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Show The Salt Lake Tribune ARTS Sunday,September15, 1996 E4 Polygamy OnTrial at Kingsbury Hall Kingsbury Hall performance are available to educators and warring characters of Edward Al- Utah campus, a presentation of the Utah State Bar. Tickets are students bycalling the Utah State Bar, 531-9077 or Carol Clawson, Utah Attorney General's office, 538-1874. Additional per- and immersing himself in the complexities faced by Utahns in the 1800s, particularly women. “Polygamy tested the convictions of the Mormon faithful just formanceswill be Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Babcock ee “Polygamy tested the convictions of the plore.” The opportunity presented it- self when Larsen was approached Mormonfaithful just as it a year ago by Lisa-Michele Church, a corporate attorney with went against the grain of people on the outside. As a playwright, that becomes wonderful terrain Sinclair Oil. As a memberof the Utah State Bar, she, along with Zimmerman and Utah Attorney General Jan Graham, had been discussing ways the legal associa- to explore.”” terested in yet another speech by a SupremeCourt justice, so atten- PAUL LARSEN Author of “The RAID and Trial of George Q. Cannon” tion could commemorate the state’s centennial. No one wasintion turned toward“somesort of dramatic event that would pre- sent issues of the times while holding relevance for today.” Churchwasinterested in wom- en’s suffrage questions and the debates at the constitutional convention in 1787, but there were no women present at that gathering “and we wanted women in our script.” The trio then decided on Utah’s polygamy trials. Church presented the idea to Bill Siska, chairman ofthe U.’s theater department. Siska’s ad- vice: Find a dramatist — the script will have no impactif written by a lawyer. He suggested Larsen and agreedto the university’s theater department serving as a co-sponsor. “Luckyfor us, Paulis a history person,” Church said. “Once I told him our idea, he was hooked. Then I loaded way too much on him, telling him that I wanted the play to be political, religious, humanand full of legal references. I presented him with a huge binder — 500 pages of historical stuff I had collected as a hobby.”” Larsen tactfully reminded Churchthat he was commissioned to write a play. Best that he focus on what would work dramatically. Heread her excerpted notes, then studied all the original manuscripts from which they were tak- en Church askedSalt LakeCity ac- tress and director Marilyn Holt to direct the project. She read the script and was impressed. Open auditions were held. Professional actors applied, as did numerous lawyers. “There were attorneys who au- ditioned thinking they would hit a slam dunk and be hired immediately,” Church said. “Their feelings were hurt when they were not chosen, but I promised Paul we would not compromise when selecting the cast. We wanted this to be an artistic, theatrical production, not just some ‘legal- ese.” Yengich portrays Fielding — “‘a goof, a smart aleck, a man who has a vendetta against George Q Cannon,” Yengich quipped. “I have cross-examined people just like him.” many Yengichhas 24linesin the play. He hopeshe can rememberthem. The three-night engagement is the second — and last — time he will perform onstage. The first? In 1961 as a student at Edgemont Elementary singing ‘There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame.” He praised the real actors — Tony Larimer as prosecuting attorney Charles Varian; Richard Scott as George Q. Cannon; law professors and part-time actors Debora Threedy as Martha Cannon and Richard Wilkins as Franklin Richards — and even tossed a few roses toward the chief justice “Mike brings a certain judicial bearing te the role,” Yengich HAVE YOU BEEN LOOKING FOR ME?| said. “We joke aboutthat, how audienceswill see a different side of him.” And what about Yengich’s con- tribution? “TI bring nothing, literally nothing, to the play.” Zimmerman, with a slight hint of jealousy, begged to differ. “He has a great character to portray. Fielding is a rube, and Ron’s having great fun withit.” Zimmerman, onthe other hand, finds portraying Judge Zanediffi- cultat best and has new found respect for the acting profession. The time commitmentaloneis exhausting. “Any other character would have been easier, because Zane does things that I would not. I have to shut down the side of my brain that says ‘You are a judge.’ In fairness to the author, however, the courtroom scenes must be dramatic, so this judge gives the prosecutor more freedom, allows him to be belligerent. The witnesses get into debates that would never be allowed in today’s court Yengich praised Larsen's work for the wayit depicts conflict between government and the strongly held beliefs of 19th-century Mormons. “It would be nice if the rest of Utah would understand how easily and thoroughly the Mormons were oppressed, howrights were Trophies, Savings Bonds, Toys & Gifs Everyone will be a winner! HAIR STYLES 8524 So. 1300 East ly from you and for one’s own mistakes.” Larsen said there are no vilJains in ‘The RAID,” that the play concernsissuesofcivil rights. He also is adamant about another controversial aspect of polygamy. “I don’t believe for a minute that sex had nothing to do with polygamy.. Older men get smitten by foolishness. Part of it is built into the biology of men. ... But the issues in the play are universal, the dilemma of control these peoplefelt are no different today.” Larsen did not speculate whetherthe dramawill have life outside Utah, whetherit will be viewed strictly as a “Mormon play.” Zimmermansaid “The RAID” is not merely a celebration honoring the state’s centennial, it is “a meditation on somepretty difficult issues we don't get beyond in the play andarenotlikely to get beyond in our lifetime. Individual conscience vs. the majority never goes away.” On Sept. 25, 1890, LDS Church licly declared that “my advice to the Latter-day Saints is refrain tors of the country-rock move- mentof the "70s, Ronnie Brooks and Kix Dunn are the boot-scootin’ success story of the '90s. Likewise, the three members of the hot new country group BlackHawkareoutto ensuretheir story has a similar ending, and that pop history regards them as more than clones. “Taking the suggestion [to work together] is one thing, making it work is another,” said Henry Paul, the husky-voiced leader of the rocking-country trio. “Having been around the business, we knew better than to anticipate success.”” So far, the chemistry between Paul, a former member of the Outlaws, and the songwriting team of Dave Robbins and Van Stephenson (Eric Clapton is among the nameartists who have recorded their songs) seems to be working. BlackHawk’s self-titled debut album scored five Top-10 country hits. The second, “Strong Enough,” was the highest debut by a country group on the pop charts since Alabama broke Call Gloria 293-1033 A por an evening with ALAN PARSONS OCTOBER 2 ABRAVANEL HALL ee meee months into 1996, are down 10 percent from last year. “Everybody's talking about how country music is on the de- cline, but the thing that gets overlooked is while everybody was jumping on the country-music wagon, the wagon could only hold so many,” Pau! said. “We think we have to meetthe sink-or-swim criterion, and that is quality.” BlackHawk’s musical sound is of the rowdy country variety. Paul says group members chose their namebecauseit reflected an aggressive, dark side of the band. Members pride themselves on their brand of country characterized by three-part harmony and frequentuse of the mandolin. Pauldefendsthe band’s nontraditional sound: “Country music is based on tradition and sometimes has difficulty seeing into the future and, like everything else, has difficulty dealing with change.” The group is debating whether to go out as a headlining act or continue as a supporting act asit has donefor artists such as Tim McGraw and Wynonna Judd. The group makesits Utah debut Tuesday at the McKay Events Center in Orem, opening for Judd. “We have reasonto be optimistic in that we are willing to work hard,” he said. “One place you won't find us is rocking in the experiencing a recession. Accord- middle of the road, taking it ing to a September report in Hn- easy.” Troubleis that their rise comes Your body needs 70 minerals each day to stay healthy. Did you get yours today? You could be putting yourself at risk. For a free report call: 565-8168 1896, and Mormons pe aad officially dayslater, George Q, Cannon was asked why it was not done sooner, thus avoiding the long years of some genuine legal truth in her suffering. His reply: “We have E ltl re eR PT aclags Tae Oe oka waited forthe Lord to movein the matter.” Six years later, Utah was admitted to the union as the 45th state. FALL INTO CHOCOLATE (qagy SEPTEMBER SALE a 10 LB BRICKS - MILK CHOCOLATE: MERCKENS MARQUIS- $19.29 MERCKENSZURICH - $19.29 GUITTARD SIGNATURE - $19.29 PETER’S ULTRA - $21.59 ALSO: 10 LB MERCKENS MARQUIS BUTTONS -$20.29 TICKETS AVAILABLE AT ALL SMITH’S TIX OUTLETS 487-TXX TOLL FREE TICKET HOTLINE 1-800-888-TIXK ALL ‘SMITH'S TIX PURCHASES ARE SUBJE(cr TO A SERVICE CHARGE COMING SOON: CALLEBAUT CHOCOLATE WILTON AND OTHER CAKE DECO SUPPLIES INCLUDING GUM PASTE MiX BAKERS C & C INC. 487-3300 367 W. PAXTON (1170 SOUTH) ft ibbon | Reg. $2.79 5% | 50% ot|Shiny Sut Off | Any single | 25%es All Entree comes French Fries or Rice. Also includes Beverage & Mud Pie for 20% ort _ Lt10, | are Prime Rib & Snow Crab Legs ALL | & Off aes SPECIAL OUTDOORSHTING FEE ¢ FAMILIES & REUNIONS CeseNom mercialAe @ CREATIVE ‘POSES @ PETS WELCOME Prime Time Available Sun. on. Only percent from its 1993 peak and sales of country records, eight For Mere Information Sandy 561-5142 SEPTEMBER SPECIAL dio listenership is down 20 at a time when country musicis through in 1983. abandoned plural marriage as an essential church doctrine. Twelve come back to haunt you.” Thereis “We want to put the hammer Henley took David Geffen up on such a suggestion and the Eagles church membership on Oct. 6, He cited a speech Martha makes to prosecutor Varian: “You use lawas a club that might the detriment of all society, We Probably. Glenn Frey and Don tertainment Weekly, country-ra- President Wilford Woodruff published in the Deseret News his manifesto —or “Official Declara- from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land.” The Manifesto was ratified by "W | can take care of your hair care needs at heart of the playis about learning own story very well.” down, use the club, and thatis to executive, got together to write some music and ended up forming went on to become the progeni- to have compassion — both for the people whobelieve different- BlackHawk will open for Wynonna Judd, Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Orem at the McKay Events Center. Tickets arestill avail$27.50 at Smith’s Tix. dience will have to make up its mind about that defense, but for me, Martha is not convinced that polygamyis such a good idea. The @ In Orem able, $17.50, $22.50 and “In the courtroom she eloquently and powerfully defends the indivi ; The au- tion” against polygamy. He pub- words, Yengich said. BY LORI BUTTARS THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Haveyou heard the story about the three session musicians who, at the behestof somerecord-label their own group? taken from them. If that were understood, people today would be less critical. We don't know our Yengich said the play parallels issues foughi today: general lack of compassion for anyone whois different or who has problems with the law. BlackHawk Aims To Soar, Despite A Country Slump UTAH “bs Dg KIDS” Boys & Girls 0-16 Sat. Nov. 16th, 1996 Colleen Sundberg Woolf?” Threedy's attraction to Martha polygamy. of law.” Criminal-defense lawyer Ron bee’s “Who's Afraid of Virginia comes from Larsen's depiction of her as a woman conflicted over Theatre, downstairs, Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 1340 E. 300 South. Tickets are $9, with $5 for students with identification. Thereareno reservedseats. For further information, call 5319077 or Lisa-Michele Church at 524-2753. as it went against the grain of comes wonderful terrain to ex- $10, or $20 which includes a reception at the Art Barn following the performance. A limited numberoffree tickets to the Martha Cannon was the third wife of George and mother of nine. For dramatic purposes, Larsen made her a composite, referring to Martha as the first wife. Thereis also the subtie nod to the Paul Larsen’s “The RAID and Trail of George Q. Cannon" premieres Thursdayat 7 p.m. at Kingsbury Hall, University of @ Continued from E-1 people on the outside,” Larsen said. “As a playwright, that be- cannot see ourselves in the people we prosecute.”” @ Opens Thursday {our-location) | ee RSC omeCECVLe sens Cree “Limit one coupon per customer, per week. Not valid with any other discount offer, . items or merchandise which has @ special price. Displays not included. West Valley Main Store 3572 S. 1950 W. 973-7123 Sandy Union See 9400 S. 700 E. 571-5252 12600 S. Rd. 254-1212 ne er |
