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Show "The Color Purple": an emotional journey REVIEW BY ENO ETOKIDEM D DANCING WITH PRIDE B BR AN POWE PHOTO COUR ESY OF BU NO AVENUE STRING BAND Letters to the Editor 1 Woub RTSDEN uli C 19 110 x, 'AI J2 x /STAFF WRITER espite the popularity of the movie "The Color Purple': the faces of the audience members who gathered to see the musical rendition of this classic tale were filled with interest and uncertainty. The setting was a room about the size of a small classroom, and the stage was in the center of surrounding chairs. This made the performance intimate, as the audience could literally touch the actors. The set design was quite simple, consisting of chairs hung on a wall, a floor and some stacks of hay next to the chairs. "I wanted to make sure it's really intimate so the audience members can feel like a part of the story. I wanted it to be authentic': said William Cooper Howell, the director of the play. The actors utilized every inch they had as they danced around the stage and interacted with audience members. The main character, Celie, was played by Latoya Rhodes. Celie is a woman whose life has been filled with turmoil, loss and uncertainty. Her two children were taken away from her when she was young, and she was married off to an abusive man by her father. Celie was quite close to her sister, Nettie, who was driven away by Celie's aggressive husband, Mister. He beat Celie and degraded her emotionally, but she never spoke up or stood her ground because she felt deserving of his maltreatment. Fortunately, she eventually realizes her worth and her innate beauty and leaves Mister to start her own pant sewing business. Celie's journey from a life of belittlement by her father and husband to one of joy and success was both enlightening and soulful. Rhodes captured these two essential traits in her depiction of Celie, and her musical numbers were executed with such emotion that audience members were brought to tears. "To honor the story, I just had to go to those dark and heavy places to portray the emotional journey she went through:' Rhodes said. The play also had funny and light moments in which the cast members sang, danced and gossiped in exaggerated Southern accents. The other cast members were equally memorable. Lonzo Liggins, who played Celie's husband, executed his role with such force that gasps could be heard from the audience as he insulted or beat Celie. As a whole, the cast members' portrayals of their characters were genuine and touching. In the closing act, Celie was reunited with her two children and her sister. Tears could be seen rolling down audience members' cheeks, and some of the cast members hugged and cried during this emotional ending. It could be seen that the cast had tremendous chemistry, which furthered their ability to portray the intimate relationship the characters had. In all, "The Color Purple: the Musical About Love" was both touching and fun. Every scene provided a lesson to be learned, but the overall message of the play was one of love, hope and forgiveness. As Rhodes said, "This play depicts the strength of a human being and the power you have within yourself to keep pushing forward despite the circumstances you're in." e.etokidem@chronicle.utah.edu @ChronyArts • S OS. ' " merfe mortal toresist.. ry 41311■00 ODYSSEY DANCE THEATRE DERRYL YEAGER - FOUNDER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 40310PdaP fgqite tor See our 'vets frieltets 81:iScounts Oct 10 Nov 1 Kingsbury Hall odysseydance corn TI C 5 z 0 Bring equipment in Oct. 6, 7, 8 411 Mon—Wed u, / w 7 hen you think of square dancing, you might think of older individuals wearing cowboy hats and moving about the room as a band leader calls out instructions over a microphone. And though it's true that square dance is a dance style steeped in tradition, it's also true that it has evolved for more inclusive audiences. This year for Pride Week, the LGBT Resource Center is holding a Square Dance that's sure to break stereotypes around this dance form. The band playing the music for the evening is called Bueno Avenue Stringband. They will be playing traditional Southern Appalachian mountain music, also known as "old-time music." The band is usually all acoustic, with a fiddle, guitar, banjo and a stand-up bass. The Bueno Avenue Stringband started up about 10 years ago in Salt Lake City, Utah. The original band members all lived on Bueno Avenue — hence the group's name — and the quirky little street is still their main stomping ground. Live music is certainly a great reason to go to this event, especially when it showcases a local band. Expect a hard drivin' rhythm to make you want to get up and dance. Phillip Scott Anuta, band leader of the Bueno Avenue Stringband, said, "With square dancing, you don't need to know anything ahead of time. The caller will walk you through the steps of the dance, and then you're ready to go:' Traditionally the caller will give instructions by referring to the "gent" or "lady" in the couple dancing. Phillip describes his experiences in square dancing by insisting that these formal names are "purely for the sake of the caller, who needs a way to instruct either individual in the couple. Whether they are actually a gent or a lady is irrelevant." This event is being co-sponsored by a student group called Students for Queer Arts Resistance and Education. SQARE is a direct action student group that interacts predominantly with local student populations regarding queer issues. They strive to openly resist normalized forms of oppression through various artistic forms, ally-ships and educational opportunities. SQARE was born out of the Queer Identity and Social Justice Think Tank, a 20132014 University of Utah Honors College Think Tank course. Those interested in joining this student group should contact Lauryn Hansen via email at lauryn.c.hansen@ gmail.com . All you need to do is either bring a partner, or meet one there. Everyone is welcome to come. The Square Dance will be held in the Union Ballroom on Oct. 7, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. You might also be interested in the Pride Week Film Festival, which will be on Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Marriott Library Gould Auditorium. b.powell@chronicle.utah.edu @ChronyArts Follow us on Twitter! tIvatex. co-nirrhe,Chrany (T.1 re.,: 2 to o a n wx 0 cr. O • R. TITLE IX NOTICE • The University of Utah, as a public and equal opportunity institution, prohibits discrimination or harassment on the base of sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, status as a person with a disability (including but not limited to, blindness or visual impairment), race/ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran's status, or genetic information in admissions, enrollment, employment, or the participation in its education programs or activities. In addition, University policy prohibits retaliation against an individual for participating in a discrimination complaint process or for requesting a reasonable accommodation for a disability. Inquiries about the application of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and the University's implementing regulations or grievance process may be directed to: University of Utah Title IX Coordinator Krista L. Pickens Director Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action 201 S. Presidents Circle, Room 135 Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9004 (801) 581-8365 (Voice/TDD) or (801) 585-5746 (Fax) Email: oeo@umail.utah.edu Persons may also contact: Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education Cesar E. 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