University Daily Kansan
9
Friday, February 29,1980
By JUDITH LYNN HOWARD
Staff Reporter
Comedy is splashed in the 1980 Rock Chalk Revive, a tribute to the 70s with fireworks. With ferocious percussion, a 1990 model electric car, wax dummies and munchkins—this year's show can't fail
The theme, "The Times They Are A-Changing" is reflected in the plots of four skits.
the four 20-minute times were chosen the show are: Beta Theta Pti and Kappa Theta Pti, "Till the Tile Turns"; Kappa Theta Pti, "It Please"; Delta Chi and Alpha Phi, "The West Was 2001"; Alpha Kappa Lambda and Alpha Gamma Delta, "Be Not or Be Not"
David Preston, Beta Theta Pi director.
said the plot of "Till The Tide Turns," was about a band of pirates who kidnap some school girls so that they can have their evil wilw
UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE LAST brigands, the school girls are sick with the sneeze-and-wheeze disease, a drethful thing for them. So they walk. So the girls are forced to walk the plank.
But the girls save the day and gain the respect of the pirates when they use their skirts as a sail when the main sail is torn in a storm.
The lead performers in "Till THE TIDE Turns" are Liz Waugh and Greg Durall.
Indeed, the pirates are red-blooded characters, but the cast of "The Way the West Was 2001" is far from alive at first glance.
Chris Hamill, director of the skit, said that
It is another love story, this time between a just-about-to-married couple, an old college sweetheart and a flirtatious "other women."
the action takes place in a wax museum. At night the wax figures come alive and talk to each other.
As in all KU Revues Hamill said, there is a love story.
In the museum, a sophisticated lab technician (Ruth Runnels), and a western mountain man (Kevin Milbarn) fall in love with his separation illustration shows the changing chimes.
"Charge It Please!" also spans changing times. The scene opens at a 1981 gas station which converts into an electric station in the 1980s, implying a new decade.
THE COUPLE HAS just arrived at an electric station to get their electric car
charged. The groom, John Jantz) suddenly tires of it all, and meets another woman (Madeline Kluusman) who bats her sister at him. He can't help succumbing.
The forsaken bride (Erin Merritt) is reunited with her college sweetheart (Brian Pierce) at the station for a car that will discover those old feelings are still the same.
Choreographer Ann Schock said that the reunion between the bride and her old sweetheart illustrates that times change, but that feelings sometimes do not.
Feelings are also described in "To Be OEP or Not to Be OEP." In this skit, a village of one-inch people are desperately fearful of the threat from the outside. People near their miniature homeland
Dismaved and apprehensive, the little
munchkins go to their fearless and revered leader, the "Bee Say Toy." They pull the toy's string and the bees give advice.
The four skits will be judged for best actor or best song, and the best production or best origin song, best product creation or best overall production. The winners will be announced after Saturday night's performances.
AFTER THIS turn of events, the people decide to begin thinking on their own.
The bee toy tells the people that they must form an army. But before the people can do so, a human foot crushes the bee and he cannot lead them.
Tickets for the Friday show are $3.75.
Saturday evening tickets are $4.75.
The Saturday matinee tickets are $3 for general
groups or for groups of 50 and $1 for children under 12.
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
the arts
Rock Chalk 80' scenes: Right, Chris Pierce, Topeka freshman, and Erin Merritt, Mason县, Masson, junior, display the traditional Rock Chalk kicks in the Alpha D/P/Tan Kappa Epsilon production of the N.C. State University-act players who woo it up during dress cerebral for the show.
Arnie's band awaits chance to hit big time
By JON BLONGEWICZ
Every local band dreams of making the big time.
Arnie Johnson, 38, lead singer for Arnie Johnson's River City Country Band, is looking for the big time too, but he is pretty well suited playing for his friends in Lawrence.
"A person couldn't be an entertainer at heart if he thought he couldn't move up." Johnson said this week
Johnson's band is playing for his friends tonight and at Saturday at the Country Playhouse, 80 W. 24th. It is not the Grand Ballerina but for Johnson it just might be a little better.
"I hurts me to see a Nashville player play and not acknowledge the fans," Johnson said. "I want to make it big, but I hope it will be like that way. You have to be nice to the necron."
AND ACCORDING TO Steve Coveau, manager of the Country Playhouse, forseer that people have been nice to Johnson, packing in a crowd of mixed ages when he plays. Johnson and his five piece band filled the Playhouse on its grand opening in early October.
Even though Johnson has been with the River City Band for only a year, he is no stranger to the Lawrence country music band at the Creekscreek, another local band for eight years.
"With Honeycreek, I was the lead singer,
but not the boss," Johnson said. "Being with my own band. I can go where I want to go."
If this means going on the road, it is OK with Johnson's wife Karen.
"I may have to get another job, but if that is what he wants . . . He has always wanted to go on the road," she said.
Johnson said, "I'd rather play music than just about anything, but I really can't afford to try with a family. My wife is all for it if you got a band to travel, if we could affit it."
JOHNSON'S BAND really is a family affair; his wife is in charge of their bookings. They are both trying to encourage him and his band, 12, and 11, to get into the music business.
"The kids come and watch their father, We are always hoping they'll pick it up," Karen said.
"I've been playing country all my life," Johnson said. "I look forward to playing every week. If I get a week off I am lost."
"When I write a song, songs just click in my mind," Johnson said. "There is no certain time. I've written songs at work or just driving down the street."
Although Johnson has written some twenty songs he has never recorded any. But he said that in April he was "going to talk to someone for recording."
This week he wrote a song for a fan at the Playhouse, who just suggested a title to the play, “Mr. Love.” If You’d Let Go of My Nose” is not quite “Im an Old Man from Muskegon,” but its all about love.
"All the big stars started like I have. It’s a matter meeting the right person, writing the right song at the right time." Johnson said it was better than me or any other local talent.
But for Johnson, who has lived here since 1952, Lawrence is just fine.
"I love Lawrence, I have a lot of friends here, I've been real fortunate," Johnson said. "If it weren't for the people a musician couldn't make it."
spare time
FRIDAY
MUSIC: Pott County Pork and Bean Band, 8 p.m. Lawrence Opera House, 7th and Massachusetts. Bill Lynch and Lee McBee, Balcony, Lawrence Opera House, 7th and Massachusetts. Jay McShannon, 9 p.m. Paul Gray's Jazz Place, 926 Massachusetts. Eaine Built Ciyat, viola, 8 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall. THEATRE: "The Caucasian Chalk Circle," 8 p.m. University Theater. "Rock Chalk Revue," 8 p.m. Hoch Auditorium. ART: Clay Sculpture, Charlotte Crossby, Kemper Gallery, Kansas City, Mo., through March 22.
SATURDAY
MUSIC: J.T. Cooke, 8 p.m. Lawrence Opera House, 7th and Massachusetts. Bill Lynch and Lee McBee, Balcony, Lawrence Opera House, 7th and Massachusetts. Charles Sepp, trumpet, and Susan Smith, trombone, 8 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall. Jay McShannon, 9 p.m. Paul Gray's Jazz Place, 926 Massachusetts. THEATRE: "The Caucasian Chalk Circle," 8 p.m. University Theatre. "Rock Chalk Revue," 8 p.m. Hoch Auditorium. ART: Drawings and Prints by Philip Wildman, Episcopal Church Parish Hall, through March 31.
SUNDAY
MUSIC: Carilion Recital, George Gerken, University Carilioncreme, 3 p.m. Memorial Carilion. Winter Concert: KU Symphony Orchestra, 3.30 p.m. University Theatre. THEATRE: "The 5th of July," 8 p.m. Inge Theatre. ART: Painter, Invotional. The Gallery in the Marketplace, 748 Heavenhaven, through April 4. English Brass Rubbings, Nelson Art Gallery, 4525 Oak, Kansas City, Mo., through April 16.
MONDAY
THEATRE: "The 5th of July," 8 p.m. Inge Theatre.
TUESDAY
MUSIC: KU Percussion ensemble, 8 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall. THEATRE: "The 5th of July," 8 p.m. Inge Theatre.
WEDNESDAY
MUSIC: Carilion Recital, Albert Kerken, University Carilioncreme, 7 p.m. Memorial Carilion. Kansas Brass Quintet, 8 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall. THEATRE: "The 5th of July," 8 p.m. Inge Theatre.
THURSDAY
MUSIC: Pat's Blue Ridgid Band and "The Harder They Come," a reggae movie featuring Jimmy Cliff, 8 p.m. Lawrence Opera House, Massachusetts. St Louis Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m. Hoch Auditorium. THEATRE: "The 5th of July," 8 p.m. Inge Theatre.
'5th of July' continues engaging Inge series
By TIM DOOLITTLE Contributing Reviewer
Rather than the Inge Theatre, maybe it should be called the Intimate, the Intense or the Entrance, which are all that these adjectives describe some of the productions that have been housed in this modest theatre, which is beneath the large stage of the Inge. "The 8th of July," by Lanford Wilson, has convinced me that the best movie at the Kansas City University of Kansas have come out of this theatre.
The plot in "The 8th of July" is about as complicated as Wilson's process of backward writing. The story centers on the family, including the mother and the family's decision about whether or not to sell their old tradition-rich mansion in Lebanon, Mo., to friends. The present plot, as far as there is one, appears confusing at times because the man is a mishmash of seemingly trivial family dialogue. But all one has to do is sit back like the patient people of Lebanon and wait for the next chapter. You'll find that presents end in their own time. There is an entertaining display of fireworks in store.
"The 5th of July" is the third play of a trilogy by Wilson. "Taily's Folly," the second play, is now running on Broadway. The first play has not yet been completed.
THE OTHER PLAYERS in the play -Wes Helen Ovberdorf, Kevin Barrett and Jeffrey to be commended for glittering performances that shoot high above the
Tom Swift, whose performance is a triumph of characterization both physically and emotionally, has an ex-teacher who lost his leg in the tetraam war and who has inherited the confidence of his teammate. His confidence is complicated by his decision about whether or not to sell the mansion to his neurotic, burned out ex-girlfriend Gwen McClellan. Gwen's materialistic attitude can be summed up in her own words: "What the point if you can't get on it?"
As well as being very funny, the play
explodes with serious themes that are revealed through numerous recurring images: American tradition, dreams, a life of the past, the prejudice and perhaps, socialism as an alternative to decadent materialism. ignighting all of the present problems is one of the most salient aspects. All of the characters' visions, even of the past, are obscured in a cloud of myth. Aunt Uilyt, the matriarch of the family, is among those who are left behind UPOs in the night, though she realizes that
the most important beings are those that live in the here and now, the survivors of day-to-day life.
WILSON RESOLVES in a masterly manner the problems of his character's personality conflicts and their occasional pitfalls, and he sometimes the very existence of each other.
The only problem is that "sit of July") seems to end too quickly after the climax when Wilson lets off his full arsenal of bait. He's not going to have has too many things going at once for one
It's amazing how a play can be funny, sad, thoughtful and uplifting at the same time, as "8th of July," is. It's also amazing how such a powerful dramatic production could come together in a movie. Maybe the luge should be called the Incredible. In any case, seeing is believing.
play, which, combined with the fast ending,
would make the play seem hopeless. But hoped
was that the film would have Tally family settles things. And an entertaining show, like fireworks, always goes
Captivating character
Tom Swift, Sennie sensoe makes a point during a performance of Sib of July in the William Igate Theater. Swift plays the nart of
DAVE KRAUS/Kansan staff
Ken, a crippled war veteran and former radical struggling to readjust to civil life as a high school teacher.
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