By David Gordon
Following in the footsteps of the Blue Man Group and “Stomp” is “JUMP,” the internationally acclaimed Korean martial arts/comedy extravaganza. Premiering in 2003 in Seoul, “JUMP” traveled the world, from Scotland’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival to Israel. The show opened at the Union Square Theatre on East 17th Street in October and has quickly become a must-see show for families.
In a traditional Korean living room, (realistically designed, save for the mysterious swords hanging on the walls, by Tae-Young Kim), the audience is introduced to an average Korean family: Grandfather, Mother and Father, Uncle, Daughter and the new Son-in-Law. For fun, they stage martial arts fights and collectively try to one-up each other, from breaking wooden boards over Uncle’s head to running up walls.
Uncle is a little bit too attached to his wine and always manages to stumble in at the wrong times, to the dismay of Son-in-Law and Daughter, who are simply trying to declare their love for each other without being too shy. Later, two inept burglars arrive and the family must join together to fight them and defend their honor.
“JUMP” has been described as “Jackie Chan meets Charlie Chaplin,” and it’s exactly that. What ensues is Chul-Ki Choi’s 90-minute non-stop action comedy that contains everything from farcical “running back and forth through doors” routines to Keystone Kops/Three Stooges slapstick to parodies of “The Matrix” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
Most of the show works, and it’s especially involving for a martial arts fan. Those who aren’t fans can just marvel at the performers (there are 15 who double and triple in the nine roles), all of whom are professionally trained dancers, gymnasts and Tae Kwan Do experts. There’s even one gentleman who mentions in his biography that he’s a ski instructor and lifeguard.
Where “JUMP” succeeds is in getting the audience all riled up. Opening with the “Old Man,” walking down the theater aisles, through a crowded row of people, he makes his way slowly to the stage. He even enlists an audience member’s help and rewards her with candy. Even socks come flying into the audience-though it’s requested that they’re returned.
Two other audience members are called up. (At the performance I attended, one of the participants, a man in a suit and tie, got so into it, jumping and somersaulting like a pro, I was convinced he was a plant. Only when he was given a tote bag did we realize he wasn’t.)
There are also no effects of any kind (a strobe light is used, however) or wires. What you’re seeing is the real deal. Gye-Hwan Park’s martial arts choreography are impressive, especially knowing there’s no safety net (though the stage has some give to it, like a trampoline).
Most of all, “JUMP” is a family show; no objectionable material, no blood and no foul language. It’s perfect for the little ones and those awed by physicality. But there’s enough going on that even the toughest of critics will find something by which they’ll be impressed.
(nytimes.com)