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Show 4C THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, May 22, 1986 Rodgers And Hammerstein Classic - It's Only Fitting That 'A Chorus Line' Is Extended Playhouse Closes Season With Romantic 'Carousel by Michele Bartmess Green Sheet Theater Critic SALT LAKE. Rodgers and Hammersteins romantic, awardwinning musical Carousel opens tonight (Thursday) and will spin and whirl across the Mainstage at Promised Valley Playhouse through June H. d It will be a vibrant, colorful, production of Carousel promises M. Seth Reines, a guest director from Chicago who has staged more than 150 productions for regional, stock, educational and dinner theatres across the country. It will also be a unique, new production with a much more lyrical physical quality to it, allowing the show to flow like the music. The show played well in the 1940s when it was written, but Ive adapted it a bit so its not so melodramatic for modern audiences. A tale of tears, laughter, love and forgiveness, Carousel is the story of a swaggering New England amusement park barker, Billy Bigelow, who loses his job when he falls in love and marries the gentle Julie Jordan. Learning that his wife is pregnant and afraid that he wont have enough money to support his family, he recklessly becomes involved in a robbery attempt with a friend and is killed trying to elude arrest. When the Heavenly Starkeeper informs him that he can only gain admission to Heaven if he redeems his soul, Billy steals a star and returns to earth 15 years later to present it as a gift to his unhappy daughter Louise. Theres a lot of magic to Carousel," said Reines, who will be the artistic director for Utah Musical Theatre in Ogden this summer. Its a real inspirational show. The story is also simple enough with enough action that children of all ages would enjoy seeing it with their families. Adapted by Benjamin F. Glaser from Ferenc Molnars 1908 play Liliom, the musical Carousel opened to enthusiastic reviews at the Majestic Theatre in New York City on April 19, 1945 and ran for 890 performances. It immediately captured the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and eight Donaldson Awards. After countless revivals and a memorable 1956 screen version starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones, Carousel has lost none of its magic and charm during the past four decades. SALT LAKE. It came. We saw. It conquered. Perhaps officials at Pioneer Memorial Theatre took a risk when they replaced Kiss Me Kate with A Chorus Line as this seasons finale. No doubt there are some who declined to see the production on the grounds that it violates their personal sense of decency. A least four people walked out Monday night. But Pioneer Theatre Company is coming out the winner anyway. Its been awhile since a production has been held over, but A Chorus Line will be extended by at least three days. For real lovers of theater, this show is a must. It is performed in good taste without butchering the script. Even the one song that people might find objectionable and the one very touching scene that could make some uncomfortable are done without any hammerhead effect. Theres so much right with this show that its only fitting that its run has been extended. It was obvious that Monday nights audience enjoyed all aspects of the show. The real difference between theater on 01 Broadway and that which the rest of us get to see on a regular basis is the dancing. No doubt thats why A Chorus Line has endured so long. Its been running on Broadway for 10 years and was just this year released to the nation. Were now getting a taste of that same very excellent dancing that makes Broadway shows come alive. Theres no doubt that the dancing in Pioneer Theatre Companys version of the show is stronger than the singing. Which is not to suggest that the music is weak. But the dancing is incredible. Its the difference bet- - fast-pace- Center in The Kennedy Washington, D.C. will revive the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic this summer with talk of yet another national tour. Now an uncontested classic in musical American theatre, Carousel, ironically, almost never got written. Fresh off the success of Oklahoma, Rodgers and Hammerstein both felt Lilioms Hungarian setting and tragic ending werent ap- - propriate for musical-comed- y treat- ment in the uncertain political climate of 1944-4With such unforgettable songs as If I Loved You, June is Bustin Out All Over, Youll Never Walk This Was a Real Nice Alone, Clambake" and the symphonic waltz prelude, Soliloquy, Carousels score stands out for its originality, vitality and melodic beauty. Of Rodgers and Hammersteins nine Broadway scores, Rodgers always loved Carousel the best. While Guest Director Reines is in charge of the musical theatre program at Roosevelt University and serves as vice president of the Arts Management Chicago-base- d Group, Inc., he still finds time for his first love - directing. He has directed at the Alliance Theatre of -- Atlanta, won the prestigious Cleveland Drama Critics Award for his production of Billy Bishop Goes To War at the Cleveland Playhouse and served as casting director for productions Chicagos of The Foreigner and God Of Isaac. After directing Gypsy and I Do! I Do! in Ogden this summer he will stage three new musicals in Chicago next season. The caliber of most of the people g time and again I would try to soy all I'd want and Julio (Brian Wost and Stacoo Shorwood) sing the love ballad If I Loved You in a scene from Rodgers and musical classic Corousel, opening tonight (Thursday) on the main stage at Promised Valley Playhouse. IF I LOVED YOU . . . you to know. Billy 's in Carousel is as good as many of the professionals Ive worked with, Reins said. Theres a better attitude here and more supportive environment than in some of the professional companies. Reines has cast Brian W. West, who has performed in numerous leading roles at Weber State Theatre, as Billy Bigelow. Stacee Sherwood, an Olympus high student and winner of The Green Sheets Best Actress award, will portray Julie Jordan. Kim Strunk, a company dancer with Repertory Dance Theatre, will make her stage debut as Louise. Other leading roles include: Alisa L. Harris (Carrie), Pat Hughes At Babcock Theatre (Nettie), David Spencer (Enoch Snow), Mark R. Gollaher (Jigger), Kristina S. Fuller (Mrs. Mullin) and Mel Kraft (Starkeeper). The ensemble is made up of Erik Whitmyre, Darin Beutel, Tamara DeDecker, Dawn Alyson Dorius, Ashley Maw, Heather Pincock, Kathy Andrus, Richard S. McKin- non, Tammy Simister, Rita Prescott, Britt Sady, Larry Nelson, Kent R. Jensen, Barney Christiansen and Steve Schmid. John Mead, a member of the Repertory Dance Theatre, choreo- graphed the musical. Richard Chatelain is music director with Kendell Nielsen as orchestra conductor. Designers include Laura K. -- Dimes-supporte- Green Sheet Etejierj DBecks long-runnin- - Love (sets), Marta McKelvey (costumes) and Megan McCormick (lights). Neil E. Hendriksen worked as vocal coach, and John Morris is the stage manager. Carousel opens tonight (Thursday) and continues Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on June 7. audiences are . Opening weekend invited to a reception immediately following the show to meet the director and cast. Tickets can be obtained at the Promised Valley Playhouse box office, 132 S. State St., or by calling Group rates and special performances are also available. Flowers & Arrangements For Memorial Day 364-567- - Cket&ftut'o FfeiaE DiwcHtea'a Ffetad! 'Bad Dreams' Bops Through World Premiere At UofU SALT LAKE. The Babcock Theatre hosts a look back to the 1950s in Bad Dreams and Be Bop is one of the UofU Theatre Departments Actors Training presentations this spring, playing in rotating repertory with George Farquhar.s The Beaux Stra tagem . The play takes place during the movement of the 50s, a Bop movement created by young people in their teens and early twenties. Guest director is Rob Spera of the Actors Theatre of Louisville. According to Spera, Bad Dreams and Be Bop is an insightful and detailed exploration of the dark world of a musician during that revolutionary period in our history. Playwright Dave Higgins had a world premiere of his one-aplay, Partners, at the Actors Theatre of Louisville recently. Jack Kroll of Newsweek called the play . . . explosive ... and William Mootz of called it . . . the Courier-Journa totally engrossing spellbinder. Higgins newest play is spellbinding as well, offering young audiences and young actors a look at the unique era, when Bob took over the jazz scene throughout the country. Midvol. Murray Performing in Bad Dreams and Be Bop are actor's training students from the UofU Theatre Department; Michael Alvarez, Matthew D. Karas, Sharyn Jensen, Leah Robl-inJohn Benton Runnels, Devon Williams, Kurt Bernhardt, Michelle ONeill, Belinda Morgan, Kathryn Larsen, Stanton Davis, Jon E. Seaman, Patrick White, Kevin L. Hassett, Richard Nelson, Jeffrey Owen, Johnny E. Worthen and Rick Haddock. Michael J. Allman is set designer; costume design is by Ariel Ballif; lighting design by Kobe Enright and Stage Manager is Diane Davis. The actor Training program offers students specialized preparation and training, both in the classroom and in the theatre. Admission to the program is by auditioninterview and students must show continuing g, progress and commitment as well as pass ongoing evaluations, such as this annual spring showcase, which also includes The Beaux Stratagem, and early 18th century comedy full of get rich schemes, misrepresentation and the often rocky course of true love. Bad Dreams and Be Bop runs through Saturday, at 8 p.m. It also plays at 8 p.m. on May 28, 30, June 5 and 7, with a 2 p.m. matinee on June 7 and a 7 p.m. performance Sunday. The Beaux Stratagem plays at 8 p.m. May 29, 31, June 4 and 6, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday May 31. The Babcock Theatre is located downstairs at Pioneer Memorial Theatre, Third South and University Streets. For further information or for tickets, call the Box Office at Student and faculty discounts are always available. 0 780 E, Center r?r-.-l 5320 So. State S 253-681- 8 262-336- 1 0 MAILING SERVICES Cheshire Labeling, Machine Inserting, Lettershop Facilities, Etc. DATA PROCESSING List Compilation, Computerized Direct Mail Programs, Personalized LettersForms, Zip 4 and Carrier Routing "DEMOGRAPHIC MAILING LISTS By Any Category (Business, Income, Education, Occupation Many More) Cross Referencing & Overlaying of Lists. . A March Of Dimes Campaign Continued from page 3 Colonel Sanders Memorial Endowment Fund, providing financial support for research into birth defects. The fund currently supports a pilot program aimed at reducing the rate of pre-terbirths - those occuring before the 37th week of pregnancy -which comprise over nine percent of all births. Preliminary results, based on more than 16,000 patients enrolled in the program, show a reduction of nearly 50 percent in premature births. The fund drive will be this year by Mrs. Claudia Sanders, widow of the campaigns founder Colonel Harland Sanders, and Actor Jery Mathers - best know for his starring role in the hit television series Leave It To Beaver. the Beaver) Mathers (a.k.a. d will travel to March of facilities across the country in an effort to call attention to what is being done in the battle to defeat birth defects. More than 4,000 participating Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants across the country will launch the campaign by donating ten cents to the March of Dimes for each chicken menu item sold during Memorial Day weekend, traditionally the companys busiest period. feeling. Jeffrey Allan Simpson turns in a superb performance in the role. Calleen Anderegg gives a fine character performance as Sheila and Michelle Beteta is excellent as Diana while Deborah Carlson dances up a storm in her featured role as Cassie and Jaynee Adair Welty, a Utah high school teacher, creates a delightful Val. But the best thing about the show is that the line seems filled with real people. Each of the 17 who are on the line has a moment in the limelight and their performances are what really make the show work. You leave the theater convinced that those things really happened just as they were told to you. Dennis Edenfield holds it all together as Zach. You kind of get the feeling that you are Zach as each performer bares his soul. I personally never felt that anything was inserted for shock value. There are of course many people in addition to the performers who are responsible for this show being a hit. James Prigmores excellent music is integrated perfectly and ween a good show and a great one. George Maxwells simple but stunnWhen I saw A Chorus Line in New ing set highlighted with a brilliant York, one of our party who knows lighting scheme by Peter L. Willard-so- n about those things remarked that he add the glitz to the show. Patty thought it was a tired show. That direction and g hits. choreography leave absolutely happens with Maybe thats why I liked the Salt nothing to be desired. Lake show better. Its a show that works from the Whatever the reason, it renewed cheap seats at the top of the my enthusiasm for my favorite pas- theater, and those were not full Monsion musical theater. day night. So do not despair if the Though the nature of the show others are sold out. Avail yourself of makes it impossible that any one this opportunity to see something character carry the show, there fresh and alive. And oh so excellent. A Chorus Line right now is slated were some performances that captured the fancy of Mondays au- to run through June 7. Management dience. has issued a warning that it contains In any good production of A material that may be offensive to Chorus Line the role of Paul must be some and certainly it is not suitable handled sensitively and with great for young children. "PRINTING Complete Print Shop with 4 Color Press, Numbering, folder, Perferating, Stitching, Folding. Customers will be encouraged to donate their change to the counter canisters throughout the month of June. To generate add- itional contributions, many restaurants will sponsor local fund- "GRAPHIC ARTS raising events, such as golf and volleyball tournaments ands Layout, Design, In House Composition for Jobs Ranging from Letterheads to Brochures. walk-a-thon- s. Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, once said he would give his last ounce of energy to the March of Dimes. The campaign for the March of, . . . And Knowledgeable Salespeople to Help Answer Your Questions Oversee Your Project from Start to Finishl Dimes has become a tribute to his tremendous efforts and represents Kentucky Fried Chickens commitment to good citizenship. DAR Merger Continued from page 1 freedom, she said. The Uintah chapter, organized in February, 1974, was named after the Uintah mountain range and Indian tribe, she added. The chapter presently includes 58 members. Elvira White, honorary state DAR regent, was released from that position during the Continental Congress held in Washington, D.C. She swore in new officers for the enlarged Uintah chapter and released Mary Jane Bracken, former regent of the chapter. ALL UNDER ONE ROOF TRIPLEA ADVERTISING AND DIRECT M 411. WEST 2100 SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY. UTAH 84119 1199 TELEPHONE (801)973 3555 3472 BAD DREAMS AND BE BOP . . . ploy through Juno 7 in tho Babcock Thoatro. Belinda Morgan and Michael Alvarez rehearse a scene from the I950s-styl- e play. 1 A |