The Flying Karamazov Brothers have been defying gravity and expectations for over fifty years with their signature blend of juggling, theater, and irreverent humor. Founded in 1973 by Howard Patterson and Paul Magid—college roommates at UC Santa Cruz—the troupe quickly grew to include Randy Nelson, Timothy Furst, and a rotating cast of wildly talented performers.
Named after Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, the group adopted stage personas from the novel and launched a legacy that spans Broadway, television, and international acclaim. Their groundbreaking production of The Comedy of Errors and the Obie-winning Juggling and Cheap Theatrics helped cement their reputation as masters of physical comedy and theatrical innovation.
Today, the Karamazovs continue to evolve, with current members including Mark Ettinger, Rod Kimball, Stephen Bent, and Nick Flint. Their performances are a joyful collision of skill, wit, and absurdity—where objects fly, jokes land, and audiences leave grinning.
“As close to a sure thing as can be found onstage, 100 minutes of cleverness and comedy that go by in a flash.” — The New York Times
“Extraordinary entertainment! Don’t walk, don’t run, FLY to see the amazing Karamazovs!” — NY1
“Humor, wit and impeccable timing! The Karamazovs manage to generate more drama, excitement and pleasure than found in a lot of the stuff that passes for entertainment nowadays.” — USA Today
“A marvelous mix of the Marx Brothers, Monty Python and ‘Hellzapoppin’… A unique entertainment! You have to be there and you should be there as soon as possible. Catch it!”— Clive Barnes, New York Post
