Spaceman:Dada:Robot offers flight of fancy

Electronic Planet Ensemble's Spaceman:Dada:Robot is a sly meandering visual spectacle now running at the Vortex. Set against a loop of imagery, four musicians take us on an aural voyage at about 67,000 miles per hour, give or take a few. This show dips and weaves into various corners of your psyche and leaves you wondering—and wondering is good.

Admittedly, it was the "Dada" of the title that drew our attention. It is difficult when watching this show to equate it with the chaotic anti-aesthetics of Hugo Ball or Tristan Tzara, but perhaps these original proponents would approve of the way this production sweeps aside of the science in favor of reinstating the wonder that first inspired space travel. We don't know if the factoids spouted throughout the show are true, but we wanted them to be.

We're long-time fans of Chad Salvata's musical stylings (Pythia Dust et al), and his keyboards are tantalizing. However, the energy from drummer Rachel Fuhrer emanates out and she propels the music forward. Sergio Samayoa provides the base line and the phantasmic ever-present video. David Jewell's vocal score is potent—at times hilarious, at times bittersweet, at times morose. He simultaneously reminds us of how insignificant and yet how precious we all are in the universe, a paradox that should inspire a sense of liberty. It takes courage to achieve escape velocity, after all. Our favorite segment was "Martian Fantasy." Employing a scheme and wordplay worthy of Shel Silverstein . . . oh, it's too much fun to spoil it here. Just go see it!

Spaceman:Dada:Robot is part of the 20th birthday celebration at the Vortex. In that time Vortex has established itself as one of the artistic pillars of the Austin theatre community. In a town that likes its art to push the envelope, Vortex pushes harder. Not only do they produce original work (Wake for the Dark Poet among many others), but they have also brought to the stage works that many theatres would shrink from such as Sarah Kane's 4:48 Psychosis and Mark Ravenhill's Shopping and F**king. Add to that, they play host to significant artists, giving Austin access to the work of Tim Miller and Karen Finley just to name a few. Spaceman:Dada:Robot continues in the Vortex's bold line, daring our imagination and perception.