rarde
dm;
ms
the
aw
at
eddy
s a
El art
an to
om COAW
Summer Session Kansan
Thursday, June 21, 1979
Uptown
5
Staff photo by BARB KOENIG
Bit o' luck
in the opening performance of Starlight" "s'My Fair Lady" 'last Monday, Jamie, (Edward Grace) tells Alison P. Doolittle,
'My Fair Lady' just fair
(Milo O'Shea) and Harry, (William Gillusk) they need a little bit of luck. The music will run through Sunday.
By BARBIE HOONEY
Kansan Reviewer
By BARB KOENIG
A song from the musical "My Fair Lady" called "I Could Have Danced All Night," in most cases, captures the enthusiasm and liveliness of the entire show.
But a title change to "I Could Have Dozed All Night," would more appropriately describe the opening night performance of "Lady" at Kansas City's Sanford Theatre.
The musical, which continues through this Sunday, was the first StarlightHall production. Technical difficulties, unimpressive sets and weak choreography and dance execution could have sent the opening of Starlight to Spain in 1976, but it simply on the plank.
But a strong performance by David Birney, in the lead role of Professor Henry Higgins, saved what otherwise could be considered an amateurish production.
The Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe music, adapted from George Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion," is the story of a British phonetics professor, Claire Maura, who is determined to turn Cockney girl Eliza Doolittle in a refined lined
Higgs bins a friend, Col. Pickering,
played by Murray Matheson, that he can
teach Eliza, played by Anita Gillette, etiquette and proper English in six months.
The arduous speech lessons, one of which sets the scene for one of the livelier songs, "The Rain in Spain," serve as the basis for much of the plot. The show
climaxes when, at the end of the six months' time, Eliza is ready to debut an art piece.
Of course no show would be complete without a cat and mouse game of love, and "My Fair Lady" is no exception. Higgins, a confirmed bachelor, suddenly realizes what a charming woman Eliza has become and, after much soul searching, discovers she is in love with her. Eliza admits she, too, is in love with her. Eliza curtains her, and curtain drops on a touching scene which, if played out, would probably lead to matrimony.
Although Barney's performance was not in the same league as that of Rex Harrison, who created the role both on Broadway and in his acting, his acting and singing were very good.
Birney also ad libbed well on three occasions, one of which was when he threw part of an evening cape over his shoulder and ended up losing the whole wrap. He did, however, lack the age, sophistication and strong British accent the role required.
Gillette did a credible job as Eliza, although her performance was a bit weaker than Birney's. She had problems mastering the Cockey accent and, aside from momentarily forgetting the words to her songs in their songs, her acting and singing were good.
Matheson was the epitome of an English colonel. His acting and stately appearance was enduringly famous.
The performance was weakened considerably because of audio problems and poor lighting. Although chorus members and smaller speaking and singing parts were present, the performers they often could not be heard. And one of the most beautiful songs, "On the Street Where You Live," was virtually ruined when a swallowed up in the microphones.
"With a Little Bit o' Luck" and "Get Me to the Church on Time."
And Milo O'Shea, as Alfred P. Doolittle, Eliza's father, spiced up the show with his own ideas.
Singing and dancing church members often were hard to see because of a dim overall stage lighting. The only good feature was the brightness and two of the full production numbers.
The sets, with the exception of a ballroom area, were average. In fact, some of the sets for this year's KU Rock Chalk Revue were better.
In addition to the lead acting, the show did have strong support from the music. Director Donald W. Chan and the orchestra job with Loewe's already beautiful music.
Although the second act of the show was a bit stronger than the first, the dancing choreography and choreography was simple chorus line movements and waltzes. Execution of the steps was rough and often unsynchronized, made up the production numbers 100 look real.
Overall, the performance lacked style and polish. But with a little bit of luck and little more practice, "My Fair Lady" could be more than just fair.
'Casanova'a real charmer
By LEONARD D. GROTTA
Kansan Reviewer
Donald Sutherland is a fine actor, but who could possibly envision him playing the role of the world's greatest lover? Why Federico Fellini, who else? But after seeing Fellini's "Casanova," it is Sutherland's one role that few will forget.
"Casanova" is loosely based on the 18th-century book, "The Story of My Life," by Glacimo Giglio Casanova. Whether Casanova's exploits were fact or fiction no one can say for sure. The name has come to be used as an adjective for anyone overly preoccupied with amorous pursuits. Although Casanova's persona has assumed mythic proportions in the literature of the western world, perhaps her better brought his story to life than Fellini.
Fellini, more than any other director, speaks directly to the eye. His use of color, framing and elaborate spectacle results in films that more resemble surrealist paintings than illustrated narrative. In Cassandra, for example, she styles its merely the thread Fellini uses to weave a sensual, richly-layered visual tapestry.
Superficially at least, "Casanova" is likely to be compared with Fellin's earlier "Bocaccio" (1921), in that both films draw on the same language. But Fellin's also formidable talents
In addition to Fellin's visual virtuosity—his hallmark as a director—this latest film has also integrated the lyric muse of the 17th-century Italian poet Luigi Cappuccio's great use of amorous Italian poetry from the 15th to 170th-centuries in creating the dialogue for "Casanova." And as the voice of Elizabeth English has enhanced the flemish renditions of Shakespeare's plays, it has added more drama and depth; it enhance the dialogue in "Casanova." This contributes greatly to the film's almost hypnotic charm. Its effectiveness is made even more surprising by the fact that it evokes the sensuality of Luigi Cappuccio's
have remarkably matured since the earlier film,
This is not to imply that "Casanova" is charming in the conventional use of that word. "Casanova," as do most of Fellini's films of the past 15 years, concerns itself greatly with the theme of decadence. And the life and times of Giacomo Casanova provide fertile ground for Fellini's further development of this thematic element.
Fellin's portrayal of decadence—or perhaps more accurately the grotesque, is not realistic. In fact, "Casnovna" (is also known as Casnova) is more an exploration of the archetypal symbols our culture has come to equate with human life and man an exploration of the concepts themselves.
"Cassanova" is peopled with characters representative of decadence: giants,
dwarfs, hunchbacks, idols and degenerate members of both the artistry and the culture.
When viewed through the lens of Felini's camera, however, these bizarre characters both repel and attract. Often the most physically grotesque of the characters are characters of humanity, while characters not visually appear enlarge as the most truly degenerate.
This cinematic use of dissonance between what is simultaneously attractive and repulsive is not new, nor confined to Fellini's early work. It can be any other director, has best percepted its use.
This dissonance is presented in a sublic, non-judgmental yet powerful manner. It does not lead to any ready-made conclusions or moral statements, but instead awakens the viewer's mind and imagination. By speaking directly to the eyes, "Casanova" gives such questions as to the nature of good behavior that is perhaps its most eloquent statement.
And, lest the foregoing sound too demanding or obtuse to be entertaining,
“Casanova” is filled from start to finish with macabre humor.
Released in 1977, "Casanovas" is not the newest film in town this weekend, but it is undoubtedly the best. It will be shown Friday at 7 p.m. in Woodruff Auditorium of the Library for $1.50. Due to the film's length of nearly three hours, there will be only one showing.
Galleries highlight regional artists
Bv BONNIE DUNHAM
Staff Reporter
Sales galleries for art offer the people what they buy. And in Lawrence the folks who sell them are the ones.
Three local gallery owners agreed that they have settled on area artworks as the mainstay of their exhibitions and permanent inventories.
The Valley West Galleries, 2112A W. 25th St., opened two years ago as specialist in western and southwestern art, but changed to a Midwestern emphasis.
"I guess it just evolved, but we felt that we needed a broader scope to reach the people in the area who related to Midwest scenes such as wildlife, barns, farmscapes and landscapes. We are trying to handle what we've learned," said Martin Brown, owner of Valley West.
The 7 E / Gallery, named for its downtown address, carries many works by Lawrence and area artists, including KU faculty members. The current exhibition called "Affordable Art" offers works which range in price from $10 to $100, with small works in the range of $25-$35. The professor of art, priced at $75. The collection will be on display throughout the summer.
Judy Gee-Kellas, owner of 7 E. 7, said she tries to keep the prices low so that students can afford it.
“There are a lot of things in this gallery that are not great art and don’t even approach it, but they are still enjoyable and lovely. They are not very expensive,” she said.
"I really don't try to get people to invest in art as work as a place to store their money, or in art as investment. I want to do investment. What I try to do is get people to invest in art for the pleasure they get from it."
"When you are selling an artist's work, you really sell the artist too," she said. "I rarely talk of myself as hawking art, but I help helping people understand it and enjoy it."
The ten artist-owners of The Gallery, 745 New Hampshire St., a cooperative art and craft shop, also find themselves explaining and educating their buyers. The group sells its own work and alternates staffing the gallery.
The newest member of the cooperative, Grace Carmody, said, "We sell ourselves as artists as well as selling the art. People like to get to know the artist."
Each of the ten owners make an initial investment to become part of the cooperative and Betty Leesden, another owner, to expand. The artists were their own greatest support group.
"When we first opened, everyone said,
you'll never get along, a bunch of them."
and one man," she said. "Yet you get so you want to promote someone else's work in preference to your own. It's a very creative and working together sparks more creativity."
The "creators" consist of four potters, a clay sculptor, a silversmith, a copper enamelist, a photographer and two persons who work with textiles.
Lawrence buyers really like the idea of local art, Lessenond said, and especially "handmade, original and one-of-a-kind art."
However, Brown said the opening of Valley West Gallery was an attempt to bring new artists to Lawrence art buyers. With Art in the Park, an annual Lawrence art show, and the exhibits at the Lawrence art gallery, new artists were able to get a lot of exposure.
Valley West is now featuring the works of Charles Sanderson, a Wichita art teacher. His fragmented watercolors maintain a strong connection to life that still emphasize the flat picture plains.
She said she discovered many Midwest artists unknown in Lawrence during her term as president of several Kansas art associations.
The Gallery is exhibiting, until June 30,
stained glass art by Bette Kelley and Judy
Gerling Paley and fiber art by Euladia
Lewis.
Coming up this week:
Concerts
LAWRENCE OPERA HOUSE
642 Massachusetts St.
Fri. June 22 and Sat. June 23 Pat's Blue
Ridimd Band (reggae) Fri. June 29 and
Sat. June 30 Big Twist & The Melow
Fellows (rhythm and blues)
KANSAS CITY
Fri, June 21 Nazareth at Memorial
Hall. Tickets $8, Wed. June 27 New
England at One Block West. Tickets.
$3.50.
Fellows (rhythm and blues VANSACITY
LAWRENCE COMMUNITY AND MUSICIANS BAND
Special Offer Buy One Yogurt Cone, Get One Free!
lemon tree
Featuring Natural Frozen Dessert Yogurt
Present this coupon
Free!
Expires 6-30-79
Wed. June 27 South Park, 13th and
Low In Sugar—Good for ya!
--is soon to be Lawrence's newest and exciting Night club.
WHERE IN THE WORLD DO YOU WANT TO GO?
Think about it, listen and win with . .
"SHENANIGANS 21"
Memberships available between 7-9 pm Mon-Sat at
"SHENANIGANS 21"
901 Mississippi Lawrence Ks. 841-4600
Massachusetts Streets, 8 p.1
BROWN BAG CERTERS
Today Watkins Park, 11th and Massachusetts Streets, 12 noon.
Theatre
STARLIGHT THEATRE—
Swone Park Kansas City Mo
June 18-24 "My Fair Lady," Starring
David Ribow, Allison Cullen, Museum
June 16-24  My Fair Lady.  Starring David Birney, Anita Gillette, Murray Matheson and Milo O'Shea.  8:30 p.m.
LAWRENCE SUMMER THEATRE
Wed. June 27 and Thurs. June 28 "The Music Man." Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Arts Center.
Recreation
KU DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION SERVICES
Sat. June 23 Intramural Tennis (singles) begins at 10 a.m. Sun. June 24 Intramural Tennis (singles) continues at 12 noon, Wed. June 27 Deadline for entering Intramural Tennis (doubles) is at 5 p.m.
LAWRENCE PARKS AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Fri. June 22 Registration for the third session of Learn-To-Swiim Lessons. The session runs from June 26 to July 11. Registration will be at South Park Center. Sun. June 24 Art Happenings in the Park. Large mural paintings and works for anyone wishing to take part (bring your art to workshops; theatre; music and other festivities. South Park. 13th and Massachusetts Street.
CINEMA TWIN:
COMING TOMORROW:
CINEMA TWIN:
Movies
Jaws: (PG) Another movie proving that to make it big in Hollywood you've got to have a pearly-white smile. About a shark that makes Moby Dick seem like Bambi.
GRANADA:
Show times: 1;45, 7:25 and 9:40 p.m daily.
The Main Event: (PG) If Barbara Streisand can make her hairdresser into a movie producer, surely she should be able to make Ryan O'Neal into a championship prize-fighter. Show times: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
HILLCREST I:
Woodstock: (R) A chance to relive the ultimate happening of 1898 which launched the "Woodstock Generation" and eventually led to the splinter groups of today. Show time: 12:15 a.m. Fri, and Sat. only.
VARSITY:
Escape from Alcatraz: (PG) A true-life story of an escape from this legend-laden rock, starring Clint Eastwood. Obviously captain entertainment. Show times: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Weekend matinee; 2:30 p.m.
HILLCREST I:
Rocky II: (PG) If at first you don't succeed, try learning the hard way. Sylvester Stallone decides to try once more to make it as a fighter after not succeeding. James Patterson's Stallion' either. Show times: 7:20 and 9:40 p.m. Weekend matinee, 1:45 p.m.
HILLCREST II:
The In-Laws: (PG) Would you let your daughter marry the son of a used CIA agent? Starring Peter Fauk and Anarkin in non-stop, hilarious jillows. Show times: 7:45 and 9:50 p.m. Weekend matinee, p.m.
HILLCREST III:
Players: (PG) About love, tennis and the sporting life. A young woman is torn between an old man's millions and a young athlete's body. Decisions, decisions.
Show times: 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Weekend matinee, 1:50 p.m.