‘Gong Show Live:’ Is There A New Permanent

Cast Member In Greater Danbury?

DANBURY — The stage show “Gong Show Live” will perform its first-ever outdoor show on Thursday, August 18, at 8 pm, at Ives Concert Park.

“Gong Show Live,” the only Sony-authorized stage presentation of the iconic ‘70s TV show The Gong Show, showcases a modern-day cast of offbeat, professional talent acts known from such hit TV shows as America’s Got Talent, Late Show with David Letterman, So You Think You Can Dance and more.

A Danbury audition will be held to select the show’s newest permanent cast member. To be considered, performers can email a two-minute video to GongShowLive@sbcglobal.net by August 10.

Among the sampling of acts that have already been promised to be featured in “Gong Show Live” on August 18 are Chipps Cooney, a comedian/illusionist who amazes no one, but made it to top 30 of America’s Got Talent; Jason “Mallet Man” Taylor, a protegé of Lionel Hampton and Tito Puente in a zoot suit who dances, spins and plays the xylophone simultaneously; Carol “The Pigeon” Scibelli, a singing pigeon who has performed for Gong Show originator and host Chuck Barris; and The Amazing Amy, an elderly female contortionist who performs to a Star Trek theme (and who was rejected by America’s Got Talent).

Also featured in Danbury will be Rhonda Smith Duffy Coris, “The Star That Almost Was,” as seen on The Daily Show, 30 Rock and Conan; Eva from Iowa, who could be world’s first rapper/sax player; The Fire Gypsy, whose hula hoops are around her waist, and they’re on fire; Not Britney Spears, who performs a folk medley of Britney’s songs as you’ve never heard them; and Skatin’ Sarah Palin, who roller-dances to a rousing patriotic song.

Tickets for “Gong Show Live” on August 18 at Ives Concert Park are $20 each, $17 for seniors, and are available at www.WCSU.edu/tickets or by calling 203-837-TIXX. For more information, visit IvesConcertPark.com.