'One Acts' make strong showing

University students displayed their energy and talent in Houston Hall Friday night in a moving performance of The One Acts. The entire production, made up of four mini-dramas, was organized and readied in just a few weeks. "[It was] definitely [worth the effort], and everything came together tonight for the first time." said College sophomore Julie Liedenberg. Many students in the audience agreed the performance was top-notch. "It was great to see creativity alive at Penn," said college sophomore Karey Kessler. "It was better than Cats or E.T.," another spectator quipped. The One Acts are presented annually by Quadramics, Penn Players and Intuitions. They provide an opportunity for first-time University writers, directors and actors to experience the excitement of being part of a production. "I see The One Acts as a chance to get people involved who would not get involved in the huge spectacle shows that Penn Players organize in the spring and fall," said College junior Ben Pollock. "The acts are very experimental," College sophomore Kym Frank said. "They are an opportunity to do plays which would not ordinarily be shown." The experiment was a definite success. The four acts deftly covered a broad range of issues and emotions in the form of serious drama and light comedy. The first half focused on young love and identity questioning. One student said the issues addressed in the production touched him. "They both tackled ideas that are on the minds of everyone in the room," said College sophomore Jon Slotkin. "They were so different," said College sophomore Phoebe Hyde. "But, both pinpointed things that happen at college." The second half tackled the painful issue of dealing with a friend suffering from AIDS. "To utter the name of the disease is a sign of health, a sign that he is willing to fight for his life," Susan Sontag said in the short drama entitled, "The Way We Live Now." The final short drama tried to get at the ideas that no one is perfect -- that everyone is lonely and acts sinfully as a result of lack of self-esteem. The performance was a testimony to the importance of The One Acts tradition, and all involved should be applauded.