Review
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Entertainment : Monday, November 4, 2002
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'Catch': Troupe offers frisky, ludicrous fun
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By FRED SOKOL Theater writer
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The Flying Karamazov Brothers, performing "Catch" at CityStage through Nov. 10, are impossibly appealing.
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This show is a retrospective comprised of bits developed throughout the group's three decades of play and work, and its physical comedy is designed to please viewers of all ages.
Four "brothers" named Makarov (Charlie Brown), Vanya (Rudi Galindo), Misha (Paul Hudert), and Nikita (Andy Sapora) combine improvisation with well-rehearsed routine.
Highly skilled actors, these folks could not possibly attain their level of expertise without hours of practice. The result, as the bits move from simple to highly complex, is that the foursome maneuvers with near-perfection and an ease that belies the difficulty of tasks at hand.
They begin with innocuous bowling pins . Soon, however, they're tossing razor-sharp sickles at one another, all the while shmoozing with the audience. The theatrics work with optimal effect if theatergoers are willing to participate. A virtually filled house was more than eager to mix it up with the Karamazov boys opening night Friday.
The evening stretches to more than 90 minutes, including a lengthy intermission. It's almost always fun, as the gags run from goofy to Marx Brothers-like to quite musical to most dazzling. It is also apparent that the performers, to some extent, adapt to the receptivity of the audience.
A first act highlight includes the sequence in which anyone attending is invited to "challenge the champ." The most proficient juggler of this lot is tall, lanky Charlie Brown as Makarov. The idea of "the gamble" is that anyone may deposit, onstage, an object that is smaller than a bread box, heavier than an ounce, and lighter than 10 pounds. A mock-contest determines which of the items Makarov attempts to juggle. He succeeded with a bag of water, plate of spaghetti, and a somewhat cumbersome statuette. If Makarov loses, he gets hit in the face with a pie.
Brown, however, is enormously adept and probably manages to garner his share of standing ovations, the fitting reward for a job well done.
Throughout the evening, the ensemble gathers what they deem "dangerous objects." These include: skillet, egg, torch, ukulele, cleaver, salt shaker, dry ice, fake trout. ... You get the picture.
During the second portion of the show, the guys demonstrate technique as percussionists. They begin beating, with pinpoint rhythm, on large cardboard boxes, representative, evidently, of Taiko drums. Ultimately, though, one of the performers loses his wits and, drawing raucous laughter from the crowd, destroys his cartons.
"Catch" moves back and forth, from the highly dexterous and clever to goofy, loony and borderline absurd activity. It is never dull or boring.
The production borrows from vaudeville and clown genres, as well. Baby Boomers might be reminded of television's Ed Sullivan Show. The artists are zany and zealous but create balance with a combination of relaxation and intensity, which enables them to perform with great discipline and rapport with the audience.
"Catch" is frisky, playful and even ludicrous fun. It provides a diverting evening of performance without any false sophistication.
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