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Show The Thunder bird Monday November 4, 1985 y iiC. Page 11 X X isstmumesU. Town is powerful THEATRE REVIEW BY TYLER JENSEN Opening night of Our Town .showed that the old play still has a punch. Michael Michie shone as the Stage Manager, narrating the play and setting the scenes as if it were from a time in his own life, hie seemed to penetrate his character. It was as if he came straight from a small town called Grovers Corners, New Hampshire, in Ml 3 where the residents like to know the facts about everybody. Cindy Robertson as Emily Webb got the audience involved in her character in the second act and never lost their affection. During the first act, however, she didn't capture the audience as much as she may have wanted. In the third act, she moved the audience to near tears as the wife who died in childbirth. Jeff lngman thoroughly fit George Gibbs. He also played his part down a bit in the first act, but bounced back in the second act as the lovestruck groom-to-bDoug Christensen and Jan Shelton as Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs also seemed to fit together. Sheltons role was the larger of the two so we were exposed to her thoughts and feelings much more. She appeared to be uncomfortable with some of her lines. She looked like a New England mother working every day of the year with no nervous breakdowns and no summer vacations as the Stage Manager says. Christensen was very good. For his first time on stage here, many people remarked on how comfortable he looked, although he did seem to have some minor problems in staying with the New England accent and parts of the blocking. Daniel McVey and Teresa Francis were also convincing as Mr. and Mrs. Webb. Francis was on stage more than McVey. She looked very tired; this may or may not have been intended, but it worked. She carried her part like one of the pillars of the society, but didnt seem arrogant. Her love for her children didnt come across until the wedding scene, however, which also may have been intended. McVey carried his character rather well. His affection for his wife and family came across right off in the first act. There were some problems with sound; at times it was difficult to hear what he was saying. His character seemed to have all the common sense and love for his community that a man from his day would. The play was separated into three acts, each representing a different phase of life. Act one represented youth and discovery; act two, love and marriage; and act three, death and acceptance. The play also had some opening night problems. Many things were done in mime using corresponding souii effects, but they werent always coordinated and the sounds were sometimes missing. The miming was also leaving some people guessing as to what the character was doing. Tiya E. Coleman was the mime coach. She trained the leads well, but maybe not some of the minor characters. The lighting people also had problems typical of opening night. Among other problems, the spotlights were sometimes dimmer than the stage lights. Sound was the major problem of opening night. Many characters spoke but couldnt be heard or understood. Overall, though, Our Town worked. Doug Baker left the classic play alone and let it tell its own story. powerful ! t' it Vi ' sA I X-f- r lw i - V - , !' x ' s: . X-4- - ,f" ' ,fc ,.V&1 "H, V,,X XXVX" X I I ,, , - V . ' ?s- ' J, 'tyyyyyy. Some of the cast members of Our Town. Front row (from left): April Ann Isbell as Rebecca Gibbs and Matthew James Harrison as Wally Webb. Back row: Teresa Francis as Mrs. Webb, Jan Shelton as Mrs. Gibbs, Jeff lngman as George Gibbs and Cindy Robertson as Emily Webb. y Quality varies, but these movies have memorable roles FILM REVIEWS BY KENN LARSEN Its unusual when character in a film can stealthily make you like him more than the hero the movie is based upon. a In Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Chuin (Joel Grey), a Korean martial arts master, seems to seize upon Remos (Fred Ward) insusceptibility as he trains him in the highest form of public service: assassination. Chuin unwittingly takes control of the scene: from watching Americas only redeeming gift to mankind (soap operas) to Chuin dealing with Remos lack of humor and his nonappreciation for Korean culture. He always twists the situations and gives the film a comic relief that make his scenes worth watching. Sweet Dreams: The Story of Patsy Cline, stars Jessica Lange in one of her best roles as a singer who overcame lifes obstacles to become one of country musics great legends from the late 1950 and earlv 1960s. The cinematography captures ti'e look, feel, and reminiscence of the 1950s. This movie is worth seeing more than once. All aspects of Patsy Clines life come into view: her marriage to Charlie Dick (Ed Harris) with its moments of romantic ambience, conflicting emotions between career and family, and the abuse she dealt with from her husband. Jagged Edge delves into a murder mystery with a serrated twist of plot, ltgal entanglements and emotional uneasiness. The fllm is like glancing through evidence m a court trial; all scenes are exhibits and you must figure out if Jack Forrester (Jeff Bridges) is responsible for the brutal mura.r of his wife and his maid. It isnt easy for Teddy Barnes (Glenn Close) to take the case against her better judgment. She has to deal with the prosecuting attorney Thomas Kersey (Peter Coyote) who in the past has concealed evidence and has a grudge against Forrester, the editor of a San Francisco paper. Barnes finds herself entangled in a web of emotional manipulation, not knowing what evidence she should believe. Close and Bridges give powerful performances in the court proceedings which fill this film with an unrelenting and escalating tension. |