• R.U.R. by Karel Capek

R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)

March 2009: People's Center Theater, Minneapolis, MN

Playwright: Karel Capek
Translated by: Christopher O. Kidder

The 1921 play that created the word "Robot"! The future of the world is looking bright as a team of six unlikely friends spark a new type of industrial revolution with a single invention: Humanoid Robots. But when a young activist seeks to make the Robots more human, the world finds out just how dangerous humanity can be. A novel idea!  Czech playwright Karel Capek gave the world the idea of Robots.  He also added that word into the lexicon for all time.  This play introduced the world to the idea of man-made intelligent beings back in 1921.

In this new, cutting-edge translation (updated for a new millenium), Commedia Beauregard presented the play that confronts the morality of humanity and its technology. 

 

Photos

Helen Glory (Sash Walloch, foreground) skeptically listens to the ideas of Harry Domin (Michael Ooms) Harry Domin (Michael Ooms, foreground) prepares for the worst as Dr. Hallemeier (Brian O'Neal) looks on.Dr. Hallemeier (Brian O'Neal) speaks of how great it was to be human. (Alan Cloud and David Talarico, also pictured)Love in a moment of crisis: Harry (Michael Ooms) and Helen (Sasha Walloch) contemplate their abbreviated future together. Alquist (David Talarico) tries in vain to find a way to create life among the machines. Alquist (David Talarico) looks at the blood on his hands (literally), as one of the robots (Yefei Jin) watches him.

 

 

 

 

The Cast & Crew

Harry Domin Michael Ooms
Sulla, A Robot Jennifer Nesbitt
Marius, A Robot Andrew Northrop
Helen Glory Sasha Walloch
Dr. Gaul Ben Layne
Fabry Alan Cloud
Dr. Hallemeier Brian O'Neal
Alquist David Talarico
Busman Aaron Konigsmark
Maddy Erin Haynes
Radius, A Robot Michael Bruckmueller
Damon, A Robot Jared Wills
Primus, A Robot Yefei Jin
Helena, A Robot Sasha Walloch


Director: Christopher O. Kidder
Assistant Director/Dramaturg:  Crystal G. Schneider
Stage Manager:  Mark Monfils
Assistant Stage Manager: Wynter D. Gingery
Costume Designer:  A. Emily Heaney
Props Designer:  Jennifer Peck
Lighting Designer:  Stephen J. Moore
Lighting Assistant:  Ariel Pinkerton
Sound Designer:  Dixie Treichl
Set Designer: Christopher O. Kidder
Master Carpenter: Julia Reisinger
Set Construction: Mark Abel Garcia
Dialect Coach:  Michael Bruckmueller
Graphic Designer: Jen Rand

Reviews & Other Press

Lavender Magazine -- On The Townsend
 Minneapolis Examiner -- Robots Are Our Friends! (?)
 MN Create -- R.U.R.
TC Theatre Connection -- #35 Christopher O. Kidder & Sasha Walloch
Minnesota Public Radio -- Art Hounds: Week of March 12, 2009
Fringe Famous -- B4 You Die - 3/5/09

Christopher Kidder is a natural for directing expressionistic theater, especially when he’s dealing with Eastern European drama.

John Townsend, Lavender Magazine
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All I know is that it’s a cool play being produced by an inventive company.

Jay, Fringe Famous
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