Clownin’ Around With The Barrelmen

This month I sat down with three of my dear friends and favorite local clowns, Chris Gibson, Nicholas Werner, and Brad Barkdoll. The performance troupe plays as either French clowns in Les Tonneliers or as rodeo clowns as The Barrelmen. The sheer talent among this creative group of accomplished artists is undeniable. Each one has a robust background in the theatrical arts and shares deep roots in Harrisburg’s local theater scene. The group met working on productions at the same theater - the rest was history. While the group shares a myriad of talents in performing, improvisation, composing, and directing, The Barrelmen originated from one uniquely specific talent of their leader Chris Gibson. Gibson has over 20 years of musical clown experience, even internationally touring Europe with his original clown character. Their shared theatrical background and playful chemistry create the perfect recipe for this hilarious band.

Both Les Tonneliers and The Barrelmen showcase the true thriving creative spirit that comes from the exceptional minds of the Harrisburg arts community. While the band performs music, they are first and foremost a performing troupe. This means in their live shows all the moments between songs are just as important as the music. Each performer fully commits to the comedy that comes along with embodying their specific clown. Every show is utterly packed with jokes, banter, skits, improv, and especially laughter. With their extensive background in musical composing and arranging, they uniquely reimagine their favorite songs and are always open to any suggestion. This clown troupe performs songs by artists of all genres such as Steely Dan, Daniel Johnston, Beastie Boys, Duran Duran, Talking Heads, and even Beyonce. Having a low-stakes attitude, the troupe embodies a performance driven by play. They perform on unconventional instruments like a glockenspiel bell set and the tall drummer ironically plays a child’s drum kit. Once they add head-to-toe French or rodeo clown getups, you can’t help sitting back and enjoying this masterful, hilarious creation.

Choosing which clown band to perform as fully depends on how they feel that specific day in true improvisation fashion. In the same vein, what songs and bits they perform depend on who is in their audience; they don’t shy away from live requests either. This also means no two shows are ever the same. Gibson says that their group focuses on “friendship through music.” While they perform locally at different venues, their favorite show was at a close friend’s home. The living room was filled with laughter, singing, and their closest friends decked out in clown attire. Werner’s best piece of advice for musicians is to not be afraid to fail, and Barkdoll encourages musicians to find like-minded friends that you have fun with. Without a doubt, this group fearlessly loves to entertain and has an absolute ball while doing it.

You can follow The Barrelmen on Instagram @the_barrelmen for show announcements. You can catch them at an upcoming show in Brooklyn, NYC at The Brick, or any number of their future local shows. So, grab a friend, then a drink, and go see this phenomenal group.

Elena Rossetto was born and raised in Mechanicsburg and has been a Harrisburg resident for over four years. She writes and plays live music with her indie rock band, The After Hours. With her vivacious passion for music, she fiercely believes in supporting the local music scene. After the Beat chases and aims to showcase the incredible local talent our community possesses.

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