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Show The ThunderbinC Monday April 29, 1985 Page 9 i Odd Couple is brilliant Theatre review by Jim Knowlton Neil Simons classic The Odd Couple is a play about mismatched people trying to get along, in spite of themselves. The mam characters, eccentric as they are, if the production must be is to be a success. In the Stage Three production, well-round- performed Friday and Saturday in Thorley Recital Hall, Director David Mills not only melded this relationship n perfectly, he also gave the play a new twist: he cast a woman as Ronnie Madison, in place of the traditional Oscar role. The adaptation worked perfectly, with very few minor line changes. Cindy Robertson, as Ronnie, gave a wonderful performance in a very challenging role. She is every bit the slob; she even smokes cigars. However, she does not cease to be feminine, either. She uses face creme and is definitely interested in men. Robertson created a very character, and except for stumblinng on a few lines, gave a flawless performance. Daniel McVey stole the show as neat-frea- k Felix Unger. McVey made Felix both obnoxious and pitiful at the same time. I couldnt decide who to feel more sorry for Felix, or the people who had to live with him. well-know- well-round- - -- si The cast of the SUSC production of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple,' here enjoying a game of cards, acquited with his portrayal of Felix. itself well over the weekend. Daniel McVey, standing, was a scene-stealer Although the two principals were clearly the gems of the production, the supporting players all gave workman-lik- e performances. Tracy Burns as Vinnie, Anne Adele Jorgensen as Murray the cop, Lisa Berger as Speed, Dorcas Adams as Roylene, Varlo Davenport as Cecil and Sharon Harrison as Gwendolyn were all quite satisfactory. The person who really deserves credit for the success of the production, though, is Mills. Mills took a risk in changing the gender of one of the main characters in a classic play. However, that is what theatre is about taking chances. The production could have fallen flat on its face if Mills paid too much (or too little) attention to the fact that one of the leads is a woman. As it was, the production was loyal to the playwright, preserving the main thrust of the play, and yet Ronnie was most definitely a woman of the 80s. There was a problem with the lighting; whenever a character went to the front edge of the stage, they were engulfed in dark shadows. However, this was a minor problem; the production as a whole was excellent. HMS Pinafore star Crofts keeps it in the family by Kris Johnson She is seated Indian-styl- e on the couch of her stylish e her hot chocolate. sugar-freapartment, sipping Its only 50 calories a cup... I really should be watching my weight, she says. Her apartment is alive with plants. The walls are draped with a variety of contemporary pictures and in the corner a poster of Humphrey Bogart is hung neatly. She has a primpy look about her. She is dressed in an ivory white sweater with a plain lavender shirt underneath. She wears Levis and dangling gold earrings. e hazel eyes and high cheekbones dominate Her dark brown her slightly rounded face. Her well-kehair flows neatly over her shoulders. She has a radiant glow about her that shines when she smiles. She is Julianne Crofts, and she plays Josephine in the upcoming theatre production H.M.S. Pinafore, which will run May 4 and May The role of Josephine happens to be quite a significant role for Crofts. Her mother, Connie Crofts, played the same role during her senior year of high school. Ive been so busy lately I probably wouldnt have auditioned for another show this year, except they were doing H.M.S. Pinafore. I didnt know anything about the show when I auditioned, all I knew was that mom had played that role and I wanted to do it too, she said. It was a special moment for her when she called home to share the good news, Crofts said. When I found out I got the part, she said, I was so excited to tell my mom. When I called, she full-leng- th cat-lik- pt 3-- b sarcastically asked if I got the part of Josephine, thinking there was no way I would get it since she had it. When I replied, Yes! I got the part, she screamed and started crying. Shes tickled to death for me, she added. When I went home for the first time we got out her old records that she had practiced with in the show. I would put my head down and shake it in despair when the really high notes would come up, and she would say Julianne Crofts, you can hit those high notes and this is how you do it. Crofts mother is to be giving her daughter advice on singing, since she is a member of When I auditioned, all I knew was that mom played that role and I wanted to do it, said Julianne Crofts. the acclaimed Mormon Tabernacle Choir. H.M.S. Pinafore has some special attributes, Crofts said. This is a beautiful, fun, and romantic show, she said. Its a show you can go to in your present-da- y garb and come out feeling like youve been back in time. The men are masculine and the women are feminine and petite, the peoplt are wonderful. They live carefree. According o Crofts, the show is an operetta about an upper-clas- s captain and his daughter, Josephine. man and her Josephine falls in love with a lower-clas- s father objects to her marrying him. The father has already selected Josephines husband, man. Josephine tries to elope with the an upper-clas- s lower-clas- s man and het father catches them. At this point, the plot thickens. The costumes are half the magic of the show; theyre wonderful, Crofts said. The guys are all in sailor suits and they look so sharp. The girls are dressed in white lacey dresses with pantaloons, hats with flowers on them, and I even have a little parasol. Crofts, a theatre education major, was most recently seen in the theatre department production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, in which she played an Egyptian. She is probably best remembered for her role of Marianne in the production of Tartuffe. Theatre is so much fun, said Crofts. Its just like the movies. Adrenaline is flowing, the lights go up, and the curtain opens. Its fun and mystic, its just so unreal. But sometimes its frustrating too, because after the curtain closes, its just you and youre not anything wonderful anymore. I think to be in theatre you have to have high selfesteem, so that you can deal with the change from when the curtain goes up and goes down, she added. In the little spare time she does have, Crofts likes to keep physically fit by dancing. She also enjoys reading and singing. Crofts has no problem keeping herself busy; she also works in the Development Office in the Administration Building as a secretary. Her future goals are to go into theatre administration. She wants to continue acting, dancing, and singing, and she would like to share her knowledge in these areas by becoming a teacher someday. Her main goal, she says, is to become a performer. Crofts said opening night is going to be like magic. Having my mom there will almost help me make my character complete; I wont know where shes sitting but Ill feel her in that audience. well-round- |