The Flying Karamazov Brothers frequently defy the laws of the universe with their juggling comedy act, but for the first time, they will actually try to explain and demonstrate those laws with their new show, L'Universe. After workshopping the show at A Contemporary Theatre in June, 1999, the Brothers will premiere L'Universe Jan. 7-30, 2000 at the Seattle venue. ACT Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein (Scent of the Roses) directs.

L'Universe, in Karamazov style, will explore the cosmology of the universe, revealing its secrets via action, technology and comic verse. 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." Tickets are available by calling the ACT Box Office at (206) 292-7676. A Contemporary Theatre is located at 7th Avenue and Union Street and on the web at http://www.acttheatre.org.

L'Universe will also play Arizona Theatre Company's two theatres, in Tucson and Phoenix, in May 2000.

-- By Christine Ehren