Barnaby’s Gift, an original rendition of the famous Juggler story, came to life at the University of Dayton with its debut performance Jan. 21.
Dr. Andrea Chenoweth Wells and Professor Jerome Yorke collaborated with the Marian Library to create an original performance. This act detailed the fabled story of Barnaby the Juggler, a struggling clown who had been going through hard times.
When Wells heard of the Marian Library’s idea of bringing this story to life, she jumped at the opportunity. Combining her experience in the operatic arts with Yorke’s field of study focusing on the history of clowns, the duo became the perfect match for the project.
“It was a total eye-opener for me because there was so much material and history around this story,” Yorke said. “The fact that a clown was at the center of it and for it to fall in our laps this way, pulling from Dr. Wells’ expertise and my expertise, it was almost God-sent.”
The performance was comedic with Yorke, who played Barnaby, entering the crowd and interacting with the patrons. The songs, performed by Wells, Despite the entertainment, the theme itself conveyed a rather important message the crowd won’t soon forget.
“It’s more than music and careers,” Dr. Randall Wolfe, an aural skills professor at UD and attendee of the performance, said. “It’s about where we fit in in this world.”
Barnaby the clown, with few options left in his life, joined a monastery where the other monks quickly became frustrated at his lack of skills. One night, he performed for the Virgin Mary who eventually came to life and blessed him for his gift to her and the planet.
The message this story has been communicating for ages is that everybody has a place, no matter what is going on in their life. Wells shared this sentiment, saying this is something she always wants students to remember about themselves.
“Especially in this mean, mean world,” Wells said, “everybody has value. Everybody has something to offer.”
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