The Flying Karamazov Brothers juggle triumphantly
By: JENNIFER FARRAR
Associated Press
02/17/10 3:42 PM PST
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The Flying Karamazov Brothers, from left, Stephen Bent, Paul Magid, Mark Ettinger and Rod Kimball are shown in "4Play," playing at off-Broadway's Minetta Lane Theatre in New York. (Courtesy photo)
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NEW YORK — "4PLAY," as performed by the Flying Karamazov Brothers, is a triumph of theatrical silliness combined with serious juggling skills and musicianship.
Although they don't really fly and they aren't even brothers, the Karamazov troupe members do let fly with many puns and one-liners, along with a variety of amusing and occasionally dangerous objects, all the while performing with humor, grace and aplomb.
From the moment they go on stage at off-Broadway's Minetta Lane Theatre, these four funny men get the audience laughing. Clad in their signature biker-chic, kilt-skirted tuxedoes, they begin by pointlessly rearranging, and then drumming with, the "set," which consists almost entirely of dozens of empty cardboard boxes.
Brother Alexei, the hilariously improvisational Mark Ettinger, keeps the jokes flying, ad-libbing when anything unexpected happens. And surprises are invited, for audience members are urged to bring props ("smaller than a bread box, no sharp edges" ) they hope will be chosen by the Brothers for a crazy juggling contest. Note to fans: Pineapples actually have many sharp edges.
On opening night, the audience chose props that included a red fishnet stocking filled with raw eggs, a real (but dead) flounder — and a whole cheesecake. Front row audience members, beware: The cheesecake could set a new, very messy precedent.
Wild-haired Paul Magid, director of the production and co-founder of the troupe in 1973, plays senior juggler Dmitri, aka "the Champ," with deadpan confidence and ease. His skill with the cheesecake and egg yolks was awesome to behold, not to mention his calm derring-do during a club-off against his three fellow Brothers.
Fresh-faced Roderick Kimball as Pavel and newest Brother Stephen Bent as Zossima round out the quartet. Their timing is astonishing, including the ability to not get hit in the head, even when they dance an interwoven jig while tossing 12 clubs among themselves.
The Brothers explore the musical and rhythmic possibilities in juggling, creating unique sounds even with just four rubber balls and a table. Musical director Ettinger provides some piano playing, while the four troupers all play instruments, not necessarily the one they're holding.
Suspense mounts, as the rare but inevitable dropped club leads to some audience speculation about what might happen with the meat cleaver and lighted torch on display.
But get to the Minetta Lane Theatre and give your inner child a hundred minutes of fast-paced fun.
"4PLAY" runs through March 7.
