Kansan Summer Weekly
Wednesday, June 24, 1987
7
Arts and Entertainment
Fred Astaire dies, dance profession loses top partner
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Fred Astaire, whose debonair elegance and flowing, graceful style made him the most acclaimed dancer in movie history, died Monday of pneumonia. He was 88.
He died at Century City Hospital at 4:25 a.m., said spokesman Stan Otake. Another spokesman said that Astaire had been admitted June 12.
Astaire enchanted movie-goers for generations, dancing with firecrackers, coat racks and beautiful women from Ginger Rogers to Cyd Charisse with an ease that made ballet stars envious.
In the movies, Astaire was known for wearing white tie and tails, but he disliked wearing the formal attire. He credited his producers and sister, his first dancing partner, with his success.
"I'm not trying to be modest, but I never thought about myself as number one," he told The New York Times when he turned 80. "I'm cold-blooded about dancing. I wanted to make it good, then make it better."
"I never thought a funny-looking guy like me would be suitable for pictures," Astaire once said. A studio executive once dismissed him with the curt words: "Can't act. can't sing . . . balding . . . can dance a little." His only Oscar, in 1949, was honorary.
Rogers, who appeared in 10 films with Astaire, said that he was a *M*, a "first-class" actor.
But ballet choreographer George BALanchain called him "the greatest dancer in the world." Ballet star Mihakh Baryshnikov praised his "perfection," and songwriter Irving Berlin said, "I'd rather have Fred Astaire sing my songs than anyone else."
"I'd like to say I admired and adored Fred very, very much," she said. "I don't think there's another one like him. He'll always have my love and admiration."
"He was the best, the greatest," said George Burns, who appeared with Astaire in the film, "A Damsel in Distress."
Astaire was born Frederic Austerlitz in Omaha, Neb., on May 10, 1899. Their father was a beer salesman, and their mother had ambitions for her two children. She enrolled them in dancing school, then she took the
children to New York for professional training in 1906. Soon the youngsters were touring vaudeville under their new name, Astaire.
In 1917, the dancing pupat graduated to Broadway with Over the Top, and for the next 15 years they starred in New York and London.
In 1931, Adèle announced that she was retiring to marry Lord Charles Cavendish, son of the Duke of Devonshire. So Astaire returned to the stage as a solo act before heading to Hollywood.
A Paramount executive who saw Astaire's 1930 screen test dismissed him, but RKO signed him and loaned him to MGM for his film debut, dancing with Joan Crawford in the 1933 Dancing Lady.
His first film for RKO was *Flying Down to Rio*, and his partner was a dancer named Ginger Rogers. The combination was magical, and they went on to star in a series of musical hits, including the *The Gay Divorcee*, and *Top Hat*.
After starring with Rogers in many movies, Astaire never again had the same movie partner more than twice.
Depression America was entranced by the suave Astaire in his immaculate clothes. But in his autobiography, *Steps in Time*, he confessed, "At the risk of disillusionment, I must admit that I don't like top hats, white ties and tails. I am always arriving at dinner parties not wearing a dinner jacket when I should, or vice versa ... The carefree, the dressed-dress, the debonair Fred Astaire! What a myth!"
Although he and Rogers parted in 1939 except for a 1949 reunion, The Barkleys of Broadway, they were a team forever in the public mind. Rogers went on to serious roles and won an Oscar, but she complained in 1977, "How would you feel if you divorced a spouse 20 years ago and I gave up? How would you derelful old spouse was? That's how I feel about Fred. We had a wonderful time together, but it was long ago."
He continued his starring with such actresses as Rita Hayworth, Eleanor Powell, Judy Garland, Jane Powell, Cyd Charisier, Leslie Caron and Audrey Hepburn. The films included Holiday Inn, You Were Never Lovelier, Blue Skies, Easter Parade, Three Little Words, Royal Wedding.
With Swimmimg to Cambodia, Spaulding Gray has hit a home run with two strikes against him.
By JOHN BENNER
Editor
Strike one: Gray is not exactly a household name. Strike two: Cambodia is a one-man show, and consists of Gray sitting behind a table and relating his escapades in Thailand during the filming of The Killing Fields.
But Gray delivers in the clutch and provides the audience with 87 minutes of monologue paced at breakneck speed. Although an hour-and-a-half speech might seem like a boring proposition, Gray proves himself to be an enthralling yarn-spinner with insight that, ironically, could come only from a man who describes himself as less than worldly.
Gray wrote the script for this tale and weaves together diverse accounts of getting a very small part in The Killing Fields, of his relationship with his girlfriend, of the dwindling days of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam and of the acrobatics he has witnessed in a Thai bordello.
Somehow, by the end of the show, Gray has combined all of these life-chapters and more into a single story whose title might be "Looking For the Perfect Moment."
Gray's props include only a pointer and two maps. Lighting and the sound effects of war are combined
with a score by fellow performance artist Laurie Anderson to set the mood for the tale. Clips from The Killing Fields are shown to illustrate Gray's recounting of his part in certain scenes.
Gray delivers his monologue with a sometimes contrived naivete that allows the viewer additional insight into the oft-glorified life of the big-time movie actor and world traveler. He describes the Thai people as a civilization that, unlike Jews he says, can enjoy themselves without guilt.
He describes Manhattan as "a nice island off the coast of America." In painstaking detail, he relates the astounding uses Thai women have found for their bodies, all in the name of pleasure.
Snaulding Grav stars in Swimming to Cambodia
However, Gray breaks from his naive mode to get down to the meat of the film: his political views about the U.S. involvement in Vietnam and Cambodia. Even in this more scholarly chapter he injects some of his unique black humor. He describes bombers as "airborne Holiday Inns." He speculates that Khmer Rouge youths were unable to kill civilians with a single blow to the head because they were weakened by a
Gray says he likes the Russian navy because their ships have no electronic intercoms. He likes Soviets because they "talk through toilet paper rolls" in order to communicate.
diet of jungle lizards
He finally finds his "perfect moment" while nearly drowning in the Gulf of Siam. He has sworn to his girlfriend that he will return to New York after he has found his perfect moment, so he bids farewell to the rest of the cast and crew to depart.
last Gray witticism. He says he has been fascinated by Thailand and charmed by its people. Because Thailand has been the stand-in for Cambodia for the filming of The Killing Fields, he describes his longing for Thailand by saying it is "Cambodia, a land beyond imagination, and too far to swim to."
At the end, we are treated to one
Summer Youth Theatre
Showcase for young local talent to produce 'Mame' this weekend
Arts editor
By CAROLINE REDDICK
Art editor
Some junior and senior high school students aren't spending the summer hanging out at the pool or mowing lawns. Instead, they are performing in the Summer Youth Theatre.
Their efforts can be seen in a production of "Mame" at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St. The matinee show starts at 2 p.m. Sunday.
The Summer Youth Theatre is sponsored by the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department and the Lawrence Arts Center. Fred DeVictor, director of Parks and Recreation, left for the theatre 14 years ago. In the first year, nearly 35 children participated in the theatre.
Candi Baker, coordinator for Summer Youth Theatre, said that this summer about 120 students were involved in the program.
“There are so many kids in it that the program is bursting at the seams.” Baker said. “It’s exciting because there are teenagers coming out of the walls all summer.”
This summer, the program was expanded to include a musical, a drama, a touring company, showcase theatres and workshops.
“It’s exciting that everything’s growing,” Baker said. “But on the other hand we have to be creative in our solutions to fit everybody in.”
Students audition for the musical, the drama and the touring show. Those who don't get a part in one of the three productions have a chance to perform on stage in the showcase theatres. Baker said that although the showcase productions weren't advertised, they were attended by many of the students' relatives and friends.
"It gives the kids some good performance experience," she said.
"We're working to build a stronger pool of talent.
quality theatrical and educational experience
Baker said that the budget was increased to $14,000 for this sum.
"This is the first year we've increased the budget considerably." Baker said. "Everytime I work on it, it comes out different. I hope we have enough to meet the direct expenses of the shows and staff involved, let alone have money that goes toward paying the expenses of things like duplicating and postage and advertising."
Students pay $60 to participate in the program for one month, Baker said.
"We also have a scholarship program," she said. "No one is excluded from the program for financial reasons. If the $60 is to high for a
family, we find a way to work it out, either with a work scholarship or a straight scholarship."
Susie Rutledge, who plays the title role in "Mame", said that this was the fourth year she had participated in Summer Youth Theatre.
"The program is really growing this year and it's a very good cast in that they do everything the director tells them to." Rutledge said. "It's a very close and supportive group and they're good at keeping the energy level high.
The touring company will perform at Independence Days. They will also perform in the downtown Brown Bag Lunch series on July 24.
Darcy Chang/KANSAN
Strike up the band
David Neely, Lawrence resident, plays a number on the bartonite sax. Neely played with the Lawrence City Union Band last Wednesday at
South Park during the Concerts in the Park series sponsored by Lawrence Parks and Recreation and Musicians Union Local 512.
KU theatre in the dark lights will shine again
Arts editor
By CAROLINE REDDICK
Even though recent budget cuts forced the University summer theatre program to be canceled, staff members expressed hope for future products.
that was the first time in 39 years
that a theater program had been canceled.
"This is hopefully the only summer we'll have to be in the dark," Kathy Prory, assistant to the director of the University theatre program, said recently. "We don't anticipate this going on every year."
The director of University Theatre and chairman of the theatre and media arts department, Ron Willis, said the program was canceled because of the state's rescission of 3.8 percent of the University's 1987 budget.
"When liberal arts and sciences rescinded the money, there was less for the summer session. The absence of money in the summer budget made it impossible to go forward with our plans for summer theatre." Willis said. "We were another one of the casualties of the cutbacks.
"But I have high hopes for next year. Everyone recognizes the worth and value of having the summer theatre."
He said the usual summer season included two or three costs showing
nearly $32,000. That figure included the costs of royalties, sets, props, costumes, makeup, advertising, programs and personnel. This sum
'It would not be educationally or artistically defensible to try to put on a show with the money we had.'
- Ron Willis
mer, the department had about $4,000 to spend, Willis said.
"It would not be educationally or artistically defensible to try to put on a show with the money we had," Willis said.
Pryor said the theatre department considered options to the summer season before deciding to cancel the entire program.
"We tried to pull it together with what funds we had, but we just couldn't," she said.
The department is spending the $4,000 on remodeling the lobby of Murphy Hall. Willis said. The lobby is being painted and wallpapered, and the staff is building new furniture to go with the new look.
"Some of the stuff that was in there had been here as long as the building," Willis said.
Calendar
Today
8 a.m. — "Negotiations and Impasse,
" an all-day conference. For more information, call Loretta Carraher at 643-3123.
7 p.m. — “The Last Hurrah,” SUA film shown in Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas University. Admission is $2. Tickets are sold at the SUA office on level 4 of the building.
8 p.m. — Lawrence Community and Musicians Concert. Live music in South Park, 12th and Massachusetts streets.
8 p.m. in *Randall Walters Knewt*. 8 f.p.m. in *Randall Walters Knewt*. Orga-
nale for the University of California.
8 p.m. — Steven Barnhart. Percussion recital in Swarthout Recital Hall in Murphy Hall.
8 p.m. — Mark Holmberg, Carillon recital.
9 p.m. — The Ebeling Brothers. Live music at the Rock Chalk Bar, 618 W.
12th St. Cover charge is $1
Tomorrow
All day — Orientation for all new
students of Liberal Arts and Sciences
students and transfer students in the
Kansas Union.
9:30 p.m. — Lonnie Ray's Blues Jam. Live music at the Jazzhaus. 926½ Massachusetts St. Cover charge is $1
Noon — Chuck Berg performs during the Brown Bag Concert. Concert will be held in front of the First National Bank Building, 9th and Massachusetts streets. 7 p.m. "The American Past with Calder Pickett." KANU FM—91.5.
7 p.m. — "The Seven Samurai." SUA film shown in Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union. Admission is $2. Tickets are sold at the SUA office on level 4 of the Union.
7:30 p.m. — John Linder, will speak at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries Building, 12th and Oread streets. He is the brother of Benjamin Linder, the first U.S. volunteer killed in Nicaragua by the contras.
8 p.m. — Randall Wilkens, Organ recital in St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center.
8 p.m. — Steve Allen. Trumpet recital in Swarthout Recital Hall in Murphy Hall.
9 p.m. — Kwanzaa. Live music at the Rock Chalk Bar, 618 W. 12th St. No cover charge.
Fridav
v. 30 p.m. — Backsilders. Live music at the Jazzhaus, 92$1/2 Massachusetts St. Cover charge is $1.
7 p.m. — "Opera is My Hobby."
James Seaver, KAF UNM-91.5.
7:30 p.m. Midwestern Music Camp Panorama Hotel, in Swarthout回廊
7:30 p.m. -- Midwestern Music
Camp Jazz Ensemble Concert, in
the Auditorium of the University
of Kentucky
9 p.m. — Observatory open house, weather permitting, at the Clyde W. Tombaugh Observatory, 500 Lindley Hall. Call 864-3166 for more information.
    - Name This Band. Live music at the Rock Chalk Bar, 618 W. 12th St.
9:30 p.m. — Mackender-Hunt Band.
Live music at the Jazzhaus, 921%
Massachusetts St. Cover charge is $3
All day - Orientation for student entering the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in the Kansas Union.
Saturday
10 a.m. — "The Jazz Scene," Dick Wright, KANU FM-91.5
2 p.m. — Midwestern Music Camp Concert in Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.
9 a.m. — "The Vintage Jazz Show." Michael Maher. KAUN FM-91.5
9:30 p.m. — Mackender Hunt-Band.
Live music at the Jazzhaus. 926½
Massachusetts St. Cover charge is $3
9:30 a.m. Midwestern Music
In swarthout In Swarthout
Hall in Murray Hall
Sunday
3 p.m. — "The KU Concerts," KANLI-JFM 91.5
3 p.m. — Carillon recital. Albert Gorken, University carilloniste.
Monday
6:30 p.m. — Magic show, in Hoech
Auditorium; $5 for adults, $4 for children
Tuesday
9 a.m. — "WordPerfect III," a microcomputer workshop. For more information call 864-4291.
1 p.m. — "Introduction to Macintosh," a microcomputer workshop. For more information 864-4291.
8 p.m. — Midwestern Music Camp, a faculty and staff recital. Swarthout Recital Hall in Murphy Hall.