University Daily Kansan
Page 3
READY TO RUMBLE—Student actors hover tensely before springing into a rumble in this scene from "West Side Story." The musical opens tonight in the University Theatre.
Musical Premieres
Love is a many splendored thing, but a romance can be complicated when it is pursued amid grimy tenements and slum rumbles.
"West Side Story," Leonard Bernstein's modern day version of "Romeo and Juliet," catapults the ivory tower romance of the aristocratic Roman lovers into the west side New York slums, substituting a fire escape for Juliet's fabled balcony and teenage jargon for the Shakespearean dialogue. in the University Theater Tickets are on line
TONY AND MARIA. modern counterparts of Romeo and Juliet, walk along asphalt sidewalks instead of primrose paths and discover that love is a dream they cannot have in the midst of a war between the Sharks and Jets.
The audience will only feel the emotional involvement of Bernstein's musical, but cast members, crew and directors who have been in month-long rehearsals know the physical strain of producing a musical requiring special music arranging, teaching of untrained dancers, designing costumes and sets and arranging special lighting effects.
LEWIN GOFF, professor of speech and drama and director, said that rehearsals were a real test of the cast's stamina. Somehow, cast members had to combine classwork, midterms and daily rehearsals while preparing for the show.
Robert Baustian, professor of orchestra, and Clayton Krebbiel, professor of vocal music, had to adapt Bernstein's score for the chorus and orchestra at KU. Prof. Baustian said musical arrangement required a complicated jugging of players and instruments since KU students specialize in playing a single instrument. "Professional musicians often play several parts, throwing down a piccolo and picking up a flute as the score demands. We simply can't do that here," he said.
MISS BOBBI WAITE, who came here from Michigan to direct the show's dancers, demonstrates how hard every person connected with the show has worked. She not only choreographed the show, worked nightly with the entire cast, conducted individual swork outs for the principals in the cast but still found time to paint scenery, because she "wanted to be a part of the show."
"I feel that the kids will do a better job if they think I am working as hard as they are." she said.
MISS WAITE believes that the musical's success depends on the students and they deserve much credit.
"West Side Story" opens tonight
in the University Theater. Tickets are on sale at the Murphy box office.
Nation Seeks Independence
SALISBURY, Rhodesia — (UPI)—Rhodesians today voted in landslide proportions for eventual independence under this British territory's white minority government.
Most of Rhodesia's 3.6 million Africans are not on the voting rolls. Nine out of 10 registered voters are white.
Near-complete returns today showed 44,460 yest votes and 5,056 no votes to the referendum question of whether Rhodesia should become independent under its present constitution.
Peace Corps Exam Offered
A special on-campus Peace Corps placement examination will be given Nov. 19.
The examination, sponsored by the Dean of Students and the Guidance Bureau, is being offered on campus instead of the city post office for the convenience of interested students.
with them to the examination. Students are urged to pick up their questionnaire as soon as possible since it is quite lengthy and takes some time to complete.
Applicants should pick up a Peace Corps questionnaire at the Dean of Students' office or 112 Kansas Union, fill it out, and bring it
The examination will be given at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19, in room 303 Bailey Hall.
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West Side Story opens tonight .