Coming to The Capital Fringe Festival: ‘Dr. Science’s Science Time Science-va-ganza!’ by Adam Ruben

I became a scientist partially because I was lied to. And you all know the liar I’m talking about–the guy in the lab coat who comes to your class in third grade, dips a rose in liquid nitrogen, and smashes it with a hammer. “THAT’s science?” the kids say. “I love science!”

A couple decades later, I’m a molecular biologist at a small biotech company, and I wanted to satirize that kind of over-the-top, baking-soda-and-vinegar volcano performance. Hence, “Dr. Science’s Science Time Science-va-ganza!”

Adam Ruben and Chuck Na.

I developed the show with my friend and fellow biologist/comedian/storyteller Chuck Na. (Chuck and I met in grad school, though he dropped out after a few years, and I stayed in for seven.  I don’t know which one of us is therefore the smart one.) In the show, Dr. Science gives the kind of over-the-top, pun-filled science demonstrations that I grew up with (potato clock!), and all is well until something goes horribly, horribly wrong. I don’t want to say what goes wrong, or where Dr. Science suddenly finds himself, or what he sees there. But suffice it to say that when the show is through lampooning science demonstrations, it then switches to making fun of pseudoscience.

Oh, and of course there’s lovable Billy, a puppet who appears in Dr. Science’s world in much the same way that children randomly popped up in Mr. Wizard’s kitchen and backyard on Don Herbert’s famous show. Billy is voiced by storyteller, comedian, and science teacher Jason Pittman, who will also provide some awesome animation to round out the show.

The show is appropriate for all ages, though there are many jokes and references only meant for adults. Jokes about the Higgs boson. That kind of thing.

So come on out and enjoy Dr. Science’s Science Time Science-va-ganza! Our venue is air conditioned, and you know where air conditioning comes from.

That’s right: science.

Venue: B103 – at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church – 900 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC.

Click on the following performances to purchase tickets, or buy them online.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here