Universtv Daliv Kansan / Fridav, September 30, 1988
11
Arts & Entertainment
Miracles, magic part of play
By M. Meredith Relph
Kansan staff writer
Michael Johnson's "The Return on the Swallow" is a reminder of the power of our more strengths and of our vulnerabilities that occur our lives every day.
"It's more than a sweet, simple musical," he said.
The play opened last night and will run through the weekend in the Crafton-Prever Theatre
Johnson illustrates the story of Saint Joseph of Copertino, an obscure saint who is virtually unknown outside of Italy.
"A friend gave me a book on Joseph of Capernaum and the story of Jesus in action. There is almost nothing in English about him, and not many translation from Italian."
The play, which is written in verse,
is based in fact but Johnson has
added romance and special effects to
develop the story.
Joseph lived in the southern Italian village of Copertina from 1603 to 1663 and was canonized in 1767. He now is the patron saint of people who fly.
A somewhat socially incept meikn who nevertheless exhibited a strong faith in God, Joseph was noted for his levitate and perform other miracles.
Blaine Mero, Denver, Colo., graduate student, plays brother Joseph in "The Return of the Swallow." Mero
said the main focus of the pay was spiritual, but added that it was not a completely sonder production.
"Joseph is dumb, he doesn't lift in anywhere, but he tries so hard." Merge explained. "He only cares God and about being a servant."
It is the performance of Joseph's miracles that makes "The Return of the Swallow" an incredible production.
Johnson gave a copy of the script to friend, magician Doug Heathen. He said that he was inspired by his play and allowed Joseph to perform his飞着 and other miracles on his playing.
"I thought I could do the play without magic," she said. "But Doug wanted to do it. I never really asked him to."
As a result, the play uses a technicolor elaborate magic package designed by Doug Henning's illusion team.
Mero said the spectacular effects made the play challenging for the stage crew as well as for the actors.
"People say, 'Oh, you're the star,' but it's a collaborative effort," he said. "We couldn't do it without the crew."
Johnson is from Iowa, but has spent several months in Lawrence to teach and direct the Wright, professor of theatre and media arts, in the director of the
"We talk about it after every rehearsal," Johnson said. "We go along well and I think the vision of the play is almost true."
had worked together to bring the play to the stage.
Johnson lived in a monastery in italy while writing the play and followed the lives of the two monks there to prepare the background.
"In Italy, it's not unusual for monasteries to let people stay in them," he explained. "There are art galleries and a lot of intoxic monasteries."
While most of "The Return of the Swallow" is set in a monastery and a convent, there are also pastoral scenes in a ruined chapel and in the village of Copertoin. Johnson talked to people in the village near the church where he met and took the names for his characters from the children he met.
Mero researched his character's life, reading the few books available on the saint. He also had planned to visit a convent but was unable to go.
"It’s hard to not let this kind of role affect as a person." Mero said. "I’m learning a lot about the spiritual process of life."
The desire to convey spiritual messages was what led Johnson to become a playwright.
"I just couldn't find the types of plays I wanted, so I started to write them myself," he said.
Writing "The Return of the Swal-
man," he wrote to do when he went to Italy in 1848. However, he received the book on Joseph of Copenhagen, it was the one that survived.
"The first time, it took me four months to write the play," Johnson said. "Since then, I've rewritten it. I've taken a main story has remained the same."
He said watching different versions of the play being performed allowed him to see which elements were used, and which should be omitted or replaced.
"We're still doing that, even in the dress rehearsals," he said.
Mero said he had received some rewritten lines just two days before opening night.
"You'll have a lot of changes during rehearsals, and you just have to work with them. You can be able to work with the playwright-in-residence because you can develop your skills."
"Many lines come from us in the characters we make. Every actor will do it differently, and working together benefits everyone."
The opening marked Johnson's debut as a playwright in University Theatre productions.
Johnson said he had enjoyed stayin' in Lawrence and was pleased with the shape his production had taken under Wright's direction.
"No production will ever be perfect," Johnson said. "But right now it looks just the way I had thought it should."
Playwright Michael Johnson watched the progress of his play called "Return of the Swallow. "The play opened last night in the Crafton-
Mero said his favorite line in the play was about man's reluctance to accept things that he did not find
reasonable.
"People get so caught up trying to intellectualize that they forget the joy in simpler things," he said. "You can't have a talk about believing in your inner self."
Eclectic Camper Van Beethoven to play at KU
Rolling Stone magazine described a popular music concert on the strata late in the afternoon that the hallucinator grandeur of sixties rock and punk's lean, mean rebel style.
By Craig Welch Kansan staff writer
Baton Jonathan Segel, violinist,
guitarist and keyboard player for
Camer Van Beethoven, described
and 's music as "basic rock and
pop."
University of Kansas students will have a chance to judge for themselves when the Campers
kick off their tour in Lawrence. The tour's first performance will be 8 p.m. Monday in the ballroom at the Kansas Union.
"I don't know of any other way to describe it," Segal said earlier this week. "Some people say we're wre, but it didn't used to be wre to make them different or different elements we incorporated The Beatles did the. The Kinks, too."
The Camper's music covers roughly every genre of American music including pop, country, folk, rock and hip-hop. And roll. But their sons also explore
Campan Vam Beethoven 8, p.m.
Monday in the ballroom at the Kansas
Union. Tickets are $6.50 for students
and $8.50 for the general public and
box office. Tickets are $9.50 for the
K-State Union, Member Earth records
and Pennyraise.
foreign terrain by combining these elements with Turkish rhythms or, sometimes, a Celtic chord change or two.
"Too many people try to classify us as ethno-tho or ethno-that. We're just a rock band," Segel said.
But these descriptions are hard to avoid. On "My Beloved Revolution," Mr. Sopel's latest album, much of Sopel's work draws attention to itself with distinctly un-American melodies. His music is an American popcorn to be heard as well.
"I'd have to say my favorite song on the album is 'One of These Days.' The chord progression really hits me." Sequel said.
"My Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart" is The Camper's fourth full-length album. Segel said the band was satisfied with the album.
"We're all for it. It's a good record," he said.
The Campers' first album, "Telephone Free Landside Victory" has been the underdog success. The song "Skinnees Bowling" an innovative first single, became a college radio hit and was then broadcast back for second and third blessings.
"Songs like that are usually accidents." Segel said. "They come about as a product of a mood."
The Camps' last played in Lawrence in March 1986. They have sinceoured with R.E.M., who
played last year at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan. Segel said he enjoyed touring with R.E.M. but for the reason he felt forward to playing in Lawrence.
"I think we have a better following in the college towns," he said.
Michael Fine, a spokesperson for Student Union Activities, which is sponsoring the band, said ticket sales figures were unavailable. But he said. "We are optimistically expected in the neighborhood of 800 to 1000 people to attend. We're really excited. It's going to be a good show."
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