University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1970
5
reviews:
By STEVE SHERMAN Kansan Staff Writer
A weirdo in baggy pants shuffles disappointedly across a bridge, his blond hair disheveled and his faded red jacket hung on him like a tired potato sack. He moves listlessly toward the side of the bridge. Suddenly he is atop the railing, ready to jump.
'LUV' Lacks Pizazz
"Harry, Harry Berlin," cries a voice. "Remember me? I'm your old schoolmate, Milt Manville. Say—ah—Harry, what are you doing up there?"
So begins "LUV," a holdover comedy from the KU summer
theatre season. The play seems quite similar to Harry's life—a little empty and a little disappointing.
Although it tickled audiences during its run, Sept. 4 and 5, it proved to be a tease as far as quality was concerned.
The Murray Schisgal comedy concerns two old schoolmates, Harry and Milt, who meet accidentally one evening on a bridge. They soon discover they have both come to the bridge for similar reasons, one to commit suicide and the other to commit murder.
The plot by Schisgal first
Kansan Photo
A COLORFUL GLOBE of umbrellas hangs in "The World of Peter Max," an exhibit on display at Spooner Art Museum. Bret Waller, museum curator, said the opening day crowd Aug. 30 totaled 1,145 viewers, and that there had been a "steady flow" of visitors. He said the crowd was the largest he had seen in his six years as curator.
books: Bewitching
By CALDER PICKETT Professor of Journalism
THE WITCHING HOUR, by James E. Gunn (Dell, 60 cents)
—In a time when interest in witchcraft and astrology and things like that has penetrated even our so-called intelligentsia it is not surprising that this paperback of older tales by our favorite Science-Fiction-Writer-in-Residence, Jim Gunn, should appear. And even though Jim Gunn is a friend of mine, and even though I go for this stuff myself, I want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this little book.
I liked "The Reluctant Witch" best. It takes place in the Ozarks, and it's about a KU man who is studying spiritual phenomena and becomes involved with a lovely hillbilly enchantress. Sometimes down in the Ozarks you can almost imagine such things happening.
sounds the theme of unfulfilled potential. Is it funny? Yes, but it stumbles along, relying on repetition for one-half of the comedy devices and burlesque for another 48 per cent. The play would be much better if those techniques were supplemented by more original work on the part of the author.
Try these. They're not exactly science fiction, but they're fun.
Rod Carr's performance as Milt reinforces the idea that something is lacking. If it is possible to make the character even more strikingly dull than was intended by the author, Carr has succeeded. Constant overacting without valid interpretation of his lines lead to a performance in monotone.
Rhonda Plymate as Milt's wife delivers a convincing and adequate performance as the determined intellectual.
The star of the show is Richard Sarradet, who plays Harry Berlin. Baggy pants tied up with a piece of rope and red coat flopping lazily over an old blue work shirt, he schmaltzes easily through his role. The pantomimes, the mimicry and the takes that he deals out at every opportunity are undeniably excellent.
Unfortunately, Sarradet's vocal approach to the character is unnatural. It does not coincide with the character whom he has created.
There is another star of the show. Although unseen, director Rea has had much to do with bringing laughs and pulling the show together. The physical groupings, the takes, and the movements of the actors all have an air of the director's artistry.
However, Rea also must garner his share of criticism. After all, could he not have corrected Sarradet's voice and improved Carr's fatal characterization?
Professionals, 7:15 only! In Cold Blood, 9:30 only!
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF...
"IAMCURIOUS,YELLOW"
491
A FILM DEALING WITH ALIENATION
IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW FILMS THAT DEAL DIRECTLY AND BRILIANTLY WITH THE PROBLEMS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY...
TONIGHT S.U.A. CLASSICAL FILI1 - 7:30 ONLY - WOODRUFF AUD. - 75¢
From the 1970 Summer Season THE UNIVERSITY THEATRE
presents
"THE MIRACLE WORKER"
by
William Gibson
TONIGHT
the stirring dramatization of Helen Keller's story
Experimental Theatre - Murphy Hall
Sept. 9, 10, 11, 12-8:20 p.m.
Ticket Information
UN 4-3982
$1.50 Admission
75c with KU ID