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Show Pe'B " Performing Arts 0 Upcoming theatre season looks simply fabulous Gregory Thilmont Chronicle Entertainment Editor By There is something mystical about the theatre. It, a curious mixture of pageantry, art and reality, has always drawn audiences into a new world. These realms are populated with characters straight from the imaginations of playwrights. Coinciding with the beginning of the academic year here at the University of Utah, a burgeoning local theatre season will be getting underway. As a growing metropolis, Salt Lake City can now boast a number of quality venues. A number are located on the U. campus itself Pioneer Memorial Theatre, Babcock Theatre and the Lab Theatre. Off-camp- us adaptation of John Steinbeck's g monumental and Pulitzer afficionados can sate their theatrical palates at the Salt Lake Acting Company and Theatre Works West Pioneer Theatre Company is regional. As such it maintains a role of importance throughout the Intermountain West. This role is accomplished by bringing in productions of high quality; many nave been regional as well as world premieres. In taking a look at what is in the works for the upcoming year, it is quite clear that a tantalizing season is in store at PMT. The season will be kicked off by a presentation of "The Grapes of Wrath." This story is Frank Galati's fresh in the conscience of the American public. Its depiction of environmental destruction and the plight of farming families is highlighted by "Lettuce and Lovage." Written by Peter Shaffer, it is set in contemporary England and follows the clash between Lettice Duffet and Lotte Schon. Lettice, an expert on one of the hallmarks of Western culture William Shakespeare's weaponry, is a tour guide at Britain's least historically-importan- t stately home. She lavishes and embellishes history to impress Lotte. What ensues is a comedic statement on the mediocre state of modern life. As contemporary. This performance, the 1990 Tony Award winner, will be one of the first outside of Broadway. It will be run Sept 18 through Oct. 5. Beginning Oct. 30, PTC will offer "Henry V." Though a production of any of Shakespeare's plays seems obligatory, it is always welcome. "Henry V" runs from Oct 30 to Nov. 16. For a Christmas treat, PTC will Hour." This is a nostalgic musical romp that centers around a live radio show during World War II. Among the 20 Big Band Era tunes that the musical offers are the perennial favorites: "The Chattanooga Choo-Choand the "Boogie-Woogi- e Bugle It Boy." will run Dec. The return to school, a new year and the deep, cold January nights will be brightened by a chance to attend a performance of "The Mystery of Irma Vep." Written by Charles Ludlam, it is o" 1. parody of Gothic mysteries. Throughout the course of the play a two actors will portray 16 different characters, including a sympathetic werewolf, a vampire and an Egyptian princess. This campy melodrama will be presented Jan. 5. In February, PTC will bring a restoration of Anton Chekhov's throughout Salt Lake City. 12-2- 9. The end of March will be novel. This poignant tale is one that is still present Walton Jones' "1940's Radio Pioneer Memorial Theatre's 1990 production of "Dracula," is indicative of what theatre-goer- s can expect to enjoy this year century Russia. It will play Feb. Prize-winnin- "Uncle Vanya." Authored by one of the great dramatists of all time, "Uncle Vanya" is a bittersweet, witty and touching portrait of turn-of-th- e- Elizabethan cuisine and medieval Shaffer is the author of both "Amadeus" and "Equus," this promises to be entertaining. "Lettuce and Lovage" will play March 18-Ap- ril 4. PTC's 1991-9- 2 season will be rounded out by yet another classic. Lerner and Loewe's "My Fair Lady" is a staple. The interpretation of George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion," is a musical tale of the social transformation of a flower girl and will run April 16. The Babcock Theatre is located 29-M- ay downstairs in PMT. Here the productions are smaller, but this year's schedule includes works of caliber, quality and ambition just as high as its upstairs neighbor. Beginning Oct. 24 is James D'Entremont's "Daylight In Exile." This play is set in a small Tunisian y town during the War in 1967. A small band of foreigners are drawn together by their mutual plight of being trapped in the conflict between Israelis and Arabs. Directed by Ken Washington, "Daylight In Exile" will run through Nov. 3. The political upheaval that Eastern Europe has been undergoing will be accentuated by the Babcock's presentation of Vaclav Havel's "Largo Six-Da- Desolato." Havel, now president of Czechoslovakia, was once imprisoned for his writings by the Communist government. "Largo Desolato" is an autobiographical account of the torture an author undergoes at the hands of despotic political powers. This play, to be directed by Oliver 8. Gerland, will run Nov. Also scheduled for the Babcock is 29-De- c. "The Cradle Will Rock," by Marc Blitzstein. This will be a musical drama that centers on a union battle fought out in "Steeltown, U.S.A." Directed by Scott LaFeber, this 2. production can be seen Jan. 23-Fe- b. an Following as-of-y- et unannounced Shakespearean play to run March George Buchner's "Leonce and Lena" will be produced in the Babcock. Directed by Adrian Guiregea, this 19th century German drama will close out the Babcock's season. It will run May Also to be found on the U. campus is the Lab Theatre. Located in the Performing Arts Building, the Lab hosts between 10 and 15 productions annually. This intimate theatre is an experimental program. It gives students chances to act, direct and design. Many of the plays performed in the Lab are socially relevant, thus 5, 7. hard-hittin- and serious. g The individual plays will be announced throughout the season. U. student Once the theatre-goin- g has taken in every thing theatres have to offer, it is time to head out on a night on the town. d Another theatre venue is the Salt Lake Acting us highly-respecte- Company. Located at 168 500 W. North, SLAC also has a rich season ahead. The year will start with "Nine." This send-u- p of Fellini's 8 1. It will be 12 will run Oct. see "PTC" on page 2 B-2- The music department's range for honing talent in '91 . If 1 you've got the talent, the department has the rest of the very best Johnson Chronicle Music Critic By KtmBerly How many times have you watched the jazz ensemble and felt a strange stirring in your chest? Perhaps you find yourself, as the marching band thunders past, staring wistfully after the receding line of bouncing plumes, sighing, "Ah, if only could be a part of that. If only my lingering aroma resembled third-generati- Sigh dreamer. no polyester." more, intrepid All this and more is open to you the excitement, the grace, the spinning delirium thanks to the University of Utah music department. "But no," you insistently, annoyingly moan. "I'm not a music major." It doesn't matter. According to Ed Thompson, Chairman of the Department of Music, "Whether you are a music major or just have an interest in participating in music at the U., there are many opportunities open to you." For the songDirds among us, there exist several incarnations of vocal performance on campus. Both Concert Chorale and A Capella Choir require auditions without audition, Utah Singers performs at least once each quarter, drawing from a varied repertoire. Finally, the Opera Workshop, directed by David Power, performs complete operas, scenes, vocal and chamber music, but participants should have extensive experience as University Symphony Orchestra to the Utah Philharmonic to various chamber ensembles, the lilting strains of symphonic sound waft into the Salt Lake stratosphere. Soft and smooth. The department also offers private lessons on most with most instruments, instructors retaining positions in the Utah Symphony. While beginners cannot be accepted for credit, students are free to study independently of the U. Each of these programs welcomes students from all majors. Many organizations are populated more by students with calculators or critical anthologies than formal music majors. Diversity, it has Hewlett-Packar- d been said, breeds creativity. Come join the breeding. For more information on any program offered by the department of music, contact Mary Ann at 581-676- 2. singers. The world does not revolve around the voice, however. In fact, there are voices better served by silence. Like Robin Gibb's. But it is too soon for editorial comments. Although the traditional marching band is present, replete with its feathers and tassels, the band possibilities do not end there. There is also the ubiquitous pep band to rouse team spirits during autumn and winter quarters. Equally rousing L, "J I T 5l XtrJ J jtX.mn mninUmmu n .mum., in are the percussion ensembles and the marimba ensemble, which would presumably cast a bit of warmth into our frigid winter climate. On the softer side, one might glide into the Wind Symphony or Symphonic Band. While participation in the Wind Symphony is determined by an audition, Symphonic Band members need not concern with such themselves tribulation. which will begin the week Jazz in Salt Lake City is not before classes get underway and only to be found in Larry H. extend into the first week of Miller's edifice school. The Utah Symphony downtown. Here at the U., one glass-and-ste- el Chorus, the official chorus for the Utah Symphony, requires a separate audition, scheduled through Kathy McFarland at 942-454- 2. "But," you protest, "auditions make me nervous and I might wet my trousers." Fortunately this problem was foreseen and Utah Singers was born. Open to all U. students might find the Jazz Ensemble as well as the Jazz Guitar Ensemble, throwing an irreverent swing into these hallowed halls. "We want it soft! We want it smooth!" cry the masses, echoing the thoughts of the majority of human beings. What you want is orchestral maneuvers, and they're available here, in the dark or otherwise. From the . The University of Utah Marching Band at one of the many sporting events it plays at each year. I |
