Korean Martial Arts and Theatre Blend in Off-Bway's 'Jump'

Jump, the high-flying, internationally acclaimed new martial arts theater event, will have its New York premiere this fall, it was announced by the show's producers, CAMI Ventures, LLC, a subsidiary of Columbia Artists Management, Inc (CAMI).  This first U.S. production of the nonverbal Korean extravaganza of martial arts, acrobatics and slapstick will begin previews at the Union Square Theatre (100 East 17th Street) on Tuesday, September 25, with an official opening night set for Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 7 p.m.

Created by Korea's renowned YEGAM Theatre Company (Producer, Kyung-Hun Kim/Artistic Director, Chul-Ki Choi), Jump premiered at the Woolim Theater of Seoul in 2003.  The show comes to New York following wildly 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.

The show "brings the combination of slapstick comedy, acrobatics and martial arts to the stage, for the first time ever in live performance, in this highly unique theater 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," as described in press notes.

"The show's action is so vigorous and skilled that there are enough troupe members to make up 3 casts in the event of injuries.  During the 3 1/2 year training period preceding the opening of the show, performers studied various combat disciplines such as Tae Kwan Do, taek kyun and hapkido from Korea and capoeira from Brazil."

The design team for the New York production includes Tae-Young Kim (scenic design), DOLSILNAI, INC. (costumes), Jong-Wah Park, Sung-Bin Lim (lighting), Dong-June Lee (music), Gye-Hwan Park (martial arts choreography) and Pan Company (make-up design).  The full cast will be announced shortly.

Jump is suitable for all ages. The show will play the following performance schedule: Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets ($20 to $65) will be available to the public beginning August 1, 2007 by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (212) 307-4100.   Group sales (10 or more) can be arranged by contacting Theatre Direct at 1-800-BROADWAY.

Visit www.jumpnewyorkcity.com for more information.