4A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2005
Stand and deliver
Jeff Christensen/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saela Chin, a member of the Radio City Rockettes, models a new costume as other Rockettes practice for the new season, Thursday in New York. The Radio City "Christmas Spectacular" opens on Nov. 3 for 10 weeks.
Wife of former candidate speaks about her youth
Schlant Bradley reminisces about WWII
BY ALY BARLAND
abarland@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Ernestine Schlant Bradley, author and wife of former presidential candidate Bill Bradley, spoke last night at the Max Kade Center for Germanic Studies about her experiences growing up in Nazi Germany and then moving to the United States.
Bradley spoke about the traumatic events she witnessed growing up in Germany during World War II.
She said the Holocaust could not be treated as a single event because it had lasting effects on the world and those who experienced it.
"You have to see it, in my opinion, as an ongoing activity." Bradley said.
Bradley has taught French at Spelman College, German at SUNY
Stony Brook and has held visiting professorships at Yale and Columbia.
Bradley's latest book, "The Way Home: a German Childhood, an American Life," is an autobiography.
If her life were a movie, the white noise of her childhood would be the trains that transported people to the concentration camps, Bradley said.
The school Bradley attended as a student had to be used as a hospital when the hospitals became full. Instead of attending school in those buildings the students were transferred to restaurants.
Bradley said she tried to convey the effects of war through her books.
"I wanted to show how historic events out there impinge on the lives of the individuals," she said.
Bradley said she had struggled with the actions of her family and fellow Germans.
"You never know what your ancestors or parents did but you have to deal with it. You can not deny where you came from," Bradley said.
Bradley spoke about the traumatic events she witnessed growing up in Germany during World War II. She said the Holocaust could not be treated as a single event because it had lasting effects on the world and those who experienced it.
Candice Rukes/KANSAN
In witnessing the tragedy of war, Bradley said she learned that there was a positive side to defeat. She said Germany was not defeated but that it was instead liberated.
"Defate always had the promise of something better in it." Bradley said.
something better in life.
After witnessing World War II, Bradley said she learned to look for the positives in any negative situation. She approached hardships in her life with this mindset.
The play contains strong language, adult subject matter, gun shots, simulated sex, simulated violence and a thought-provoking theme. "Popcorn" will be performed this weekend and the first weekend in November in the Crafton-Preyer Theater in Murphy Hall.
Popcorn
CONTINUED FORM PAGE 1A
"I think by slapping an R rating on a play, all of a sudden people shake off their preconceived notions about the play. When you think about it, Romeo and Juliet should have an R rating. It starts with a gang war, it has teenagers having unprotected sex (one of which is about 13 years old), and ends in a double suicide. I don't think anything we do in our show is any more or less offensive then that," he said.
— Edited by Patrick Ross
Charla Jones, director of public relations for University Theater, hopes this kind of contemporary offering will draw in younger crowds, but for the right reasons.
"I am concerned younger audiences might come just to see something violent. It's more than that because there are deeper philosophical issues that are discussed as well," Jones said.
The issue at the heart of "Popcorn" is gratuitous violence in films, alibet in a convoluted manner, and whether it breeds violent behavior in the audience for such films. Ron Willis, professor emeritus of theatre and film, is returning to the University Theatre to direct "Popcorn."
Willis said he had noticed that often times more effort was expended finding excuses for inappropriate behavior than was spent directly addressing and modifying that behavior. Overall, he said he hoped the play would get people to think
Charla Jones, director of public relations for University Theater, hopes this kind of contemporary offering will draw in younger crowds, but for the right reasons.
about the displacement of blame.
"People should bear in mind this work was carefully chosen in order to foster meaningful dialogue among audiences. It would be gratifying to have the production serve as a stimulus to thoughtful reflection and discussion," Willis said.
Willis said "Popcorn" promises to be a complex show mixing live stage and video elements and is likely to provoke some polarized discussion.
"Because the text employs such an 'in-your-face' bold satiric metaphor there will be some attendees whose personal tastes will inhibit their reacting openly to the satric core of the script." Willis said. "Others will undoubtedly mature the mature and direct treatment of an issue which figures so prominently in people's thinking."
Jenkins said she was surprised her office had not heard back from anyone after issuing the notice. The play premiers at 7:30 tonight and will run until Nov. 5.
Edited by Jayme Wiley
Homecoming
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
His group and five others preformed on stage at the block party, trying to show their spirit.
Luke Clarkson, Prairie Village freshman, was dressed in a long, black-haired wig as he awaited his turn to perform on stage for the spirit singers contest with members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Kappa Delta.
"Everyone is having fun and acting ridiculous," he said.
This is the first time there has been a block party for homecoming, but not the first time one has been scheduled. Last year the planned party was rained out.
This year there were propane heaters and hot chocolate to keep those in attendance warm.
Jennifer Denny, awards and Ex.C.E.L. chairwoman, said that she was happy that it didn't rain but that she would have liked to have seen more people turn out.
ad to have seen more people turn out.
About 200 people attended the event.
— Edited by Patrick Ross
kansan.com
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