Hancher, Orchestra Iowa collaborating with ‘lunatic’

The University of Iowa's Hancher and Orchestra Iowa on Tuesday announced an artistic collaboration with a self-proclaimed “Certified Lunatic and Master of the Impossible.”

“An Evening at The Symphony with Dr. Prof. Tomas Kubínek,” created by Orchestra Iowa and Kubínek, will be presented by Hancher and premiere in November. After performances in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Decorah, and Mason City, Kubínek will perform the work with the Omaha Symphony and possibly tour with orchestras around the world.

Timothy Hankewich, music director of Orchestra Iowa, began working with Kubinek about a year ago to craft a one-of-a-kind symphonic and comedic production. Kubinek said he was introduced to Hankewich by Chuck Swanson, executive director of Hancher, after he began envisioning the show while touring theaters in Italy.

“When I was here at Hancher in 2006 for a program, Chuck and I had such a good time touring the state,” Kubinek said Tuesday. “I e-mailed Chuck and asked if he knew an orchestra that I could work with to create this project. He asked me to write the whole concept out, so that made me crystallize it.

“I didn't know how badly Cedar Rapids and Iowa City had been devastated by the flood, so I kind of blindly walked into it. Chuck and Tim felt this was exactly what was needed to serve the state and travel.”

Hankewich said the program with Kubinek is the type of entertainment needed for symphony music to appeal to a broader audience.

“Orchestras are hungry for symphonic music performed in new contexts that bring new audiences of all ages together,” Hankewich said. “They're able to experience symphonic music perhaps for the first time, but also in a safe, humorous and inviting manner.”

Hankewich calls Kubinek “a kindred spirit” who loves to laugh and create a memorable performance.

“We're finding the music and creating the right mix that complements and describes what he does,” Hankewich said. “It involves things like shortening music, lengthening music, cuts, adding this, subtracting that, and putting it all into publication software. When orchestras around the country play this music, they will enjoy it and be absolutely amazed with what Mr. Kubinek does.”

Kubinek has appeared in over 30 countries on five continents and has been seen by millions of people in standing-room-only appearances at theatres, opera houses, international festivals, in television specials, and on Broadway.