Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / Dec. 7, 1990, edition 1 / Page 6
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Page 6 THE COMPASS Friday, December 7, 1990 ENTERTAINMENT Under comic surface Joe Turner probes search for meaning Photo by I)e{h Unnn By Tarsha White The University Player’s presenta tion of August Wilson’s critically ac claimed play,/oe Turner’s Come and Gone, was dynamic, highly entertain ing and full of humor. Set in Pittsburgh in 1911, the ac tion of the play centers around a group of colorful characters who live in a rooming house owned by Seth and Bertha Holley (Chester Dunton and Sheila A. Reid). The plot deals with the efforts of Harold Loomis (Barry Gray) to locate his wife, Martha Pentacost (Glenda Davis) who has been missing almost ten years. Loomis and his daughter Zonia (Elaine A. McLean) have been searching for her for the past four years. Loomis’ dark, brooding tempera ment soon brings him into conflict with the boarding house owner, Seth Holly. Being a Northerner, Seth can not understand the passions and fears of Loomis, who has been a slave. Seth is nosy, talkative and outgo ing; Loomis is introverted, private and laconic. The contrasting personalities create much of the tension in the drama, which builds to a powerful climax. Seth also has conflict with Bynum Walker, a resident of the boarding house, whose obsession with voodoo and magic shocks and annoys the more practical-minded Seth. Bynum’s ob session with discovering “the secret oflife,” touches on many of the play’s deeper meanings, and he articulates most of the play’s ideas. Although much of the action is comic, the play explores a more seri ous theme: the search for individual meaning and definition in a chaotic universe. Swift turned in a credible perform ance as Bynum. He was able to con vey the feeling of an older character. Corrections In a front page photograph ap pearing in the last issue of The Compass, Lisa Burnette was in correctly identified as “Lisa Bonet.” In that same issue, in News Notes, Terrence Taylor’s name appeared as “Florence Taylor.” The Compass regrets these er rors. The Editors Play Review unlike some of the other characters in the play. Chester Dunton performed with spirit and flair, and he had some of the funniest lines in the play. He sustained his high-energy performance through out the play. Being the leading charac ter, there was a tremendous amount of responsibility placed upon Dunton, and he got better and better as the play went on. One of the most highly entertain ing moments in the play comes when several of the characters in the board ing house dance a “juba”; their comic antics and cries delighted the audi ence. The Juba dance was expertly choreographed by Gene Owens. Aaron Williams’ performance as Jeremy Furlow was excellent. Wil liams’ character, Jeremy, was a hard drinking womanizer. Williams con veyed great skill and versitility in his performance as a trifling smooth-talk ing man out for a good time. Sheila Reid did a wonderful job of playing Bertha Holley, Seth’s wife. She was the one who always tried to keep peace among Seth and all of the boarders. She was able to establish a Strong presence on stage, and she delivered her lines flawlessly, and with convincing emotion. The chemistry between her and Seth was good; Sheila’s down-to-earth warmth and logic was a good balance to his more impetuous temperment. Dr. Glenda Davis (Martha Pente cost) was great, too. Although she came in at the end of the play, her character was a memorable one in that she had been an important figure throughout the play. She was the long lost wife of Herald Loomis and the mother of Zonia. Brenda Clark (Mattie Campbell) In the foreground Vincent Swift (left) consoles Barry Gray during a climactic scene in the play, Joe Turner's Come and Gone. The University Players performed the hit play Nov. 7,8,9 and 11. Gray turned in a powerful performance as Loomis, aformer slave who spent 11 years looking for his wife, Martha Pentacost. In the background from left are Sheila Reed, Chester Dunton, Elaine McClain (standing), and Brenda Clark..^ and Garlinda Hollins (Mollie Cun ningham) were two women who boarded at Seth’s place. Mattie was there because her “man” had left her. Mollie was there because she had missed her train. Jeremy flirted with both of them, and ended up running off with the vivacious Mollie. Clark’s performance of a woman abandoned by her n\an was moving and credible. Jim Bridges played Rutherford Selig, the white man who came to buy pots from Seth. Bertha believed that he was the person who had taken Martha Pentecost away to be a slave. This was Bridges’ first appearance with the Players, and one hopes he will return in future plays. He played his role convincingly and with flair. Elaine McLean and Joel Deonanan were the younger cast members. They both performed well considering the fact they both had little experience as actors. The most moving scene in Joe Turner's Come and Gone comes near the end when Herald Loomis sees his wife for the first time in almost ten years. The emotional intensity has built to a feverish point, and the characters do a good job in managing this intense emotion on stage without overacting. The background work for the play was wonderful also. The scenery was realistic. With the play being set in the early 1900’s, the set not only pre-, sented the look of that time, but it alsol gave a feel of that time as well. The Player’s did a very profes sional job in performingTurner's Come and Gone. The cast communi cated exceptionally well and their acting was superb. Overall, the play was enlightening and well worth the time spent to see it. The play was directed by Shawn ^ Smith. 'I THE COMPASS would like to wish the ECcSU family a safe and joyous holiday season and a happy new year. Rap artist shows understanding of the streets with new album mixing dance, original music FAST FUNDRAISING PROGRAM WEEK Earn up to *1000 in one week for your campus organization. Plus a chance at ^5000 more! This program works! No investment needed. Call 1-800-932-0528 Ext. 50 By Tarsha White He has been called the best dancer since James Brown and his music proves him to be a great talent. MC Hammer takes his music into a new direction on his most recent album which is j ust as good if not better than his first. In his first album, MC Hammer concentrated mostly on heavy rap songs which featured soulful tunes. On his second album, however, the music is much lighter. The songs on MC Hammer’s sec ond album. Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'em are very well written and shows MC Hammer’s appeal to his pop audience as well as his rap audi ence. “You Can’t Touch This,” the first song released from Please Ham mer Don't Hurt'em and perhaps the hottest song on the album is a tiJce off from a Rick James tune from the early Album Review MC Hammer takes his music into a new direction with his most recent album. 80’s called “SuperFreak.” MC Ham mer uses his own lyrics, however. This song is so full of energy that you can ’ t help but want to dance when you hear it. “Here Comes The Hammer” is also a very energetic rap cut in which Hammer uses original music. The music, however, is similar to the music of other tracks on the album. “Dancin’ Machine” is another take off from Michael Jackson’s “Dancin’ Ma chine.” Hammer uses some of the same lyrics in his version as well. The beat is of MC Hammer’s own style, which adds some distinction from the older version. “Have You Seen Her” is a slower, more melodious song which features singing by Hammer’s backup group. “Have You Seen Her” is a soulful remake of The Chilites’ song of the same name from the 70’s. The group shows tremendous singing talent which they have not used in any of the other songs. The group even sounds very much like the Chilites too. The theme of “Have You Seen Her” is mainly the yearning for an ideal love, which is demonstrated in the music video for the song. The video is a very unique one for MC Hammer because m'MR it features little dancing. “Help The Children” shows MC Hammer’s awareness of the problems - of the streets. It is a very heart-grab bing song which deals with the prob-J lems of drug and violence among the nation’s youth. In this song, MC Hammer suggests that adults should be more responsible in bringing up youth today because of all the outside- problems such as drugs, alcohol, and , gang violence. “Pray ” has a similar theme to “Help The Children” as it also deals with tlw problem of drugs and violence as well ^ as homelessness and problems that many people encounter daily in life. “Pray” is a mid-tempo track that combines the beat of Prince’s “When. Doves Cry” with Hammer’s owfi. rhythmic sound. In “Pray” MC Ham-' mer suggests that it is important to pray in order to get through all of ' today’s problems. 338-5p91 j: SOUTHGATE MALL'~ - ELIZABETH CITY The Nike Flight Collection for basketball that's played over their heads. Apparel. Footivear Accessories. Performance. And attitude. All in one complete set. Photo by Eugene O’Neal. Alisa L. Robinison STUDIO II PHOTO PRODUCTIONS O & P ENTERPRISE PHONE: 335-7688 501 Caldwell Street Elizabeth City, NC 27909 EUGENE O'NEAL OWNER * PHOTOGRAPHER framing * PORTRAITS * WEDDINGS COPYING * CLASS REUNIONS FAMILY REUNIONS SILK SCREENING * VIDEO EDITING
Elizabeth City State University Student Newspaper
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Dec. 7, 1990, edition 1
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