THEATRE REVIEW
As You Like It
In the program notes of the University Theatre's latest production, William Shakespeare's As You Like It, guest director D. Scott Glasser says the play is an allegory on the growth of the human spirit. It also is funny comedy involving disguises, romance and family.
The play opens and Sir Rowland has died leaving behind three sons. The new Duke Frederick has usurped power and exiled his brother, who has gone to the Forest of Arden. However, he retains his niece, Rosalind, as company for his daughter.
Orlando, the youngest son, decides to show up his brother by defeating the Duke's wrestler. The match does not go well, but Orlando meets Rosalind and they fall in love at first sight. Unfortunately love in Shakespeare always faces difficulties, and Rosalind is exiled for being her father's daughter, so she takes on the disguise of a boy while Orlando is forced to run away.
Samara Naeymi, Overland Park junior, is excellent as the independent, clear-thinking Rosalind. Naeymi's Rosalind is a strong woman who won't let her delicate position
in her uncle's household keep her from expressing her views. Brandon DeLany, Wamego sophomore, turns in a wonderful performance as the headstrong Orlando.
Theresa Buchheister, Manhattan senior, stands out as the shepherdess Phoebe. Hopelessly in love with Ganymede (Rosalind's male alter ego), Buchheister's Phoebe hilariously flaunts her assets, all the while spurring the lovesick Silvius, played by Overland Park junior Steve Ducey.
Glasser set the production in 1961, creating a unique interpretation of the play. The costumes designed by guest artist Brian Hemsath help set the mood, but do not give a dated appearance to the characters. Instead, the costumes create a sense of timeless style and elegance. Underscoring the action of the play is music by composer Paul Boesing.
While the play may tackle such heady topics as gender, love and familial duty, the overall show is a stand-out performance.
—Donovan Atkinson Grade: A+
BOOK REVIEW Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman
If you're at all familiar with SPIN, chances are you're at least somewhat familiar with Chuck Klosterman. The idiosyncratic Klosterman has long been the best thing about the magazine, each month churning out both music journalism and pQ-culture commentary that's smart, hip and witty.
Klosterman's latest book, Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs reads like a collected anthology of the writer's monthly popculture rants, touching on everything from sports rivalries of the 1980s to his frenzied hatred of Coldplay to breaking down Saved By The Bell and The Real World.
But unlike his previous book, Fargo Rock City, a much-lauded treatise on the "importance" of '80s hair metal, Klosterman's newest book falters because, except for the over-riding theme of popular culture, there's no unifying theme throughout the book. It's just a collection of essays and rants, while it can be entertaining, it also seems tailor-made for bathroom reading.
But that's not to say that it's not entertaining. Klosterman has fashioned an entire book out of topics usually
reserved for drunken hipster rants; lengthy comparisons of breakfast cereals and what they say about the people who eat them.
But some of the book's best chapters are those containing the most "reporting" (I use the word loosely). The essay on a Guns n' Roses tribute band, and the tribute band phenomenon in general, was recently featured in an anthology of the best American non-fiction writing of 2003, and for good reason; it's interesting, witty, affecting, somewhat relevant and appears to be a topic that hasn't been covered much.
Throughout reading the essays it's hard not to be struck by the feeling of "I've had conversations like this before!" It's probably not going to make you look at the world in a new way, but it's a nice sampler of Klosterman's style of overanalyzing pop culture — hence the book's subtitle: A Low Culture Manifesto. Because this style of (over) analysis tends to be relatively universal among members of our generation, it's easy to identify with this book.
Aaron Passman
Grade: B
JAYFAN GENERATIONS
KU
HOMECOMING
2003
The current record is 1,588 pairs. Participants must be 16 years old and kiss for 10 seconds. Tomorrow @ Late Night In The Phog, 8 p.m.
www.homecoming.ku.edu
Show Us Your 'O' Face ROLY POLY SANDWICHES
Monster Veggie (3)
Jack & Swiss Cheeses • Lettuce • Tomato • Avocado • Carrot • Cucumber • Green Pepper • Mushrooms • Spinach • Sprouts • Fresh Dill Dressing
Basil Cashew Chicken (30)
White Heat Chicken Salad • Fresh Basil Mayo • Cashews • Spicy Thai Sauce •
Avocado • Lettuce • Tomato • Sprouts
Santa Fe Steak (20)
Sliced Marinated Steak • Hetted Jatepena Jack Cheese • Onion • Tomato • Ranch Dressing • Grilled Golden Brown with a Side of Salsa
Monday-Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Sunday: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Free delivery - $10 minimum
818 Massachusetts St.
(785)-841-2774
thursday, October 16, 2003
jayplay.11