“Certified Lunatic and Master of the Impossible”

May 4th and 5th
UMBC Theatre

Contact: Thomas Moore
Director of Arts & Culture
410-455-3370
tmoore@umbc.edu

Note: You may view or download this release as a pdf file.

On May 4th and 5th, UMBC presents two evenings of outrageous comedy with the sensational Tomáš Kubínek, performer of exuberant solo shows to sold-out houses around the world.

Equal parts fool, clown, visual poet, solo performance artist, comic genius, virtuoso vaudevillian, and irresistible charmer, Kubínek is a true artist who gives audiences an utterly joyous experience. Uproarious absurdity, spontaneous wit, and courageous feats of nonsense are all rolled into an unforgettable experience, a collision of theatre and music-hall.

“Absolutely expert and consistently charming!”
—The New York Times

“Hilarious and enormously talented.”
—Time Out, London

“Equal parts old-time clowning and Monty Pythonesque silliness...the hottest ticket at the festival.”
—The Seattle Times

“Mr. Kubínek dried the ink from this critic’s pen. He unquestionably deserves the many international theater and humor awards he has received for his brilliant performances...”
—Albuquerque Journal

 “The performance which (almost literally) brought down the house was the appearance of Tomáš Kubínek. Imagine the truly weird meeting of a variety artist from ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ and the troupe from ‘Monty Python’ as seen through the eyes of the creator of Stupid Pet Tricks. Multiply it with an in-your-face performance that is virtually impossible to describe.

 “Suffice it to say that, between the unbelievably bad magic tricks, the chicken clucking, water-burbling, the hair standing on end, missing finger tricks, and absurd acrobatics, Kubínek deserves the title ‘Certified Lunatic.’ He also deserved the reaction from those members of the audience, who, had they not been so busy rolling around on the floor like mirthful marbles, would have applauded even louder and longer.”
—The Mobile Register

“An alien of extraordinary ability.”
—U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

Biography
Tomáš Kubínek (toh-mawsh koo-bee-neck), was born in Prague and at the age of three was smuggled out of the country by his parents to escape the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. After two months in a refugee camp in Austria, the Kubínek family was granted asylum in Canada and it was there, in St. Catharines, Ontario, that Tomáš, age 5, witnessed his first circus. He became passionately interested in clowns, circus, theater and magic and his perplexed yet well-adjusted parents took him to see every show that passed through town.

At age 9 he presented his first performance before a circle of elderly magicians. By age 13 he had an agent. He performed in coffee-houses between folk-music acts and while still in his teens, he made his circus debut with a Brazilian clown duo as the rear half of a two-person horse. There was no turning back. Working any and all jobs related to showbiz, the enterprising Mr. Kubínek was able to save money and travel to Europe to study with some of the world’s greatest teachers of theatre including Monika Pagneaux, Pierre Byland, Jaques Lecoq and Boleslav Polivka. These studies, combined with his own tireless experiments in the art of live performance, led to the creation of his award-winning solo stage shows which play to capacity crowds at theaters, international arts festivals, and in television broadcasts throughout the world.

Admission
$15 general admission; $10 students and seniors.
Tickets are available through MissionTix at www.missiontix.com or by calling MissionTix at 410-752-8950.

Telephone
Public information: (24 hour recorded message): 410-455-ARTS
Media inquiries only: 410-455-3370

Images for Media
High resolution images for media are available online:
http://www.umbc.edu/newsevents/arts/hi-res/
or by email or postal mail.

Directions
• From Baltimore and points north, proceed south on I-95 to exit 47B. Take Route 166 toward Catonsville and then follow signs to the Theatre.
• From I-695, take Exit 12C (Wilkens Avenue) and continue one-half mile to the entrance of UMBC at the roundabout intersection of Wilkens Avenue and Hilltop Road. Turn left and follow signs to the Theatre.
• From Washington and points south, proceed north on I-95 to Exit 47B. Take Route 166 toward Catonsville and then follow signs to the Theatre.
• Visitor parking is available in the Commons Garage. Visitor parking regulations are enforced on all University calendar days. Hilltop Circle and all campus roadways require a parking permit unless otherwise marked.
Online campus map: http://www.umbc.edu/aboutumbc/campusmap/