It's a rare occurrence that the entire audience at a performance stands up for a giant group hug, but that's what happened in Saturday's performance of "Number's Up," a play written and performed by clown actor John Leo.

Don't make the mistake that Leo is the type of clown that will make balloon animals for a kid's birthday party. Leo is revolted by the idea. The theatrical clown teacher describes his performance as "exposing my inner idiot," and "gloriously awkward."

Leo calls his play a work in progress. He began doing it in Juneau and has plans to take it to New York this summer. Leo is very focused on improving, as is evident by the invitation he gave to the audience after the performance to comment on what they thought about it.

The costume was composed of ragged dress clothes and the classic red clown nose. At first, the clown character seemed self-conscious, until the chair on stage began talking. It was a ventriloquist act, and pretty soon the chair and clown were on a date. The play grew stranger when the clown became overly affectionate and broke the chair. He seemed upset for a few moments, then set it off to the side of the stage and moved on.

Other than the chatty conversation from the chair at the beginning, there was very little dialogue. The movement stole the show; they were gigantic, almost like that of a mime.

At one point Leo mimed arriving back from a flight and hugged an audience member. He then began inviting people to stand until the entire audience was onstage. Then Leo encouraged everyone to embrace in a big group hug.

The play seemed to go through the life of a timid character and through his death. In the end, his beloved little dog wearing a pair of feathered angel wings greeted him. The old adage is true: You should never perform with animals or children because they will always steal the show. The coos from the audience for the prancing Chihuahua proved this.

Leo's performance was definitely different. He said that he wanted to expose something about all people, and how, despite their best efforts, they can be totally inept and awkward no matter whom they are.