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University Daily Kansan, March 29, 1983
Entertainment
'Magic Flute' to approximate fantasy, design of 'Star Wars'
By LAUREN PETERSON Staff Reporter
If you are eagerly awaiting the next episode of "Star Wars," the KU production of Mozart's "Magic Flute" may just be the show to tide you over.
"Mozart intended the opera to be in an unfamiliar world," Hill said. "Originally, he put it into an Egyptian motif, which was unknown to the audience of his day."
The German opera, which is nearly 200 years old, will open at 8 p.m. Friday in the University Theater at Murphy Hall. It will be presented in a futuristic setting and in English, said the professor of theatre and scene designer for the opera.
But Hill said that outer space was the only unfamiliar world to the 20th century audience, so he suggested that the opera be performed in space.
During the preliminary design phase, he said, he found many comparisons between "the Magic Flute" plot and the actual music.
"Tamino and Pamina are Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. The Queen of the Night is Darth Vader and Sarastro is Obe Wan Kenobi. The whole story is very similar to 'Star Wars.'"
Hills' props move the setting into another galaxy and include a platform with various levels flanked by huge black reflective walls that suggest the sides of pyramids. The platform allows you to take a narrow elevator shafts with doors, that slide up and down.
The part originally cast as a dragon is played by a 16-foot-tall robot that moves, lights up, smokes and finally blows fire.
Hill said that in addition there would be a series of stylized nature images projected onto the stage to enhance the sense of depth.
" 'Star Wars' used much of the technology of the screen that is impossible to do on stage. We are trying to do as much as possible."
Although the opera will be a science fiction presentation, the music and characters are the same as they were in 1791, said George Lawner, professor of fine arts and conductor of the KU symphony.
The story presents the tenor, Prince Tamino, played by Matt Foersch镇, Kansas City, Kan., graduate student, who
has been sent by the soprano, the Queen of the Night,
Elizabeth Krueger, Great Bend senior, to rescue her
daughter.
daughter, Pamina, performed by Ikuko Sanematsu,
Japan, graduate student, is supposedly being held captive by
the evil Sarastro.
Sarastro and Pamina fall in love and realize that the Queen of the Night actually is the evil one.
Lawner, who will conduct a 38- piece orchestra, said that the cast is using an English translation completed in 1969 by Albert Pukeb of Milwaukee, Wis., a former English major who needed to be more simple for people to enjoy and understand.
A comic sub-plot is added to the romance with a birdcatcher, Papageno. who is out to find the love of his life.
He said that the music could be broken into five different themes.
The first theme deals with the freemasonry ideology that one should forgive one's enemies and have goodwill toward mankind. Lawner said that Mozart was a freemason and was accused of revealing certain secret rituals of his chapter in
The second theme deals with the romantic element and the third with the comic sub-plot. The fourth portrays music written in an elaborate, artful style dealing with the world of the Queen of the Night, Lawner said.
The last type of music, he said, is a complex polyphonic style involving many voices at the same time.
Chez Haehl, associate professor of speech and drama and University Theater costumer, said that because the opera was not set in a specific time period he had made no attempt to be realistic in designing the costumes.
He said the Queen of Night would wear a black ostrich marabou with peacock feathers streaming down her front. The eyes on peacock feathers traditionally symbolize evil, he said.
Hill said that he hoped that the opera would be pleasing to the audience.
"I think the audience will find it fascinating to watch," he said. "I don't think opera-ourists will be offended."
The "Magic Flute" will also be performed at 8 p.m. on April 2, 8 and 9 at Murphy. Tickets are available at the Murphy Hall Box Office with special discounts for students and senior citizens.
Enter the Kansan's Oscar contest
Remember to enter the University Daily Kansan's first and probably last OSCAR CONTEST, printed on last Friday's entertainment page.
THE PRIZE: Nothing less than a pocketful of jack
amounting to the princely sum of $50.
DEADLINE: Noon, April Fool's Day. One entry per person, and only the Kansan forms will be accepted.
ELIGIBILITY: Who can enter? YOU! (As long as you are a KU student, staff or faculty member or administrator).
ENTERING THE CONTEST! Bring the official entry blank to the Kansas newroom, 11 Flint Hall, or mail it to "Picked the Oscars!" University Daily Kansan, 11 Flint Hall, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan., 6045.
WINNING: As in the Academy Awards, there will be only one winner. And the winner has to get them all right
ANNOUNCEMENT: The winner will be announced in the April 15th Kansas.
Members of the band Blinkies, first place winners in KJHK's Battle of the Bands, take a break from mixing a song in a studio at 709 Illinois St. Members, from left to right: Doug Snodgrass, Mike Janas, Brian April, and Larry Snodgrass. In the background are manager Phil English and local sound engineer Kim Farewell.
Buddy Mangins/KANSA!
KU group wins 'Battle of the Bands'
By JIM BOLE
Staff Reporter
The Blinkies were surprised they won KJIKH's third annual Battle of the Bands Thursday night at the Dynamo Ballroom.
Judges said the Blinkies won because they played with energy and an honest approach that outshined the polish and professionalism of the four other bands in the context, and their response was slight because they were the first band on stage.
"They liked what they were doing, and they seemed sincere," said Diane Olmsted, one of the five judges and co-chairs.
Their songs were fast and upbeat, with bass and drums laying down a heavy rhythm laced with animated vocals and a tight lead guitar.
band, cranked out four songs with powerful chords and clear vocals.
Lake 17, a three-member band, played five songs featuring simple, screaming lyrics and a throbbing beat. A song they played from the jam finally got people out on the dance floor. The River City Chameleons, a three-member Lawrence
Rearrangement, a four-member Kansas City band made up of former members of defunct bands, kept people dancing with rhythmic keyboards and a smooth saxophone.
Intermission, a five-member Kansas City group also featuring members of former bands, laid down a danceable funk groove.
The Blinkies — Brian Appel, Chicago freshman, lead vocals; Doug D砂grass, Clay Center sophomore, barge; Larry S砂grass, Clay Center, drums; and Mike Janas, Liberty, was the only band with members who were KU students.
Doug Snodgrass and Janas are trombone players in KU's concert band. Larry Snodgrass is also a violinist, and each
The Blinkies combine a traditional background in music with modern influences including Elvis Costello, the Who, blues, and jazz.
"We want to be as human as possible, and we want to stay away from predictability," Doug Snodgrass said.
COMMONWEALYH THEATRES
GRANADA DOWNTOWN
TELEPHONE 641.1785
MAX DUGAN RETURNS
EVE. 7:30, 9:25 MAT.SAT., SUN. 2:00
VARSITY DOWNTOWN
TELEPHONE 843-1055
HIGH ROAD TO CHINA
Fun and adventure at every turn.
EVE. 7,15, 920
ARE YOU A TALENTED INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED WITH SUA FINE ARTS?
SPECIAL AREAS ARE:
—Organizing artwork for the Kansas Union Gallery
—Poets and Writers
—Student Photo Contest
—International Arts Festival
—Dinner Theatre
Applications are available in the SUA Office.
Dannon Frozen Yogurt
at
only w/coupon reg.75c 25c expires April 22
Just W. of 23rd & Louisiana
NOTICE
Anyone having an interest in fraternity living, organization and function.
WHEN:TONIGHT,Tuesday March 29,7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Conference Room,Satellite Union
WHAT: 1.) Informal presentation by the IFC executive officers on the fraternity system at KU and how it works.
2. ) Question and answer period following presentations.
1
Sponsored by the Interfraternity Council and its member fraternities.