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Show www.dailyutahchronicle.cor ► 5 ARTS Thursday January 30, 2014 REVIEW `A Few Good Men' explores justice honor , Lynette Randall STAFF WRITER The famous quote, "You can't handle the truth!" has made its rounds through countless movies and books, but it originated from the 1989 play, "A Few Good Men" by Aaron Sorkin. It was later depicted in the popular 1992 film starring Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore. This story now graces the Pioneer Theatre Company's stage with a stellar cast and a solemn depiction. The topics of military, justice and truth are brought up in this famed piece. When two marines are charged with murder and conspiracy at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, authorities in Washington D.C. question the storyline supplied by the Cuba-based marines. Thus, a riveting storyline unravels as the search for truth emerges and the controversial topics of military Code Reds (extreme hazing) and rebellion against higher authorities are made known. It is this gripping story that director Karen Azenberg beautifully orchestrates at the Pioneer Theatre. With costume and scenic designers Carol Wells-Day and James Noone at the helm, a seamless naval environment is represented in a minimal and well-ordered way. The stunningly regimented Corey Allen depicts Lance Cpl. Harold W. Dawson, one of the marines being charged with murder. Fellow marine Pfc. Louden Downey is played by Austin Archer. The duet performance between the two sustains the reverence and solemnity the situation demands. While being charged for murder, both marines uphold their naval code and place high honor above all other priorities. Coming to their aid is Joe Tapper as Lt. Daniel Kaffee, a witty and smart-mouthed lawyer. Kaffee's eventual desire for truth brings to light the misdeeds committed by high Naval authorities and ultimately saves Dawson and Downey from a guilty title and time in prison. Tapper is brilliant in his easeful ways and complete surrender to Kaffee's unique character. His whole-hearted performance is the livelihood within this play, and he is the initiator of on-stage chemistry between the cast and ensemble. Helping Kaffee is passionate and overbearing Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway played by Kate Middleton. Middleton's concise portrayal solidifies Galloway's determination and resilience to help the sentenced marines, and she works quite well with Tapper as duo lawyers and partners in justice. Amidst the heavy Cuban conversations and tension-filled courtroom scenes, comedic relief arrives in the form of Lt. Sam Weinberg, played by Spencer Moses. Moses redirects audience's attention toward the frivolity and frankly humor- PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX WEISMAN Cast members from "A Few Good Men" Left to right: Joe Tapper (Kaffee), Spencer Moses (Weinberg) and Kate Middleton (Galloway). ous situations sparsely scattered throughout the play. Torsten Hillhouse stars as Col. Nathan R. Jessep, Jessep being the Naval superior who ordered Dawson and Downey to carry out the Code Red. Accompanying Hillhouse is Amos Omer, who portrays extremist Lt. Jonathan Kendrick. Together, Hillhouse and Omer depict the darker side within the military and bring the honor code to an entirely new level. The absolute drive and raw passion both actors display while depicting these complex characters brings another dimension to the performance and leaves the audience collectively gripping the edge of its seat. The play runs through Feb. 8. Two free tickets for U students can be obtained an hour before the show during rush. l.randall@chronicle.utah.edu SLC citizens urge UPAC to include a digital organ Dylan Griffin STAFF WRITER years. In order to create it, the band set a $50,000 goal on Kickstarter, a website that helps fund creative endeavors. Desperate for new music, die-hard fans contributed money to the project, and in less than 24 hours, the band's goal had been exceeded. The title track "New Constellation" kicks off the album with soaring harmonies, soft guitar hooks and an infectious rhythm. This song, although simple in structure, presents the album's theme — learning to be happy. "Mostly [the new album] is about being aware, being present and treating happiness as a practice instead of an entitlement," Phillips said. Another stand out track is "I'll Bet on You." This song approaches pain and heartbreak but offers a different point of view — people make it through the hard things in life by focusing on the positive things. "We've all been hurt/ It's nothing new/ Just bet on me/ 'Cause I'll bet on you." Toad the Wet Sprocket will perform at The Depot this Friday with guest artist Jonathan Kingham. Doors open at 7 p.m. The new Utah Performing Arts Center is a hot topic on Salt Lake City's discussion board. Slated to begin construction this year, the UPAC hopes to be fully operational by the spring or summer of 2016. The main purpose of it — to attract the first-run of touring Broadway productions and to culturally enrich Utah. The question being brought up by citizens: will there be room for an organ? With any debate, there are two sides at play. Leading the front in favor of having an organ installed is Blaine Gale, chief organist at The Organ Loft. He advocates the possibility of doing live organ accompaniments with film for multiple reasons. He believes the UPAC can act as a temporary arts center for the American Autism Association. "The UPAC theater can be a place for research and therapy for aging people with deterioration and autism. [The] American Autism Association has a treatment guided research initiative here. They need venues for the research to go forward," Gale said. Gale also talked about whether a pipe organ or a digital organ would suit the UPAC best. He thinks the instrument would have to move from room to room. Gale also believes choosing a specific brand is vital. "This moveable console must be of a digital instrument," Gale said. "My personal interest has been swayed to digital organs by playing current Allen theater organs and current Walker theater organs. I recommend the Walker to the city. It's not cheaper, just a better investment. I can identify by the sound an Allen instrument. I cannot identity the sound of a Walker instrument, it sounds just like a pipe." Art Raymond, spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office spoke about the practicality and reality of implementing the cost of an organ into the finding plans. "An organ is not on our list. However, this auditorium is designed for great acoustics. The design is intended to be multifunctional for musical theater, stage plays and concerts. [With] any public project of this scope, there is a year's long process of reaching out to members of our community to get ideas. Those ideas from community meetings are voted on by a council. It's a $114 million project, and that money does not pay for everything that everyone would want," Raymond said. It seems at a stage this late in the game, the likelihood of getting a theater organ in the UPAC is very slim. Nonetheless, time could tell otherwise. Public interest is what drives change in these matters. If a campaign to get a theater organ in the UPAC exists after the completion of construction, the UPAC may reconsider housing a digital organ. s.meyer@chronicle.utah.edu d.griffin@chronicle.utah.edu PHOTO COURTESY OF ROB SHANAHAN Band members of Toad The Wet Sprocket pose for a photo. Toad the Wet Sprocket tours 'New Constellation' Shawna Meyer STAFF WRITER In 1975, Eric Idle from "Monty Python" created the fictional band Toad the Wet Sprocket for his sketch "Rock Notes." To the comedic genius, it was just a silly name. He thought no one would be crazy enough to use it. However, in 1986, four teenagers from California used the name as a joke at their first gig, and the name stuck. Since then, the band Toad the Wet Sprocket has gone on to sell millions of albums, which has allowed them to extensively tour North America and Europe. The group includes lead singer Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning and drummer Randy Guss. These four friends attended San Marcos High School together in 1986. They met during choir and theater classes and bonded over their shared love of music. The band's first two albums, released in 1989 and 1990, made small splashes. Then, in 1991, with the release of their third album "Fear," the band achieved commercial success. The songs "All I Want" and "Walk on the Ocean" reached epic levels of fame, and to this day, it is impossible not to sing along with them. Toad the Wet Sprocket released several albums after "Fear," which all produced hits. Unfortunately, like many bands before them, tensions became too much, and the band officially broke up in July of 1998. Although partially dissolved, the group members remained on relatively good terms, and they continued to play shows together sporadically. "We broke up for all the usual 'behind the music' reasons — pick an episode. We didn't burn bridges with each other though, so we were able to play shows here and there. At some point, [playing together] started to feel vital again, so we kept on doing it," said Glen Phillips, the band's vocalist. Each member pursued other paths while simultaneously playing short sets as Toad the Wet Sprocket. In fact, from 2002 to 2008, the band played a handful of shows throughout the United States. Then, in 2010, the band announced they were working on new music again. Released in October of 2013, "New Constellation" is the band's first studio album in 16 |