The Rube Goldberg Variations

April 25, 2019

New Hazlett Theater
6 Allegheny Square E
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Credits

Choreography

Peter Kope and Michele de la Reza

Dancers

Isabella Bergamin
Kaitlin Dann
Simon Phillips
Dane Toney
Sarah Zielinski

Music Direction

Flavio Chamis, Composer

Musicians

Nathan Carterette, Piano María Macarena Castellón, Electric Bass

Original Music Composition

Dave Eggar
Chuck Palmer

Simplicity, ingeniously complicated.

In a neighborly feud, a small gesture adds fuel to the fire: a parking chair, a noise complaint, a sign placed just too close. As two neighbors face off over their apparent differences, notions of identity clash until a whimsical chain of events reminds them that getting along is better than getting even. Inspiration drawn from the uncanny world of cartoonist, Rube Goldberg merges with J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations, as musical and choreographic vignettes create an ingeniously complicated machine that reveals the simplicity of human connection.

Featuring live musical accompaniment by pianist Nathan Carterette, and original compositions and recorded music by Flavio Chamis, Dave Eggar, and Chuck Palmer, this world premiere juxtaposes the classical with the contemporary, bridging two worlds through variations that divide and ultimately unite.

The roles of The Neighbors will be played by Carolina Loyola-Garcia and Mark Conway Thompson. Dancing the roles of The Workers are Isabella Bergamin, Kaitlin Dann, Simon Phillips, Dane Toney, and Sarah Zielinski.