What: Tony Montanaro Tribute Concerts

When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24; and 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25

Where: Pickard Theater, Bowdoin College, Brunswick

How much: Advance tickets, $15; tickets at door, $20

Of special note: Concerts will be recorded for documentary on the late mime and teacher

Tribute concerts celebrate noted mime

BRUNSWICK – Some of America’s top performers of physical comedy, juggling, storytelling and mime will display their talents at the Tony Montanaro Tribute Concerts Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24 and 25.

Performances will be in Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin College campus.

The concerts, which are open to the public, will be recorded for a documentary film, “Tony Montanaro, The Miracle of Inspiration.”

Internationally acclaimed, Montanaro (1927-2002) is considered a great mime artist of the 20th century. He studied under Marcel Marceau.

His work and teaching spanned five decades, the last three decades in Maine where he founded the Celebration Barn Theater in South Paris, which is still thriving as a theater.

Montanaro taught many mimes, jugglers and performers who went on to television, film and theater performances. He hosted the network television show “Pretendo” in the 1960s.

Artistic director for the concerts is Karen Montanaro, his performing partner and wife. A mime and classically trained dancer, she will perform in each of the three concerts.

Each concert will feature nine separate acts and performers – all former students of Tony Montanaro’s. Tom Bergeron, host of “Hollywood Squares” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos” will perform Saturday night. Brian Meehl, formerly of “Sesame Street” and a puppeteer on “The Muppet Show,” and currently a writer for “Between the Lions,” a PBS children’s program, performs in the Friday show.

The documentary in production is by the filmmaker known simply as Huey, Leland Faulkner and Richard Searls. Huey can be reached at [email protected], www.filmsbyhuey.com and (207) 773-1130.

Faulkner, who will also perform Sept. 25, can be contacted at lelandfaulkner.com, [email protected], and (207) 795-0170. Searls is at [email protected] and (207) 415-1905.

Silent auction, also

In conjunction with the tribute concerts, The Clown shop at 123 Middle St. in Portland’s Old Port will host a silent auction of work by artists from Maine, Boston and New York to benefit the film.

People can place bids between Sept. 3 and Sept. 10 at The Clown or by going to www.montanaro-movie.com. On both Sept. 3 and Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. there will be a performance by Karen Montanaro and Friends. Also on display will be a sneak preview of the seven-minute sample tape of the film.

Artists in the silent auction include John Ventimiglia of Portland, sculpture; Chesley Ventimiglia, Portland, prints; Dianne Salfas, Richmond, painting of Karen Montanaro; Al Fisher, Charlestown, Mass., four photographs of Tony Montanaro, platinum and silver prints; Roberta Berman, New York City, two gouache paintings; and Alan Day, Norway, photograph.

Advance concert tickets are $15 and are available at www.montanaromovie.com or by calling (207) 773-1130. Tickets at the door: $20. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sept 25.