Friday, October 8, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A· Page 5
Schoolhouse Rock fits bill on the Hill
Defiant women demand equal rights and the right to vote from men in this scene from Schoolhouse Rock Live! call 1 "Sufferin' Till Suffrage." The play opens tonight. Photo by Matt J. Daugherty/KANSAN
By Warisa Chulindra Special to the Kansan
The musical Schoolhouse Rock Live! uses puppets, catchy tunes and dancing to teach subjects ranging from the history of the women's suffrage movement to multiplication.
University Theatre will open its 1999-2000 season with the musical at 8 tonight and tomorrow at Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall. Schoolhouse Rock Live! is a joint production between University Theatre and the Lawrence-based company the Seem-To-Be Players.
Written by Scott Ferguson, Kyle Hall and George Keating, the musical is based on Schoolhouse Rock, the animated educational videos shown between ABC-TV Saturday morning cartoons from 1973 to 1985.
Even though the musical is based on a cartoon, it is a show for people of all ages.
“It’s a wonderful piece,” said Ric Averill, founder and director of the Seem-To-Be-Players. “No one should think it’s just children’s theater — it’s rock 'n' roll at its best.”
In the stage version, Tom, a first-year teacher, is worried his students will not want to learn. Eight characters from Schoolhouse Rock visit him and encourage him on his first day of class by performing songs such as "Conjunction Junction" and "I'm Just a Bill." They remind Tom that if he teaches the children the way the
songs teach, the children will want to learn.
"It's a celebration of kinesthetic learning with audience participation." Averill said.
For the number "Figure Eight," cast members each have their own wheels, such as in-line skates, a skateboard or a tricycle, to form figure eights.
Laura Pardue, Topea sophomore, and Ryan Butts, Protection sophomore, who play Schoolhouse Rock characters, skate around the stage.
"It's not every day you see someone
skating on stage," Pardue said. "I concentrate on not going off the stage."
The bright colors of the costumes and scenery of the show reflect the '70s. A rainbow is on the center stage floor. A sun, clouds and rainbows are on the backdrop.
Cast members said that the dancing was one of the musical's highlights. Marianne Kubik, assistant professor of theatre and film, choreographed the show.
"It's a lot more dancing than we expected," said Colum Morgan, Austin, Texas, junior. "She turned us
SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK
LIVE!
Performances are at 8 p.m.
tonight, tomorrow, Oct. 15, 16,
21, 22 and 23 at 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 17, at the Crafton-Preyer
Theatre in Murphy Hall
Tickets are $16 for the public, $8 for students and $15 for senior citizens. Reserved tickets can be bought at the Lied Center at 864-ARTS, Murphy Hall at 864-3982 or Student Union Activities at 864-3477.
upside down, though."
Shane Scheel, a member of the Seem-To-Be-players who plays the teacher and is musical director, will perform songs he heard growing up.
"I remember the teachers bringing the videos into the classroom," he said. "It was a learning tool for me."
The Seem-To-Be Players planned to put on Schoolhouse Rock Live! a few years ago as a fund raiser. University Theatre also wanted to perform the musical and contacted the company about having a joint production. Ticket revenues will be split between the two.
The musical will go on a Kansas tour in Hays and Iola later this month and later to Santa Rosa, Calif. Expenses will be paid by the Seem-To-Be Players.
— Edited by Julia Nicholson
We Buy, Sell &Trade USED & NEW Sports Equipment
All Shows Only 2* Purchase Tickets at the SUA Box Office Level 4, KS Union
Level 1 • Kansas Union® 864-3545
1 Drive Me Crazy **4**: 1:50 5:00, 7:35, 9:45
2 Love For Love The Game **6**: 1:00 7:35, 9:45
3 Eloim In Grouchland **6**: 2:05 8:50, 9:50
4 Random Hearts **6**: 2:15 8:50, 9:50
5 Superstar **6**: 1:00 5:05, 7:15, 10:00
6 Three Kings **6**: 1:50 5:15, 7:25, 10:00
7 Double Jeopardy **4**: 1:40 3:20, 7:55
8 American Beauty **6**: 1:45 3:20, 7:55
9 Mystery, Alaska **6**: 1:45 7:40, 7:55
10 Mystery, Alaska **1**: 1:05 4:05, 7:55, 9:40
11 Blue Streak **1**: 2:00 4:05, 7:40, 10:00
12 The Sixth Sense **1**: 2:00 4:10, 7:40, 10:55
Descendant Preview of "10 to Ten" of Streets at 2:00, step and "Mystery Awaits" true.
Sat & Sun 5  Daily
1 Stigmata * 2:15 4:45, 7:15, 9:35
2 Runaway Bride * 2:10 4:40, 7:10, 9:30
3 Munford * 2:05 4:35, 7:05, 9:30
4 Jacook the Liar * 2:00 4:30, 7:00, 9:25
5 The Thomas Crown Affair * 2:05 4:35, 7:05, 9:20
6 Sir of Ghosts * 2:20 4:50, 7:20, 9:40
- NO VIP : PASSES & SCAVERS
SHOWTIMES FOR TODAY ONLY
The University of Kansas School of Fine Arts Lied Center Swarthout Chamber Music Series presents
Step back into the past...visit Conjunction Junction...
rock again to the zany Emmy Award-winning cartoon fillers from Saturday morning TV!!!
Originally Conceived and Directed by Scott Ferguson
Book by Scott Ferguson, Kyle Hall and George Keating;
Music and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg,
Kathy Mundry, George Newall, and Tom Yabe
University of Kansas
Directed by Ric Awerl; Musical Direction by Shane Scheel; Scenic Design by Bill Nelson; Choreography by Marianne Kubik; Costume Design by Scott Grabau; Lighting Design by Christian Boy
8:00 p.m. October 8,9,15,16,21,22,23,1999
2:30 p.m. Sunday, October 17,1999
Crafton-Preyer Theatre
Reserved seat tickets are now on sale in the KU box offices: Murphy Hall,
785/864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS, SUA Office 864-3477; $16 public, $8 all
students, $15 senior citizens; VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone orders.
The University Theatre is partially funded by the KU Student Senate Activity Fee. The Friday, October 22, performance will be signed for the deal and hard of hearing Promotional assistance provided bt KJHK.