FI MessiahLifeways UnscriptedMagazine Fall2024 - Flipbook - Page 23
THE LIFE-GIVING JOY
OF CLOWNING AROUND
Jeffrey Gabel, a Messiah Village resident, reflects on his serendipitous life—from joining the circus
to guest starring on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” and sharing the joy of theater with others.
I
n the ’60s and ’70s, Jeffrey Gabel preferred
before, but I was passionate about drama, music, and
his shoes 10 sizes too big, a face full of makeup,
children’s shows, and I thought I’d give it a shot.”
and his nose pigmented a rosy shade of red—known
and loved by many families in this goofy getup as
“Chuckles the Clown.”
Of those 50 inquiries, a single station called him—one
in Lewiston, Maine, seeking someone to develop and
host a quiz show about the state. Despite his lack
Today, he opts for a much more natural look, with his
of direct experience and limited knowledge of New
most expressive accessory being a bold bowtie or
England, they were intrigued by his background as a
prescription glasses with a pop of color. Although he’s
clown and his effortless tendency toward connection.
transitioned from clown to TV show host to retired
theater director over the years, his performer’s heart
remains just as vibrant as ever.
“I always wanted to be in show business,” said Jeffrey.
“I loved everything about it—the travel, the crowds.
But I think what I loved most was the joy—the power
it has to bring insight and understanding to the human
condition, comfort to the world-weary, and delight to
the young and young at heart.”
“What is the only state in the United States with
one syllable in its name?” Jeffrey asked, drawing my
mind to a blank. “Oh come on, that’s an easy one!”
he lightheartedly chided. “Maine!”
Earning several national awards for “So You Think
You Know Maine,” Jeffrey was promoted to program
director for the station and worked closely with
the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). He then
became a station manager in Alaska before landing
Jeffrey first stepped into the circus scene when he
at the national PBS office in Washington, D.C., as
was 19, spontaneously joining the Circus Kirk—the only
their Associate Director of Children’s and Cultural
all-student summer traveling circus in America. This
Programming. In this role, he liaised between
was followed by several years with the Hoxie Bros.
PBS and children’s programs like “Sesame Street,”
Circus, living on the road for nine months of the year
“Reading Rainbow,” “Barney & Friends,” and
and performing nightly shows up and down the East
“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood."
Coast and as far west as the Mississippi River. Then
he returned to college, earned a Bachelor's degree in
opera from Mansfield University, and went in search
of what he jokingly referred to as “a real job.”
“I went to the local library and found a list of all
the public television stations in the United States,
selected 50 cities I thought would be fun to live
and sent out 50 cold resumes,” Jeffrey said.
“I had never been in front of a television camera
