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KPBS Evening Edition

Rants and Raves: UBU

Michael Nieto rehearsing as the title character of "UBU."
Beth Accomando
Michael Nieto rehearsing as the title character of "UBU."

New Theater Company Takes Name From Rushmore Character

How could I resist a youth theater company that takes its name from the character Jason Schwatrzman played in the Wes Anderson film "Rushmore." The Max Fischer Players present "UBU" (tonight through Sunday at 8:00 pm at Space 4 Art).

Max Fischer was the ambitious, artistic, overachieving young man who staged avant garde theater at his local school. The Max Fischer of San Diego appears to be 19-year-old Tracy McDowell who founded the company with her former Canyon Crest Academy drama teacher, Michael Schwartz. They then partnered with the San Diego Puppetry Guild to present an adaptation of Alfred Jarry's "UBU."

I visited the Max Fischer Players just a couple days before opening night and got a backstage look at this spectacular evening of theatrical mayhem. Their energy, enthusiasm, and determination to break some rules inspired me to create this video portrait of their inaugural production.

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Enjoy.

Behind the Scenes of UBU

Check out their FaceBook event.

And in case you can't remember Max Fischer from "Rushmore," here's a little reminder about the overachiever.