Newspapers / Chowan University Student Newspaper / May 3, 1983, edition 1 / Page 2
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t I Page 2 Smoke Signals, Tuesday, May 3, 1983 m H in TO\)»se\o«\ ...I'M soRKY Young Man,but vie canTGive ydu FHY5.eD CRSHT PORPiaYING'FaC-MaN"aND'DONI«YKON6‘:, The Time Is Now The end of this semester is near and a lot of students are still trying to pull up their grades. There is little time for that now but one thing may help pull up that final grade. Exams are coming up and, to most students, that means trou ble. There is one way to solve that problem. By studying now, students will do better later. Nothing is accomplished by cramm ing a complete semester into one night. It is a proven fact that gradual studying is better than cranm- ing for an exam. If students start now and study about thirty minutes a night for each class, they will learn more in the long run. Then, the night before the exam, read over the material a couple of times and get a good night’s rest. By using these studying habits, the material is stored in what is called the long term memory. It’s better to get the brain familiar with something than to overload it. In the end, things will work out for the best on the final grade card. It will also save a lot of time and frustration. Try it, maybe it will help. After all, what will it hurt to try. Guys & Dolls Review By Peggy Ries The Chowan Players production of Guys and Dolls was a strong, well- timed production. This musical com edy deals with the lives of four people in New York in the 1950's. Sky Masterson, played by Steven Davis, is a high- rolling gambler who will make a bet on almost anything. Sarah Brown, played by Tracy Hughes, is a missionary who is being pursued by Sky because of a bet he made w^th rftrth^ Detroit, played by Rick Camus. Nathan, is a gambler who runs the "oldest" established, permanent floating crap game in New York." His fiancee of 14 years is Adelaide, played by Toni I^ssiter. Kach played their role believably. This musical comedy wjis written right after World War II, with the sole purpose of entertaining those who wish ed to forget the destruction and pain of the war. This production of Guys and Dolls was stronger in the areas of acting and direction than in musical and dance. Although the musical numbers were good and the dance accurate and well- timed one could tell that singing and dancing are not the Chowan Players strong suite. The choreography was simple but well performed. The set design was good, too, although at places a bit sloppy, for ex ample the names of the stores on Hniad- way were written rather sloppily. The set for the crap game in the sewer showed simple stylized design ap propriate for the scene. The production showed careful atten tion to detail, as shown in the first scene on Broadway, with the blind man look ing into his cup, and the couple selling jewelry out of a baby carriage. Detail was also exemplified in the form of the heart on the back of the Hot Box Girl's coat. Another nice touch in this area was in the .scene between Sarah and Adelaide when Sky and Nathan are shown in back as the women picture them per forming domestic tasks. The set changes were very accurate and quiet. The people behind the stage knew exactly what they were doing, when to do it, and how to get it over with quickly. The lighting cues also went off without a hitch. Although on the whole, an excellent performance, there were certain weak spots in need of attention. The scene in Havana in which Sky and Sarah are sit ting in the bar, with the dancers and the music, alot of funny lines were lost because the music drowned out the voices. Davis’ portrayal of Sky Masterson was very professional, although his hairstyle did not look like that of a high- rolling gambler in the 1950’s. One would expect it to be shorter and more greased back. Toni Lassiter played tne role ol Adelaide to the hilt. She had the squeeky New York accent down pat. The casting director did an excellent job with that one. Nathan Detroit, played by Rick Canas, was also very go^, although at times he seemed a little stiff and ill at ease. The smaller roles, too, were played well. Nicely Nicely had good stage presense and one of the best singing voices in the show. Jim Howard’s Ben ny Southstreet was very convinsing. One could even forgive him for his singing because the character of Benny Southstreet seems as though he would have a slightly bad singing voice. Big Jule, played by Tommy Austin, made one feel as if one wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley. By far the best number in the show was ‘‘sitdown, you’re rockin’ the boat.” It was enthusiastic, and it made the whole audience want to stand up and sit down with the actors on stage. This production was, on the whole, very good. The Chowan Players un- doubtably have something to be very proud of. Spring Sports Round-up (ED. NOTE)....Asthis issue of Smoke Signals went to press,many athletic teams were wrapping up their respec tive seasons. Sports Information Direc tor Earl Dilday compiled this round-up as of April 15th activities. Baseball The Braves have a 12-12 record overall with a one and five conference mark. Mount Olive is the top contender in the conference. Rain-outs have been a problem all Spring. Six conference games are still on the calender with the Eastern Tarheel Conference crown still up for grabs. After 22 games, Greg But cher and Allen Harrell were the leading sluggers for the Braves with a .362 and a .385 batting average respectively. David Buff lead with 18RBI‘s in the bat ted in department. Softball Coach Gay Scott's ladies were in the thick of a tight race. Chowan is tied with Mount Olive at five and three in the conference. Louisburg, with a 7-1 mark setting the pace. The lady Braves were 8-6 overall in mid-April. Tennis Chowan netters were struggling with a 1-3-1 mark in mid-april. Football Even though the dogwoods and flowers are blooming, clouds of dust have been evident behind Parker Hall as Spring Football drills were in pro gress. Seventy students turned out for the twenty days of off-season practice. If there was one happy memory about the Spring Drills it was that Joe Green would be back. Basketball Coach Bob Burke and Gay Scott have been on the phones this Spring looking for people to don Chown’s colors next year on the hardwood. Prospects look good for both men’s and women’s teams. As for graduates and their sign ing Andrea McGee has signed a grant in aid with Campbell Jimmy Thomas will be wearing the green of the Seahawks at UNC- Wilmington Mary Weiss will continue her outstanding career at Campbell with the Camels and Anita Anderson was considering Elon. Dear Editor Amid all the praise of the Chowan Players for their performance of Guys and Dolls I feel compelled to raise tlie Question of whether there is a better way of teaching Christian ideals and principles than by presenting a play about gamblers and dance hall girls. I know that there is supposed to be a moral to the story, but people remember what they see more than what they hear. The ‘ action’’ was very exciting, and will make a lasting im pression. The moral, if they caught it, may be forgotten. Of course it was all very realistic, but not the kind of behavior we would en courage in our students, I hope. It could be justified by the same reasoning that is given for showing murder, rape and other violent crime on television and in the movies; it is supposed to teach peo ple NOT to do these things. But we are inclined to imitate people’s behavior rather than their adJiionitions. "What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say." Society's callous attitude toward dishonesty and immorality may be due in part to our constant exposure to it in the mass media. Reasearch has shown that when we observe "objectionable" behavior at first we abhor it, then we tolerate , and if repeated often enough under the right circumstances (e.g. a college setting,) we come to accept it. By their own admission ninty five per cent of my students would not report cheating they had witnessed. Why? Wouldn’t it be better to exhibit the desired behavior? That too is realistic. Students see enough of the other in the secular society. Sincerely, John W. Gosnell Check Up On Your Habits Head Librarian Mrs. Geraldine Harris examines items related to Archi bald McDowell, Chowan's first president, and McDowell family members. The pointing is by Ruth McDowell, Archibald's oldest daughter. Other items include a letter written by Archibald McDowell to his daughter-in- law, Olivia Norfleet Lawrence McDowell, and a pair of her steel rim reading glasses, and a shaving mug of Charles McDowell, grandson of Archibald and father of Dr. W. K. McDowell of Tarboro, who donated the historical items for display in the McDowell Room of Archives and Anti quities In Whitaker Liborory. W.K. McDowell is Archibald's great grand son.(Staff Photo) By SARAH WRIGHT Director of Health Services Have you taken inventory of your habits lately? Years could be added to your life or subtracted, depending on your daily habits. Do you smoke, sit too much, drink alcohol, use drugs, or eat improperly? Is your seat belt fastened when you travel? Your lungs are kept clean by tiny hairlike structures called Cilia. This helps ward off infection. The Cilia is paralyzed by cigarette smoke. Smoking speeds up your heartbeat. Smoking is the major cause of lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and con tributes to coronary artery disease. The risk of a heart attack is much greater in a smoker than in a non-smoker, about twice as great. One who sits too much and exercises too little is a good candidate for a heart attack. Why not improve circulation, lose pounds and save gasoline by walk ing everywhere possible. Walking twen ty minutes a day is an excellent exer cise habit to acquire. Alcohol does not have any food value, but one ounce of alcohol has about 2(X) calories. Alcohol’s irritating effects to the mouth, esophagus or stomach may cause cancer. An alcoholic often has an enlarged heart leading to congestive heart failure. Everyone knows how alcohol damages the liver in the form of cirrhosis or cancer. Then there are stomach ulcers from too much alcohol. Another major killer by alcohol is the car accident caused by the irresponsi ble drinker. Americans take a pill for everything, sometimes becoming dependent on them. Then there are the people who take drugs for kicks. All drugs have side effects, so think before using drugs. The weight can be kept down if we are willing to leave off sugars, starches and fats. Don’t munch junk food, but try to eat three balanced meals. I.«arn to en joy the nice raw salads and fruits. By following a few basic rules life can be healthier and longer. A healthy person is a happy person. POSTAL MEMORIES If you are annoyed by today’s cost of letter postage, here’s some reminder information you wouldn’t want to be without. The 2-cent stamp carried let ters across the nation from 1883 to 1917. Better still, the penny-postal card lasted from 1872 to 1952. "The Play's The Thing ff By Sandra N. Boyce Professor of Drama A director is occasionally questioned on his or her choice of play. Reasons prompting those questions are as varied as the people who ask them, and yet, they all have some element in common. We do expect sermonizing when we go the a ballgame; we do not anticipate moralizing when we attend a civic club; we do not feel misled when we hear a concert of secular music. Similarly, one should not go to a theatrical per formance of Noel Coward’s FUMED OAK, one might question whether a drunken man can become a hero. Following a viewing of GODSPELL, there is sometimes the reaction that the interpretation borders on the sacreligious. After seeing ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, some viewer may question the gaiety with which the sisters use poisonous elderberry wine. All of these reactions reflect the same misunderstanding: the purpose for which the theater exists. There are many plays that do not mirror the moral and positive elements of society. Wilder’s OUR TOWN reflects a sim plistic veiw of life built around traditional family values and a calm anticipation of life after death. OKLAHOMA! is the old fashioned boy meets girl, boy wins girl story incorporating the mores of middle rural Amercia. A responsible director in educational setting would deem it a responsibilty to expose students to a wide variety of play types, authors, subjects and periods of history. Hence, in addition to the aforementioned, Chowan Players’ production of the past few years have also included THE FRONT PAGE, DRACULA and THE CRUCIBLE. The most recent production of GUYS AND DOLLS was a happy carefree look at underworld gambling in New York in the late '40’s and the struggles of Salvation Army troop. To understand the lighthearted treatment of gambling in that setting, one must understand the circumstances surrounding the writing of the play. America was coming out of an ugly war that had seen the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Amercian public needed an escape, a reason for easy carefree laughter. .GUYS AND DOLLS offered an evening’s entertainment through laughter and songs and focused on a lifestyle that could divert the nation’s attention from war. The theater attempts to be a medium for the entertainment and refreshment of the viewer and, through that as it's primary goal, attempts to offer plays as “mirrors" for the condition of society. The theatre aspires to allow man to see himself as he really is-the unvarnished truth-in the anticipation that he may be able to recognize some of his weaker traits and perhaps, therefore, improve upon his condition. The theatre has never adopted it’s purpose for being to prescribe how that behavior change or improvement should take place. To assume that the theater is a pulpit and a classroom for morality lessons is absurd. To assume such would infer Uiat Shakespeare’s OTHELLO advocates interacial marriage. Miller’s DEATH OF A SALESMAN condone’s suicide, and Wolfe’s LOOK HOMEWARD ANGEL elevates a drinking, cursing sculptor to greatness. All of these plays are timeless valuable pieces of literature reflecting some segment of society at some particular moment in time. Taken separately, none of them can be taken as examples for living. Taken as individual pieces of literature, each reflecting a particular moment of history, they can teach us a great deal about ourselves. In the final analysis, the theater attempts, through entertainment, to offer to the audience “a mirror of the soul.” Often, when men peer into this mirror, they blush and turn away. MANY ILLITERATES One of every five adults-more than 23 million Americans-cannot read, write or compute well enough to function ef fectively in today’s world. Forty million more have just the minimal skills necessary for survival, according to an exhaustive study by the U.S. Office of Education. SAy IT AIN'T SO MR UMPI Two Allegheny Community College coaches argue in vain with Umpires Mickey Smith and Larry Denton over a close play. The orguement ended with a Chowan Brave sitting on first. The few minutes of discussion wasn't too Important in the end. Allegheny downed the Braves.(Staff Photo) Cash in on your used books! 3ring them to; Bookstore May 9-12 9:00 - 12 noon and 1:00-4:00 Including those from other colleges. Flowers For $9.95, Farkas or his partner will don a three-piece suit and deliver a bou quet of dead daisies, roses or carna tions — whatever they happen to find at the local cemetary or scrounge from florists getting rid of leftovers — to un fair graders, inattentive lovers, or whomever the buyer wants. Since starting his dead flowers business in February, Farkas has only gotten about two dozen orders. He's hoping the arrival of grade season will help him recoup the $300 he’s invested in the business. EDITOR Wanda Bishop STAFF Alison Gray Kevin Wilbourne Walter Williams JoeMcGarrity
Chowan University Student Newspaper
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May 3, 1983, edition 1
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