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Show PAGE 12 THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY MAY 2, 1988 'Nickleby' to open next week BY DANNY STEWART SUSC's boldest, most extensive theatrical performance will come to life next week as the result of hundreds of hours of preparations. A combination of 197 characters, 442 props, 600 costume pieces and more music than in Oklahoma will be brought together in the eight-hoproduction of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby beginning next week. Directed by Fred C. Adams and R. Scott Phillips, the play will open May 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. It will run four times in its entirety over a period of eight nights, each night featuring a four- - hour part of the production and including a light buffet for the audience. "It's long, but it doesn't feel long," said Adams, "You sit down, and then suddenly it's over." Charles Dickens was 26 when he wrote Nicholas Nickleby, which was originally printed as a newspaper serial depicting the poor conditions in boys' schools. The stoiy, which became his second novel, helped reform conditions at such schools, and from that time, Dickens became an active reformist, Adams said. When the story was performed by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in London, it broke all records of success. For a run in New York City, all tickets were sold out in less than eight hours at $100 apiece, and some paid up to $2,000 to see the production, said Adams. The play won all major awards both in England and in New York. SUSC's production of Nicholas Nickleby will be the first in the Intermountain West. Adams said. SUSC's theatre department chose Nickleby because it truly tests students' acting abilities. "It gives 42 students fabulous roles, and it stretches and strengthens their talents," Adams said. Many of the students will play multiple roles during the production, giving a variety of experiences. "Some students are playing roles two to three times the ur Bill Miller will perform in the kolob Canyons Living Room Thursday. Country singer Bill Miller will perform here Thursday College circuit performer Bill Miller will appear in concert Thursday night in the Kolob Living Room in the Student Center at 8 p.m. The concert is part of SUSC's Wild West Week activities and is free to the publi according to ASSUSC Clubs and Organizations Board Member Brian Maynes. Concert goers are invited to arrive at 7 p.m. for free hot dogs and root beer. With a distinctive style of music and writing that ranges from acoustic ballads to country rock, Miller has appeared on more than 50 college and university campuses and for a number of special programs, among them the television show 'Nashville Now.' Miller grew up the oldest of nine children on the northern Wisconsin Indian reservation. Strictly he started his musical career at the age of 12 when his father gave him a $15 "generic" electric guitar. After performing every style of music, country won out because, he said, "the most popular type of music on the Indian reservation, believe it or not, is cowboy music." Much of Miller's music reflects the roots of his Indian heritage and a deep sense of pride in the American Indian culture. His recordings include his debut album, "Bill Miller Native Sons," and a second album, "Old Dreams And New self-taug- 16-we- length of Hamlet," Adams said. The play will also give audiences the chance to see the famous production. "Hundreds of people are coming from all over to see the play, it will give people an opportunity to see a masterpiece," said Adams. Because of the length and the extensiveness of Nicholas Nickleby, many students lessened course loads to devote time to the play. Rehearsals began Jan. 15, each running four to six hours nightly, a J dress rehearsals v 'I begin tonight. W'hile the production of Nickleby seems overwhelming, Adams says it's coming together well. Just as the cast is much larger than a regular production, the management crew has been increased to take care of the technical end of the play. Most plays have 100 light cues, but for Nickleby, the lighting crew is challenged with nearly 600 cues. "Our equipment couldn't handle one more light cue, and it's one of the best setups in the West," Hams sa'd Props and costu ' es are another challenge. Most plays require betv. een 50 and 100 props, while Nickleby has a list of nearly 450. As far as costumes, "We have borrowed or rented every Victorian costume in the Intermountain West," Adams said. Also, Utah Shakespearean Festival costume designer Sandra Stiglinski is designing the dress of most of the major characters herself. Nicholas Nickleby will be presented in two parts. Shows are May 1112, 1314, 1819 and 2021. Each show lasts approximately four hours. Curtain time is 7 p.m. in the SUSC Auditorium. Tickets including the two buffets are $6 for SUSC students, $20 for the general public and $18 for senior citizens and children 5 through high school. A special $12 admission is available to high school students attending the FridaySaturday performance. Hopes." Miller has appeared with the Michael Martin Murphey band on the show New Country and at the Las Vegas Hilton. Murphey recorded one of Miller's songs on his album "Americana." Ballet West to visit SUSC for eight days of performance Southern Utah will enjoy an unprecedented treat when the celebrated dance company Ballet Wet comes to the SUSC Centrum for eight days this summer. The company will produce mixed repertory, premiere presentations of Arcadia and Dvorak Variations from July 13 to 16 and the always popular Giselle from July 19-22. Giselle, known as the greatest classical ballet of the Romantic Period, is choreographed after Pcrrot, Coralli and Petipa to the music of Adolphe Adam, and is among the most beloved of the troupe's presentations. Choreographers ror the two new productions are Peter Anastos and Ronald Hynd. I PT Freshman Scott Coslin, a theatre arts major from Vernal, Utah, will help with lightboard operations for the SUSC production of 'Nicholas Nickleby. |
