Home › Blogs › Graham Schmidt's blog

Critics Swoon over FLYING!

Submitted by Graham Schmidt on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 16:53

 

Hi Friends - Graham Schmidt here. I wanted to relay some of the kind words the critics have had for our production of FLYING, which continues to play at the Off Center through February 19th. 
 
But first, let me tell you that this story of young, hip, wealthy Muscovites in many ways depends on the music composed and produced for our show by Justin Sherburn. When not creating incredible music for theater here in town, Justin also performs with Austin's own Okkervil River. Check out Justin's website, and hit the play button on his amazing tracks, which bring FLYING to life!
 
Mukhina - one of the founders of the New Russian Drama movement, which is driving innovation in Russian theater right now, and which has caught fire internationally - flew all the way to Austin for the English-language premiere of her play last weekend, and we hope you enjoy FLYING as much as she did. Some critics have been singing the praises of this heroic cast and crew, which features some of Austin's most talented performers.
 
Austin Live Theatre blog raves: It’s a hot cast that sizzles as an ensemble.  Bad boys Joey Hood and Jacob Trussell; handsomely depraved Jesse Bertron as Maniac the base jumper; juicy women Michelle Keffer and Katie van Winkle; the dangerously seductive Adriene Mishler, also responsible for the dizzying movement; big-eyed Gricelda Silva as the girl from the sticks....

Mukhina, Schmidt and this talented company create a terrific, terrible and hypnotic spectacle for us.  Flying is an experience not to be missed.
 
Or check out the Austin360 review: Schmidt’s staging and Mishler’s movement direction visually read like an expertly choreographed dance. ...“Flying” is funny and poetic; the fact that Mukhina has accomplished both at the same time speaks to her creative genius.
 
We're beyond thrilled to have hosted two of Russia's most prominent contemporary playwrights - Olga Mukhina and Maksym Kurochkin - for Breaking String's 2011 New Russian Drama Festival, produced in association with our friends the Rude Mechs, Fusebox Festival and the Center for International Theatre Development. After a magical weekend that featured some incredible staged readings and discussion around contemporary Russian theater (and a drop or two of vodka!), Max and Olga hopped a plane back to Moscow. For a taste of the fun, check out our friend/collaborator Jennymarie Jemison's account of her up-close experience with some of the best theater art that Russia has to offer, right here in Austin!
 
Keep an eye on www.breakingstring.com for more information about our festival, and Breaking String's schemes for next year!
 
FLYING continues its run through February 19th, at the Off Center. Can't wait to see you there!
Tags: