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Anight at the THEATRE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
The University Theatre blends Elizabethan prose with contemporary music to tell William Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night,' a comedy of errors
Stories by Mark Ence
William Shakespeare and Elvis Presley usually are not thought of as compatible.
Carson Elrod, Topeka senior, steals the show with his kinetic portrayal of Feste the Clown. Elrod dances across the stage, jokes with healthy ribaldry, takes a turn as a televisionist, and even does a song as the pelvis-swinging Elvis.
But in the University Theatre's production of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," which opens Friday night, the Bard and the King get along wonderfully.
Standing against the restrictive order of the self-consumed Malvolio, played to perfection by Lawrence resident Charles Whitman, Toby and his merry band of hedonists drink heartily, pun constantly, carouse in song and plan ways to bedevil the untight steward.
The entire cast turns in strong performances as Meier's vision magically blends the Elizabethan carnivalesque with the haunting questions of life after the bomb.
These elements work together to create a reading of Shakespeare that is unmitigated in its revel while it also intelligently critiques an increasingly repressive society.
Director Paul Meier has taken the celebration of the Epiphany — the Elizabethan equivalent of Mardi Gras — and placed it into a post-apocalyptic world punctuated by chaos, carnival and charm.
Through effective employment of both Shakespearean songs and contemporary music, piecemeal costumes and the junkyard-like setting, Meier creates an eclectic world where things are not as they seem.
"Twelfth Night" follows the travails of Viola and Sebastian, fraternal twins separated in a shipwreck, who are involved in a myriad of mistaken identities and dislocated passions.
The play also foregrounds complex gender issues by casting two women in traditionally male roles. KU alumna Louise Flory turns in a convincing performance as Sebastian, and Brenda Leff, Overland Park sophomore, plays the idiot Fablan with a simple grace.
However, it is Meier's ability to force the conflict between Toby, the drunken uncle of Oliva, and Malvilio, her staid steward, that gives the play its finest moments. This clash of the party animal and the Puritan also provides Meier the opportunity to demonstrate the contemporary relevance of the play.
Viola, played by Caran Snitze, KU alumna, gives a back rub to Orsino, played by David-Michael, Lawrence graduate student. Though disguised as Orsino's page boy, Viola — actually a woman — is secretly in love with Orsino.
Michael Schulz /
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Michael Schulze / KANSAN
Designer overcomes limited resources
Feste the Clown, played by Carson Elrod, Topeka senior, warbles an Elvis Presley song to the accompaniment of Zanie, played by Jerry Buszek, Omaha, Neb., senior, in The University Theatre's production of William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Michael Schultz/
Michael Schulze/
KANSAN
Costume designers try to capture both the spirit of the character and to work closely with the director, Herman said.
Costume designers for plays usually have a budget to work with.
But Louise M. Herman, "Twelfth Night" costume designer, did not have such a luxury.
Lawrence graduate student, managed to create outfits that accentuated director Paul Meier's postapocalyptic vision of the Shakespearean comedy.
Culling scraps and skirts, belts and bandoleers from the Murphy Hall costume stock. Herman.
Herman's designs run from traditional Elizabethan vestments to post-industrial fashions. This amalgam of the past, present and future allowed Herman to be creative and humorous within the dictates of the play.
...
"I had the most fun putting all of
Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night
Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" will run at 8 p.m. July 14-16, and July 16-21 in Murphy Hall's Crafton-Preyer Theatre. General Admission tickets are on sale at Murphy Hall, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS; and the SUA Office, 864-3477. Seating is limited. Tickets are $8 for the public, $4 for KU students, and $7 for other students and senior citizens.
"We must visualize the character so that the audience understands who they are," she said. "Plus, we are trying to advance the director's concept so that it all works together to make a single statement about the show."
fun putting all of the stuff on the thugs — jewelry, chains, catcher's masks," Herman said
Herman said that her background in mechanical engineering and math, as well as drama, helped with her designs. Director Paul Meier said that Herman's work.
especially with the lack of funds, was outstanding.
"During this budget crunch the concept of a future world, with all its eclecticism, allowed us to work with little or no money very easily," he said. "And she has been incredibly inventive with it."
on the RECORD
By Robert Moczydlowsky
Kansan staff writer
In the mid- to late-'80s, the Minneapolis club scene produced some of the decade's most influential and largest-selling bands.
Ten years later, those artists' efforts have paved the way for hip-hop and alternative rock to become a mainstream business. The pop influences of the Minneapolis underground can be heard, in varv-
Prince and the Revolution reshaped rhythm and blues, and Husker Dui And The Replacements
THE JAYHAWKS TRIPPING DAISY
became part of the alternative-rock foundation.
ing degrees, in songs written by such artists as Better than Ezra, Counting Crows and The Flaming Lips.
Enter The Jayhawks, a 10-year-old band that have taken the best of folk, country and hearty, Midwestern rock to create an honest, unique blend.
I guess it's time we went back to Minneapolis to find a truly alternative sound.
because it all sounds the same.
Now, underneath the alternative tag, music that once was lauded for its difference is being criticized
The Jayhawks, along with other country-spun bands Sun Volt and
On their latest album,
Tomorrow the Green
Grass, The Jayhawks
have taken the distortion
and effects out of
rock without sacrificing
the melodies *o*
Wilco (featuring the guys that made up Uncle Tupelo), have become pioneers on the newest modern-rock trail.
emotion.
From country music, they've borrowed airtight song writing that reminds me of Roger Williams, John Prine and Woody Guthrie. Their latest album offers the best of both realms:
it's a good oil' country sing along with rock'n' roll bite.
album is solid, and if you haven't heard it, you're missing out. Sadly, all of this success could make one of the Midwest's best live shows a little tougher to catch. Last night's sold-out Bottle-neck show may have been the band's last gig in a small local club for a while.
the big reason behind the band's current tour success is the single
If you missed the Jayhawks but are still hungry for a jam-packed Bottle-cheek show, don't freet. You can check out *Tripping Daisy* Friday night.
Tripping Daisy are one of the bands that solidified Austin, Texas, as a hub of innovative, modern-rock music.
The band debuted in 1992 with BILL,
and they have been on a solid climb
since then, adding fans after every one
of their frenzied live shows. Check the
And finally, some new stuff in the record stores.
Bottleneck for ticket information.
On Independence Day, Capitol
Records released the debut disc from The Foo Fighters, the band that is fronted by former Nirvana members Dave Grohl and Pat Smear. The Foo Fighters rocked mightily when they opened for Mike Watt here in April, and their disc, full of catchy guitar and choruses, doesn't disappoint.
Other platters worthy of a second listen: Foma, the debut from Oklahoma City's The Nixons, featuring the next hit song of the summer "Sister." And Grand Prix, the newest album from England's Teenage Fan Club.
Next week: a dinner-time conversation with Tripping Daisy, and a rare appearance from England's Radiohead and Drugstore. Stav tuned.
BOX OFFICE BILLBOARD
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — "Apollo 13" retained its No. 1 ranking at the box office for the second weekend, with strong showings from newcomers "Species" and Hugh Grant's "Nine Months."
"Species," a thriller in the tradition of "Aliens," finished second with $17.2 million — the best opening in MGM history. The fabled studio is in the midst of a top-to-bottom restructuring following the neglectful ownership of Kirk Kerkorian and Giancarlo Parretti.
MGM's previous record came last year with "Stargate" at $16.7 million.
"The opening reinforced our position that we are back in the marketplace," said Gerry Rich, MGM's executive vice president for marketing.
"Nine Months" was shown as a sneak preview in 996 theaters Saturday night. About three-quarters of the theaters were at least 75 percent full, the Fox studio said Monday.
"It played as well as any movie we've had in recent memory," said Fox executive vice president Tom Sherak.
Among other box-office developments, Sylvester Stallone's "Judge Dredd" plunged a disastrous 57 percent in its second week of release.
The following is the list of top 10 movies at U.S. and Canadian theaters Friday through Sunday:
1. "Apollo 13"
19.6 million
2. "Species"
$17.2 million
3. "First Knight"
$10.9 million
4. "Pocahontas"
$10.8 million
5. "Batman Forever."
$9.3 million
6. "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers:
The Movie"
$5.9 million
7. "Judge Dredd"
$6.2 million
8. "The Bridges of Madison County"
$2.9 million
9. "Congo"
$2.7 million
10. "Casper"
$2.1 million
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