FREAKSHOW DELUXE, LLC - THE ONE AND ONLY - ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!
The FreakShow Deluxe was founded in October 2001 when the Reverend Tommy Gunn and The Wolf met busking the queue for the PsychoPath Haunted Trail in Xenia, OH and made quick, albeit strange friends. They worked with the legendary horror host of "Shock Theater" and "Saturday Night Dead," Dr. Creep - and by December they produced & hosted "FreakShow Deluxe: A Christmas Special." The live, 2-hour television special broadcast in Dayton, OH resulted in media exposure, notoriety and more than a little controversy. The boys decided to lay low for a bit.
In October 2002, FreakShow Deluxe emerged again to perform as a feature act on their own stage at the PsychoPath, and were the subject of a documentary by filmmaker Andy Copp. Offers began pouring in and the original founders realized the show needed to grow. August 2003, FreakShow Deluxe debuted new members Dirty Johnny Grinder and Phil and special guests Devilicious and Kirva Jade at Dayton, Ohio's X-FEST, sponsored by Clear Channel Radio. The 13,000 people in attendance loved the new show - and FreakShow Deluxe blew the walls out of their stage area at PsychoPath that October with constantly sold-out shows!
In 2004, regular members of FreakShow Deluxe appeared separately in shows, movies and television appearances, but came together for the annual X-FEST to perform in front a sold out crowd of more than 15,000 people! Appearing with FreakShow Deluxe was Travis Fessler from The Pickled Bros. Sideshow and belly dancers Little Egypt and Magdalene. That October, the 4-member troupe blew away both sold out crowds at PsychoPath AND the 20,000 people in attendance at the annual BOO & BREW in Dayton’s Oregon District (where they were joined onstage by contortionist Baby Doll)!
At the end of 2004, and at a crossroads of what to do next, the founding fathers made a couple of tough decisions with Wolf deciding to stay in Ohio and run his own show, while the Reverend moved back to his home in Hollywood, bringing FreakShow Deluxe with him.
After a few months of hard work, the Hollywood version of FreakShow Deluxe debuted in May 2005 at the famous Orpheum Theatre with the Reverend, Ms. Satanica, Loud Louisa, Mr. Marcus and Bonnie Delight. After some more shows and appearances, the Reverend opened his own theater, The Empire Amusement Hall, in Hollywood’s Theater Row during October 2005 and FreakShow Deluxe began running regularly as the house show. During that time, regular performers included not just the Reverend, but also Wereverend Vincent Wolf, Devil’s Plaything, ”The Miracle Man” David Markham, Ghoulia and Kitty Karloff. Special FSD guests have included George the Giant, Anna Bells, Dr. Mordecai Cain, Veronique Chevalier, Michael Todd, La Cholita, Zachary Strange, Lucy Fur, Ken the King, Ravenna Black, Digger the Beast, Dolores De Muela, Rasputin's Marionettes, the Kings of Kitsch Rock, Naked & Shameless and many, many more.
FreakShow Deluxe began a new era in October 2006 while at Paramount Carowinds Amusement Park's annual month-long Halloween extravaganza, SCAROWINDS in Charlotte, NC where the troupe featuring Reverend Tommy Gunn, Jack Dagger, Tonya Kayos, Amy Amnesia and Ms. Malice appeared to 47,000 people! The troupe were media darlings, appearing in newspapers and television throughout the area - returning to Hollywood just in time to produce a November show at the legendary Safari Sam’s with The King & the Beast and a very special guest: the world-famous Enigma! FreakShow Deluxe celebrated its 5-year anniversary with a special LIVE show - “FreakShow Deluxe: A Christmas Special” at the California Institute of Abnormal Arts December 20!
Intent on big ideas for 2007 - on February 11th, FreakShow Deluxe continued re-creating itself with something new! At the once-again legendary Safari Sam's in Hollywood, FSD presents its first Sideshow Supper Club in conjunction with the band, Creature Feature. "The Greatest Show Unearthed" - also the title of the band's new album - this production presented a new vision of theatre, live music & the sideshow arts: the Sideshow Opera!
Of course, that was only the first! Each month they presented one Sideshow Opera after another, each more interesting than the last. They included the polynesian-themed "Freaki Tiki" with music by The Seamen, noir murder mystery "Tax Me Deadly" featuring music by Elemenopy, and blood-drenched horror show "Carnival of Blood" with the band The Peculiar Pretzelmen. In addition to regular troupe members, these shows featured performances by Senor Stretchy Skin, Joe Fox, Kat Bardot, Vixen Violette, Jewel of Denial, Cowboy Max, Akira, Victoria Lane, Whipboy, Bethany/Heather, Victoria Vengeance, and one of the last performances of whip-master and performerBrian Chick.
After an endorsement by the famous Todd Robbins, Chairman of Coney Island USA, FreakShow Deluxe was invited to perform for TWO exclusive weekends in June - one of the FEW non-member acts, and one of even FEWER non-magic performances ever allowed at the exclusive private club for illusionists: The Magic Castlein Hollywood! The shows in the Peller Theater included performances by Reverend Tommy Gunn, George the Giant, Devil's Plaything, Michael Todd, Amy Amnesia, Ghoulia, Kitty Karloff and for the first time with the troupe: Murrugun the Mystic. Live music was provided by Daniel Hoppkinz, Burl-esquire. Special "bally" shows in the Palace Theater by Vincent Wolf, magic in the W.C. Field's Bar by Michael Morena, AND an exhibition of oddities hosted by BJ Winslow of Dapper Cadaver. Stage management & freak wrangling was handled by Malice Aforethought and Rebecca Himot.
As the troupe continued regular performances in the Los Angeles area, they hosted Coney Island legend Eak the Geek for a show at the CIA, joined the Bagavagabonds for shows at the EpoxyBox in Venice Beach, CA (where Brother Daniel the Demented appeared for the first time) - then invaded Anaheim, CA with explosive shows at the legendary Doll Hut. But southern California could not hold them forever! By September, FreakShow Deluxe was on the road to a big show at the famous Palace of Wonders in Washington, DC, then to the Sorg Opera House in Middletown, Ohio the next night before an exclusive weekend headlining at the infamous Coney Island Sideshow by the Seashore!! Once the New York audiences were won over by the troupe's amazing stunts (and sexy performers), the troupe returned to Carowinds Amusement Park for a second year at SCAROWINDS! This time on its own indoor stage, with video screens and a rockin' soundtrack! To finish off the year, FreakShow Deluxe performed several private shows, along with a big New Year's Eve celebration at North Hollywood's CIA.
January 2008 kicked off with the return of the Sideshow Supper Club to Hollywood's Safari Sams - with the troupe performing "Dreams of Coney," featuring their Coney Island performances. Never ones to rest on their laurels, and amidst a busy schedule of corporate events and shows, the troupe premiered a brand new full-length MUSICAL called "Flawedville," written by Daniel Hopkins and Thomas Nealeigh at Hollywood's Sacred Fool's Theater in August! This ground-breaking show is the perfect combination of song, dance & sideshow danger! FreakShow Deluxe continues to wow crowds in 2008!!
FreakShow Deluxe LLC (a California Company) is for hire! Fully insured and VERY professional - we have a core of 11 regular troupe members available for shows ~ and those shows can have more than 30 acts the troupe has in its repertoire to perform at a moments' notice (and quite a few more which can be done with a little more notice). We also feature many talented special guests to make your event, show or party even MORE amazing! More information is available by calling the hotline: (323) 270-2518 or at the website: www.FreakShowDeluxe.com
Check out Creature Feature here:
Who I'd like to meet: The FreakShow Deluxe wants to meet fans and fiends from across the world! Come be a part of the show and be amazed by what you will see!
As always, FreakShow Deluxe is looking to hire the following: sideshow misfits, burlesque beauties and cabaret cuties. Also freaks, fire-eaters, geeks, blockheads, bearded ladies, rubber boys & girls, half-man/half-woman, sword swallowers, cootchie dancers, pain-proof people, bellydancers, mind-readers, pinheads, mentalists, wolf-people, yogis, magicians, fire-breathers, alligator skinned people, acrobats, little people, contortionists, human dynamos, glass-eaters, fakirs, and others with amazing or odd skills for performances. Jobs available immediately!!
We're packing our zombie tshirts, stickers and posters and bringing them to the good people of San Diego - knowing full well the delight and moans our twisted designs will bring!
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