Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto is the story of a woman’s life…on fast forward! Career, love, marriage, babies, and the moment when it all falls apart.
Hilarious and heartbreaking, Cara Vita is both a deeply personal and universally human story. Cara Vita incorporates clowning, live music, and aerial arts to create an intimate theatrical experience that leaves audiences feeling moved and inspired.
Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto made its world premiere at the San Francisco International Arts Festival in May 2019. It was remounted in San Francisco in January 2020 at Circus Center before heading on to Asheville, North Carolina. Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto made its European premiere in London, UK in February 2020.
Created and Performed by Felicity Hesed
Directed by Jeff Raz
Musical Arrangement and Violin by Clare Armenante
Technical Direction by Andrew Hunzeker
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What Reviewers are saying about Cara Vita….
“A thrilling exploration of relations through many a medium of storytelling from puppetry to mime to AERIAL! (Yes, that is correct: AERIAL!) Hesed takes an immersive experience to (literally) new heights with breath taking stunts and at just an arm’s length.” —London’s Theatre Weekly
“Aside from Hesed’s aerial brilliance, her command of clown is very engaging.” —London’s Theatre Weekly
“Armenante is not only a brilliant musician, but also works really well with Hesed to play extremely entertaining musical games with the audience.” —Sebastian Calver, London’s Theatre Weekly
“…a laugh a minute.” —Sebastian Calver, London’s Theatre Weekly
“Raz’s direction is clear and concise with a great story that has us laughing for the most part but then also excels many a clown show by giving us a real story of sacrifice and regret.” —Sebastian Calver, London’s Theatre Weekly
“The standout content for me, that I rarely find in physical theatre and clown shows, is the quality of the relationship between Hesed’s joyful creativity and Armenante’s live music. The way that they work to find entertainment in performance and physicality is really very wonderful to watch and be a part of.” —Sebastian Calver, London’s Theatre Weekly
“Felicity Hesed has a wonderful, engaging quality as a performer and great comic timings, which draws the audience into her world. She is joined on stage by Clare Armenante on violin, who is a comedic presence in her own right. Both are wonderful musicians, and the use of Brahm’s Hungarian Dances within the piece is beautifully realised.” —Stephanie Ressort, London’s View From the Outside
“For me, it is when Hesed takes flight, quite literally, in the aerial sequence, that the beauty of the show shines through. Choreographed by Elena Panova, Hesed is pure elegance and joy as she takes to the trapeze. This is a stunning segment, and it feels all the more extraordinary given our close proximity to the action. She does so much in a contained space. This is a really accomplished and uplifting piece that showcases Hesed’s skill on the trapeze. While we are given a taste of her skills as a physical performer through the earlier clowning segments, nothing quite prepares you for the complexity and fluidity of this routine.” —Stephanie Ressort, London’s View From the Outside
“Directed by Jeff Raz ‘Cara Vita’ brings together many different elements to create a charming, moving and funny piece about losing and finding yourself as a human, and as an artist. Hesed’s personality pours off the stage, as this story feels both personal and universal.” —Stephanie Ressort, London’s View From the Outside
“Full of comedy, music, Cara Vita is a great piece of fun for any evening.” —Hannah Goslin, London’s Get The Chance Wales
“The story is told with plenty of audience interaction, comical clown moments and up close and personal circus skills, flying high above us with a beautiful live played soundtrack.” —Hannah Goslin, London’s Get The Chance Wales
“Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto is bundles of fun, comedy and a lovely narrative, celebrating women.” —Hannah Goslin, London’s Get The Chance Wales
“Ms. Hesed can blend a variety of acting styles together within the same show. Not only can Felicity act, she can deliver everything from a broad, wacky, cartoon-y character believably, select a volunteer and play with him outrageously, perform variety skills when appropriate, and accept the most improbable situations. She can then turn around and transition into darker, more moving, dramatic and naturalistic scenes seamlessly.” —Judy Finelli
What audiences are saying about Cara Vita…
“Felicity Hesed is an absolute delight…as an actor, an aerialist, and a physical comedian. ‘Cara Vita’ thoughtfully, playfully, lovingly, joyfully take us along for the ride.” —Steve Smith, Emmy Award winner, Clown Hall of Fame inductee, and Big Apple Circus Director
“Felicity Hesed was trained in theatre, music, clowning, and circus and aerial arts: She is a particularly well-rounded and versatile performer! Her show, ‘Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto’ is a wonderful, witty, humorous fusion of all her talents, which results in a rich performance that is at the same time funny, intelligent and, in some instances, quite moving. A precious combination indeed.” —Dominique Jando, Founder and Curator of Circopedia.org
“‘Cara Vita’ is a showcase for Hesed’s prodigious talents: gorgeous violin playing, a beautiful trapeze act, and impeccable clowning, including one of the longest and most successful audience participation segments I've seen. It's also emotionally potent, full of lines and gestures and even tiny glances that feel very, very real.” —Barry Kendall, Executive Director of Circus Center in San Francisco
“Felicity Hesed’s ‘Cara Vita’ is a cleverly crafted solo piece incorporating music, clowning and movement into one thoroughly entertaining show. Filled with fun surprises, Hesed’s sharp comic timing will keep you laughing and wondering what will come next. But underneath the silliness is an achingly sincere exploration of marriage and motherhood as seen through the eyes of an artist, asking a question that many can relate to: what happens to your art when life gets in the way?” —Genie Cartier, Founder of Bow & Arrow Circus Theatre Collective
“I wanted to thank you for your show tonight an express my gratitude for bringing your work and that story to the stage! As a trapeze artist of 15 years and a mother of 3, I am in awe of your achievements! What a great piece of theatre.” —April Skelton
“What an amazing show! I absolutely loved it. Really, really loved it. So different, refreshing and entertaining!” —Steve Gregson
“Tender & charming ‘Cara Vita - A Clown Concerto’ has bags of character, chutzpah & violins! Staged around music, clowning favourites (sock puppets, why should kids have all the fun?), and a trapeze finale breathtaking for audience proximity. Felicity & co show off extensive range/blend of talents. Audience input, wily palming, subtle storytelling, athletically performed to the drip and rumble of The Vaults.” —Rachael Elliott
“Your show was outstanding! Thoroughly enjoyed the show and your multi talents!” —Shiraz Khan
“‘Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto’ with Felicity Hesed was fantastic last night at the Vaults. It felt very personal - Would really recommend!” —Toby
“My husband and I loved your show last night. Such a beautiful piece - thoughtful, thought-provoking, and real.” —Caitlin Roman