Coney Island Chris, continued...

Mixing equal parts funny and freaky, “Coney Island Chris” Allison draws on a rich history of traditional sideshow feats of human strength and endurance popularized on circus midways and along the boardwalk at Coney Island. Chris’ performances are as shocking as they are sidesplitting and are not recommended for the faint of heart. His unique brand of comedy chaos has become a popular attraction at nightclubs across the country and he was featured on the hit television show “America’s Got Talent” where he made it to the quarter-final round of the competition.

Sideshows were popular attractions at the turn of the century and were often associated with circuses or carnival midways. While P.T. Barnum is credited with popularizing the circus sideshow in America, it was a man named Samuel Gumpertz who established the “sideshow by the seashore” as a permanent fixture at New York’s Coney Island in the early 1900’s. These early sideshows featured medical anomolies as their main attractions – deformed humans – conjoined twins and the like. The performing acts, often known as geeks, were otherwise normal people who could perform dangerous and outrageous feats such as sword swallowing and fire breathing. Coney Island Chris learned many of his amazing sideshow skills from some of the original performers who popularized the acts on midways across the country. Chris has taken all of those amazing skills and put his own demented spin on them and created a comedy performance around nearly a dozen classic sideshow stunts.

Coney Island Chris will astound and entertain by demonstrating some of the most beloved and historical sideshow stunts ever presented including fire eating, placing his hand in various animal traps that will slam shut on his exposed fingers, lying on a bed of nails, driving a 10-inch spike up his nose, stomach stapling and many more.

Entertainment blogger and recent audience member Andrea Reiher described Chris as a “terrifying Jerry Lewis”. Reviewer Walt Hudson said that “Chris’ sideshow parody left the audience breathless and gasping with laughter”. Dramatic, daring, dangerous, droll and absolutely a 100% authentic and unique performance that you will not soon forget. Coney Island Chris crosses the line – wherever you draw it!
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