University Daily Kansan / Friday, February 15. 1991
9
Arts and Entertainment
'Into the Woods' adds twist to familiar yarns
By Sarah Davis Kansan staff writer
Kansan staff writer
Be careful of the things you say. Children will listen.
Children will see and learn.
These are samples of the lessons the audience will be exposed to during the performance of "into the Woods," the award-winning musical from Much Auditorium. Members of the cast hope to express this message.
Bob Rorn, a member of the cast,
said the play was trying to tell people
to be aware of the decisions they
made and take responsibility
for what they do.
"The theme and moral of the play is to be careful of what you tell children," he said in a telephone interview from Peoria, Ill.
The 17-member cast has been touring since September, and the University of Kansas will be its 6th stop.
The musical is an adult fairy tale. Familiar characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack, of Jack and the Beanstalk, and Cinderella are involved in adventures that revolve around the story of a witch who has been given have a child but cannot because of a curse put on them by a witch.
To break the curse, the couple must go on a journey to find four items: a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, a cow as white as milk and a slipper as pure as gold. Each item is tied to one of the familiar fairy tale characters. For example, the search for the red cap weaves in the character of Little Red Riding Hood.
"Into the Woods" is the 1988 winner
of three Tony Awards and the New
Critics Circle Award for best musical
The musical was written by Stephen Sondheim in collaboration with James Lapine. Sondheim is the creator of "West Side Story" and "Gypsy."
The first act is based on a traditional fairy-tale plot, right up to the point of happily ever after.
The second act explores what hap pens after happily ever after.
"All of a sudden we all thrown together in a crisis," said Dorn, who plays Jack, of Jack and the Beanstalk
He said the musical dealt with issues that were present in the real world, such as adultery, divorce, cheating and stealing.
"It's fun to take fairy-tale characters that we've all grown up with and turn them into real people," he said.
This performance was brought to KU as an opportunity for people to see a professional theater work, said Jacqueline Davis, director of KU concert series.
"We want the people of Lawrence to hear the Broadway musical of 1986," she said.
The performance is presented by KU concert series and Payless Shoe Source as part of a national tour
Mark Ferrell, assistant professor of music, said he encouraged students to attend.
a professional touring group, it's an opportunity for students as well as the community people to experience live theater." Ferrell said.
"Any time you have a chance to see
Kirsten Fitzgerald, Glencoe, III.
And anyone could benefit from theater.
"It itps them up to a new area of life," she said.
The music in Sondheim's production is of high quality and is well-developed. Ferrell said.
"It’s the classical music of Broadway," he said. "The way he combines music with words is very origi- tic; music sometimes asks you to think."
The audience will have the chance to do more than just think
A free workshop will be offered to the public today from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in room 330 Murphy Hall.
Members of the cast will sing selections from the musical and will talk about Sondheim and his work as well as answer any questions people might have about the theater business.
Jeannie Mellinger, education coordinator for KU concert series who helped set up the workshop, said, "I hope that students will get a real taste of what being in musical theater is really like."
The musical will be presented at 8 p.m. tonight in Hoch Auditorium. All tickets are reserved and are being sold at the Murphy Hall Box Office. Prices are $9 and $7.50 for KU students.
Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf meet in the musical "Into the Woods."
REVIEWS
MOVIES
'Sleeping' is good enjoyable thriller
The movie is based on the novel by Nancy Price and focuses on the story of Martin Burney, a rich, Eastern-bred financial consultant. He is played with eerie conviction by Patrick Bergin.
"Sleeping with the Enemy" is a good movie despite its somewhat commercialized packaging of a fatal attraction-type husband and the star power-punch of Hollywood beauty Julia Roberts.
His submissive and abused wife, Laura, is played by Roberts. Once again, Roberts proves that she's not only beautiful; she also can act. Her terror is real as she escapes from Martin's moody and violent rampages and hides out in a small Iowa town.
It is here that Laura meets Ben, a college drama teacher who seems intent on making her forget about the horrors she left back East. Ben is adorable in an Anderson, who is adorable as the bearded knight in shining armor.
The movie is suspenseful thanks to the exceptional acting of Bergin, and we truly want justice to be served to this monstrous character. But however, the movie's believable love interest that counters the evil aspect of the movie.
Although "Sleeping with the Enemy" has its cinematic moments, it would have been even more effective if the film had delved into the psychological aspects of Martin's and Laura's ensuing romance.
■ Kristine Curley, Special to the Kauai.
MUSIC
Maggie's Dream surprising blend
I wasn't sure exactly what to expect when I slipped in the tape of the New York funk-pop Maggie's Dream, which takes its name from the book about Black America entitled "Maggie's American Dream." I was, however, pleasantly surprised at what I heard.
For those who like comparisons, the quintet sounds like Lenny Kravitz, which is no surprise because the group and Kravitz have collaborated in previous musical endeavors. The music is not quite reggae, nor is it the alternative kind of music found in many college students' music collections. The sound of "Maggie's Dream" is an eclectic blend of both.
Although Maggie's Dream is not the best new band I've listened to lately, their album does contain some songs that merit listening.
Kristine Curley, Special to the Kansan
The band also uses additional contributing musicians to add even more groove to their funky tunes. Instruments such as the trumpet, piano, trombone and tenor sax in the album's first song, "Change for the Better," show the band's ability to mesh these instruments with lyrics and the band's own established instruments.
The self-titled album consists of songs in which all five members contribute vocally. This mix of voices provides a nice change of pace from the single lead vocalist found in most of the group's albums. That changes to the surface the group's ability to use their voices to deliver an effective song.
Composers to premiere works at KU
By Sarah Davis
Two international music stars will present premiere performances of their most recent works while performing with the KU Symphonic Band during its formal winter concert.
Kansan staff writer
Alen Vizzuti, trumpet soloist, will play the premiere of his recent work, "New Age. Concerto for Trumpet," which he completed in December.
Stephen Dodgson, a British composer, recently finished a major piece. "Flowers of London Tower."
which also will be performed for the first time.
Foster said that the concert would be a great opportunity for both listeners and performers to grow musically.
Symphonic Band has been selected to perform at the association's national convention.
"It's really an honor to get to
The concert, which is free, will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Crafton-Prever Theatre in Murphy Hall.
perform their pieces," he said.
Both Dodgson and Vizzetti came to the Kansas City area to attend the convention and then agreed to come to KU and perform. Their premiere pieces, which they wrote specifically for the convention, will be played along with other selections at the Kansas City performance.
The KU Symphonic Band is one of only five university concert bands or wind ensembles from the United States to be selected to perform at the 50th anniversary convention of the College Band Directors National Association. The concert will be at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday in White Recital Hall at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Tickets for the Kansas City concert are available through the UMKC Careers
This is the first time the KU
CALENDAR
Friday
■ "Presumed Innocent," SUA Movie, 7 and 9:30 p.m., Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union, $2.50
SUA trip to see Kansas City Blades hockey game, leave at 6 p.m., sign up at SUA office, $18. includes transportation and game ticket.
SUA Coffeehouse, impromptu entertainment, 7.30 p.m., Big Eight Room, Kansas Union, far
■ Uncle Tupelo and Ricky Dean, 9:30 p.m., The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. $4.
"Under the Sea," residence hall formal, 8 to 11 p.m. Alvamar Country Club, 1809 Crossgate Dr., free for resident hall members and guests.
Ida McBeth and Friends, 9:30 p.m.
The Jazzhaus, $926\frac{1}{2}$ Massachusetts St.
**"into the Woods,"** Concert Series, 8 p.m. Hock Auditorium, tickets at Murphy Hall Box Office, student tickets at SUA office
Felix, 9 p.m., Just a Playhouse, 806
W. 24th St., $3
S4
- Waiting for Godot*, Inge Theatre
8 p.m. i.p.m. Inge Theatre, Murphy
Hall 12c, Inge Theatre
Hall 12c, Inge Theatre
The Mood, 9:30 p.m., The Mad Hatter 704 New Hamshire St. $2
Movie, midnight, Woodruff Auditorium.
Kansas Union, $2.50.
"Athens, GA - Inside Out," SUA
Saturdav
■ "A Room with a View." SUA Movie, 4 p.m. Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union, $2.
*Wailing for Godot.* *Iege Theatre Series*, 2:30 and 8 p.m. *Iege Theatre, Murphy Hall*, tickets at Murphy Hall Box Office
Kansas City Jazz Review, photo exhibit through Feb. 22, SUA Gallery, tree
■ "Presumed Innocent," SUA Movie, 7 and 9.30 p.m., Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union, $2.50
Felix, 9 p.m., Just a Playhouse, 806
W, 24th St. $3
Baggadh Jones and Camberwell Green. 9:30 p.m. The Bottleneck. 737
Two Mile Death Plunge and Second Chance 9:30 p.m. Hashinger Hall theatrical
- The Mood, 9:30 p.m. The Mad Hatter,
- ^4 New Hampshire St., $2
Ida McBeth and Friends, 9:30 p.m.
The Jazzhaus, 926½ Massachusetts St..
S4
"Athens, GA - Inside Out." SUA
Athens, GA - Inside Out. SOA
Movie, midnight, Woodruff Auditorium,
Kansas Union. $2.50
Sunday
■ "Pursued Innocent," SUA movie, 2 p.m., Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union, $2.50
■ Winter Concert. University Symphonic
Murphy, 2:30 p.m., Crafton-Preyer Theatre,
Murphy Hall, tree
"Waiting for Godot," Inge Theatre Series, 8 p.m. Igo Theatre, Murphy Hall, tickets at Murphy Hall Box Office.
Baghdad Jones, Parler Frogs, and Monterey Jack, 9:30 p.m. The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., $5.
Monday
Open mike, 9:30 p.m., The Bot-
KU Jazz Ensemble I concert, Allen Vizzuti, guest trumpeter, 8 p.m., Swarthout Recital Hall, free.
Tuesday
"Birdy," SUA movie, 7 p.m., Woodruf Auditorium, Kansas Union, $2.
University Chors and Brass concert
"To St. Cecilia," 8 p.m., Crafton-Preyer
Torah, Murphy Hall, free
Random Aztech and Bush Ranger,
9:30 p.m. The Bottleneck, 737 New
Hampshire St., $3.
Wednesday
Thursday
■ "Birdy," SUA Movie, 7 p.m., Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union, $2
Butch Hancock & Jesse Taylor and Jolly Ranchers, 9:30 p.m. The Bottleneck, 73 New Hampton St. $5, 12
- "Exterminating Angel," SUA Movie, 7 p.m., Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union, 82
Maggie's Dream and Season To Risk.
9:30 p.m., The Bottlezone, 737 New Hampshire St. $5.
Lonnie Ray's Blues Jam. 9:30 p.m.
The Jazzhaus, 926½ Massachusetts St., $1.
Used & new compact discs,
LPs & cassettes -
low prices,
Love Garden Sounds
936 1/2 Mass. St. (upstairs)
843-1551 Open 7 days
"in the heart of downtown"
STAFF WANTED
Coed Overnight Camp of the Jewish Community Centers of
Chicago, Located in the Wisconsin Dells.
Positions Available: Counselors, Specialists in Waterskiing, Sports, Swimming, Art, Tennis, Photography, Ropes Course, Nurses, Etc.
Campus interviewing February 20,1991.
Call for an interview at the University Placement Center ph. # 864-3624
as contact Harrell Wittstein at (709)273 2301
or contact Harrell Wittenstein at (708)272-2301.
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