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The ‘Big’ show: Immersive cinema takes on the Dude

The ‘Big’ show: Immersive cinema takes on the Dude

The show abides.

A high-flying film series in Bushwick will celebrate the cult classic “The Big Lebowski” at two immersive screenings filled with music, eye-popping visuals, and aerial performances. Little Cinema’s “The Dude,” at the House of Yes on Aug. 15 and 16, will be the company’s final show of the season, and the popular stoner film is the perfect choice to take it home, said the founder of the screening series.

“We love this movie, and this summer edition is our last show before we take a small break. We wanted something fun and happy and also thought-provoking,” said Jay Rinksy, who lives in Williamsburg.

The movie is a timeless piece of work, and filled with imagery that Rinsky has long wanted to use in the show.

“Beyond fundamentals and pop culture, the film has a lot of really creative visual components,” said Rinsky. “ ‘The Big Lebowski’ is a political film with a lot of fun in it. It’s one of my personal favorite films, and something we wanted to do for a long time.

Over the last 18 months, the Little Cinema series has created immersive shows for 33 different movies, including cult classics “The Fifth Element,” “Donnie Darko,” and “Labyrinth.” Each show immerses the audience in the world of the film, with actors dressed as the characters interacting with the audience, re-mixed visuals and music, and dance numbers inspired by the action on screen.

For “The Big Lebowski,” the entertainment will involve 20 performers, with dancers dressed as nihilist Germans, flamenco music, and drink specials on White Russian cocktails. There will also be a drinking game for guests who can spot a flying rug, which really ties the room together, said Rinsky.

“It’s a fusion of a live music, live circus dance, and immersive effects and a whole lot of crazy while film plays,” he said.

It may seem over-the-top, but that’s just, like, your opinion, man.

“Through live music and video, we are going to recut our own visuals and costumed and aerial dancers will be flying above people’s heads while other things happen around them,” said Rinsky. “Expect one surprise after another, and expect beautiful and psychedelic and skillfully impressive aerial dancers, and the Dude flying above your head in a dream sequence.”

The performers often interact with the audience, but socially anxious viewers who, like Donny, find themselves out of their element can choose to sit in a “safe space zone,” where they watch the show and take it easy, said Rinsky.

“Little Cinema: The Dude” at House of Yes [2 Wyckoff Avenue between Jefferson and Troutman streets in Bushwick, (347) 469-9882, www.houseofyes.org]. Aug 15–16 at 7 pm. $30–$45.

Reach reporter Alexandra Simon at (718) 260–8310 or e-mail her at asimon@cnglocal.com.
Bone up on film: Little Cinema creates immersive screenings of cult films, such as this scene from their show for “Donnie Darko.”