fist Theatre Company is a collective, self-producing artistic enterprise with all facets of its operation run by its artist members under the leadership of artistic director Martha Demson.
The Great Clown Bank Show runs June 27 through August 1. Performances take place on Fridays at 9 p.m.; Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 7 p.m., except the performance on Saturday, July 4, which will be at 5 p.m. There will be one additional performance, on Thursday, July 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $26 to $40. Content warning: risqué language and situations; parental guidance is advised for children under 13.
Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039. Parking is free is in the ATX (Atwater Crossing) parking lot one block south of the theater.
To purchase tickets and for more information, go to openfist.org.
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‘The Great Clown Bank Show’
WHAT:
Under the cracked neon glow of the Big Top, The Great Clown Bank Show erupts in a fever-dream spectacle of greed, glitter and grotesque excess. This anarchic circus-theater extravaganza follows the rise of the Greedy family — a scheming dynasty of powder-faced hustlers who transform their tiny carnival cashbox into the most powerful clown bank in America. Wildly funny, sharply satirical and packed with playful circus acts (a different guest performer every week), The Great Clown Bank Show skewers capitalist America with razor-toothed humor, exposing a world where wealth is the greatest magic trick of all — and everyone outside the ring is paying for it.
WHO:
• Written and Directed by Hank Jacobs
• Music Direction by Robby Good
• Choreography by Raquis Petree
• Circus Music composed by Stephen Jacobs
• Original Songs composed by Michael Messer
• Lyrics by Hank Jacobs and Michael Messer
• Immersive Experience Design by DJ Handcrank
• Starring Tambrie Allsup, Davis Barber, Kevin Brennan, Aimée Conn, Elle Engleman, Matthew Goodrich, Hank Jacobs, Carmella Jenkins, Torrin Kelly, Bethany Koulias, Avery Lynch, Raquis Petree, Clara York
• Featuring aerialist Avery Lynch and a different guest circus performer every week
• Presented by Open Fist Theatre Company, Martha Demson, artistic director
WHEN:
June 27 – Aug. 1, 2026
• Fridays at 9 p.m.
• Saturdays at 8 p.m. (except Saturday, July 4)
• Sundays at 7 p.m.
• Thursday at 8 p.m.: July 30 ONLY
• Saturday at 5 p.m.: July 4 ONLY
WHERE:
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
• FREE parking in the ATX (Atwater Crossing) lot one block south of the theater.
OTHER:
Content warning: risqué language and situations; parental guidance is advised for children under 13.
TICKETS:
$26-$40
HOW:
www.openfist.org
(323) 882-6912
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