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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, November 2-4, 2005 The Park Record C-6 Defending the Caveman at Kingsbiuy Most of our smoothies contain over 4 servings of fruit Quarry Village at Jeremy Ranch Exit next co Albcrtsons Open 7 days a week • (435)658-5835 • wwwboosterjuice.com After 12 years, nearly 2 million people, and over 2,000 performances in over 40 cities, Rob Becker is taking his Broadway hit 'Defending the Caveman' on the road one last time. The performance rolls in to Kingsbury Hall, located at 1395 East Presidents Circle on the University of Utah campus, Nov. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. with an additional Saturday performance at 5 p.m. Tickets arc $39.50 and $49.50 and are available by calling 801-581-7100, online at www.kingsburyhall.org or by visiting the Kingsbury Hall box office. This 'Farewell Tour' is the final chance to see Rob Becker in the longest running Broadway solo comedy in history. A peacemaker in the ongoing misunderstandings between men and women, Rob Becker's wildly popular 'Defending the Caveman' originally opened in San Francisco in June 1991, soon moving to Dallas for a full year run. An unqualified hit, 'Caveman' went on to extended sold-out engagements in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Chicago before opening on Broadway in March 1995. After running for two and a half years and 702 performances at the Helen Hayes Theater, 'Caveman' entered ihe record books as the longest running solo play in Broadway history. Rob Becker's 'Defending the Caveman' is the smash comedy about the differences between men and women and how those differences make us misunderstand each other. With humorous insights on contemporary feminism and masculine sensitivity, "Caveman" is an outrageously funny and candid exploration of the gender gap that has both sexes roaring with laughter and recognition. Lots of affectionate nudging goes on during the performance and couples are commonly seen strolling out into the. night holding hands. Becker has a loyal following in the therapy community, having been seen and recommended by thousands of psychologists and counselors. In 1996 Becker was PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS Rob Becker's Broadway hit, 'Defending the Caveman,' will play at Kingsbury Hall Nov. 11 and 12. invited to the annual AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy) Convention in Toronto where he performed for over 2,000 therapists. 'Caveman' has performed in London, South Africa. Iceland, Germany, Israel and many more. In 1999. Rob Becker received the coveted Olivier Award in London for comedic playwriting. 'Weatherman' forecast is dark and fiin 6 GENERAL AUDIENCES AH Ages AcmttKd HUGE SELECTION OF DVD MOVIES FOR RENT AND SALE TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! 8208 Gorgosa Pines Road Ste.7C 649-86O3 95O Ironhorse Drive 645-9234 Over 10,000 Titles to Choose From Open Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m. until midnight Make It A BLOCKBUSTER tiqhf even venture - it builds a believable life, adds just enough nervous laughter to relieve the realistic tension, and constantly escapes the dumbed-down expectations beaten into us by lesser films. Tragicomedy is that extra dose of tang in the bitterBy MICHAEL BOOTH sweet, leelering between hopeMediaNews Group Wire Service ful and hopeless well after the David Spritz is wading aim- last reel pays out. And "The lessly around the shallow end of Weather Man" upholds the fine his life. and scarcely populated tradition He hopes there's a deep end. • of the genre. But even if there is, he has no As Sprilz, Cage is admirable idea if he can swim. for being ba/cly likable. He Many movies try to capture makes a quarter of a million dolthis poignant state of melan- lars a year for doing nearly nothcholy, then panic at the difficulty ing as a Chicago TV weatherand move instead toward slap- man. (Today: Wind and sleet. stick or cruelty. "Bruce Tomorrow: Wind and ... you get Almighty" successfully went for the idea.) comedy, while "As Good as It Of course, this uniquely Gets" made a more disturbing American bounty must come lunge for meanness. with a heaping helping of anothDirector Gore Verbinski er Chicago export - Oprahdeserves great credit for staying style self-awareness. true to his mood in "The Spritz would be happily marWeather Man." And to the ried, if it weren't for the small melancholy of writer Steven matter of his divorce. He would Conrad. And to the crackling •have an ideal family, if only one restraint of star Nicolas Cage. child weren't a reprobate and the 'The~Weather Man" succeeds other overweight and morose. where so few Hollywood movies He would enjoy the wisdom of IN I'AKK CITY his elders, if his unassailable father (Michael Caine) hadn't ruined Spritz's confidence by winning the National Book Award before his son was even born. Every few months, Spritz notes, somebody on the street throws something at him. It makes perfect sense. He's the weather guy - he either gets it wrong or gets it right and gets paid too much for being banal. So he deserves a chocolate frosty on the neck or a hot apple pie on the lapel. But he doesn't have to be happy about it. The Verbinski and Conrad observations of everyday modern life are always precise and never irrelevant. The way it hurts more to get hit by a Big Gulp than a generic drink. The way modern parents are driven crazy by their children's indifference to suggested hobbies or family projects. The way we might reach for a playful moment with a former spouse by throwing a snowball, and when it accidentally hits her in the face, we might defend ourselves by remarking, "You turned into it." I heard someone leaving the film saying, "I kept expecting Cage to go climb the sniper's tower." But he doesn't, quite. Going nuts like that would be too obvious, too much like some other film that "The Weather Man" strives so hard not to imitate. Pause for a minute to appreciate Verbinski's impressive range. After muddled starts in "The Mouse Hunt" and "The Mexican," he crafted one of the most chilling movies of his generation in "The Ring." He then turned a Disney theme park ride into a pitch-perfect adventure in "Pirates of the Caribbean." Here he guides Cage and Caine to the right groove for reflection and possible growth, stepping over the traps of the maudlin and the faciLe. "The Weather Man" will struggle to find an audience, with so many of us seeking easier laughs or more sympathetic tragedy after a long week at work. But go - take a beach chair, and take an umbrella in case The Spritz gets it wrong, and enjoy whatever weather comes your way. \ www.parkrecord.com www.parkrecord.com www.parkrecord.com www.parkrecord.com wnimsy Come see why they Reservations Required HOTEL & CASINO Gambling Get-a-way November 15th & 16th $50 Getaway includes: Women s Clothing and Accessories 2005 east 2700 south • 801-485-9900 mon-thurs 10-8 • fri-sat 10-7 ;. •-:-:'.. 2 days & 1 night at the Wendover Nugget Round-Trip transportation, including entertainment & refreshments on our state-of-the-art Trailwags Bus Announcing the opening of our new Exclusive Park City Black Jack Tournament Tuesday Park City location Exclusive Park City PokerTournamentWednesday 1685 Bonanza Drive • (435) 658-4866 coming November 1,2005 One All You Can Eat Buffet " , Call by November 11th for Reservations 7773403290 Must be 21 yrs. or over. Bus departs 11/15/05 at 9am |