The Korean martial-arts comedy Jump will arrive in New York this fall for an open-ended run at the Union Square Theater. The 90-minute show will begin previews on September 25 and open off-Broadway on October 7.
Jump, created by Korea's Yegam Theater Company, brings the combination of slapstick comedy, acrobatics and martial arts to the stage in a spectacle that has been described as "Jackie Chan meets Charlie Chaplin." Set in the interior of a traditional Korean home, the show tells the story of an anything-but-typical family. Each member of the household, from the strict Grandfather to the pretty young daughter, enjoys nothing more than challenging the rest of the family to martial arts showdowns. When two burglars break into the house occupied by three generations of highly trained martial artists, the family turns their expertise on the unexpected guests. The hyperactive sitcom that ensues is the ideal forum for this troupe to show off their extensive training in martial arts, acrobatics, gymnastics and comic acting.
The hopes to tap into the international audiences that have kept Stomp and Blue Man Group running off-Broadway for years. The Russian clown act Slava's Snowshow ran for more than two years at the Union Square, but the theater's most recent spectacle, the Israeli show Be by Mayumana lasted only about four months, closing July 1.
Jump premiered at the Woolim Theater of Seoul in 2003, and has since become a megahit. The show comes to New York following successful engagements in Israel, Hong Kong, Macao, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Madrid, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2005 and 2006, Tokyo, Osaka and London with a repeat engagement at the prestigious Peacock Theatre and a special appearance on Queen Elizabeth's Royal Variety Show. The production is currently enjoying an open run of sold-out shows in Seoul, Korea. Engagements are also set to commence in Russia, China, Malaysia and Australia.
