8A
Entertainment
Thursday November 12,1998
Prime-time soaps test viewer loyalty
By Steph Brewer
Kansan staff writer
Wednesday nights have been heating up this season. Sex, drugs, scandal — the only problem is which channel to choose.
The 7 p.m. slot on Wednesday night television is a gold mine for the youth market. On Fox, viewers can watch Kelly, Donna and cohorts as they fight the battles of the wild world of Beverly Hills with only their gold cards as weapons.
For those who have tired of the Beverly Hills 90210 antics and think it's time for Tori Spelling to get a real job, the WB offers Dawson's Creek, where the four main characters suffer through high school sex scandals
in a charming New England setting.
In bringing New England setting. Neither of the shows have made the top 20 in recent Nielsen ratings, but walk through the University of Kansas campus Thursday morning and you'll surely hear gossip pertaining to the wacky lives of our Wednesday night TV buddies. Are these shows cheery? Many would say yes. But are they fun? Just ask the fans.
Mariana Hinosajo, Hutchinson junior, said she preferred Dawson's Creek because it was more realistic than 90210.
"20210 is too much of a mix-up," she said. "Everyone sleeps with everyone. Everyone's recycled a boyfriend."
was a fresher show and that 90210
was getting old.
Hinojosa said that Dawson's Creek
was getting out.
"Someone needs to get married and have children to make it more realistic," she said.
Jenni Lord, Greeley, Colo., Junior,
said that she used to watch both
shows last year but that she chose
Dawson's Creek when the networks
put the shows head-to-head.
"It it seems like 90210 has the same story plot going on," she said. "I was really upset that Brandon left the show so I'm stuck on Dawson's now."
Not all KU students have been seduced by the new scandals of Dawson's Creek, however.
Candace Pasquale,中学 senior,
that said she was a 92120 fan and had
no plans of switching her allegiance. She said that Dawson's Creek had no appeal because the characters were in high school, whereas 90210 characters were her age.
"I have the same stuff going on in my life," she said.
"Dawson is the good guy," she said.
"I have the impression he'll never do anything wrong.
hike her.
Diana Victor, Rio de Janio,
Brazil, junior, said she thought that
Dawson's Creek was childish and
that the characters were stereotypical and limited.
She said 90210 characters were more realistic.
"In one season you love Kelly Taylor, your idol." Victor said. "Another season, she's a bitch."
Dawson's Creek star rides wave of fame
By David Bauder The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Unlike thousands of other 18-year-old girls, Michelle Wilson isn't obsessed with *Dawson's Creek*. She saw the first episode of the WB's popular teen drama last January but that was it. No more.
That's a little odd considering that Williams is in *Dawson's Creek* every week, playing the sultry bad girl Jennifer Lindley.
Enough people watch the show that Williams — and co-stars James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson — are the lat
est teen dreams. It's a life-altering experience few can prepare for.
The quick-witted Williams seems better suited for the ride than most 18-year-olds. She is already three years beyond her high school graduation. She earned her diploma largely through correspondence courses, allowing her to pursue an acting career that quickly progressed beyond the fabric softener commercials of her childhood.
She insists she is more comfortable talking to people twice her age than her fellow teen-agers. She is 18 going on 30.
Other times, Williams seems reassuringly young. She older ages
people because they're no threat; kids her own age can trigger kneecocking, tongue-twisting bouts of fear. And she can't stand to read fan mail because the slightest remark — about her shorter hair, or the shape of her nose — will send her to a mirror in panic.
During her summer off from Dawson's Creek, Williams joined the stampede of teen TV stars to movie sets. She acted opposite Jamie Lee Curtis in *Halloween*: H20 and in the upcoming comedy, *Dick*.
There was a lot of competition among the actors to make best use of the summer break, Williams says.
"But you can't just give in to it and choose the wrong product just because you want to work so bad," she says. "I'm slowly starting to learn that it is better to sit back, choose the right thing, take your time and don't give in to that pressure. Otherwise, you could be making Leprechaun 4."
There was a distinctly different atmosphere when the cast returned to Wilmington, N.C., for filming this fall. These weren't four unknowns taken on the world anymore. They've all logged time on magazine covers, and security guards were hired to keep the fans at bay.
'Oklahoma!' stakes claim to modern audience
By Mariana Paiva
By Mariana Paiva
Kansan staff writer
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, directed by John Staniunas, will open at 8 p.m. tonight in the Crafton-Fraymore Theatre.
The University Theatre performance of "Oklahoma!" is so elaborate that it required more than 100 students to bring it to the stage.
The production — the University's biggest production of the year — includes cowboys, dancers and a 27-piece orchestra.
He said that he tried to make the musical — which was first performed in 1943 — appealing to a 1998 audience.
Stanianus, assistant professor of theater and film, said that he never had been part of an "Okla-homai!" production before and that he chose to do it because it was an important piece of American musical theater history.
Summer Mayse, Lenexa senior, said her character in the University Theatre production, Laurie, was different from the original Laurie.
"We found a great deal in the show just about being human, about understanding what kind of sacrifices people had to make in order for this country to become what it is today," she said. "The road is really hard, and you have
More about University Theatre University Theatre celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. See tommorrow's feature page
P. J. Wagner (Curly), Hays senior, and Summer Mayse (Laurey), Lenexa senior, act out a scene from the musical "Oklahoma." Wagner and Mayse practiced during a dress rehearsal last night at Murphy Hall. Photo by Augustus Anthony Piazar- KANSAN
to be tough in order to survive."
to be tough in a book you
Mayse said that it was hard for
her to change her character's traditional image.
"I always thought about her as this conventional girl," she said. "But my character is different. She has the head on her shoulders, she is smart and she is not afraid to get dirty and play games."
"Oklahomaal" is the story of Laurie and Curly, who can't admit their affection for each other, and of Ado Annie and Will, who can. When Jud, the unsavory hired hand, shows an interest in Laurie, Curly stakes his claim and plans to wed her. Jud tries to kill Curly but is accidentally killed with his own knife. A quick trial follows, and Curly is acquitted so he and Laurie can begin their life together.
together.
"In the original version of 'Oklahoma' Jud frightens her because he is mean." Mayse said. "In this performance Jud is more passionate, and that is what scares her."
Jerel Hilding, associate professor of music and dance, choreographed the dream ballet sequence. The dance illustrates Laurie's dilemma, and it depicts several scenes from her past and possible future.
Heather Schunk, disabilities specialist for the Services for Students with Disabilities office, and Jaime Nickels, free-lance interpreter, will interpret the Nov. 20 performance in sign language.
Schunk said that she had prepared to interpret "Oklahoma" by listening to the musical's soundtrack and reading the script care
fully.
"Some people think that musicals are the most difficult dramatic event to interpret, but I really enjoy interpreting them,"
she said.
Tickets for the musical cost $8 for students, $16 for public and $15 for senior citizens and are available at the KU box office.
Commentary
I Still Know proves a complete bust
By Jeremy M. Doherty Kansan movie critic
In any movie this year is going to be critic-proof, the smart money should be on I Still Know What You Did Lest Summer.
This is one of those horror movies that the background music blares every few seconds, reminding the audience that they're supposed to be scared. The hook-wielding killer is a guy who trudges along as though he has bricks in his shoes, and the teen-age protagonists never think to run in the opposite direction when he comes a-slicing.
As though the wall-to-wall bloodletting is not enough, the heroine (Jennifer Love Hewitt) spends practically the entire movie in a skin-tight tank top, which serves no purpose except to call attention to her bra size.
Of course, these very same elements helped this movie's predecessor, I Know What You Did Last Summer, gross $72 million in ticket sales. And the only thing that movie had going for it was that its villain had a penchant for lily-white teen-agers who looked like Tiger Beat models.
In case you missed the original, here's a refresher: Julie James (Hewitt) and her pals drove their car over a deranged fisherman named Ben Willis and then hid his body to avoid manslaughter charges. But the guy wasn't dead, and he proceeded to gut and main Julie's over-pampered friends as though they were freshly caught salmon.
As it turns out, dear old Ben didn't die in the first one, an$^a$
I STILL KNOW
Kansan rating: ★★ out of ★★★
Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Rated: R for a bloody hook and repeated shots of a young woman's chest
now he wants to extract some revenge from the movie's cleavage-exhibiting star.
I shouldn't have to say that the film's acting is less than stellar. Hewitt may be an above average TV star, but her sole purpose here is to provide hormone-arousing shots of her, um, assets. Director Danny Cannon is so in love with his star's chest that he frames each scene around it. It's like playing a round of "Where's Waldo", except here it's "Where's Jennifer."
As horror goes, I Still Know can't cut the mustard.
Jennifer Love Hewitt, left, and Brandy reach out for comfort in the horror sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. Contributed photo
By Natasha Franz Special to the Kansan
Students design memorial for Kansas City jazz great
Some KU students who may not play a single note of music have gotten their chance to create in the memory of jazz great Charlie Parker.
Architecture students, under the supervision of Stephen Grabow, professor of architecture, have submitted projects for a Parker memorial to a committee established by KAW Valley Arts and Humanities Inc.
Grabow said that this project was good for the students and a project that generated public good will.
The site of the memorial for the saxophonist, who was born in Kansas City, Kan., is three blocks from his birthplace at Big Eleven Lake.
"The idea was kicked around by the community," said Pat Lowry, editor of Ingram' Magazine and member of the committee. "The main reason we're doing this project is because we was born in Kansas City, Kan., and there is nothing in town to acknowledge that."
The students' design ideas ranged from sculptures, bridges across the lake, walkways and fountains.
"In the middle of the lake, I had a sculpture," she said. "When the wind blew, it made music in the park."
Another student also wanted to keep the jazz theme alive.
"Mine was a cityscape," said Jessica Vogel, Minnetonka, Minn., junior. "I recreated the urban atmosphere of when jazz was popular. I created more of a backdrop that would light up because jazz concerts were held mostly at night."
Lowry said that the committee had not chosen a design for the memorial but that they wanted to incorporate elements from all the designs.
"I just hope that it gets built," Vogel said. "I think it is a good project worth investing in."
"Dick Wright was nice enough to talk and give us information about Charlie Parker," said Jessica Dunn, Belton, Mo., junior. "It got us motivated."
Buy it in the Kansai
Big Eleven Lake and heard from Dick Wright, associate professor of music and dance.
Blue Chip Group/KUTEA Long Term Care and Life Insurance Programs for the Kansas University Teachers and Employees Association
For More Information Visit:
Burge Union-Daisy Hill Room, November 11 & 12, 10-5
Kansas Union-International Room. November 11 & 12, 10-5
or call 800*726*9308
For More Information Visit:
College Fantasy Basketball
ARE YOU THE BIGGEST COLLEGE HOOPS FAN? IS YOUR NBA LEAGUE "LOCKED OUT"? NEVER BEFORE HAS THE EXCITEMENT OF COLLEGE HOOPS BEEN COMBINED WITH THE FUN, PRIZES, AND COMPETITION OF FANTASY SPORTS! PARTICIPATE IN CONFERENCE OR NATIONAL LEAGUES.
www.collegefantasy.com
the Hawk We're open 'til 2am
Doors Open At 7pm
Tuesday: $1.25 Rolling Rocks & Honey Browns/ $1.50 Wells Wednesday: $1 Anything
Weekly Specials:
Thursday: Dance Night/ $2.50 PBR Pitchers & $2 Wells Friday & Saturday: $1 House Shots
Pre-Party at the Hawk Friday Afternoons, Doors open at 3pm
1340 Ohio·843-9273