ENTERTAINMENT
The University Daily KANSAN
April 24,1984 Page 6
A family lives the history of the world on stage
Sandi Moles/KANSAN
Maggie, played by Margaret Humphreys, Sherman Oaks, Calif., senior, disciplines her two children, Gladys, played by Mary Ramos, Leawood junior, and Henry, played by Bryan Burke, Leawood junior, in Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize
winning play "The Skin of Our Teeth." The play will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2:30 Sunday in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.
By JAN UNDERWOOD Staff Renorter
The Anthrobus' are a typical American family.
They have suffered the trials and tribulations of love affairs, pregnancies, family arguments, the Ice Age, the Flood and a World War. And they have experienced the joy of a newborn baby, personal victories and a 5,000th wedding anniversary.
University Theatre will present the Antrobus' three-act history of the world in "Skin of Our Teeth." Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall. The production will close the University Theatre's season.
DIRECTOR HARRY PARKER, Oklahoma City graduate student, said the 1942 play was produced often because its message still applied today.
"The Skin of Our Teeth" deals with the many aspects of people's lives: comedy, tragedy, neurosis, mysticism, sex, philosophy and creativity, said Parker.
All of these things are portrayed in the characters: the naughty children, the scolding mother, the fortune teller, the house guests who single Bells' to appease the hardworking father.
The Antrobus* live in the quiet suburb of Excelsior, N.J., where they entertain such house guests as Moses and Homer. They are a typical animal, and children and a pet dinosaur are a pet mammoth.
George Anthrobus, played by David Schuster, Corona del Mar, Calif., doctoral student, is a hard-working family man, who invents the wheel, the alphabet and the brewing of beer.
His wife, Maggie — that "charming and gracious mammal" — is played by Margaret Humphreys, Sherman Oaks, Calif., senior pastor of Morning Star Church throughout all the hardships of the human race.
THE ANTHORUS HAVE TWO ENERGY AND petky perky children, Henry and Gladys. Gladys, played by Mary Ramos, Leeward junior, does well in school, while her brother
Henry, played by Bryan Burke. Leawood junior,
does not do well and gets into fights often.
The family's maid, Lily Sabina, played by Patty Hamilt, Pratt senior, is the central figure in the play. In the first act, she warms of the impending danger of the ice Age. In the second act, she is the Atlantic City beauty queen that was called a "baby saint" and wife. In the final act, she is a Napoleonic camp follower who ultimately inspires George Antrobus to rebuild civilization, said Parker
Parker said that the student's knowledge of 'The Day After' and the threat of nuclear war be based on a number of sources.
"Sabina represents man's pleasure," said Parker. "Maggie represents the needs of mankind while George represents mankind itself."
Although the play is about coping with crisis,
"The Skin of Our Teeth" remains humorous.
"Wilder diffuses what is potentially a puffed up and phideal message. He wants you to have fun while still getting across his message." Parker said.
"WILDER IS SAYING that even though the world is evil, it is worthwhile to keep building." Parker said. "He's saying that when there are times to give up, that he's when you need to keep going."
"Wilder himself said the play did best when the world situation was bleak." Parker said. The play acknowledges that the world is bleak, but encourages us to keep on trying."
The play is not a "Pollyanna" story — although critics have called it that — because it is not over optimistic, Parker said.
Is not overly optimistic. I prefer sam.
Nor is it a conventional drama.
Twenty actors play more than 38 roles in the "Skin of Our Teeth." This has been accomplished by triple casting.
Festival will celebrate arts with performances, exhibits
ALTHOUGH AN UNCONVENTIONAL SET is traditional in "Skin of Our Teeth," the set this production will use is unique.
"The Skin of Our Teeth" takes place on an "undulated" stage, one that curves up and down. It looks like a roller coaster because the play is similar to a roller coaster ride. Parker said
“There are serious moments, immediately followed by ridiculous moments,” he said. “When the play is over, the audience should feel secure.” He’ve been through the chills and thrills of the ride.
By JAN UNDERWOOD
Staff Reporter
"I don't think there is one special thing that is a standout," she said. "The incredible variety is itself the highlight."
Fidler also said that no single special event would be highlighted.
Experimental dancing, Medieval music and handmade clothing will be featured tomorrow at "A Tribute to the Arts - An Open Arts Festival" on campus.
The one-day festival, sponsored by the Student Senate Cultural Affairs Committee, will feature numerous stage performances and student exhibits. Artists will have a day to dance, sing, play musical instruments and show, artwork along Jayhawk Boulevard.
A DANCE GROUP CALLED. "4-5-6 Speed-Up
and Friends" will dance along Jayhawk
Boulevard. The group is made up of members of the Lawrence dance group "4-5-6 Speed-Up"
"I THINK IT'S JUST AN opportunity for cultural development for the University of Kansas, for not only artists and performers but for spectators as well," said Pat Fidler, a spokeswoman for the Cultural Affairs Committee.
Fidler said the second annual festival gave people who were not involved in the arts a
"It can benefit all kinds of people," she said. "Since the festival is being held along Jawahk Boulevard, there is no excuse for people to not know what's on going. Besides, it's just plain
and members of the University Dance Company
Student artists will set up tables in front of Stauffer-Flint Hall. They will display wax sculptures, blown glass, handmade clothing, and costumes, as well. Some of the items will also be offered for sale.
An artist will do face and body paintings free The agenda for the festival is as follows:
- From noon to 12:30 p.m., the Jayhawk willwing in contemporary pop rock muddles from 12:30 p.m.
- From 11:30 a.m. to noon, students will read original poetry in front of Watson Library.
- AT 12:30 P.M. IN FRONT of Watson
        will perform pieces by
Boehring and Morgant.
- At 1:30 p.m. in front of the Union, a group will perform "clogging" — a dance done to bluegrass music. The dance group, which is made up of members of the Lawrence Barn and children, KU students and staff. A improvisational bluegrass band will accompany them.
- From 1 to 2 p.m., a group of students from the Collegium Musicum will play Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music.
- From 2 to 2:30 p.m. in front of Watson Library, The Yonder City String Band, a bluegrass group, will perform gospel tunes, bass guitars, guitar guitars, dulcimers, autoharp and mandolins.
- At 3:30 p.m. a, Gospel church choir made up of
the Black Student Union will sing on
the school stage.
- AT 2:30 P.M. IN FRONT OF Watson Library, a brass quintet will play a mixture of Classical, Baroque and Dixieland songs.
BLOOM COUNTY
BY BERKE BREATHED
Sandi Moles/KANSAN
working there for four years, progressing from part-time employee to director and finally becoming the owner.
Mary Lisa Pike, co-owner of Kellas Gallery, 7 E. Seventh St., relaxes in front of an oil painting by Denise Helm that is on display at the gallery. Pike bought the gallery last year after
Gallery partner chose Lawrence over Paris
By HOLLIE MARKLAND Staff Reporter
She had decided to live in Paris.
After spending a summer tour Western Europe, Mary Lisa Pike returned to Lawrence to enroll in an intensive French course at the University of Kansas.
But she never returned to the City of Lights. Instead, she remained in Lawrence to pursue a career as an art dealer. "Now pc co-owns the career at the Pioneer Seventh St., the oldest art gallery in Lawrence."
SHE FIRST BECAME INTERESTED in the gallery as an undergraduate in the mid-1970s when she befriended the gallery's founder, Judy Kellas.
She decided to combine her business background and her love of the arts in a part-time job at the gallery — eventually becoming the director.
Last year, she acquired a loan, and with her personal savings she bought the gallery.
Pike now shares responsibility for the business and its $150,000 inventory with partner Nancy Zimmerman, who came to the gallery to help build the financial reserves for renovation of the building.
Although Pike loves the arts, she had some apprehension about getting into the art world.
"ART GALLERIES DON'T HAVE the same chance as, say, a Pizzafit, but she said. "Most people do," he added.
other than money. It is harder to make money in the arts than in other professions."
as co-owner of the 14-year-old commercial art gallery. Pike works on a 40 percent commission.
The former KU student said success in the art business required business background and promotion and public relations skills. Knowl-
dge of the gallery's art work was also important.
"IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW THE BOOKS look if you don't know how the gallery's art fits into the broad, contemporary art world or the larger historical perspective."
She deals personally with her customers and the 50 artists Kellas Gallery represents.
As an art dealer, Pike promotes the work of the artists she agrees to represent in Kellas Gallery. She passes on information about upcoming exhibitions to interested artists and advises them how to get more of their work shown to build their professional resumes.
'Art deeling is a way of living rather than an eight-to-five job. You have to attend exhibitions continually and interact with art crowds.' she said.
"I cannot tell you how many people are
FOR HER CLIENTELE, PIKE OFTEN plays the role of art educator. She said many well-educated people were intimidated about their tastes in art.
She travels to Kansas City, Mo., Chicago and New York City with carousels of slides of artists' work to show them to architects and interior designers.
insecure. They are continually apologizing for what they don't know. It surprised me at first, but I'm glad I did it.
Pike said that the clientele at Kellas Gallery was varied, but that few sales were made to people who walked in off the street
One of Pike's goals is to carry an inventory of art work at all price ranges.
"If you're having a hard time meeting the gas bill, it's harder to justify买 a $290 piece of art," she said. "Having affordable art increases the individual's access to art."
KELLAS GALLERY'S EXHIBITIONS rotate monthly. The art gallery is now showing abstract oil paintings by John Gary Brown, a former KU art professor. Next month the gallery will be a showcase for painted steel sculptures. The May exhibition is the thesis show of Terry Williams, Kansas City, Kans., graduate student.
The former art history buff said she did not choose art for the gallery specifically to appeal to her tastes.
"We must show work which we can do, but that is not our only purpose. We have had shows with little sales potential because we felt it was important to show works of quality." said Pike
As co-owner, she chooses artists for the gallery based on how well the artist's work sells and where he fits into the spectrum of contemporary art.
"If I agree to take them, I agree to represent them," she said. "The relationship is speculative, though. We both hang on because we've chosen each other — sort of like a team."
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