Frequency Hopping

I got the following notice about an upcoming show in New York City, Frequency Hopping:

It is a dark comedy based on the remarkable collaboration in 1940 between glamour girl Hedy Lamarr and “bad boy” composer George Antheil on a secret communication system now recognized as a model for wireless technology.

Featuring a 25-piece robotic orchestra and 3D multimedia and written & directed by Elyse Singer, Frequency Hopping is winner of the 2007 STAGE Script Competition for new plays about science and technology. Multimedia design by Elaine J. McCarthy (Wicked, Spamalot). Produced by the OBIE-winning Hourglass Group (Beebo Brinker, Trouble in Paradise).

Performances May 29 – June 29, 2008 at 3LD Art & Technology Center.

The show features a 25-piece robotic orchestra, video and Eyeliner 3-D holographic projections (the same system used to create the Gorillaz when they play "live"). Oh right, and a Hedy Lamarr look-alike.

The robotic orchestra was designed by the League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots (check out their work on YouTube).

You can find out more about the work of co-inventors Lamarr and Antheil:

• Hedy Lamarr at inventions.org
• "Advanced Weaponry of the Stars" by Hans-Joachim Braun in American Heritage Magazine (Spring 1997)
• US Patent 2,292,387 "Secret Communication System" issued August 11, 1942 (note that Markey was the last name of Lamarr's second husband)
  

Tags: Frequency Hopping, Hedy Lamarr, plays