Ryan Niemiller
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Ryan Niemiller

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | INDIE

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | INDIE
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"'Pixies' brings a touch of magic to CRT season"

The problem with any theater production directed toward young audiences is keeping those bigger folk who accompany the youngsters just as happy.

Pixies, Kings, and Magical Things, which opened July 1 at ISU's New Theater, manages to do just that with a bit of gusto.

Directed by Brandon Wentz, with a run time of about one hour, Pixies will keep the big folk chuckling, while mesmerizing the little ones.

Written by Ric Averill, Pixies, Kings, and Magical Things is an entertaining production that held the audience's attention. It is a very delightful play for not only children but also adults.

Pixies, Kings,and Magical Things is three delightful fairy tales by Hans Christian Anderson that include “The Swineherd,” “The Pixie and the Grocer,” and “The Emperor New Clothes.” All three of these stories are quite interesting and hilarious.

“The Swineherd” is about a particularly bratty princess, who finds love but not happiness. “The Pixie and The Grocer” is about a pixie who learns about the beauty of poetry and porridge with butter. “The Emperors New Clothes” is about an extremely vain Emperor who love his appearance more than his people. All these stories are sure to be loved by audiences of all ages.

The ensemble cast — Drew Hampton, Andrew Todd, Tiara Watkins, Eric Wilburn, Carolyn Rodkey, and Ryan Niemiller — works exceptionally well together, popping into and out of the different stories as a host of different characters, even serving at parts of the set. Todd's turn as a door is one of the funniest bits in the show.

Wentz brings the talented ensemble together and draws a tremendous amount of energy from them. He clearly has his younger audience in mind, keeping the action flowing in all directions and into the crowd itself.

Ann Warren's flexible and adaptable scenic elements add a delightful aspect to the entire production. Watching the simple boxes open and unfold were as much a delight as any part of the show.

Andrew Todd, Carolyn Rodkey, Eric Wilburn, and Drew Hampton star Pixies, Kings and Magical Things. Photo courtesy of ISU.

Niemiller brings tremendous energy to both the grocer and the vain emperor. Watkins is wonderfully bratty as the princess. Wilburn has fun as the minister of the high hat and as the king. And Rodkey makes a hilarious pixie.

Still the funniest bit of a show filled with silly and funny bits is Andrew Todd as the door to the grocer's store, With a costume of a doorknob and a small bell, Todd managed to transform a simple comic gimmick into a masterful piece of mime in the tradition of Chaplin and Keaton.

The production starts surprisingly slow and static for a children's theater production, and some of the younger audience members seemed a bit startled by the jumps into and out of darkness. Still those were minor blurps in an otherwise flawless show.

Pixies, Kings and Magical Things is the Diana Stewart Memorial Production for the 2010 season. It was produced with a grant from the City of Terre Haute.

As part of the grant, Pixies will tour Terre Haute with three free performances taking place around the city: on July 10, Larrison Pavilion at Deming Park, beginning at 2 p.m.; on July 15, Ryves Hall, 14th and Locust, 2 p.m.; and July 22, Maryland Community Church, State Road 46, 4 p.m. These performances are free and open to the public.

Additional performances at the New Theater are July 2, 3, 18 and 24. For tickets and reservations, call 812-237-3333. In addition, Pixies' playwright, Ric Averill will speak about his work following the July 18 performance.

Parents brings your kids and watch them laugh, but get ready for great giggles of your own. - Wabash Valley Journal


""I Was Laughing So Hard""

June 8, 2010

To whom it may concern,
A tradition at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) is to have a comedian the night before final exams. On May 4, 2010 we had Ryan Niemiller. SMWC is an all women’s Catholic college located near Terre Haute, Indiana. It is not uncommon to have comedians that tell jokes that completely offend our students. Ryan was sensitive to our demographics throughout his entire performance. Not only was his content appropriate for SMWC, but he had the audience laughing uncontrollably with his unique sense of humor. I often just stay for just 10 minutes of our comedian’s routines. I was laughing so hard that like my students who forgot about their finals, I stayed not out of obligation, but because I wanted to be there.

Ryan was an absolute professional to work with and I have had a number of requests to bring him back, which I certainly intend to do. No matter who the crowd is, I am willing to bet that Ryan will have them lost in laughter.
Sincerely,

Jeff Malloy
Director of Campus Life
Saint-Mary-of-Woods College

- Saint-Mary-of-Woods College


""Condiments Upon Request""

One former member of Condiments Upon Request is now making a career in stand-up comedy working with such comedians as Chris Titus, Carlos Mencia and Norm MacDonald.

Ryan Niemiller, who graduated from ISU in 2006, moved to Los Angeles after graduation to begin a career in stand-up.

"It's kind of the only thing I was ever really good at," he said.

Born with a disability in both arms, Niemiller, who gave himself the nickname "Nubbs," has proclaimed himself a "Cripple Threat" to comedy.

His routine mainly feature his experiences as someone with a handicap.

"I'm probably the most handicapped guy you know," his Myspace profile reads. "And if I'm not, I don't want to be your friend, as you hang out with way too many cripples."

Niemiller said it was his experience with Condiments Upon Request that got him interested in comedy and inspired him to change his major to theater.

Niemiller said his improv experience has been extremely helpful to his career in Los Angeles.

"(Condiments Upon Request) fast-forwarded my progress by about two or three years," he said.

Niemiller's profile said he hopes to prove to the world that "he may be unarmed, but he is dangerous." - Indiana Statesman


""Comedian Steals the Show""

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Talk to a few good stand-up comics and chances are they can make you laugh at almost anything.

Well one comedian takes that idea to a different level and folks are paying attention.

He's stealing the show by making himself the punch-line. - WTHI - Terre Haute, IN CBS affiliate


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Bio

Despite being born with a disability in both arms, Ryan Niemiller, the self-proclaimed "Cripple Threat of Comedy" shares his views of the world from the perspective of the handicapped. Ryan began his comedy career in Los Angeles, California, and hasn't looked back since, performing in clubs and colleges across the country. Covering topics such as dating, trying to find employment, and attempting to find acceptance in a world not designed for him, Ryan tackles the issues in a way that makes you think while laughing the entire time. With his quick wit, great timing, and a gimmick that only he can exploit, Ryan hopes to prove to the comedy world that he may be unarmed, but he is dangerous.