Welcome to L'Universe, a strange new place created by The Flying Karamazov Brothers and landing at Arizona Theatre Company's Tucson location May 16-21. A second run, May 23-28, will settle into the company's Phoenix locale. Seattle's A Contemporary Theatre Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein (Scent of the Roses) directs.
Pronounced "looney-verse," L'Universe will explore the cosmology of the universe, revealing its secrets via action, technology and comic verse -- all in Karamazov style, which, in this case, features on-stage consultations with Artistotle, Galileo and Einstein, virtual juggling and "jazz," their improvisational club passing feat. Other Brothers shows have included the music and rhythm piece, Sharps, Flats and Accidentals, and ACT's Room Service.
L'Universe marks the group's first collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Laboratory. Described in their press as "America's premiere think tank and home to the finest nerds in the land," MIT's Media Laboratory plans to incorporate new technology that has never yet been used for the stage into the show.
The Flying Karamazovs are Paul Magid (Dmitri), Howard Jay Patterson (Ivan), Mark Ettinger (Alexei) and the newest addition, Roderick "Baby K" Kimball (Pavel). Michael Preston (Rakitin) and Sam Williams (Smerdyakov) did the original workshop with Magid and Patterson.
Take note, however, this Karamazov presentation will not feature the infamous "The Challenge," where the Brothers will juggle any object the audience brings to them. The release notes: "Do not bring bowling balls, dead fish, bags of feathers or other items you wouldn't normally carry in your purse or wallet." L'Universe made its world premiere Jan., 2000 at Seattle's A Contemporary Theatre, where it returned again in Feb. for a second run.
Tickets are 30-$22. The Temple of Music and Art is located at 330 South Scott. For reservations, call ATC's box office at
-- By Christine Ehren
