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(04/17/91 9:00am)
A campus dance company wants to bring a little sunshine -- make that a little spark -- into the lives of West Philadelphia residents in need of it. The group is called the Sparks Dance Company, and for three years the all-female volunteer troupe has been going to nursing homes and children's hospitals in an effort "to be able to bring entertainment to people who couldn't get it [otherwise]," according to Sparks' President Helaine Greenberg, a College and Wharton junior. Greenberg said the group was formed "to see that you can really make a difference . . . all of us love to dance." The dance company performed Monday night at the Ronald McDonald House, a temporary home for terminally ill children and their families, on the 3900 block of Chestnut Street. About 30 children, parents and staff attended the show. The 12 members in the group started by asking children from the audience to join them in their warm-ups. College sophomore Robyn Glassman led the stretching and jumping exercises, which were used as a way to make the kids feel comfortable with the group. For 45 minutes the group danced to all kinds of music, ranging from George Michael and the Pink Panther to a good-old-American tap number. The dancers were always smiling, trying to make the audience have fun. "It's great to make people happy doing something we love," said Engineering and Wharton junior Adine Nahum, the group's performance coordinator and president-elect. "It's bringing a part of us to them," College junior Rhonda Ebert said. "We have a lot to offer." Eight-year-old Beverly Griffiths, a Ronald McDonald House resident, clearly enjoyed the show. When asked how much fun she had, she simply stretched her arms and said "[they were] more fun than from that wall to that wall." "They dance good . . . very good," she added. Sparks Dance Company is recognized by the Student Activities Council as a community service performing group. It performs four or five times in the Spring semester, and Greenberg said members are trying to find transportation so they can perform farther from campus. "I would like to see [the group] get bigger . . . reaching more people," Ebert said. The Sparks Dance Company will seek Performing Arts Council recognition next year and will begin holding auditions in the fall.
(04/16/91 9:00am)
A campus dance company wants to bring a little sunshine -- make that a little spark -- into the lives of West Philadelphia residents in need of it. The group is called the Sparks Dance Company, and for three years the all-female volunteer troupe has been going to nursing homes and children's hospitals in an effort "to be able to bring entertainment to people who couldn't get it [otherwise]," according to Sparks' President Helaine Greenberg, a College and Wharton junior. Greenberg said the group was formed "to see that you can really make a difference . . . all of us love to dance." The dance company performed Monday night at the Ronald McDonald House, a temporary home for terminally ill children and their families, on the 3900 block of Chestnut Street. About 30 children, parents and staff attended the show. The 12 members in the group started by asking children from the audience to join them in their warm-ups. College sophomore Robyn Glassman led the stretching and jumping exercises, which were used as a way to make the kids feel comfortable with the group. For 45 minutes the group danced to all kinds of music, ranging from George Michael and the Pink Panther to a good-old-American tap number. The dancers were always smiling, trying to make the audience have fun. "It's great to make people happy doing something we love," said Engineering and Wharton junior Adine Nahum, the group's performance coordinator and president-elect. "It's bringing a part of us to them," College junior Rhonda Ebert said. "We have a lot to offer." Eight-year-old Beverly Griffiths, a Ronald McDonald House resident, clearly enjoyed the show. When asked how much fun she had, she simply stretched her arms and said "[they were] more fun than from that wall to that wall." "They dance good . . . very good," she added. Sparks Dance Company is recognized by the Student Activities Council as a community service performing group. It performs four or five times in the Spring semester, and Greenberg said members are trying to find transportation so they can perform farther from campus. "I would like to see [the group] get bigger . . . reaching more people," Ebert said. The Sparks Dance Company will seek Performing Arts Council recognition next year and will begin holding auditions in the fall.
(04/12/91 9:00am)
A funny thing happened yesterday night at Arts House Theatre's new show. It was funny. Very funny. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a madcap comedy set on a day in Spring, 200 B.C. It's the story of Hero, a young virgin man, played by Stefan Treatman, who is desperately in love with a young, virgin woman who unfortunately has been sold to an army captain. As the story continues, the young man seeks help from his trusted slave, who in turn tries to get the two lovebirds together so that he may become a free man. Pseudolus the slave, played by College sophomore Gideon Evans, gave an impressive performance that leaves the audience laughing in the aisles with his jolly smile and zany gestures. The show is filled with a slapstick -- Looney Tunes kind of humor that always hits the spot. Props, sound effects and face twitches make for an enjoyable and believable comedy. The talented cast has everything. College sophomore Laurence Wagner was wicked as Hero's father when singing "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid." Wharton sophomore Anthony Angeles plays the annoying master slave Hysterium, who really goes hysterical more than once. Also deserving mention for solid performances are College freshman Daniel Bisbee as the captain and Engineering freshman Marc Weitz and his cortesans-for-sale, who provide some very refreshing burlesque scenes to the delight of some. Music Director Cathy Katona and Orchestra Coordinator Karen Reinhart did an excellent job in setting the tone for the entire show. The soft songs and background music give the show a very authentic feel, blending perfectly with the singing and the acting. Lighting Designer Doug Earhart, an Engineering senior, and Set Designer James Waldrop, a College sophomore, also deserve congratulation. The elaborate two-level stage allows for a very active and diversified performance, while the lighting equipment serves its purpose well, with a nice red heart to go with it. Overall, the show was one of the most well-rounded and funniest shows of the spring semester. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a definite must. It will play tonight at 9 p.m. and tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the Houston Hall Auditorium. Tickets cost $5 and will be on sale on Locust Walk and at the door.
(04/11/91 9:00am)
The name of Off the Beat's new show is not the only thing that will set it apart from the group's past productions. Weebles Wobble But They Don't Falsetto's repertoire includes more new songs than previous Off the Beat shows, and the group is aiming for a more "musically perfect show," according to College senior Julie Pulerwitz, the group's performance coordinator. Most founding members graduated last year, so the show also features a much-changed cast. Off the Beat has always prided itself on being one of the few co-ed a capella groups on campus that does progressive music that most other groups wouldn't think of doing. "We do things in a capella that were never meant to be a capella," said Pulerwitz. "We're improvisational." All of the show's arrangements were done by members of the group, and they include songs by contemporary performers Duran Duran, Sting and Peter Gabriel. Group members said they hope that contemporary songs will allow the audience to relate to the music. "Everyone is really enthusiastic about the show," said Lilie Chang, a College freshman who joined the group this semester. "The arrangements are really interesting . . . we do interesting syllables." "When an audience member pays $5 for the show, we really want to see that person having fun," said College senior Mark Platt, the group's president. This is Off the Beat's fifth year of existence, and the members are trying to give the group a new image while still keeping with the old. "For people who haven't come before, the key point is that they'll enjoy themselves," said Pulerwitz. "We like to get out there and sing . . . to really connect with people." Pulerwitz also said that every member is an integral part of the group and that everyone has a say in the show. He noted that this will be apparent in the diverse and rather eclectic kinds of music and humor that the show will have. Off the Beat has invited two guest groups to the one hour and a half show. Friday night, the co-ed Yale S.O.B.'s will join the show and Saturday night the Virginia Belles will participate. The group put an album out last year, entitled Rhythm Method. The tape will be sold on Locust Walk and at the door for $7. Weebles Wobble But They Don't Falsetto, will run Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30 p.m. in the Rainey Auditorium at the University Museum. Tickets cost $5 and will be on sale on Locust Walk and at the door.
(04/11/91 9:00am)
Kick it up -- A Chorus Line is coming to town. Some months ago, College senior David Simon decided he wanted a challenge. He wanted to produce or direct a show before he left the University. He also decided this would be an independent production in which members from different performing groups would be able to join. And he wanted it to be good. Simon decided that what he was looking for was A Chorus Line, the longest running musical in the history of Broadway, a show famous for its energetic dances and powerful music. And it was also about something else. "It's about performers . . . the side of performers that people don't see," Simon explained. "People remember top hats and dances, but this show let's you see the real people behind it . . . what made them be who they are today." A Chorus Line met all of Simon's requirements. It's a show that is easier to produce than most, since it doesn't have complex sets to design or lighting equipment to set up. And Simon said that he likes it because it's a show that people want to be in and that people generally like to see. "Artistically, it's wonderful," he said. "It's truly an ensemble. The play has 19 leads, and everyone gets their moment in the spotlight." The show takes place at a theater audition, in which the director, played by Simon, who is also producing and directing the show, wants to find out about the people who have come to perform for him. The performers are at first skeptical, but then they start opening up and the audience gets to find out all of their stories. "You get to see what [performers] do and why," said College junior Nick Hunchak, who plays Paul, one of the leads in the show. Hunchak's character is a good example of what A Chorus Line is about. Paul is someone who is coming to terms with himself. He has a need to perform, and during the show many of his hidden secrets come out. Another character in A Chorus Line is Maggie, played by College freshman Megan Wozniak. Maggie was conceived in order to help save her parents' marriage, but her father walked out when she was born. Since then, she has always tried to look for a father figure. "There's a lot of humor and a lot of sadness," said Simon. "It's a really wonderful show," added Wozniak. "It's a big misconception that A Chorus Line is just about dancing . . . it's about people and beautiful music." Simon also said he wants the audience to realize that there's a lot more to the show than the dances and the music. He emphasized that there's a lot of emotion in the musical that requires very talented actors, and that the mixture of acting, singing and dancing makes for an even bigger impact on the audience. "I think it's more powerful that way," he said. "It's more of a challenge. "In the original cast, and this is something many people don't realize, most of the performers were telling their own stories. Everything is true," Simon said. Although Simon has done a lot of directing work, this is the first time he is completely in charge. He said that an essential step was to get a choreographer, a music director, a set designer, and a lighting designer. Without the commitment of those people, he said, the show wouldn't come through. He also needed to get the support of a Students Activities Council group, without which the job of producing the show would have been almost impossible. The Glee Club came to Simon's rescue, providing the needed affiliation. "It's a very dedicated and talented cast," Simon said. "It's a lot of work . . . but it was easily worth it." Simon said he felt lucky to get such a good group of very dedicated performers. He said that even after rehearsals are over, if one needs more practice, other members will voluntarily work with that person for hours until they get it right. "We all pull each other," said Wozniak. "It's the good old American show. Go see it. It has a lot to say about the business." A Chorus Line will run Wednesday through Friday, April 11 to 13, at 8:00 pm, in the Annenberg School Theater. Tickets are $6 and will be on sale on Locust Walk and at the door. (CUT LINE) Please see CHORUS, page ---- CHORUS, from page 3
(04/04/91 10:00am)
Intuitons opened its new show last night, and it is definitely only for audiences looking for a challenge. Suicide in B flat stretches the limits of the audience's capacity to understand with a psychological melodrama that only very dedicated viewers will be able to enjoy. The play's main storyline deals with the investigation of the apparent suicide of one of the most popular and famous musicians of that time, Niles. But the play is also heavy with psychological subplots. The detectives, the lead roles in the play, are portrayed by College junior Michael Pomerantz and College junior Jonathan Mattingly. The duo plays a Dragnet-like good cop/bad cop combination. They both give very physical performances, jumping, falling, fighting and wrestling at different times in the show. Mattingly turns in a very convincing performance, especially when battling the hidden forces that try to kill him with a knife. Pomerantz also gives a very good performance, at times being extremely melodramatic, at others providing some very well received comic relief. All of the play's performances are very good, as the actors appear to truly identify with their characters, as bizarre as they may be. College freshman Michael Breslow's character was especially well played, with a good combination of strangeness and simplicity to it. College sophomores Alexandra Lopez and Carolyn Kelson did an excellent job of directing the play. No details were left uncompleted, and even scenes that were hard to visualize, such as Mattingly's wrestling with hidden forces, seemed real. The lighting also added to the play, as the audience's attention was effectively directed from one scene to another and the different lights came right on time, giving the play a very professional aura. Just about everything that was up to the cast and staff was good. The only problem with Suicide in B flat is that it will be hard to understand for some -- if not most -- of students that go to the play. The play is very deep, profound and challenging. Students looking for a play that will challenge their minds and intellects should definitely go to this well-acted performance. Students looking for a more relaxed show might be advised to think twice about seeing it. Intuitons' Suicide in B Flat will continue tonight through Saturday, each night at 8 p.m. in Houston Hall Auditorium. Tickets are $5 and will be sold on Locust Walk or at the door.
(03/19/91 10:00am)
University students flying to Cancun over Spring Break knew their trip was going to be something special when they saw a man streak past them. And they were still on the plane. About two hours after Aerocancun's flight 71 departed from Philadelphia International Airport, a Wharton junior, who did not want to be identified, walked into the front bathroom of the plane. He then proceeded to strip naked and walk down the aisle. While a friend tried to keep the plane's steward from interfering, he stopped to talk to some friends and tried to "pick up" some women, the streaker said. When he reached the back of the plane and put on his clothes, the steward and pilot confronted him and told him indecent exposure is a federal crime in Mexico and that he would probably be deported when they arrived. The pilot then radioed Mexican officials and told them of the incident. "I don't understand how he doesn't have any respect for the people on the plane, not to mention himself," said Maria Joaquina Sierra, a stewardess on the plane. When the plane arrived at Mexico at 1:30 a.m., no one was allowed to get off the plane and two federal officers came on board to take the student to the airport's security office. The student said a group of his friends put him up to the stunt. "I think it was a combination of wanting to set a precedent for the week, a substantial amount of money, and the fact that I didn't know all the consequences [streaking would carry]," he said. The student said he was taken to a local Mexican jail at around 3 a.m., was advised he had a court appointment at 8 a.m. and told he would probably be deported and heavily fined. The student said that at about 4:30 a.m., he was taken from the room where he was being held and the deputy chief of police began questioning him. "When he found out what I did, he loved it," said the student. The student said he befriended the officer, who even offered him a drink of Tequila. About an hour into the conversation, the officer asked him how much money he had on him, but the student had been advised to leave all valuables with his friends. The officer then left the student's friends a message at their hotel and they came in at about 5:30 a.m, the student said. He added that the officer asked the friends for a $100 "bribe" to tear up the paperwork for the case, which would tie up the processing long enough for the student to remain in Cancun for the week and return safely to the States. After bargaining with the officer, the friends gave him $50 and the streaker was released at 6:15 a.m., he said. "When you leave for Mexico, the first thing people tell you is 'don't get arrested' . . . and that's the first thing I did," the Wharton junior said.
(03/06/91 10:00am)
A prominent Venezuelan economist told approximately 80 students yesterday that the 1980s was "a lost decade" for Latin America, and that the region must overcome its economic problems in the 1990s. Pedro Palma, a 1976 Wharton Ph.D. graduate in economics, discussed what the problems and possible solutions are to current economic difficulties facing Latin America in a presentation in Vance Hall yesterday, sponsored by the Wharton Latin American Student Association. Palma began by emphasizing the dire situation the countries are in as they enter the '90s. He said that during the past 10 years, Latin American economies worsened on the average. He said they experienced negative G.N.P. per capita growth, adding that the average inflation rate in 1988 was 758 percent and in 1990 it reached almost 1,000 percent. "No developing country can have a chance to achieve a decisive growth or development [under these circumstances]," Palma said. However, he acknowledged positive political developments in the region. He said by 1990 every Latin American country, with the exception of Cuba, Panama and foreign protectorates, had converted to democracy. Palma speculated that to solve the problems, three basic areas had to be addressed: handling the external debt, keeping inflation down, and achieving a positive growth in the economy. Palma explained different plans to alleviate the foreign debt problem, saying that despite attempts, "the situation is less serious, but the problem is still there." He also said that in the 1930's, all of the countries were considered as a region, so countries like Bolivia defaulting on their international bond debts effectively closed the bond markets for all countries until the 1970s. Palma said history shows "we are considered as a region [when problems arise]. It is crucial to continue to have access [to international bond markets]." Among Palma's solutions for inflation are public sector reform, privatization of public services and reducing the fiscal deficit. But Palma emphasized that to achieve positive growth in the economy, international trade barriers would have to come down. "The name of the game [today] is openness," Palma said. He said the government must stimulate foreign investments and competition in private companies, as most industrialized countries are promoting now. But this is difficult because they sometimes have to compete with protected industries, he said. "It's almost impossible for any agricultural sector in Latin America to compete with the artificially low [foreign prices]," he added. Palma ended his one-hour lecture by detailing the basic parts of the Initiative for the Americas that President Bush unveiled in June 1990. The initiative calls for a unified hemisphere to face the rest of the world in the long term. Palma then opened the floor to questions from the audience. First year MBA student Eduardo Muller, treasurer of the Wharton Latin American Student Association, said he was very satisfied with Palma's speech. "Here one hears a lot about what's happening in the USA, Japan and Europe, but not a lot from the developing countries," Muller said. "Dr. Palma really knows what's going on in Latin America. I learned a lot from him." Other audience members also seemed to enjoy the lecture. "This lecture gave me a clear and well-informed insight into the real, concrete problems facing Latin American economies," said College sophomore Alejandra Torres.
(03/01/91 10:00am)
Students can judge for themselves tonight when the 13-member troupe opens its new show, described by College senior and Penn-Six President Billy Fenrich as "a veritable potpourri of entertainment." The two-hour show reflects the group's philosophy of blending music and humor, with something to which audiences of every age can relate. For the '80s crowd, there are songs like "Hungry Like the Wolf", while those who cherish the '70s will appreciate "Superfreak". And for still older generations, there's "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes." But members of the group refused to divulge their "secret weapons" -- songs Penn-Six has never performed, but that they hope will please the crowds. "There's a big element of surprise," Fenrich said. "Part of the special experience of Penn-Six is not knowing what to expect." Penn-Six members work hard at their rehearsals, but they work as hard at enjoying themselves as they do sharpening their act. It's often hard to distinguish when they're actually practicing or when they are only joking. "A capella is a lot of fun to do," said College freshman Peter Eliot. "We enjoy what we do, and it carries over into the audience." According to Fenrich, the group always manages to "crack the whip" in the final days and the show comes together. "We're fun for the students," said Wharton sophomore Ed Matz, the group's musical director. "Relax and have fun," he added. "Grab some wood . . . Bub!" will play tonight and tomorrow at the Harrison Auditorium at the University Museum at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 and will be on sale on Locust Walk and at the door.
(02/21/91 10:00am)
If Bloomers, the only all-female comedy group at the University, was categorized as feminist once upon a time, it might have been an accurate description. But it certainly is not now. The group opens its 14th annual show tonight, and in this time of war and fast changes in the world, the women of Bloomers have decided to avoid the stereotypes of female comedians as well as the complexities of the unpredictable and explosive world situation. "It's hard to make fun of the world [in these times]," said College senior Nani Coloretti, the show's director. So Bloomers decided that they would stay with topics that, although contemporary and identifiable, stay away from touchy subjects. At the time Bloomers was formed, Coloretti said, "there was no outlet for female comedy." And although she conceded that years ago the show might have had a feminist agenda, she said today it is different. "We have stuff dealing with things not done in other [Bloomers] shows," Coloretti said. But, she added, "[although] we do deal with female issues . . . we leave no stone unturned." And all of the show's material was approved by the 12 performers, since they, along with some other writers, created the skits. "If you can't write a funny show, it doesn't matter how many funny faces you can make," said Lesley Wolff, a College sophomore. The performers-writers are concerned not only about the show's execution, but also the content itself. "I really hope that the audience will be able to sense the wit and the effort that went [into the show]," added College sophomore Deborah Brown. Coloretti's attempt to leave no stone unturned seems to be a major part of the show. Good to the last drop . . . dead! satirizes almost everything from movies such as Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure PARIS, the Penn Automated Registration Information System. Coloretti said that despite the show's morbid jokes, people will still enjoy it. "I try to give the audience a feeling of fun and irony about the world," said Coloretti. "To get people to laugh . . . laughter is a good release." Good to the last drop . . . dead!, opens tonight at 8 p.m. in Houston Hall Auditorium. Tickets are $5 and will be on sale today and tomorrow on Locust Walk and at the door. On Friday and Saturday, shows will be at both 7 and 9:30 p.m.
(02/14/91 10:00am)
The Beatles may have been right when they warned you "can't buy me love," but some students certainly are going to try today, the most romantic day of the year. Some will use the traditional Valentine's Day route. "I bought [my girlfriend] chocolates, flowers and a present, and I'll take her out to a nice quiet restaurant," Engineering sophomore Max Weise said. Some will be more elaborate. "I'm going to take [my girlfriend] to a fancy restaurant for a night in town, maybe even a carriage ride," Wharton senior Michael Silvera said. But for some, Valentine's Day is not complete without . . . well . . . as one female student put it "a nice quiet dinner, and hot, steamy sex afterwards." "I'm going to buy 20 condoms for this weekend when I go to see my girlfriend," said another student who, obviously, did not want to be identified. There are those, however, still in search of love. "I'll send like a dozen roses to eight or 10 girls . . and then I'll see what happens," said a Wharton sophomore. And then there are others for whom love is only a secondary concern on Valentine's Day. "I'll have to stay in because I have a midterm on Friday," said Wharton freshman Miriam Olivera. But for many, Valentine's Day still means buying that someone special that special something. And that means laying out bucks for the four C's -- candy, chocolate, cards and, of course, condoms. "The past week has been really ridiculous . . hectic," said Erica Marks, a cashier at Houston Hall's Cards & Gifts. "I would say [we have] about three to four times the usual business." Marks said the biggest sellers are humorous cards by the Shoebox company, with small boxes of candy to go with them. "[Chocolate and card] sales are more than we expected," said the manager of CVS at 39th and Walnut streets. "[Condom sales] are the highest they've ever been." According to Frank Morales, night assistant manager of the WaWa at 36th and Chestnut streets, the store has sold almost all of its cards -- more than 100 -- and flower sales have also been good. "People come and get two or three packs of condoms at a time," added Morales. "We had to refill twice this week." And many campus groups are also looking to capitalize on the Valentine's Day spending spree. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Society of Black Engineers is raising funds by delivering balloons and candy. Delta Sigma Theta sold about 30 balloon and candy packages, while the SBE sold about 50 balloon-grams. "[We did] really, really well. We reached capacity," said College sophomore Kiera Reilly. She said PSA sold 430 care packages and had to turn down 20 other orders. Even the The Daily Pennsylvanian cashed in on Valentine's Day. It sold more than 440 ads, which appear on four pages in today's paper. "It's the most we've sold in a year since I can remember," DP Business Manager Michael Gaviser said yesterday.
(02/13/91 10:00am)
Theater Arts' production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet this weekend will have an American flavor. Although the play itself will be the original, the actors will not use English accents and will de-emphasize the play's "Shakespearean" language. One of the main concerns of the show's producer, College senior Lisa Goldsmith, was to make the show more understandable to students not versed in early New English -- the language of Shakespeare's day -- but at the same time keep it as close as possible to the original. Some cuts were made, however, to shorten the play to two and a half hours. "We're keeping true to the poetic, but making it more accessible," Goldsmith said. "[We're] trying to fuse formal acting with American techniques." "If you have a fear of Shakespeare, this is not a show to be scared of," said College senior Mia Lipsit, the show's assistant director. "We're speaking Shakespeare's words, but we're not speaking Shakespearean. We're speaking like you and I speak." "We're trying to make [the play] accessible to a 1991 American audience," said College junior Joshua Goldsmith, who plays Romeo. Only Romeo and Juliet perform just one role throughout the play, while the other five members of the cast take on the parts of the other 20 characters. College sophomore Mark Baker and College junior Chris Campbell, both of whom play four different roles in the play, agreed that the greatest challenge was understanding the play's language and, at the same time, trying to sound natural. Joshua Goldsmith said the actors are trying to "find the real emotions and put them into the language." He added that playing Romeo carries the unenviable task of living up to the name of "the ultimate romantic guy." But the real reason, he said, for seeing the play is because "plays weren't meant to be read, they were meant to be seen." Romeo and Juliet will play Wednesday to Saturday at 8 p.m., with a fifth show Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Studio Theater of the Annenberg Center. Tickets are $5 and will be on sale on Locust Walk and at the theater's box office.
(02/12/91 10:00am)
For students looking for other ways to preview University shows on campus, here comes PENNtertainment This Week, University Television's new show highlighting performing arts. Daneberg, also a member of Off-The-Beat, has been involved with performing groups for many years, and the show's producer, College junior Heidi Howard, said that "she puts a part of her own life on the show." The first show, which premiered last Tuesday on UTV, featured Mask and Wig and an on-studio skit by Off-the-Beat. Each week, different performing groups at Penn will have an on-studio performance, either a skit or a song, and there will be interviews with different members of the groups, as well as a backstage look at the shows. "You can see a scene from a show and you know what you're paying money to see," Daneberg said. "It's like a movie preview." Some performing groups will be able to use the show "as a publicity vehicle," said Howard. "[It's] free publicity," Daneberg said. "It's a lot easier than putting posters. "We're trying to get groups the week of their performance," she added. The producer is also "hoping to get more of an audience" by having contests in which viewers could win tickets for different shows. Tonight's show includes a preview of Theatre Arts program's Romeo and Juliet, and a performance by Without a Net. Next week's show will be a Glee Club special highlighting the different groups in the club, and there will also be a segment on Bloomers, who also have a production next week. PENNtertainment This Week is UTV's second attempt at on-campus performing arts, having taken Penn Performances off the air several years ago. The weekly half-hour show airs Tuesday nights at 7 p.m., and reruns go on at the top of every odd hour, 24 hours a day, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
(02/07/91 10:00am)
A decade-and-a-half old tradition will continue tonight as scores of Wharton MBA students take to the stage to show what their lives are all about -- their joys, their pains, and their worries. The Wharton Follies' 15th show, "Alice in Whartonland" tells the story of a lost Alice and her confusing journey through a world where people are always late, but never know where they are late to. Alice, played by second year MBA student Perrie Taylor, travels from one skit to another, which satirize different aspects of graduate life. Trends of the 80s and the 90s are well represented in the show. Skits range from "I'm failing, and I can't get up," to an ad for Calvin Klein's "Recession." The play also features a game of Jeopardy with host Vance Hall, and old Farmer Joe Wharton being told "if you build it, they will come." Even Rainman's Raymond Babbitt is part of the show, masterfully played by first year MBA student Paul Amorusso, who interviews a prospective job applicant and reprimands her for not flying Qantas Airlines. First year MBA student Andra Bowman shines as the Synergizer rabbit -- the Follies' version of the white rabbit -- and as Shakespeare's Juliet. Undergraduates may have a hard time understanding much of the humor in the show, since it is geared mainly toward the graduate students. The beginning of the show is full of MBA humor, which makes for a slow beginning, but it picks up speed soon after. Still, almost everyone should be able to enjoy an exciting show filled with energetic dances and good music. "[We wanted something] really colorful, really bright and with a lot of energy," said second year MBA student Eric Green, one of the show's writers. Alice in Whartonland opens tonight at the MTI Tabernacle Theatre at 37th and Chestnut streets, and will run through Saturday. Showtimes are 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and a few tickets are still available at the theater's box office.
(02/06/91 10:00am)
In a move designed to alleviate space crunch problems that currently plague performing arts groups, the Office of University Life will take control of the Annenberg School Auditorium next semester, making it easier for the groups to use the 400-seat facility. In the past, the Annenberg School of Communications has regulated the the theater -- one of the most desired campus performing spaces available -- but Annenberg officials no longer wanted to pay for the cost of maintenance, according to Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson. Although Morrisson said the transfer of control is only "basically a financial change," negotiations with Annenberg School Dean Kathleen Jamieson will allow the theater to be "a more widely available University facility." The theater has been a major point of contention for the Performing Arts Council, which has claimed that it is very difficult for students to gain access to the theater. PAC and several performing groups have said for years that their practice and performance times have been severely limited because of a lack of appropriate spaces to use on campus. Many also have said that when there are good facilities to use, they are often being used by non-performing groups. Currently, even if a group is allocated use of the Annenberg School Theatre, it is still required to pay a rental fee of about $350 a week. Starting next semester, however, an advisory board composed of faculty and students involved in the performing arts will decide on a rental fee, if any, and on who will use the theatre. According to Vice Provost Morrisson, University performing arts groups will receive top priority on the use of the theatre. Other University groups will receive second priority, with groups outside the University receiving third. "I see it as a benefit not only to student performing groups, [but also because] it is using a space to its fullest," Morrisson said. Performing arts groups now require theater space for about eight to 10 weeks out of the year, according to Kathryn Helene, coordinator for student performing arts. Performing Arts Council President Stuart Gibbs praised the decision, saying that the increase availability of the theaters will help performers. The control of the new theatre will "certainly be very helpful," Gibbs, a College senior, said this week. "It's one of the best theaters on campus."
(01/30/91 10:00am)
The meeting eventually led to marriage, and now the couple has given the University the ability to sponsor a paid internship for students interested in theater. After his wife died several years ago, George Wallace, a member of the Class of 1939, decided to honor her by starting an endowment in her name. The result was the Jane Wallace Memorial Internship Program, created last year, which will annually give a student in an unpaid theater internship program the money he or she would make in a regular summer job. Student Performing Arts Coordinator Kathryn Helene, who helped design the program, said that while there are many internships available in professional theater companies, they are usually non-paying. "The economic realities are such that students have to work in the summer," she said. "This is trying to fill that gap." The internship's purpose, according to Helene, is to introduce students to the realities of professional theater so they can evaluate their own careers and also share the information with other students. "They have to ask themselves, do they want a theater career, what's involved, how glamorous is it," she said. "These are the kind of details none of us can really say to another student." College senior David Simon was the first recipient of the award, given last year. He worked for 12 weeks with the Acting Company, a New York City professional repertoire company. "[The internship] allowed me to get into some of the other areas [of theater] that I'm interested in, [including] the backstage side of it," Simon said. "It let me see what I like and what I don't like. If you're interested in working in theater, definitely apply." Applicants must write a five- to 10-page essay describing their previous involvement in theater and their professional aspirations. Wallace and his daughter Susan, along with Helene, several students and a professor, reviewed the applications last year. Helene said the committee chose Simon based on his clearly defined professional goals. He is also well known in the University arts community and will be able to spread information about the program. Helene added that she has helped other students find internships, even though the University was not able to pay for them, and said that she is hoping to expand the endowment to five internships.
(01/24/91 10:00am)
The first exhibit to be shown at the Institute of Contemporary Art's new home at 36th and Sansom streets focuses on a subject very close to home -- every work displayed in the show was done by Philadelphia artists. The new exhibit, "Artists Choose Artists," tries to emphasize the diversity and quality of Philadelphia's own artists, and to make people more aware of the visual artists around the city. The works in the exhibit cover a huge range of disciplines and styles of work, including painting, sculpture, photography, video and performance. And the media used in the exhibit are as diverse as the disciplines. Materials range from the conservative oil on canvas, pastel on paper, and photography to the not-so-usual maple trees, rocks, fishhooks, video installations, thermal color prints, interactive videodisc-computer installations, and a Macintosh computer on a stroller with a synthesized voice to go with it. The artwork comes in a wide variety of scales, ranging from a small four by three by three inch sculpture to the huge five by seven foot construction banner that can be seen outside the building. The themes of the art also differ. South African apartheid is portrayed in Allan Edmund's Not Behind Bars, while other artists touch on the subjects of drugs and freedom of expression. The exhibit's name, "Artists Choose Artists," comes from the fact that 25 Philadelphia artists were initially selected to participate in the exhibit, and then each of those artists invited another artist. Admission to the exhibit is free to University students, and it will remain open through Sunday, March 3.
(12/07/90 10:00am)
For decades, birth control was a taboo subject for Americans. Words like "condom," "diaphragm," and "cervical cap" were rarely heard or discussed. But early in the 1980s, at virtually the same time publicity about AIDS was increasing, talk of condoms and contraceptives became more open. With it, health officials say, came more student awareness. During the past several years, Student Health officials have reported large increases of students coming into the office for advice, help, and birth control devices. Officials cited a 25 percent increase in students, from 4000 to 5000, last year alone, who sought Student Health for sexual-health related reasons. Additionally, Student Health said yesterday that they fill 4500 one-month prescriptions for oral contraceptives each semester and distribute and sell about the same number of condoms each semester. The numbers increase each year, according to officials, due possibly to a larger number of students engaging in pre-martial sex and to a growing fear of contracting AIDS. But Cynthia Bayer, a certified nurse practitioner at Student Health, said despite the larger number of students seeking information or help, many still need to be better informed about common contraceptives such as "the pill," condoms, and the sponge. One statistic that officials point to was the more than 200 unwanted pregnancies reported in the past two years to Student Health by women who had used some form of birth control. And that might be only the tip of the iceberg, since many students prefer to go to private clinics for personal reasons or because they think Student Health is not confidential. But Student Health said that students need to be more about the confidentiality of Student Health and the what are best birth control devices. "There is a lot of misinformation about the pill," Bayer said. "But, it doesn't cause cancer or infertility and a healthy woman can use it for as long as she wants." "A lot of students don't know how to use [condoms]," she added. "Alone, [condoms or sponges] are better than nothing, but far from perfect. We see a lot of condom pregnancies." As a result of some of the ineffectiveness of condoms, officals said hundreds of female students have opted for oral contraceptives and they fill hundreds of prescriptions each month. They said that the pill was the most popular form of birth control for the students they see. They stressed, however, that female students represent over three-quarters of the students who come into Student Health for sexual-health reasons. And several women contacted this week said that among their peers, oral contraceptives are very popular. "All the people I know that are sexually active are on the pill," said a female College freshman student earlier this week. Female students added said that if they were having a long relationship, they'd be more likely to go on the pill and maybe eliminate using a condom if both partners had a good medical history. But males seemed to have a different opinion on the popularity of the pill and their preferences. "I think because [condoms] are the most reliable form easily available, they seem to be the only choice for many people," said Wharton sophomore Darren Klein. And despite the growing epidemic of AIDS around the nation, several students said they were more concerned about stopping unwanted pregnancies than sexually transmitted diseases. "The only reason I really use a condom is to prevent pregnancies," one male student said. But maybe the most prevalent form of birth control that is rarely discussed, is abstinence. Some students choose to follow their religious beliefs, morals, or parent's advice and avoid pre-marital sex altogether. New methods are soon on the way for students. Federal approval is expected early next year for a new contraceptive implant for women that would provide protection against pregnancy for up to five years, the Associated Press reported yesterday. Approval of the implant could mark the most important birth control advance since oral contraceptives and would be the first long-acting, hormonal contraceptive available in the United States. Additionally, the government is also expected to approve a new "female condom" for use by women sometime in the spring. Whatever the method students choose, there are several outlets for students to choose devices from. The Student Awareness Safer Sex Supplies, which operates from the Student Health office, offers several different brand name contraceptives at discount prices and does a booming business each semester. They said that they sell hundreds of condoms each month to both male and female students at relatively inexpensive prices. And nearly all drugstores, supermarkets, commisaries, and convenience stores around campus now carry some brands of condoms. WaWa convenience store at 38th and Spruce streets sells about 50 packs of condoms a week, while Marty's store on 40th Street sells about 25. The PSA Commissaries sold a total of 50 packs of condoms for the week of November 18. According to Paul Cruz, assistant manager of WaWa at 36th and Chestnut streets, sales can vary from week to week. "We sell about 30 packs [of condoms] in a normal week," Cruz said. "But if there are a lot of parties going on, we might sell up to 20 packs in a single day." The most popular brand according to CVS and Marty's managers are Trojan-ENZ, in 3- and 15-packs. · Education of birth control has been a major priority for Student Health during the last few years. Administrators have created numerous workshops and services to deal with the increase in students and to stress sexual responsibility to them. One popular program created by Student Health has Peer Health Educators conducting several workshops explaining how birth devices work and stressing communication between sexual partners. Nurse Practitioner and Health Educator Kate Webster, the coordinator of the different workshops set up around campus, said the programs try to give students the facts and let them work out their choices on their own. "We emphasize responsibility and prevention-communication skills for students," said Webster. "It seems [the workshops] are quite well received." College freshmen Barbara Deli and Gabrielle Dundics attended a recent birth control workshop offered by Peer Health Educators and said they gave them a open atmosphere to discuss their questions. "At first I was tense, but then the [Peer Health Educators] were really easy to talk to and by the end, everyone was really contributing," said Dundics. "They cleared up some myths and were really knowledgeable, and they stressed that [birth control] should be both partners' responsibility." One of the Peer Health Educators, College senior Erica Strohl, said she has been trying to encourage more students to attend the workshops adding that students need to more about birth control. "Penn students often think they know more about birth control than they really do," she said. But, according to the officials and educators, there is a big step between knowing about birth control and actually practicing it. The question is "whether information transfers to behavior," said Susan Villari, one of the two Health Educators at Student Health. She stressed the difficulties involved in this transfer. "There's a myth that sex is spontaneous, like in the movies, but it isn't always," she said. " It's hard, but it's worth the couple of seconds to talk about it." And there's also the "it-won't-happen-to-me" syndrome. Although, according to Villari, "AIDS really made people much more concerned," many still take risks. Added College senior Anne Package, "[the fear of AIDS] is not as big as it should be; students think it's not going to touch them." "Not many people expect the people they're going to be hanging with to have any diseases," said College freshman Chris Leitner, "and when they drink, they don't think about it at all." For students interested in the subject, administrators and students point to two subjects offered at the University. There is a Human Sexuality course run by the Psychiatry department and a Concepts in Human Sexuality course in the Education department. According to students, the Concepts in Human Sexuality course makes students think twice before engaging in casual sex. They said they found the material both interesting and challenging.
(11/29/90 10:00am)
Playing with Peter, which opened last night in the Studio Theater of the Annenberg Center, gave a deeper, more sexual meaning to the story of the boy-who-didn't-want-to-grow-up, but still was able to present a solid and entertaining play. The main reason for the play's success can be attributed to all of the cast's great performances, which used only a handful of props to simulate a rich and complex world of children, pirates, indians, mermaids and fairies. College junior Sorel Kisiel's powerful Peter Pan was one of the highlights of the show's part-switching frenzy with his charismatic stage presence. And College sophomore Emily Hellstrom's simultaneous performance of twin brothers provided one of the funniest scenes in the usually serious two-hour show. There were some complications in the show, which was centered on a tightly-knit cast of six people. For example, the audience had the unenviable task of keeping track of dozens of character changes throughout the production. But fortunately, the play's message about the frustrations and inner feelings of young adults came across loud and clear. The fairy tale gives the characters an insight into their feelings, which at times overpower the characters. The drama was also able to give a sexual twist to the story that was both entertaining and creative. The crocodile chasing after Captain Hook was represented by the open thighs of a woman, and Wendy's innocent peck to Peter Pan became a passionate kiss on Peter's lips. Playing with Peter will play tonight through Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. Tickets are $5 and are available on Locust Walk or from the Annenberg Box Office.
(11/28/90 10:00am)
Despite Peter Pan's musical plea that he never wants to grow up, Theater Arts Program members are emphasizing an adult theme to the classic fairy tale. A new adaptation of the story underscores the sexual innuendos and death undertones in the original play by J.M. Barrie, which opens tonight at the Annenberg Center. Theater Arts Program's Playing with Peter, has been plugged by the organizers as "for adults only." According to Producer Anthony Verrecchia, a College junior, the production tries to show audience members how to have close relationships with other people. "I hope people understand what we're trying to do, how we're interpreting everything," said Verrecchia. "I don't think [Barrie] wrote [Peter Pan] just for children." He added that the play tries to foster sexual awareness in communities, and strives for "the free expression of sexuality of all persuasions." The modern drama also breaks down gender barriers, with each of the six-person-cast playing several of the more than 20 male and female parts throughout the two-hour-play. By doing this, the show's organizers hope to deemphasize the male and female stereotypes. "What we've done is created a small community of adult actors," said Director Cary Mazer, an associate professor of English. They are driven by an underlying current of "not getting old." The play itself underwent major modifications throughout rehearsals with cast members often improvising off the original script. "It is truly an artistic collaboration," said Mazer. "We had to figure out what story we were telling, by figuring out how we were going to tell it and who was going to tell it." Cast members said they were excited with the opportunity to recreate a childhood fairy tale and make it relevant to college audiences. "I hope the audience will come with an open mind and experience a new adventure that we've created," said College senior Leigh Frillici, a member of the cast. "It's fascinating how a fairy tale that has been with people since childhood can grow with them and see how an adult can interpret it," she added. Playing with Peter will be showing at the Studio Theater of the Annenberg Center, Wednesday through Saturday, at 8 p.m. Tickets will be on sale all week on Locust Walk and the Annenberg Center for $5.
