Monday, August 16, 1999 The University Daily Kansan Section C · Page 11 University Theatre hoping for rocking season start By Carrie Petree Kansan staff writer A modern-day Conjunction Junction and Sesame Street, the musical Schoolhouse Rock Live! will open the 1999-2000 University Theatre season. The musical premieres Oct. 8 as the first of nine productions packed into the theatre's fall and spring semester season. Theatergoers can expect a school year full of a variety of plays, from musicals to comedies to dramas. Delbert Unruh, University Theatre director, said variety is what he aims for every year when selecting productions. The theatre strives to produce a group of plays that will suit the wants and needs of many. "We try to put a season together that has a number of roles and addresses a number of areas," Unruh said. "It is a reflection of our audience." Unruh said the University Theatre attracts University students, residents of Lawrence and even others from the outlying areas. Some members of the audience attend because they are interested in a particular theme that a play addresses. And there are always the dedicated theatergoers, Unruh said. But "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" is a play that encompasses it all. Katie Ramsey, a Leavenworth senior who works in the Murphy Hall box office, said that the fall musical always has the largest audience. "It draws more students, and it draws more of the Lawrence community," Ramsey said. "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" especially should also draw more families with younger children, because it is similar to Sesame Street. Both the parents and the children have an appeal." With such a broad potential audience, the fall musical should have a solid turnout, Ramsey said. However, the main stage productions rarely sell out, so tickets usually are not difficult to come by. In fact, she said, the last time that a main stage production sold out was a few years ago when "West Side Story" was performed. That is no reason to postpone purchasing tickets until the last minute. Ramsey said, although students usually do just that. "Students wait, typically until the last minute, and then they are usually disappointed with their seats," she said. Ramsey recommends purchasing tickets for fall plays around the first of August and for the spring plays upon returning to school after winter break. And because of the expected popularity of "Schoolhouse Rock Live," Ramsey said tickets for that show should be purchased even further in advance. For ticket information, call the Murphy Hall box office, 864-3982, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Roberta Lee Gingrich, playing "A," and Jeanne Averill, playing "B," run through their lines at a dress rehearsal for Edward Alba's play "Three Tall Women," performed during the first play of the summer season. Photo by Aaron Lindberg/KANSAN —Edited by Chad Bettes UNIVERSITY THEATRE 1999-2000 SEASON - "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" by Scott Ferguson, Kyle Hall, and George Keating Grade school matinees: 1 p.m. Oct. 11 through 15. Public performances: 8 p.m., Oct. 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, and 2:30 p.m., Oct. 17. - "Machinal" by Sophie Treadwell Public performances: 8 p.m., Oct. 28 through Public performances: 8 p.m., Oct. 28 through 31 and Nov. 2 through 6. ■ "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" by Steve Martin Public performances: 8 p.m., Nov. 12, 13, 9, 10, 20 and 23 p.m. 8, 19. 20. aul; 2:30 p.m., Nov. 14. ■ "The Suicide" by Nikolael Erdman as translated by Peter Tegal Public performances: 8 p.m., Nov. 29 and 30 Dec. 1 through 6. - "The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen as adapted by Pamela Sterling and Chris Limber Grade school matinees: 1 p.m., February 7 through 11. Public performance: 7 p.m., Feb. 12. Fen by Carval Churchill Public performances: 8 p.m., Feb. 17 through 20 and Feb. 22 through 26. Public performances: 8 p.m., March 3, 4, 9. - Hedda Gabler by Henrik Iden as translated by Nicholas Rudall - March 2, 4, 9 10, 11, and 2:30 p.m., March 5. - Potpourri Directing Projects (TBA) Public performances: 8 p.m., March 31, April 1, and April 2 through 8. 1, ana April 2 through 8. ■ Henry IV, part 8 by William Shakespeare Public performances: 8 p.m., April 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, and 2:30 p.m., April 16. *Performance will be signed for the deaf Lied Center chalks out elaborate programs for coming year Kansan staff writer By Levi Chronister Although it's a part of West Campus and surrounded by asphalt and grass, the Lied Center is the heart of cultural and artistic events on the University of Kansas campus. One of the first projects at the Lied Center this year is its annual free outdoor concert, at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20 on the center's northeast lawn. Performances for the center's 1999-2000 season include Donald Byrd's Jazz Train, Queen Bey, and famous musicals including Porgy and Bess and Annie. "She's a great spokesperson for the region and art form," Christilles said. Karen Christilles, director of public relations, said Queen Bey was at the first outdoor concert and was received so well by the crowd that she's been asked back. The concert also will feature an informational fair from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.Activities will include face painting, free balloons and information on local arts organizations, clubs and businesses. "It's a great way to showcase and kick off the season." Christilles said. "And a really relaxed opportunity for students to be introduced to the things available to them in the Lawrence community." Donald Byrd's Jazz Train is another of the center's projects this season. The work is a combination of jazz and dance and is an artistic collaboration between Byrd and composers Max Roach, Vernon Reid and Geri Allen. The production begin at 8 p.m. April 7 and 8, 2000. "It's a work in three parts," said Karen Lane Christilles, director of public relations. "Each composer made a new composition (Byrd) took and set on his dancers." The shows at the center will be two of only three with live music performed by the composers. The other live performance was the premiere of Jazz Train last spring. The presentation of Jazz Train is a partnership between the center, the Gem Theatre Cultural and Performing Arts Center, in Kansas City, and the State Ballet of Missouri. The three organizations received a $131,945 Lilia Waiiace Reader's Digest Fund grant for the project last fall. "We were fortunate enough to receive it so everything we dreamed about can come true," Christilles said. Other components of the project include a five-part lecture series on jazz, a presentation on jazz in film and workshops for students with the dancers and musicians. Allen, Roach and Reid will perform at area jazz clubs during the final week before the performances Jazz Train is part of the center's second phase of Cultural Countdown series, which focuses on African-American influences in the arts. Last season's Countdown centered on Latino influence, while future programs will show Native-American, Asian-American and technological effects on the arts. Other performances at the Lied Center during this season include the Magic School Bus,"Victor/Victoria, and the Barber of Seville. Many of these are parts of Lied Series, which provide patrons an easy way of buying tickets to performances with similar themes and/or styles, such as Broadway plays or family entertainment. Tickets for performances at the center are available at the Lied Center, SUA and Murphy Hall box offices. They are generally $30-35 a performance for adults and half-price for students. The absence of a permanent educational director has made scheduling and other activities more difficult at the center since June. Lane Czaplinksi left the Lied Center in June for a position at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, one of the oldest presenting organizations in the country. Wayne Kruse, the Center's event coordinator, is filling in as acting educational director until a permanent replacement can be hired. Kruse is also a public school teacher. "We hope to have a replacement in place by the start of the fall season." Christilles said. "We were very fortunate this happened in the summer so (Kruse) could step in." The center is also available for rental and other campus uses, which have included a presentation of MTV's Love Line, an Amway convention and convocation. The center has also hosted Student Union Activities events and the Rock Chalk Revue. "I saw Love Line there and I we've been three other times," Lori Feldkamp, Effingham junior, said. "It's a great place to watch a performance." The Center was opened Sep. 28, 1993, and was funded by the Lied Foundation Trust. Ernst F. Lied, who attended KU from 1923 to 1925, started the trust. The center is dedicated to his parents, Ernst M. and Ida K. Lied. Student Senate, individual and corporate donors and grants from organizations such as the Kansas Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mid-America Arts Alliance also fund the center. This funding allows for workshops by the artists as well as the half-price student tickets. —Edited by Barak Bird LIED CENTER PRESENTS: Queen Bay: free outdoor concert Zoom, Aug 20. Bell/Bush/Marshall/Meyer 8 p.m. Sept 17 The Whiteheaded Bay featuring Barabasb the company 2 n m. Sent 25 and 2 n m. Sent 2 Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus 8 am, Oct 1 Sankai Juku Sankai Juku Perlman/Nikkanen/Bailey Piano Trio 30 p.m. Oct. 17 State Ballet of Missouri 8 a.m. Oct. 26 8 p.m. Oct. 27 Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller 8 a.m. Oct. 27 ■ Lyon Opera Ballet in Carmen 8 p.m. Nov. 3 ■ 1776 1776 8 p.m. Nov. 12 6 p.m. Nov. 12 Chanticleer 3:30 p.m. Nov. 14 Porgy and Bess 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 20 Here's Love based on the book Miracle on 34th Street The Boys Choir of Harlem, Christmas Tour 8 a.m. Dec 17 The Breathing Show — Bill T. Janes Solo Ram Jan 20, 2000 Scholastic's The Magic School Bus —Live! in A Bright Idea Camelot 8 n.m. Feb. 3 The Walls Proph 8 p.m. Feb. 11 The Watts Prophets ■ New York's Ensemble for Early Music in Sponsors; The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins 3:30 m. Feb. 13 Victor/ Victoria New York City Opera National Company in The Barber of Seville 2 and 8 p.m. March 12 The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra with André Watts 8 p.m. Feb. 29 Donald Byrd's Jazz Train 8 p.m. April 7 and 8 Australian Chamber Orchestra 3:30 p.m. April 2 For Dancers Only: Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Apri 0pm Amie 8 p.m. April 24 Emerson String Quartet 8 p.m. April 29 Tickets on sale at the Lied Center Box Office, 785-864-ARTS, Murphy Hall Box Office, 785-864-3982; SUA Box Office, Kansas Union, 785-864-3477; KU Medical Center Bookstore; and any Ticketmaster outlet, 785-234-4545 and 816-931-3330. Try Before You Buy! Ellipticals Treadmills Stairmasters Kickboxing Cardio Theater Circuit Training Recumbent Bikes Racquetball Tanning and more... "I've been a member of the "cheapest" gyms in town. Finally, I realized these cheap gyms were over-crowded, dirty and offered poor service. I love the personalized attention and friendliness at Sixth Street Fitness. 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