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Show Superstar: rewarding in intimate setting By Nancy Funk Tribune Staff Writer Less than a month ago. the Unicorn Theatre was without a stage to present its production of "Jesus Christ Super-sta- r. The rug had been pulled out from under this young company the theater promised to them was suffering from financial problems and therefore unable to open of rehearsals seemed in jeopardy until director Linda Bishop contacted Bishop Dean Maxwell at St Mark's Weeks Episcopal Cathedral Friday night the results of that request were unveiled when an impressively produced production of the highly acclaimed Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice' rock opera opened in the beauty of that intimate setting An ensemble of musi-cian- s, featuring trum- through entirely music there is no dialogue. After all, it is an opera The mood is keyboard artists, pet and trombone players, as well as the usual musicians found in a rock band, begin to play the overture. The music is somber and the movement of the villagers in narmony with that mood The figures are dark, some in black hoods, of ings and the disciples try to understand All of this is portrayed a things foreshadowing to come The story begins to unfold the last seven days of Jesus life on earth. The citizens want to know whats happening, Judas reprimands Jesus for his attention to Mary Magdalene, she tries to soothe his feel established largely through the movement of the performers and you are drawn to this retelling because of its sound and visual imagery Jim Montgomery as Judas acted the part with conviction but his words were totally inaudible Perhaps it stemmed from the difficulty in employing a sufficient sound system in the cathedral or orchestration that was heavier than thevoice. At any rate, it was our loss, for the fine lyrics that librettist Rice has given to Judas clearly help establish the tone of the piece The same problem existed for nearly all the other soloists with the exception of Randy Barton (Pilate) Ten Cowan (Mary Magdalene' and Bob Howe (Jesus ) Their solo numbers generally were played down front and with softer accompaniment, usually just a piano, and therefore could be heard Jacque Lynn Bell has choreographed the opera to reveal a series of interesting patterns, often utilizing the entire length of the stage, but somehow still managing to invoke a feeling of closeness With the altar as a backdrop, the dancers moved to the variety of Dance concert a good mixture By Helen Forsberg Tribune Staff Writer ' of Utah's Performing Danscom-pan::the University performed before a shamefully small crowd at .its winter quarter concert Friday night at Kingsbury lHall: t Its too bad because this modem dance department tjmipe presented one its most satifying concerts in Jrecent times The dancers were comfortable in the Choreography, a good mixture ranging from highly drarpatic to lively and humorous. 'Jv'The program included two works, June, Where Are' You? and "Giraffe" by Loa Mangelson. director of the company; "Bearing the Burden by 'New York Clay Taliaferro; iShiriey Riries "Dont Kick Her One Minute and 'Swoon Over Her the Next"; and "The Piano Has tBeen Drinking" by student choreographer Jacque : dancer-choreograph- tynn Bell. Sometimes Mangelson choreography can be But that was not the case with the two pieces ' presented Friday night. They are Mangelson Choreography at its best with "June showing her dramatic flair, and "Giraffe," her fine way with pure ' and unadulterated movement She thinks tall in Giraffe, a work for two couples and five women set to the clean sounds of the Modem Jazz Quintet. Dressed in spotted leotards designed by "Barry Lynn, the dancers reach for the sky, spring high in the air, and stretch and twist their long necks. The dancers aren't always giraffe-lik- e however, as the stand on their hands, lunge into split-lik- e jumps, Z and spin around as they sit on the floor. Dance-goer- s are probably most familiar with Dance company ."June" via the obs-.Cu- Ririe-Woodbur- v tP Webber sounds -- blues., rock, spiritual always creating a mood that was in keeping w ith the story The chorus members were particularly complementary to this pro duetion They were integ rated carefully into the soloists numbers and were an asset rather than a deterent In presenting com-passio- por-traje- d a story that carries so many engrained pictures for everyone, its measure of success would seem to be, is it believeable? The success this of one character "Superstar" is that the characters are portrayed being stronger than the other, an interpretation some may find objectionable. .And yet, because of the familiarity of the work, the production is enjoyable because of its approach, its visual design and its simplicity The least effective number was the arrval of Herod, who Rice and Webber have given the simply, there is no attempt to change any images one might already have, and merely to show the humanness of pimple we all know about from years of hearing the Easter story Howe presents a particularly approachable Jesus His strong, fine voice and innocent de- - which has had the piece in its repertory since 1977. Joan Woodbury and Shirley Rine both have offered wonderful intrepretations in the title role, and therefore I was a little leary of one so young as a college student tackling it. But after seeing Karin Frank do it so well, there was no need to be apprehensive. Undoubtedly every woman can identify in some way with June, a woman confused by relationships with the men in her life. Son (Gerold Dennett) is always calling out for attention, Father (Kevin Susco) keeps reminding her she is daddys girl, and Lover (Derek Holtsinger) isnt fond of sharing her Frank conveys these twisted emotions with she throws herself to the wrenching movement floor, thrurfs her arms frantically about, scurries to comfort her son and is tossed recklessly about by her lover. She never seems to make peace with herself, for as the curtain huddles falls, June on the floor loo king as tormented as ever. Taliaferros "Bearing the Burden is a great addition to the Danscompany repertory. Amazingly enough, Taliaferro originally set the piece on seven women, and when in residence fall quarter at the U. of U., restaged it for seven men. To begin with, the piece has marvelous accompaniment spirituals such as Sometimes I Feel Like A a Motherless Child, "Deep River, Hammersong" and Shenandoah all sung by Paul Robeson. In keeping with the spirit of the songs, Taliaferros choreography is at times uplifting, and then downtrodden and sad. Theres tap, tap, tapping, heads bowed in prayer, and heavy and emotion-charge- d dance in solo (by Tim Hadel), duo, trio and ensemble. meaner projected a qual of warmth and it He made no attempt to blutanth say Yes. 1 am the son of Givi " Rather he Jesus as a man with a destiny, an ex tiemolv human man. who loved deeplv In fact, the entire production did not carr the look of Christian reverence Rather it was more the relating of a spiritual story, enhanced by the musical beat of its compositions There is little sense of The Salt lakp Tribune, Sunday, March show stopping number As port i ived hv Bill Cut ting, Herod is more an after thought than the audience irowd pleaser His black costume skimp y Give it the appropriate. Min pl quality it de E 9 11, 1182 Supeistar" continues F ridays and Saturdays at 8 p m through the month Curtain is S p m. at the cathdral at 231 E. serves Thank goodness, hose pioduicrs aid not copy the Broadway version 1st South near-biki- nd orange cape weie appropriate, but his demeanor hesitant, his movements stiff and his overall appearance, certainly not kingly Randy Barton, on the other hand, was intriguing as Pontius Pilate In colorful robes, he con-ev ed a sense of authority as well as frustration for the deed he had to carry out His moments with Jesus wore clearly Patricks Day 317 wear GREEN and recieva one FREE admission with one paid admission nun allr Slat 6 00 Mon - Fn HOL'OSYS EXCEPT "THE BEAST WITHIN" 1:00,2 45,4 30, 6.15 8.00, 9.45 R- felt and extremely 4 touching IJnda Bishop has directed this large production with enthusiasm and a certain amount of w 6 00 Mon Fn for what "Superstar" represents Ogden has Mark put well, if only the things together musically, voices could better Buckley has carefully he understood Jeppson costumed the piece to GREATIf UN BJENTIRTAINMENTiNICHIL' BUS TOUR ELKO 1 Monday, April 5th BUS Pockoge include. Room, , But, Keno Ticket, S2 00 ini nis4rlk $7i Pw DU FUN package Individuals & TOUR2 Groups Welcome! Thursday April 1 5th Person Poctap mcUn. But, Boom, Occ. taO Tecta, Coftlintntol Brook W o Helen lymait Short fab Onnor, S3 00 Monty coupon, $2 00 w metat Per Person, SIC, Utah 532-327- .V jj L. I U 5 x cecJ-eathe-r Special Prairie Morning Breakfast tAe, QatJ Cowed, Served Sundays 10 AM to 3 PM Chuck Wagon Omelets Fruit A. Fastry Tables Fresh Baked Salmon Barbecue Ribs T ariaki Steak Strips Ranch Potatoes Ham, Bacon, Sausage 72 Buffet style, 6200 sSoulh Tb&cuiay 22vd $7.95 .person Quality Steaks and Seafood Dinners PM Served Wed. to Sat. FREE 0 Reservations Preferred 2 miles above Hogle Zoo ,2110 Emigration Canyon ZCMI CENTER and ijoZ0y 1 an Album Premiere KSL RADIO and TELEVISION Proudly Present Aione...1emfied...l rapped like an animal. Now shes fighting back with the only weapon she has...Herself! MORGAN FAIRCHILD MICHAEL SARRAZIN VINCE EDWARDS ANDREW STEVENS THE SALT LAKE PHILHARMONIC rfiEnsKiKr "Prom NttftiC t Sat. Prom Son Prom 49. 9 30 Srtuct- 7 30 5 545. 9 30 StouO. 345. 1 30 Sun. 1 945 Sit 45. 3 45. 5 45, 7 45. 945 973-708- CREDWOOD 900 Fusion on Red Giant Records SPACES Produced and Directed By EUGENE JELESNIK WA Co hit "Prom Night" Open QMituryCqtypwx 1 30, 3 35, 5 40. 7 45, 9 45 00. 3 10,5 20 7 30.9 40 APPEARING LIVE AT WOOD & COWBOY MARCH 25, 26, 27 EGYPTIAN THEATER (PARK ClTY MARCH 28 WILL BE ALBUM AVAILABLE With an AT. All-St- ar COSMIC AEROPLANE RANDY S SMOKEYS MAD PLATTER PEGASUS RASPBERRY RECORD BAR TAPE HEAD RFCORD SHOP REVOLVER AND OTHER FiNE RECORD STORES Cast Featuring Tickets Available Monday for by Bernard Pomerance Directed by Charlene Bletson John Geter Dana Swenson Bennett Coleman Creel April in nn A M 581-696- 1 uuiil ft on p m Mond.,. Jack Stevens and the 7-- 24 Pioneer Memorial Theatre CALL Bob Davis ih,o,h Fnd, SALT LAKE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 6:30 PM ZCMI CENTER Downtoun Salt Lake City Free Admission No Tickets Required 6 30 IN CONCERT Thursday. April 1 Grand Ballroom ' 8.00 p.m. $8.00 per person Tickets at Hotel Utah |