| OCR Text |
Show Signpost Tuesday, July 12, 1988 5 H 1 , 6 v & rr What is ulrl? What is Entertainment? Pete Tesch Arts & Entertainment Editor I'm sure that you've have gotten into many fights with your parents and friends on the difference between arts and entertainment. Some saying that the arts are for the more sophisticated people and entertainment is simply for the base clement of our society. Then there is the other opinion where the arts are for the snobbish folks and entertainment is for the common man, the blue collar worker. A lot of people get the two terms totally confused. You might have heard some classic jazz(calling it art) and listened to Bach saying, "Well, it's o.k., it passes time." There is a definite line and division between arts and entertainment. But what makes it harder to define is that the two can, and often do cross into each other. Let's look at art first. Webster has a couple definitions for art. 1) Any system of rules and traditional methods for the practice of a craft, trade, or profession; the application of knowledge and skill. 2) Works designed to give intellectual pleasure, as music, sculpture, and pictorial reprcstation. Art is, to many people, classic paintings, and music. It's Chopin, Goya, and Shakespeare. No, it's not Alabama, finger painting, and Harlequin romances. It's the aspiration to achieve a higher level of conscience and intellect. It deals more in progression, instead of the fall of civilization. But one of the many problems the common people have is that they think only upper class will enjoy it and that it's too hard to understand. If the music doesn't have a pulsating beat, or if the painting doesn't have the meaning written down so we can tell what the artist wanted to portray, it's no good. The biggest falsehood is, "If it doesn't entertain me, it stinks." Art can be very entertaining. The problem is that you might have to use a little brain power. You just can't shut off your cerebral system and hope you enjoy it. Perhaps a good parallel would be reading. Remember when your parents had no t.v. and there only source of entertainment was the old lamp and a book. Yes, reading was the only form of entertainment. You developed imagination. This was entertainment then. Now it's five bucks and an hour and a half escape into the lives of other people trying to save the world in an unrealistic car chase in cement trucks. Now the last thing I'm trying to do is say that we shouldn't be entertained. Entertainment for some people is a need. Life sometimes gives them that only escape, they should take it. Webster says to entertain is afford amusement or diversion. After studying for a lest or working a forty hour week, we could all use a little entertainment. Entertainment can be anything from going out and buying a tape of your favorite artist to going to see your little sister in the school play. Entertainment is there to divert you. It's so important to some that they spend incredible amounts of money. Entertainment is so vital to us that you see all your favorite entertainers in sports, movies, and music making more money that the world leaders. So if it isn't art is it bad? NO! we need it. A world with only one kind of painting, one kind of music, or one type of writing would be extremely boring. Try sitting in front of the t.v. and watching The Cosby Show straight for 24 hours. You would probably throw-up. Just like you would if you only had one CD. to listen to for the next 12 months. The thing you should try to do more than anything else is expose yourself to all different kinds of cultures, art styles, and entertainment. There is nothing to lose but there is the chance that a whole new world can be open up to us. Actors make "The Wiz" entertaining B Reua Smith Editor-in-Chief The Utah Musical Theatre's production of "The Wiz" could actually be re-titled "The Wiz, Sort Of." Anyone who was privileged enough to see the original stage production knows it was a musical that exaggerated black cultural stereotypes to create a delicious and "bad" remake of the classic "The Wizard of Oz." In the original version, the rhythm was black, the dialogue was black, the movements were black, and the people were black. Unfortunately, some of UMT's cast weren't quite the right color, and consequently some of the wonderful ambience of the original stage version is lost. Now that that is over with, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the "integrated" version of "The Wiz." It is a very entertaining, well-staged production, and should not be missed. It also presented some of the best talent I have seen on the Allred Theater's stage. LaTonya D. Holmes was perfect in the part of Dorothy, the scared little girl who discovers her strengths through her experience in Oz. Her voice was even reminiscent of Stephanie Mills, who originated the part. Blair Bybce, Jeff Johnson and Michael Allen Taylor were also excellent in their parts of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion, respectively. Bybce's acrobatics were strong and high, Johnson's tap dancing was catchy, and Taylor's grumbly growls were effective and entertaining. Jill Jessop's version of the scatter-brained witch Addcrpcrle, and the good witch Glinda showed a good range, and brought more than a few laughs from the audience. By far the best voice of the cast was that of Patricia Pendleton who played Aunt Em and the evil witch Evilline. Be warned, her opening number is going to knock your socks off, and the cast has a hard time matching the goosebump factor. The costumes were excellent, and the many technical effects were impressive. I'd encourage anyone who needs a night on the town to "Ease on Down the Road" to the Allred Theater and catch one of the most entertaining productions you'll find in Ogdcn. XT ' ' A BQDBBHH B B B B a B B B B fl fl B B fl B B B E B B B B & Smumdaie With this ad get two scoops of your favorite delicious Baskin-Robbins ice-cream, the topping of your choice, real cream, nuts and topped with a cherry. International creams additional offer valid thru July 31 - no limit on sundaes 3675 Harrison Blvd. 1140 Washington Blvd. (across from the college) BASKIN BOBBINS a B fl fl fl B B a B a B B 3 B B fl B B B B fl B B B B fl I B B B K "B E fl fl J |
