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Book
Kennison
Most Astounding – 2002
Most
Fabulous – 2005
Most
Special – 2007
Book Kennison, the
Twisted Juggler—on Letterman!
(from Tumbling Times – Issue 5 January 2005)
Book Kennison, a performer
with our Patchwork Circus Troupe, got to show
America
his most unusual talents on the Late Show with David Letterman’s Stupid
Human Tricks. Dec 1, 2004
A contortionist as well as a talented juggler, Book juggled with his
arms behind his back, wearing handcuffs.
“Have you ever been arrested?” asked Dave.
“Not yet,” answered Book.
After teasing about his unusual name and learning of his three younger
sisters, Dave offered Book the chance to come live with him. When Book
said the handcuffs were his father’s idea, Dave reiterated, “Maybe you
should come live with me.”
Book Kennison photo by David Lancaster of Where
Magazine
The Twisted Juggler | Book Kennison
(from
StLouis Magazine March 2006)
He holds up an unstrung tennis racket for the crowd
to see. Then he lowers it and steps into the rim, first with his right leg
and then bringing his head, both arms and shoulders and—voila!—his
whole lanky body through. The display starts slowly and finishes so
fluidly, there’s no need for flourish. You stare, devoid of
comprehension. Confusion about what just happened, and what might happen
next, overwhelms you.
Somewhere during the series of contorted displays, Book Kennison will wrap
an arm around his back, reaching far enough around to have both hands in
front of him, on the same side of his torso (not that he needs both of
them for his juggling act). Did he just dangle his leg around his neck?
Long before the end of his show, you’re puzzled but smiling: “How the
... ?”
Kennison can’t remember how he started wrapping his arm around his body
as part of his “Twisted Juggling” act. “Once you learn to ride a
bike, you don’t remember how you did it the first time,” says the
16-year-old sophomore at
St. Charles
West
High School
. He just does it—on stages from the Mirage in Vegas to The
Late Show with David Letterman. He has spent summers traveling
with the New England–based Circus Smirkus and performs frequently with
the Everydaycircus at the
City
Museum
. He has logged 700 juggling shows in four years—and his career is just
beginning.
“I guess it’s like hearing about gold in
California
, but I keep hearing about circuses in
Europe
,” Kennison says. He’s thinking of joining performing friends and
traveling
Europe
after he graduates. Or maybe he’ll attend a circus college. Or, if his
parents get their way, he’ll squeeze a “typical” college education
somewhere into the plans—twisting it to fit.
Book Kennison slides through a tennis
racket
Book Kennison at 2007 Late Night Cabaret
(Cabaret photos by Joyce Howard) |