Solo Show NEPHEW OF THE UNIVERSE Premiers At HFF!

Rob Bruner did not have a normal childhood. When he was 12 years old, he was indoctrinated into a religious movement based on the teachings of guru Sri Chinmoy who his family brought to America, he was called by his spiritual name Gauranga, and he befriended celebrities who joined the group.

He also wasn't sure this was the life he wanted.

Now, the creative multi-hyphenate (writer, filmmaker, actor, musician) is sharing his bizarre yet relatable story in his solo show Nephew of the Universe, making its US PREMIERE this June at the Lounge Theatre as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Nephew of the Universe takes the audience on a sometimes whimsical, sometimes heart-wrenching journey of artist Rob Bruner's twenty years in a Queens, New York eastern meditation group--or was it a cult? Rob's aunt met Sri Chinmoy at an ashram in India. She helped sponsor him to move to New York where they began what would become a worldwide spiritual organization that attracted celebrities and world figures along with thousands of devotees. But Rob lived a dual life. He was very close and dear to Chinmoy and visited Queens frequently, but he also lived a secular life in Canada. With celibacy being a condition of discipleship, Rob struggled with his sexual urges and longed for intimacy while secretly harboring ambitions to be a famous rock star just like his disciple buddy, rock legend Carlos Santana. In this solo performance, Rob tells his story with wit, humor and honesty along with compelling music and visuals.

"Not many people have been brought up in an eastern religious group as a kid, and one founded by a close relative to boot, and have told their story in this format," Bruner said. "Whenever I tell my story to someone they are always fascinated, want to hear more and have a barrage of questions. This show answers those questions."

Facing ostracization, Bruner finally left the organization in 1990 to pursue his creative goals and experience normal relationships. He has wanted to tell his story ever since. He partnered with the National Film Board of Canada to develop a documentary on his life and the group, but he also wanted a present day component. After winning a solo theatre grant from the Canada Council in 2010, it took him another eight years and the help of solo coach and his director Jessica Lynn Johnson to get it ready for the stage. Bruner will tour the show in New York, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and other areas that played a role in his story. An actor, director, screenwriter, producer and comedian, Bruner is thrilled to perform his first solo show.

"I'd like audiences to be entertained by a weird and wonderful story," Bruner said. "I'd like to leave them with a sense that humanity reigns supreme and we must stay true to ourselves and our 'inner voice' no matter what parents, teachers or authority figures teach or tell us how to live."

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