,6The Daily Tar HeelMonday, April 23, 1990 !The Rivals' succeeds with vivid characters . r. 'm When parents and children and lov ers try to match wits in the game of control, the result is sure to be explo sive. In Richard Sheridan's "The Ri vals," performed by PlayMakers Rep ertory Company (PRC), the conflicts erupt into a comedy full of interesting and engaging characters. Betty Leighton's portrayal of Mrs. Malaprop whose comic distortion of language gave us the term "malaprop ism" is a definite highlight of the play. With such ridiculous substitu tions as "allegory" for "alligator" and "perpendiculars" for "particulars," Mrs. Malaprop delights the audience with her charming misuse of words. Her nonsensical phrases are made even more hilarious by her ironic emphasis on proper grammar. In both voice and gesture, Leighton completely embodies all the color and eccentricity Lisa Weckerle built into the personality of the head strong Mrs. Malaprop. Conspiring with Mrs. Malaprop, Sir Anthony Absolute, played by Tobias Andersen, adds to the comedy of the play. Absolute's loud and contagious guffawing combine with his sarcasm and wit to make his character both entertaining and endearing. His alter nating empathy and stubborn disap proval toward his son show Andersen's ability to make smooth and comic tran sitions between a variety of different reactions. Some of the funniest moments of the show are between Sir Anthony laily OJar NIGHT AT THE BULLS l)ll:1K4iitXWlIiHl1LL only 3? f with student or staff I. D. and Daily Tar Heel coupon MMM rrfnJI. C :dcl "Prizes awarded during tKegarne," ' including a book of Bull's tickets! See Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs i Donald Boulton throw out the first ball! . 3 laste Sice Ot SDice e W5""""' w""" " -w J "rr?l"."."j - 'WjaJiHniiH-.- JTIirtv X X r J .. ),y.. , , t : )ll(WIWpUIIJWIM,M L wnl:Tlt,,t,JWiliM,jii.iljliMU,wiAMAVW!'5?;'.1! " ' " THE Put some spice in your life with the zesty taste of the B.M.T! It's got four different meats. It's got your choice of fresh, free fixin's. It's got bread that's baked right in the store. And it's got a secret a slice of spice that makes the B.M.T. different than anything you've ever tasted. The secret is out the B.M.T. is here! Stop by Subway and try one today. "SET COLD CUT COMBO BMT (ham, qenoa, pepperoni, bologna) SUBWAY CLUB (roast beef, turkey, ham) SUPER COMBO 1.89 3.19 2.89 4.19 2.89 4.19 2.89 4.59 SUPER BMT 3.89 5.79 SUPER CLUB TUNATUNATUNA" 3.89 5.79 2.79 3.89 SEAFOOD & CRAB 3.29 4.79 ROAST BEEF 2.89 3.99 TURKEY BREAST 2.69 3.79 HAM & CHEESE 2.69 3.79 CHEESE 2.09 2.79 MEATBALL STEAK & CHEESE (100 sirloin) 1.99 3.19 3.19 4.39 CHICKEN FAJITA 3.19 4.39 BBQ BEEF 3.19 4.39 ANY SANDWICH ALSO AVAILABLE AS A CUSTOM SALAD PLATE ALL SERVED WITH YOUR CHOKE OfAMERICAN CHEESE-ONION-LETTUCE-TOMA TOESOtU. PICKLES-GREEN PEPPEHS-BLACK OUVES-SALT-PEPPtK OIL Eastgato Shopping Center Chapel Kill GG7-GUCS Downtown r.hnrwal Hill ;: 067-5400 14? TImberlyne Shopping Ctr. Chapel Hill 967-7771 OPEN LATE 7 DAYS A 'Clenwood Sq. Shopping Ctr. Willow Creek Shopping Ctr. Chapel Hill Carrboro I If" FT ft CC3-4233 929-2283 liUSSkim Absolute and Mrs. Malaprop. Although the two are each amusing on their own, the simultaneous appearance of the two eccentrics proves to be a hilarious combination Another striking comic performance is Susanna Rinehart's Lucy, the sprightly, street-smart maid to Mrs. Malaprop. Rinehart performs Lucy with a tremendous energy and cleverness that embodies the spirit of youth. The only flaw of the performance was the sparseness of Lucy 's presence on stage. With a character so appealing and an actress so talented, it is a shame that she was not given more stage time. Other notable performances include the two sets of young lovers. Captain Jack Absolute, played by Matthew Ryan, and Lydia Languish, played by Lisa Benedict, explore the range of emotions of young love. The corre sponding love affair of Faulkland, played by Thomas Gunning, and Julia Melville, played by Pilar Hen-era, fol lows a very different course, but in the end both affairs leave the audience with the inspirational if over-simplified message that any obstacle can be overcome. A major strength of the play is the prominence of timeless themes which interested both Sheridan's and PRC's audiences equally. The complicated and often conflicting struggles between the generations offers universal appeal while providing situations rich with comic hypocrisy. While Mrs. Malaprop's attitude toward Lydia emphasizes the differ ences between elders and youth, the father-son relationship between Sir Anthony Absolute and his son, Jack, hints at the similarity between the generations. Sir Anthony Absolute's humor arises from his conflicting desire to control Jack and to befriend him as well. Complaining of the stubbornness of his son, Absolute asks ironically, "Who could he take after?" Obviously he takes after his father, and the audience sees that both Absolute and his son are blind to the fact that they have an awful lot in common. The subtle and ironic presen tation of conflict brings out the humor in the misunderstandings between the generations. To an audience unfamiliar with Sheridan's play, the intricate plot of "The Rivals" can be confusing. Sheri dan presents so many suitors that in some scenes, especially those includ ing Sir Anthony OTrigger, the audi ence is puzzled about the relevance and identity of the character. Because O'Trigger's role is so ambiguous, his scenes fail to hold the attention of the audience. Although at the play's con clusion the audience understands how the characters fit together in the plot, the initial confusion detracts from the overall comedy of the play. The extremely vivid characteriza tions of Mrs. Malaprop, Sir Anthony Absolute and Lucy make "The Rivals" amusing and entertaining to watch. The enveloping themes of power struggles, generational gaps and the mystery of young love combine with strong indi vidual performances to keep the audi ence laughing. The PlayMakers Repertory Company concludes the 1989-90 season with "The Rivals." The play will run from April 18 until May 13 in the Paul Green Theatre at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays. For more information, please call the box office at 962-PLAY. v) f sxv IP wm Southwick Amateur CliasnpioBsliip May 19-20, 1990 8 flights - 5 prizes per flight ol! Wmw imn 'Mt Jmc outltoicK l5 1 Golf April 23, 1990 Call To Register 942-0783 I TIRED of WAITING veaiasses? MS Days or Weeks for your E Come to as & aet your classes in OILY ONE HOCSRS Plastic Sinzle Vision Most of the Time One Hour! University Opticians ir""FT"""l 'FRAMES' I Starting at ( L2iqpJ Single Vision! I Plastic Lenses I I Starting at 1 ! S19.95 ! with frame purchase J 20fKscount"l i for i ill SUNGtASSES:f " k-Xv:-:-:-:5&i?bT $ 1 ' y I Senior Citizens i I on eyeglasses . I 00 of? all sunglasses Ly j ! No line Bifocals I! Bifocals I I with frame ourchase starting at II , Starting at ! $89.95 $44.95 I ibis includes 45-day lens adaptability guarantee with frame purchase I I J Some Prescription Limitations Apply Same Day Service University Square Downtown Chapel Hill University 942-8711 f DTI I A M Q EYe doctor adjacent for convenient eye exams. ' IWIMlMO Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00Saturday 10:00-2:00 Betty Leighton, left, and Tobias Andersen in the PlayMakers production ft ft JLr m Hi ii ViV t! i H On Monday, April 23; D Scrawl with Afghan Wigs will be at Cat's Q-adle at 10 p.m. Call 967 9053 for more' information. B A Group Sing will be at Colum bia Street Bakery at 8:30 p.m. Call 967-9150 for information. nHis Boy Elroy will perform a benefit at Players for the Orange County Rape Crisis Center at 9 p.m. Call 968-4847 for more information. O The Lab Theatre presents Bertolt Brecht's 'The Resistible Rise of Ar turo Ui" at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Also JrfVOfleTMesday, April 4;v Buddy" Boy Vaughn - will be- at The Cave at 9:30 pan. Call 968-9308 for more information. D Irish Music Picking Session will be at Columbia Street Bakery at 8:30 p.m. Call 967-9150 for information. UNC Symphony Orchestra, con ducted by Tonu Kalam, will play in Hill Hall at 3 p.m. Call 962-1039 for more information. On Wednesday, April 25: . B Liquid Sound will be at Cat's Cradle at 10 p.m. B HughMoffattwill beat The Cave at 9:30 p.m. Call 968-9308 for more information. B Andy Church and Carter rMinor' will perform jazz music at Spanky's, upstairs, at 10 p.m. Call 962-6260 for more information. B Paul Tardif and the East Caro-; lina University Jazz Ensemble will' be at Pyewacket at 10 p.m. Call 929- 0297 for more information. B The Chris Cain Blues Band will be at Magdalena's La Terraza at 10 p.ml Call 967-MAGS for info. B Midday With Chris Brown will ; be in the Union Cabaret at noon. On Thursday, April 26: B Scruffy the Cat and Knockin' Boots will be at Cat's Cradle at, 10 p.m. Call 967-9053 for information. B Billy Miller will be at Columbia Street Bakery at 8:30 p.m. B Exit Eden will be at the Hard back Cafe at 10 p.m. Call 933-5100 for more information. B WXYC night atMagdalena'sLa Terraza; . B Kat in the Hat wilt be at SkylighV Exchange 3Op.miCall,933:5550 , . .for more information. -B Student-Composer's Concert,- directed by Roger Hannay will be, performed in Hill Hall at 8 p.m. ; 'r Continuing This Week: 0 B "The Rivals," presented by- FlayMakers, luesdays through Sat urdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays arJ?; p.m. until May 13 in the Paul Gre$rt Theatre. Jv B "Native American Art and: Crafts," an art exhibit on the second floor of the Health Sciences Library will be on display until April 30. :r B Rik Keller and Robin Hood Diat n, a photography exhibit, will be on display in the Carolina Union Gallery until May 13,' complied by Diana Florence GENERAL ELECTRIC i 1 Financial Management Training Program Two open positions in Hickory, NC. Will consider applicants with degrees in Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, Computer Science, and Liberal Arts. Minimum GPA: 3.0 Starting Salary: $26,000 Send resume and transcript to: Judd Wike Box 2188 Hickory, NC 28603 (704) 462-3230