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Show 10 Signpost-Friday, May 17, 1985 Asssociated Actors and Technician's 5th of July opens next week Associated Actors and Technicans, a Weber State Theatre student organization, presents "5th of July," by Lanford Wilson. The play opens Thursday May 23. ' "5th of July" is alternately funny and moving. The show deals with a group of former student activists and the changes which have been wrought in their lives since leaving college. Lanford Wilson is considered to be one of modern theatre's most important writers. Rex Reed, in the New York Daily News said of the play, "This is one of the most incredibly well-written, beautiful, profound, and moving and often hilarious plays ever to be seen in the American theatre." Wilson's characters are mostly flamboyant and their dialogue crackles with wit and humor. Charles Ryweck of the Hollywood Reporter said "we are dazzled by Wilson's virtuoso writing." "5th of July" is an all-student produced play. The show is directed, designed, built, advertised and funded entirely by WSC students. A student productions of this type have been presented on alternate years for about a decade. The student production gives students as opportunity to participate in phases of production that are usually off-limits to them. This includes the selection of shows. Student productions tend to be more daring then regular Weber State Theatre season shows. Because of subject matter and mature language, "5th of July" is being publicized for mature audiences. The play is not recommended for children. The play is directed by John Morris, a graduating senior. The set designed by P. Randy Barker promises to be one of the most elaborate ever to be built in the Monson Theatre. Lights will be designed by Robert Vaughan. Cast of the play includes; Mauria Brough, Lucy Wilma, Brian West, Holly Mikesell-Morris, Michael Frazier, Shawn Nottingham, Gigi Gransden and Steve Keller. The play will run May 23-25 and May 30-June 1. Unlike regular Weber State Theatre productions, there will not be a Wednesday performance. Tickets are $3.50. May 23 and 24 are student nights, tickets are $2 with student l.D. card. Summerfest shines excitement by JaNae Barlow Entertainment Editor Ogden, Utah, and its neighboring cities, each year host the annual Summerfest celebration and the party lasts all summer. Dick Davis, director of WSC program bureau, said that summerfest represents a way to help make the public aware of festive things to do in the summer. It is a loose confederation of major art events from Bountiful to Brigham City. Summerfest is the brain-child of Dr. Sherwin Howard, dean of arts and humanities at Weber State College. Four years ago, Howard saw the posibility of turning Pioneer Days, an annual Ogden area event, into a positive opportunity for local talent to perform. "The goal in establishing Summerfest is to provide conditions necessary to help performing arts flourish in the Ogden area," Howard said. A main interest for Howard, and a big part of Summerfest, is the Utah Musical Theatre. Known until this year as the Golden Spike Repertory, the troupe is formed each year from national and local talent. "We want to put Ogden on the map for its summer repertory," Howard said. With audiences increasing every year, the theatre company appears to be gaining that reputation. Mark Petersen, media relations coordinator for Weber State Theatre, sees a formula for theatre success with Summerfest. "The more popular the musical is that we offer, the better crowds we have turn out," he said. Weber has chosen some good musicals for this season, Petersen said. Annie, Little Mary Sunshine, and Anne of the Green Gables will be performed. "Our season ticket prices are $14 for weekends and $12 for weeknights," said Petersen. Those prices are for the entire season and are cheaper than a single ticket to most plays in the Salt Lake City theatre market. Dr. Ronald Ladwig, director of Weber State Theatre, said he has seen growth come in his students as a result of their participation in the Utah Musical Theatre productions. "This program gives our students the opportunity to work with their peers from all over the country." Much of the backing for the theatre comes from a grant from the Utah Arts Council and money from Weber State itself. Many entertaining programs for local residents are part of Summerfest. Besides Utah Musical Theater, plays are presented at the Lagoon Opera House, a theatre at the amusement park in nearby Farmington, Utah. The Ogden LDS Institute is presenting its annual summer pageant. A free concert series brings local talent from barbershop quartets to old-time fiddlers, 20 entertainment groups in all, to seven local communities, including Ogden, Brigham City and Layton. The Ogden concert series will run from the last week of June to the first week of August. Free concerts will be presented by various groups, Sundays at 7 p.m. at Lester Park. From Pioneer Days to the Miss Ogden Street Festival Pageant, and from Corp Encore, a high powered precision drill team performance, to parades, Summerfest offers entertainment the entire summer. 'i i i i : h 5th of July, a play being produced by the Associated Actors and Technicians. Pictured above are Michael Frazier and Lucy Wilma portraying their characters in r Trivia Contest sponsored by Prizes include: T-shirts Pepsi Tickets to Crystal Crest Backstage pass to meet Chubby Checker Contest May 22 Drawing May 29 Save today's Signature section for contest clues. 3 |