The Crossbones & Clyde: MAYHEM (with music) Show
"You're giving Gilligan's Island Vibes"
A high energy comedic duo in the vein of the Smothers Brothers that’s rooted in absurd dialogue, improvisation, and audience participation linked together with drinking songs.
Captain Clyde, who's not a pirate, joins Crossbones McCoy for a part scripted, part improvisational, comedy stage show (with music.) Crossbones has been abandoned by his crew, at a Renaissance Faire, wearing red. He's been...Marooned! So has Captain Clyde... but he's wearing orange. Can the most unhinged members of their respective bands navigate the loss of their friends through comedy and drinking... um singing drinking songs. And did Clyde really invent a Time Machine?!
Approximately 30 minutes. Rated PG but can be tailored to older or younger audiences.
Future MAYHEM (with music) sets in development will feature puppetry, sea shanties, Irish folksongs, and bardcore music.
Biographies
A combined 60 years of Renaissance Faire stage, street, music, and improvisation experience!
Originally booked as a solo acts at the NY Capital District Renaissance Festival in 2026; Lionel Ruland for Maritime Music and the Children's Treasure Hunt, and David Anthony for the children’s puppet show Captain Clyde and His Puppet “Friends” and to host the Pub Crawl, they additionally teamed up to create the “Crossbones & Clyde MAYHEM (with music)” show.
(photo: Frank Tirrell)
Lionel "Lonnie" Ruland
Crossbones McCoy
Known for his strong character based improvisation, humorous hosting skills, and charismatic musical performances, began his career at the New York Renaissance Faire in 1991. He continued as various characters in main scenario, stage shows, and as a lane performer. In 1996 he created the role of Dr. Michael “Crossbones” McCoy for the piratical stunt show “The Buccaneer’s Brawl.” The crew would perform sea shanty songs between sets and soon became The Crimson Pirates, with Crossbones as guitar player and ofttimes front man. Crossbones would continue at NYRF with the Crimson Pirates, as a lane performer, solo musician, Pub Sing host, and co-creator of the comedy duo “The Rogue Show.” The Crimson Pirates would go on to become a national act with a rotating crew. The original members officially “retired” in 2026 (after 30 years), leading Crossbones to a solo career including a new profession as The Privy Pirate at the NJ Renaissance Faire and creating “The Privy Pirate ½ Hour Commode-y Hour” for the Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire.
David Anthony
Captain Clyde
Known for his energetic stage presence, charismatic humor, witty lyrics and strong improvisational skill, joined the cast of the New York Renaissance Faire in 2004. There he created and developed several popular village characters before being cast as Lord Mayor for three seasons. In that role he performed in scripted scenes, announced the Chess Match fights, and organized multiple interactive scenes across the grounds. His contributions earned him NYRF’s Performer of the Year Award. During the same period at NYRF, David joined the Celtic/folk band Three Pints Shy and went on to perform in the Northeast region for 15 years at Renaissance Faires, private parties and community events. David toured for a decade and performed in Off-Broadway with the improvisational musical The Greatest Pirate Story (N)ever Told. He later created and performed the children’s puppet show Captain Clyde and His Puppet “Friends.”
Performance History
Crossbones & Clyde MAYHEM (with music)
- Capital District Renaissance Faire
- Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire
- Maine Renaissance Faire (invited for one song at final revels while visiting as patrons)
- Sparta New Jersey Renaissance Festival
- Lionel and David have also performed together in the musical improvisation stage show “The Greatest Pirate Story Never Told.”