

"Expertly straddles the fragile line between humor and horror."
-GIA KOURLAS, New York Times (full review)
"The Jo Strømgren Kompani has never appeared in New York City. It is time it came."
-Jennifer Dunning, New York Times
As a society of sworn coffee drinkers gather for their daily ritual the harmony is broken by a horrific incident: the discovery of a used teabag. As the investigations unfold the questions become more complicated. Do they have a domestic traitor among them or is the teabag a symbol of a much larger global scenario? How far will they have to go in order to track the traitor down, smoke him out, and bring this evil act to justice?
Jo Strømgren Kompani mirrors the macro-world by scrutinizing basic elements of contemporary phenomena: in our turbulent times the average citizen is ever more tempted to accept torture, suppression of minorities, and other violent means in order to restore order and avoid a clash of civilizations. Can theatre contribute to change this? JSK neglects any responsibility to join that debate. Rather, JSK pursues its signature fart-in-the-universe quest to pinpoint utterly sad human behavior.
Jo Strømgren Kompani's has created its own international niche through its long-term research on abstract text. Each production performed by JSK involves a completely new linguistic alias, inspired by a specific culture or region. Worldwide success in 45 countries has proven this nonsensical language manifesto to be more than just a temporary funny idea. For all audiences: Don't panic, the performers do not even know what is being said on stage.
Co-presented with The Abrons Arts Center. The Society is supported by Arts Council Norway, the Royal Norwegian Consulate General, and the American-Scandinavian Foundation.
Photo courtesy of Knut Bry

212-352-3101
9am-9pm, Mon-Fri
10am-6pm Sat, Sun
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Performance Space 122
150 First Ave. at E. 9th St.
NYC 10009
Phone: 212-477-5829
click for a staff listing.
Original Design: David Mashburn and Sean Carmody
with Implementation and Consultation by: Michael Barrish
and Matt Kingston
Design Refresh: Alex Reeves