Martha T. Lipton & Madame Molotova
Martha T. Lipton (the failed actress) is the brainchild of local performance artist Evan Johnson. Martha hails from Fresno, CA and teaches private acting classes in her paid parking space (she doesn't drive). Evan is a graduate of Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre, where he studied clown, ensemble devised theatre and mask performance. Evan teaches Theatre to young adults and seniors at Harvey Milk Center for the Arts and is the creator/performer of BARN OWL (CounterPulse), Don't Feel: The Death of Dahmer (Z Space) and Pansy (New Conservatory Theatre Center). Martha first appeared as one of many characters in "The Hello Show!" created by Johnson and his then performance partner Jamie Van Camp. "The Hello Show!" traveled to 8 cities in 2007 and 2008. Since moving to San Francisco in 2009, Martha mostly appears at Piano Fight, where she hosts "So You Think You Can Lap Dance?" produced by Modern on Command. Martha is always available for corporate events, singing telegrams and birthday parties. Evan is currently teaching and directing remote collaborations via Zoom with his Cosmic Elders Theatre Ensemble and his weekly “Play in Place!” theatre workshops sponsored by SF Village.
Madame Molotova, the acclaimed Flamboyant Russian Clairvoyant, multi-talented humorist and force of nature, is a mathemagician, futurologist, mind bender, and a consummate eccentric. Sometimes bawdy, always bodacious and exciting, Madame is guaranteed to enliven any event. She is playful, wild and wacky, and a mistress of improvisation. With her supersized personality and her fabulous attention-getting Mystical Manor™, Madame continually mesmerizes and delights her audiences, which have ranged from 6 to 6,000 people. From corporate programs to private parties, Madame Molotova works her zany magic of the mind to make any event memorable for years to come. Madame Molotova has received raves for her hilarious tongue-in-cheek fortune telling, mind reading and card tricks. People flock to her colorful, carnival-style kiosk modeled on the wonderful old-time penny arcade fortune-teller booths of yesteryear.
Gift
Lunch and Learn with Martha
by Evan Johnson for Madame Molotova
MARTHA: Hi there. Hello. Is this thing? Alright. Hello, my internet audience, my cyber friends, my viewers on the tube, the tablet and the wee whittle watches… I dedicate today’s Lunch and Learn with Martha to…
(Show goldfish crackers)
Goldfish Crackers, the snack that smiles back! Today we are featuring Madame Molotova, the open-hearted orator, the bawdy broad, the woman behind the crystal ball...devoted and passionate mentor to many… Speaking of Madam... Are you there Madame?
(Banter with Madame)
Well, Madame, I thought you’d get a kick out of this…
(Show clown doll)
It’s time for the Emmit Kelly doll with fun facts……
(2 or 3 completely made up facts)
Madame knows a thing or two about clowning. In fact she taught me this!
(Do a dumb face trick)
How did she teach me that? Telepathically! Isn’t that right Madame?
(Banter with Madame)
Bringing me to this quote by….
(Read and respond to a random page from The Art Spirit by Robert Henri)
I hope you’ve enjoyed your Lunch and Learn with Martha….today’s was quite brief, in fact it was only but a bite sized snack...what kind of snack you ask? (Get Madame to answer) Goldfish Crackers, the snack that smiles back!