The Broadway Ferret

Image from New York City Theatre

Rating: 3 out of 5 masks

It came to my attention on Wednesday that Jump was closed.  Key word: was.  Apparently, the producers saw how much money they were going to rake in in the future and just decided to cut their losses right then and there.  I think this is unfair to people who may have bought tickets on Sunday,  those who saw it on Sunday not knowing it will be the last performance and of course the actors.  Since I write reviews about shows currently running on and off Broadway, I thought I would make an exception.

Jump is not exactly a play, as there is no dialogue but there is a plot.  It’s about this family of martial arts masters who spend the first half of the show showing off their moves and competing against each other.  There’s a Father, Mother, Daughter, Uncle, Grandfather and a Suitor for the Daughter.  The last part of the show depicts the family about to be robbed by two masked men who have no idea what they’re in for.

Image from Best of off Broadway

I really liked the martial arts depicted on stage.  I thought it was funny when they added some “slo-mo” moves, sort of like a nod to martial arts films that commonly depict such scenes.  It was funny to see the Suitor “change”, which seemed to mock Clark Kent/Superman.  The expressions and gestures seemed to be elaborate, which makes sense since there’s no real dialogue.

The set is a living room, with some additions that you wouldn’t find in a typical living room because they’re used for the martial arts scenes.  The production relies on its lighting and props, especially when the burglers come in.

If Jump happens to be playing in a theatre near you, I definitely suggest checking it out.  There’s some audience interaction involved, especiallly prior to the start of the show.