Page 6
THE COMPASS
Tuesday, May 1, 199q
ENTERTAINMENT
ioto b7 Richard Mclntlre
fUusic ^eviezv
By Eric Jones
On Saturday, March 24 WRVS
sponsored its second Annual Birth
day Party which featured Wrecks-N-
Effect and Redhead Kingpin.
The first act was Redhead Kingpin
which brought about some screams
from a very young audience. Redhead
opened up free styling, or making up
lyrics as he went along, to “Sorry” by
Foxy Brown. He and his dancers also
performed a dance routine during the
performance. Redhead invited a young
lady from the audience to dance;
however, she was somewhat shy so
she was replaced with another who
was a little more relaxed.
Redhead then performed “Pump It
Hottie” a rap song asking females to
show more of their bodies when they
dance. He ended his performance with
his biggest hit, “Do The Right Thing.”
Redhead did not seem to be per
forming to the best of his ability per
haps due to the small crowd. Students
usually go home on the weekends so
lack of support by students was not
surprising; however, economics might
also have been a factor; not many
students could afford the $10 tickets.
Wrecks-N-Effect followed Red
head Kingpin, entering the stage with
an impressive dance routine; how
ever, the group got very little response
from the audience, who talked during
their performance. The audience did
respond to their single, “Juicy” which
was a hit for them on the radio. Unfor
tunately, the group’s performance of
their hit was not too impressive on
stage.
Wrecks-N-Effect concluded their
act with their single “New Jack
Swing.” Their uptempo hit generated
the most enthusiasm of the night.
Their performance ended with the
reappearance of Redhead Kingpin and
a host of admiring young females
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ECSU's writing, acting talent
showcased in one-act plays
Virgin Records recording artist Redhead Kingpin cracks a Coke and a smile during his March 24th
perforniance in Vaughan Center. Motown’s Wrecks-N-Effect also gave an energetic performance. The
entertainers visited ECSU as part of WRVS’ fourth birthday celebration.
Rap artists perform at ECSU
during WRVS birthday party
By Trina Coleman
The University Players presented
three one act plays to packed houses
on April 10th and 11th, in the Little
Theater.
Although billed as “workshop
productions” the plays showcased the
University’s talent—in acting, direct
ing, and writing.
ECSUjunior Becky Overton’s play
To Be Us had a strong message that
communicated to the audience. The
play focused on the importance of
black identity.
Ruth, played by Miguel Purvis, is a
college student who learns about her
roots in Africa: however, her parents
William (Barry Gray) and Anna
(Ursula Me Million) do not understand
her contemporary ideas. Ruth meets
Yusef (Eric Jones) who serves as both
teacher and advisor in matters of black
identity and history.
Although Jones could have come
across a little stronger to the audience,
he played his part well, especially
considering this was his first experi
ence acting.
Barry Gray’s performance as Wil
liam, the conservative father who
resists the modem ideas represented
by Yusef, was very strong. The audi
ence could pick up on his tension and
anger, and he seemed like a real father
in that situation.
Ursula McMillion’s performance
in relatively small role of the mother
was spirit^ and convincing; how
ever, her role could have been stronger.
If the mother had clashed with the
father more, instead of taken his side,
the play would have had more dra
matic tension.
Paula Sutton’s play. No Time 2 Be
Somebody, also had a strong
message.The message, not to take the
easy way out of things, was especially
popular with the ECSU audience.
The play focuscs on the problems
of Eric St. Johns (played by Bryant
Boykins), whose mother has just died,
who is having troubles with his grades,
and who has just gotten kicked off the
basketball team. Consumed by his
troubles, he is unable to listen to his
girlfriend Kim (Garlinda Hollins); so
this creates conflict between the char
acters. Eric tries cocaine, and dies of a
heart attack.
The audience could relate to this
topical theme, and was moved by the
dramatic situation.
Chanel (played by Alvera Gunn)
''...sometimes
the easiest way isnt
always the right
way. ”
Kim
No Time 2 Be Somebody
gave an exceptionally strong perform
ance as Kim’s best friend. Her ac
tions, and her style of speaking,
brought the character to life, and made
it easy for the audience to relate to her,
Dwayne Collins played the part of a
nerd who wanted to date Chanel; he
got plenty of laughs in this role.
Bryant Boykins was effective in
his role as well. The audience could
see and feel his anxiety, confusion
and frustration as he struggled with a
series of increasingly overwhelming
problems.
The play’s most powerful moment
comes in the end when Kim (Garlinda
Hollins) made a speech about Eric’s
life, which brings the play’s theme to
life.
“I remember my grandmother
saying you should never say goodbye,
because goodbyes are too definite,”
she says. “You know, Eric, you could
have made it; we could have made ii.
You always seemed to be looking for
the easiest way out, and sometimes
the easiest way isn’t always the right
way.” '
No Time 2 Be Somebody was writ-1
ten and directed by Paula Suttonj
Public Affairs Director of WRVs’j
Radio. Uchenna Bulliner served as'
“creative consultant” for the playj
according to Sutton.
The remaining play, PresenlTeme[
focuses on the character of Norm (Vin
cent Swift) who want to find sex and!
a real relationship. He is in love witli
Ann (Kimberly Ward) but he grapples"
with his fear and insecurity, due to her
previous relationship with Doug Wil
lard (Rodney Moore).
Much of the action takes place in j
his imagination with Ann and Doug
embracing and kissing. These scenes'
are hilarious. i
Doug is everything Norm isn’i;\
strong, a star football player, and edi-j
tor of the school paper. His presence *
in Norm’s imagination cast a pall over
Norm’s relationship with Ann. j
Vincent Swift’s performance as'
Norm was exceptionally good. He was'
very effective at portraying mascu
line vulnerability, creating an average
guy’s viewpoint of relationships. The
imagination or dream sequences were
especially effective, and made the play
highly enjoyable for the audience, who
were on the edges of their seats wait
ing to see what was going to happen
next.
The play was highly effective at
employing the element of surprise.
Dwayne Collins performance as
Norm’s friend Jerry was a delight
The audience enjoyed his antics, which
included strutting, and his lines. At
one point, for example, Jerry accuses
Jerry of “moaning and twitching like
an ad for Preparation H.”
Present Tense, written by John
McNamara, was directed by Janis
McDermott. S tage manager was Barry
Gray.
jumping up on stage and surrounding
the artists.
Redhead Kingpin is originally from
Trinidad but now lives in New Jersey.
When asked about his religious
background he said, ” I converted
from Chrisianity and became a Mus
lim [Islam].”
Redhead said he got started musi
cally “through Teddy Riley. ”
“The Sugar Hill Gang influenced
me the most because they were the
first rappers on records and that opened
up a lot of doors for everybody.”
Redhead said he sees Rap as a
viable art form “because it’s one of the
things that causes cultural awareness.
Although a lot of people do it because
its a fad or a trend at least the trend
brings about curiousity. I see Rap being
around forever. And what we have to
do to make sure it stays is first demand
our own companies so we can manu
facture our own records.
“We have to do everything our
selves so we can have our own.”
Nancy Wilson: 'a lady with a song'
Mbum fReviezv
By Kimberley Robinson
She has been called a legend in her
own time, but when asked about the
validity of such a tag, she would throw
back her head and with a big smile
confess that she would have never
thought of herself that way.
But then, with three decades of
superb music making of craftsman
ship under her belt, combined with
that God given-gift that enables her to
convey a vast range of emotions,
Nancy Wilson has the qualities of
which legends are made.
Ask any of the female vocalists of
today: talk to Regina Belle, Phullis
Hyman or Anita Baker. Ask for a list
of their influences, ask them to re
count the names of women who have
made an indelible impact on their style
and sound, and with a resounding
“yes,” each will tell you that Ms. Nancy
Wilson provided them with something
special through her music.
Talking of today’s vocal stylists
brings us to this new collection from
^ancy, A Udy With A Song.
In this collection Wilson again
demonstrates that she is a consum
mate singer, a vocal storyteller, and a
lady who paints a picture with every
song she interprets.
A Lady With A Song isn’t just an
other book in the Wilson recorded
library. Yes, it’s Nancy’s 52nd album
but this isn t just another record to
satisfy just the legion of Wilson fans
the world over.
For those who have been listening
to the albums Nancy’s been making
smce she began her current associa
tion in 1982 with Epic/Sony records
m Japan, (and subsequently with Co
lumbia Records), this new collection
ot music ^es her to the next level.
Her abili ty to reach in to every word,
to express every emotional nuance is
superb. Her Uming is flawless, her
interpretative ability is brilliant.
So what makes this record differ
ent from any of its immediate prede
cessors?
Well, for starters, a whole galaxy
of fellow performers demonstrated,
their love and admiration for a women
whose own loving personality endears
her to everyone she works with.
The extent of the esteem in which
Nancy is held by her colleagues, waS'
in full evidence at a Los Angeles re
cording studio. It was on a warm June
afternoon, sizzling with the spirit of
loving support that some of the music
industry’s top stars gathered to lend
their talents to “Heaven's Hands.” It >S'
a song with a powerful and important
message that so f)erfectly reflects the
humane, caring concern that Nancy.
Wilson has always extended to those
less fortunate.
But this album isn’t simply an
opportunity for members of the music
industry to salute a friend: it’s a show
case for a woman whose vocal style's
as valid today as ever..
For her fans, Nancy Wilson is
timeless and ageless.