The Australian comedy duo, the Umbilical Brothers, will make their New York debut March 18 at Off-Off Broadway's Westbeth Theatre Center. Their evening of physical comedy and self-produced sound effects, Thwack, started previews March 4 and runs to May 9.
The Brothers are writer/performers David Collins and Shane Dundas, whose past shows include Don't Explain and Heaven by Storm. The two have performed these pieces all over the world, including on London's West End and in Germany, South America, South Africa, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Canada. Awards given to the purveyors of "tightly choreographed mayhem, mime and live audio acrobatics" include five consecutive years worth of Australian Entertainment's MO Award for Best Comedy Group, the Critics Choice Award for comedy in 1995's Edinburgh Festival and the United Slapstick Award in Germany. Television appearances here have included Jay Leno, an up-coming stint on Fox's "American Comedy Awards" March 15, and all the sound and voice work on Nickelodeon's animated series, "Maisy."
Philip Wm. McKinley directs. McKinley's credits include Off-Broadway's Zombie Prom, Chanel, the 30th anniversary production of Hair and A Little Night Music with Betty Buckley.
The design team features Josh Monroe (lighting), Bradley Mayer (sets) and Ray Schilke (sound).
Tickets are $30-$25. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4100. -- By Christine Ehren