Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/297477
The world beckoned. In Japan, with Ringling Bros., he played the role of acclaimed "All American Clown," bespangled in red, white and blue. A major Japanese restaurant chain noticed and hired him to be its live cartoon "image character." During his 11 years in that country, he mas- tered the language and studied Japan's ancient theatre traditions. Noh and Kabuki impressed Sidlow, but, "Honestly," he said, "I was strongly attracted to Kyougen, Japan's version of slapstick. One of my high-wire comic acts featured a cable car. I staged it 50 feet in the air." T h e n c a m e t h e t i m e w h e n N o r i k o Takayama's production company was desper- ate for a last-minute replacement act. A New Orleans jazz band was already booked, and she needed another "foreigner" to complete her corporate package. With an English dic- tionary in front of her, she made a phone call to Sidlow, who by then was producing shows of his own. She did not need the dictionary. They agreed on a deal in Japanese, and the rest is history. Chuck Sidlow and friends prepare for a final run-through before a presentation at the United Cerebral Palsy facility in Bradenton: (from left) 'Billy Bob' Steinberg, 'Chucko' with his bag of gags, a video representative from Circus Sarasota, Noriko Sidlow — who will be the accompanist — and Karen Snow. Photo by Barbara Dondero Sarasota News Leader April 18, 2014 Page 108