YouTube and “America’s Got Talent” musical sensation Puddles Pity Party will be the featured performer at the Schindler Celebration Concert on Aug. 25 during the Austin ArtWorks Festival.

Standing 6-foot-8-inches and remaining completely silent, that is until the music starts, Puddles performs operatic interpretations of modern classic songs, such as “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals and “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick.  He is also known for inventing novel “smoosh-ups,” such as ELO’s “Telephone Line” woven into Adele’s “Hello.” His singing voice has been described as “the most glorious… a rich, honeyed tent-filling croon.”

“It’s an act about juxtapositions,” said Austin Area Commission for the Arts Director Laura Helle. “I’m really excited about it.”

Music is only half of Puddles’ family-friendly show; his comic antics and original videos produce audience laughter and tears.

“It’s very audience participatory,” said Austin ArtWorks Festival Co-Chair Bonnie Rietz. “He’ll go down and bring somebody up and have them do something on stage.”

“I can’t believe he’s coming to Austin,” she added.

“There’s something about a giant, sad singing clown that comforts us, lets us know it’s okay to feel, to show our feelings,” said Puddles’ spokesman (and alter ego) Mike Geier. “It’s a sad and beautiful world, and we’re all in it together, even when we’re totally alone.”

Puddles Pity Party is presented with support from Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin to celebrate the life of Dr. Dick Schindler, who practiced medicine for over 40 years and passed away in 2014.

The Schindler Celebration Concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Historic Paramount Theatre. With support from Mayo Clinic Health System, tickets for the reserved seating show are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show. Tickets go on sale this Monday at austinareaarts.org.