6
Friday, March 9, 1979
University Daily Kansan
Although Lim's latest a success, it may never play in Lawrence
“Points of Departure” may be Paul Stephen Lim's most successful play, but it probably will never be staged in Lawrence.
At least not according to Lim, instructor of English, whose other plays—"Copenhageners," "Homerica" and "Connersville"—are presented at the University of Kansas.
"A points of Departure," which opens March 16 for six weeks at the Asian American Theater Workshop in San Francisco, was written in 1977 and awarded a Palencia Literary Award the same year. The play's premiere was in 1978 at the East West Players in Los Angeles and then in New York reading in New York City. An actress in the New York reading arranged for the play's production in San Francisco.
LIM SAID "Points of Departure" in some ways was autobiographical.
'It's set in the Philippines, which is where I'm from, and it's about the Asian-American experience—about a young man's experience when he leaves the Philippines and comes to the United States the same way I did in 1969.
"It taps some of my own background,
but it's not really about Asian-Americans as such. It's really about an artist trying to survive in a society that is not really interested in the arts."
Despite its popularity elsewhere, Lim said he doubted the play ever would be performed in Lawrence.
"It can't be done here because it requires three Asian actors to portray characters." Liam said. "While it's possible that some excellent make-up on three Caucasians might work, it could strain the credibility of the show."
"People have asked me to length it, but I thought I had said everything I wanted to say and that anything added to it would just be padding."
Lim also said the play lasted about an hour. That is longer than the one-acct and shorter than the full-length productions directed by the KU theater department.
Lim, who is leaving March 9 to play playground-in-residence at the workshop for a week, said about 20 people from his neighborhood in Miami and Francisco area during spring break and were planning a party to celebrate the show's opening.
Arts & Leisure
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Hartford concert rousing, rowdy with touch of bluegrass magic
By BRUCE THOMAS
Reviewer
Reviewer
John Hartford must be magical, because only a magical performer could get more than 300 people to make sounds like two-year-olds, in two-part harmony.
People are self-conscious animals, and it is strange to hear adult men and women sing, "swish, swish, bum, bam;" as they did Wednesday night to accompany Hartford in one of the songs, in his concert at the Opera Peres House, 64 Massachusetts St.
He takes bluegrass out of the hills, where it was born, and drops it right in the laps of young, upward mobile students, redneck cowboys and crazy motorcycle riders.
Hartford plays bluegrass music, but it is nothing like traditional bluegrass.
Bluegrass concerts usually draw special audiences. A person has to enjoy the music and the atmosphere, not just the show.
sung by musicians playing instruments such as the dobro and mandolin.
Hartford has expanded bluegrass to fit his audiences. Anyone can enjoy bluegrass the way he plays it, even if he is not a bluegrass fan, because the music is pure fun.
Hartford was born in New York City but has lived in St. Louis most of his life. He started his professional career as a studio musician in Nashville. Later the Smothers Brothers hired him to write songs and dialogue for their television show.
Glen Campbell was the next entertainer to hire Hartford for television work. Hartford wrote one of the songs that Campbell made famous, "Gentle on My Mind," which he sang at the concert after working with Campbell for the benefit of being touring and making records by himself.
Hartford has a wide repertoire of special effects he uses in his songs. He can make the most amazing sounds with his mouth, such as the sound of a machine in his song "Washing Machine."
He becomes a three-piece band as his feet dance a slick percussion beat, his mouth makes crazy sound effects and his hands play the banjo, fiddle or guitar.
After a fast and generally rowdy first set with songs such as "Mississippi Girl," "Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms!" and "Genuine Aeroplane," Hartford wound down to a hymnal plane and ended with two gospel songs.
He bowed and turned to leave, but before he could get off the stage, the crowd's cheered.
Finally, he left the audience dancing in the aisles with "Turn your Radio On."
John Hartford is truly a magical showman.
Jazz festival to feature KU, 10 high schools
Ten high school and two KU jazz ensemble will perform tomorrow at the second annual Jayhawk Invitational Jazz Festival in Murphy Hall.
Jazz educators Rich Matthews and Willie Thomas will be the guest artists and choreographers.
The festival was organized by James Barnes, staff arranger and assistant to the director of band ensembles. Barnes said high school jazz groups from Lawrence, Olathe, Emperor, Hutchinson, Wellington, Seaman in Topeka, Shawne Mouth South, Lakehead Heights, Shawnee Mills, Mo. and Chillicothe, Mo., would perform during the day.
The two top KU jazz ensembles and two Kansas Music Educators Association District I honor jazz ensembles also will perform. Barnes said.
Matteson and Thomas will conduct an Improvisation Clinic at 3:30 p.m. in the Studio Building, where Joining them as judges for the clinic will be Charles Berg, assistant professor of radio-television-film, and Richard Wright, founder of KANU-FM and host for "The Jazz Scene."
Barnes said individual clinics for different jazz instruments would be held throughout the spring semester.
Matteson and Thomas will perform with the KU Jazz Ensemble I, conducted by Barnes, at 5:30 p.m. in the University Theatre.
sua films
Friday & Saturday, March 9 & 10 THE 13TH INTERNATIONAL TOURNEE OF ANIMATION
Our annual festival this year includes 15 award winning short animated films of fiction and fantasy from around the world including the Academy award film "Sand Castle" and the Nymphs Festival winner "The Fight."
Monday, March 19
Lillian Hellman:
THE LITTLE FOXES
Dir. William Wylier, with Bette Davis,
Herbert Marshall, Teresa Wright.
Written by Lillian Hellman, from her
play, Davies gives one of her greatest
performances as the greedy and ruthless
girl who embodies everything for wealth and status.
Tuesday, March 20
INVASION OF
THE BODY SNATCHERS
Dir. Don Siegel, wwk McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Sam Peckinphas as the gas meter reader. This print restores the film to its original intended form before its first release. Compare this with Sutherland's re-released film with Donald Sutherland.
Dr. William Cameron Menzies; with Helena Carter, Jimmy Hunt. The in-depth exploration of earth's brains, the brains of little boy who is the only girl who lives there.
INVADERS FROM MARS
Wednesday, March 21
Antonionti:
L'AVENTURA
Dir. Micheleangelo Antonioni, with Monica Vittori, Gabia Ferazetti. The film that made Antonioni famous. Italy/subtitles.
(1960)
All films M-R shown in Woodruff Aud.
at 7:30 unless otherwise noted. $1.00
admission
Weekend shows also in Woodruff at 3:00, 7:00, 9:30 or 12 midnight unless otherwise noted; $1.50 admission.
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