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Wednesday, July 23. 1975
University Daily Kansan
Lively 'Oklahoma!' cast enhances familiar roles
By IAN KENNETH LOUDEN
Karen Steff Member
OKLAHOMA!-Music by Richard Rodgers. Book and lyrics by Oscar Hammersstein II. Based on Lynn Rigg's "Green grow the Lilacs." Stage direction by Paul Hough. Musical direction by George Duerksen. Scenic design and lighting by Greg Hill. Costumes by Mary Jane Sink Choreography by Marie Makeup by Andrea Sumner. "Oklaham!" will be Sunday, Friday and Saturday in the University Theatre. Tomorrow's show will be a benefit performance for the Lawrence Arts Center.
REVIEW
an elaborate set, group enthusiasm and clever revisionism have made the
University Theatre's production of "Oklahoma!" was a welcomed success.
In 1943 "Oklahoma!"—created by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II—revolutionized the American musical dance and its symphonic songs.
"Oklahoma!" conjures scenes of laughter, images of lovely ingemens and handsome cowboys, lush melodies, a few sentimental tears and an insidip plot.
"Oklahoma!" has no message and criticizes no one. It is pure entertainment—if you like it, you can watch it.
1re, as it was aged, the musical has changed, and the new production has made more noise among its characters have gained new sides and angles. Paper dolls have become flesh-and-blood characters. Ideas that were taken for inspiration from real life have been named "Oklahoma!" have been didactic.
It is apparent that the people in charge of production took Curly's quote literally: "The country's changing and you got to change it." The play has been changed for the better.
For example, no character controls "Oklahoma!" Each player is an extension of the play. There is an emphasis on the whole. Enthusiasm is strongest when many cast members are singing or dancing together.
Curly, robustly played by John Brust, is the prototype of the young, handsome Jonny Mulligan. The production isn't the idealized western hero of the 1943 production. Curly can be silly and bewildered, especially when confronted with an actor who also be very cruel, as when he leases Jud.
Carly plays especially well against Laurie in the number, "People Will Say We're in Love." This is perhaps one of the most lush numbers that Rodgers and Hammerstein ever wrote. In the past it has been played straight. In this production
instead of Curly and Laurey cuddling up to each other in a Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy style,Curly ignores Laurey for a while before she starts stage thus adding a good comic touch.
Ted Adkins's wonderfully underplayed version of Jud has released this character with a lightness and maturity unsuspected. He has been driven to his antisocial position by his peers. In his first confrontation with Curly, Jud comes off as a fool, but is the teasing Curly who appears
Connie Baxter has the difficult role of Laurey. It is easy for Laurey to be stereotyped as a sweet, cardboard caricature of an innocent ingenu, but Baxter manages to put some life into the character.
The characters' singing abilities vary. Brust's range is perfect for his difficult singling role. Adkins's voice is strong and mellow as would suit Jud. Baxter, however, though strong on the high notes, is weak on the low notes.
Nancy Griffin as Ado Annie and Jim Stringer as Will Parker, her sometimes boyfriend, provide the usual comic relief, "All an尔Tirn," their duet, is the funniest number in the play. Ado Annie is a plum role, and Griffin makes the best of it. Her singing is good and her acting perfect. Stringer is well-perpetual and entertains. His daring is light-footed, sometimes his singing, especially in the group number "Kansas City," 'inn't strong enough to match the brouhaha that surrounds him.
LaDonna Schmidt's Aunt Eller goes about as far as she can go. Aunt Eller can easily be overplayed and she can overpower the rest of the cast. Schmidt wisely restrains him, and he can be idealism and pragmatism. Joe Krause looks and sounds as if he would be a perfect Alkah but sometimes his delivery is off, and his lines, which include the best in the play, fail to come across as they should. Michael Rapport as Andrew Carnes, Ado Thunberg as is the stepped out of a The Hark Benton show, as the perfect foll to Krause and Stringer.
The dance numbers in "Oklahoma!" are part of its armor, but they vary in quality. The "Kansas City" number is a great dance number because of the cowboys' enthusiasm, but the simple ballet in "Many a New Day" seems trite. The "Kansas City" number takes full advantage of a revolving stage and an excellent set, which is one of the finest and most intensive the University Theatre has ever bed.
The set and the revolving stage are put to their best use in the ballet sequence at the end of the first act. In 1943, this sequence helped revolutionize the American musical. It was the first time ballet had been incorporated into a musical comedy.
in the ballet Laurette falls asleep and dreams of her relationships with Curly and
How often have you heard someone say,
"I can't stand 3.2 beer! All it does is run
right through me. I really get off on 6 per
cent, though."
It's quite possible that getting drunk is 98 percent psychological and 2 per cent physical.
Beer labeling causes perpetuation of myth
Although many people may think that 5
businesses can handle 1.8 per cent more
people than 3.2 per cent more
people.
Another common falsehood is that Canadian beer, rated by proof spirits, is stronger than domestic beer. Most Canadian beers are eight proof.
Five per cent beer is determined by volume, while 3.2 is determined by weight.
"I know there isn't much difference in alcohol, but they sure taste different," said Chindy Meyer, Schaumberg, III. junior. "3.2 beer tastes a lot more watery."
When someone makes such a statement, he is perpetuating two of the world's greatest myths about American beers. First, that 6 per cent beer contains almost twice as much alcohol as 3.2 and, secondly, that there is 6 per cent domestic beer.
Blackburn provided this formula for comparing the alcoholic content of the two: 8.0 per cent alcohol by weight. Thus, 5 per cent beer contains only .8 of one per cent more alcohol.
According to a Kansas City area Budweiser distributor, Glenn Blackburn, 12902 W 77 Thur, Lenexa, domestic beers must contain either 5 or 3.2 per cent alcohol.
Despite the little difference in alcoholic content between 3.2 and 5 per cent beer, several people still insist that there is a difference.
Jud. in the University Theatre's production the technicians reign supreme. Every mood is accentuated by the lighting and the costumes.
One of the most misunderstood aspects of the brewing industry is that of alcoholic content. Alcoholic content is measured in terms: by proof spirits, by weight or by volume.
Dan Newman, Onaga sophomore, said he liked 5 point beer much better.
While some of the dancers appear to be lead-footed, their pantomime excels. Clever innovations such as dance hall girls descending ladders from the sky add illusion to the ballet, which is the highlight of the show.
"Oklahoma!" maintains its original enthusiasm. It is a play that plays to the audience, and the audience loves it. It was written in New York, even New York, and the audience would like it as long as they could recognize the characters. For example, Bill Balfour, vice chancellor for student affairs, got a round of laughs when he stage and saved one line. But why not?
By JAIN PENNER
Perhaps as a synedrode of the American Dream, the story line of "Oklahoma!" suffers through revisionism. Curly isn't all good; Jud it isn't all bad. Aunt Eller isn't even all-wise. And if Will and Ado Annie want a little roll in the bay, who cares?
"Oklahoma!" ends on a mixed note. In the standard production Curly marries Laureen and the killer evil Kid. Since he has been on the prowl, he riddles it of an evil entity, he gets off in time to go on his honeymoon. But Jud isn't really evil, and one wonders about the mock trial where Curly is proclaimed innocent. Even the sacrosanct Aunt Eller suffers in this scene.
She said letters had been sent to all department chairmen and some other faculty, asking whether they would be interested in sponsoring mixers in their homes. The Senate office has received many positive responses, she said.
"One is rated by volume and the other is rated by weight," she said.
Greg Sherf, Leawood sophomore, said he thought 'hat almost all beers tasted the same, whether they were 5 per cent or 32.
"That 3.2 beer just runs right through me," he said.
"Okahama!" is a hit. If you don't believe it, just take a stopwatch to the play. You'll find that the audience's applause takes up half an hour of the production.
Halle Uter, Augusta sophomore, said she didn't think there was any difference.
Not everyone interviewed thought 5 per cent beer was stronger, however.
Lovers of vines are torn between beauty and decay
By DAVID BARCLAY
Vancouver Staff Reporter
The removal of Virginia creeper vines from the walls of five University of Kansas buildings has made some people who use the buildings unhappy.
Profs to host new freshmen
"I'm unhappy that they are being removed, but at the same time it is absolutely necessary that it be done." Philip S. Smith wrote in *Natural History*, said last week.
The University Theatre benefit performance of *Oklahoma!* for the Oakland County Correctional Center overnight and not tonight as originally reported. Tickets for all students will be $1.50.
"A beer is a beer is a beer is a beer, until you've tasted Hamm's." said Sherrf.
Groups of 10 to 15 freshmen will be invited to the homes of faculty and department chairmen to increase contact between students and faculty.
Mixers for faculty and incoming freshmen are being planned by the Student Senate, Mary Lou Reece, student body vice president, said Monday.
"The purpose of the mixers is to give freshmen a personal touch with professors." Reece said. "I think it is something that needed."
Reeve said the mixers ideally would be on a departmental basis so that freshmen could meet with faculty from their potential environment, and possibly with their own advisers.
But at the same time they acknowledged
the vine removal was the lesser of two
eases.
Student seminars or other volunteers will meet with the students of faculty members with each mkker, as she said.
"I think it's horrible," said Sara Jo Melander, an administrative assistant in the division of biological sciences in Snow. "The snow is such an ugly building anyway."
Reece said the mixers would begin the first month of the fall semester.
Reece said the number of freshmen who could be involved would depend on the number of interested faculty members willing to hold mixers in their homes.
The vines are being removed to repair damaged masonry and to waterproof portions of Dyche Hall, Snow Hall, Watson Library, Hong Auditorium and Strong Hall.
The vines had to be removed for the work
of Harold E. Bitch, supervisor of
grounds and landscapes.
The damage to the buildings wasn't done by the vines but by chemical weathering, the seasonal freezing and thawing of the masonry, said Dave Hawes, a worker for Kelly Waterproofing Inc., who is helping to make the repairs.
Major water seepage damaged the reference, microforms and serial sections of Watson Library, as well as the directors office, and made the removal of the vines necessary, said Bob Malinowski, assistant director of Watson Library.
Malinowski said that minor water damage had also occurred in other parts of the house.
"I like vines on buildings," Malinowsky said, "and I hate to see them come off."
Natural History, said that although the vines had concealed some of the museum's interesting architectural features, he was sorry that they were removed.
The museum was modeled after the Cathedral of Saint-Trophine in Arles, France, and is a national and historic landmark.
Alfred E. Johnson, another curator of the museum, said he was glad the vines had been cut.
Coaches, staff cram for NCAA assemblv
By KEN STONE Kansan Staff Reporter
"I think it is evidence that the University and the citizens of Kansas are willing to take care of old historic buildings," Johnson said.
Mini-summit meetings are being held at NCAA member schools across the country to consider the stands each school will take at what athletic directors are calling the most important NCAA convention in history.
But he did defend the intent of the Big Eight proposals that would leave football and basketball untouched by cuts or restrictions.
Frank B. Cross, curator of the Museum of
The special NCAA convention, which will be held August 14 and 15 in Chicago, will consider 73 proposals relating to limits on financial aid, recruiting, the size of athletic squads and coaching staffs and income distribution.
Walker declined to comment on specific proposals, saying, "I have not had meetings with the appropriate people. I meet with them when they ask for their input as to their thoughts and wishes."
Walker he expected very few schools to support the proposal, although the eastern Ivy League schools, who now only provide private and public education, would be in favor of it.
However, the proposal would not affect the number of coaches in football, which now can employ one head coach and as many as ten assistants.
"If we cut down on football and basketball," he said, "we are hurting our entire program. And that's what we have to be careful of."
The proposals would amend the NCAA Constitution and by-laws. Some of the amendments change just a few words. Some add a dozen paragraphs. But most are designed to save collegiate athletic programs money.
---
According to Athletic Director Clyde Walker and head track coach Bob Timmons, the effects of the convention will be far-reaching and long-standing.
Despite the threats of possible cuts to his sport, Timmons said he supported Walker in regard to the security of the football program.
In the next three weeks, Walker, J Hammond McNish, faculty representative on the KU Athletic Board, and Chancellor Dykes will meet to discuss the convention.
"But if programs are brought to their lowest common denominator, and if participation is substituted for achievement, sports will be intramuralized.
"I hope that before the delegates ever get into the actualities of making decisions on each one of the amendments, each one of the keeps in mind the purpose of the NCAA."
I'm not critical of the idea that a special way to save money are definitely needed.
Walker has said that he opposed national legislation by the NCAA in areas affecting college sports.
On whether KU will vote from a position of self-interest or for the benefit of the NCAA as a whole, Walker said. "We have to be concerned for ourselves, but there would be certain things that would be good for collegiate athletics."
That purpose, he said, is to allow student-agers to have the opportunity to achieve their goals.
"The word is self-determination," he said. Each institution should have the right to decide what its faculty members are responsible for.
"If football is concerned about its future, so am I." said Timmons.
"To equalize the sports is wrong,"
"That destroys initiative
and innovation."
"The thing that concerns me most," areul of legislation the U.S. should reduce costs.
What worries Timmons most, however, is what he called the potential for overkill.
And Walker said that certain proposals to
change the spending might backfire and cause a cash crise.
The money schools saved on scholarships would be spent on recruiting, he said.
Timmons also said he opposed NCAA proposals that would put restrictions on college football.
"For the most part, our vote will be selfish," he said, however.
Dykes said that the meeting would result in a single institutional policy.
"Once we cut down on football scholarships from 40 to 35 a year, it costs us twice as much."
In contrast to Walker, Dykes said he was against making reductions in minor sports because it would be inconsistent with the law.
"I'm opposed to any effort that would reduce the comprehensive nature of the program. I would prefer to see reductions made throughout the athletic program rather than singling out specific minor sports for reductions."
Limit one coupon per person per visit. Void after July 28, 1975.
BigMac T.M.
Offer good only at:
901 West 23rd St.
Lawrence, Kansas
"We do it all for you." T.M.
DO YOU COMMUTE?
A carpool file matching students commuting from particular areas is available in the Student Senate office, 105B Kansas Union.
If you would like to take advantage of these services simply fill out the form below and include any information you feel is pertinent.
SIMILAR FILES ARE KEPT FOR STUDENTS SEEKING TUTORS AND ROOMMATES.
Name___ Phone.
If so,why not share the costs and driving with other commuting students?
Address___ Roommate ☐ Carpool ☐ Tutor ☐
Information
Bring to Student Senate office, Room 105B Kansas Union 864-3710
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