Page 6
THE COMPASS
Tuesday, April 23,199i^
ENTERTAINMENT
Faculty goes to the
Scholarcade production flawed;
however, play had high energy
By Ursula McMiUion
*■
! ECSU’s faculty and staffs presen-
; tation of Langston Hughes musical
; folk comedy Simply Heavenly was
• spirited but plagu^ with difHculties.
The play, this year’s Scholarcade
. production, was presented April Min
; Moore Hall Auditorium.
I The production’s major flaw was
; that the lead character was miscast
• Langston Hughes’ lead character,
Jesse B. Semple, played by Michael
A. Godfrey, was an earthy, common
, type, but Godfrey was unsuccessful in
I projecting this image.
Godfrey projected a sweet and
’ timid Semple which prevailed
throughout his performance.
Godfrey’s primary strength was his
excellent singing voice. His “Look
For the Morning Star”,duetwith Joyce
Lane (Brenda Clarke), was especi^y
charming, elicting warm applause
from the audience.
Several alterations in Godfrey’s
lines disserviced Hughes’ initial char
acter. Dropping the profanity from the
original script weakened the charac
ter’s credibility to the audience and
undermined the play’s authenticity.
Godfrey also had difficulty remem-
bering lines and projecting dialogue
as well as some of the musical num
bers.
The play’s plot centers around
Semple’s efforts to get a divorce from
his wife in order to marry his current
■Reply
Play Review
love, Joyce Lane (Brenda Clark.)
Clark’s performance was mediocre;
she sounded as if she were reading her
lines from memory cards.
The play unfolds at Semple’s Har
lem hangout, Paddy’s Bar.
Several of the characters are
brought to life with true authenticity
while others lagged with amatuer de
ficiencies. Miss Mamie (Dorothy
Wills) and her sidekick, Melon (Wil
lie Sullivan) were highlights of the
play with their barroom antics and
near brawls. Whether she was talking
about “chitterlings” or singing the
blues with the hillbilly watermelon
salesman. Wills captivated the audi
ence.
Other humorous characters at the
bar included the couple with seven
teen children—Bodiddly (Lavem
Jones) andhis wife Archie, (Bennie J.
Lewis); their son, John Jasper, (Kirk
Rivers); Hopkins, the bartender
(Andre Smith); the pianist (L. An
thony Johnson); a “highfalutin” visi
tor to the bar (Glenda Davis); Git-
fiddle (Bobby J. Lewis) and Zarita (
Robin Gresham), the luckless and
loose ex-girlfriend of Semple who
continued to seek his companionship
even though he constantly reminded
her of his intent to marry Joyce.
Othermentionable characters were
Madam Butler, (Bumella W. Griffin)
continued from p.l
with the article.
‘ ‘Everything is posted as far as clubs
and activities,” she said “It has never
been specified that white students are
not welcome to participate.”
ECSU’s student body president,
Renel Sample, said the article is more
an issue of involvement than one of
black and white.
‘The opinions expressed were only
from a few people,” said Sample.
“There is tension between whites and
blacks. There are also black students
Who don’t get involved.”
The most common gripe heard from
black students concerns money that
white students receive. Some students
feel that the Incentive Scholarship is
designed for white students and are
upset about white students getting
refunds.
“Not all of us (white students) are
here on the Incentive Scholarship.”
said Wynns. “Many of us are here
because we like this school.”
“I’m not getting a damned cent to
attend this University,” said a white
student who is angry about this as
sumption. “I got a bank loan to come
here, and I’m here out of choice. I
don’t care what color the people are.”
“The University is here for learn
ing as well as socializing,” said ECSU
alumnus Tony Price, “A person has to
grow to deal with both races socially
.and economically. I was disgusted
■when I read the article.”
Price, an Elizabeth City business
man, has kept in close contact with the
University since graduating in 1983.
, FranklynCreef, an English and Art
^ucation major feels that the race
issue is moot.
J'We’re all here for an education,”
iaid Crecf, “not to socialize. It’s all
about student opinion.”
Miss ECSU
continued from p.l
she said. “As Miss ECSU I will be
giving something back to the Univer
sity for the scholarship I received three
years ago.”
Tonya has chosen this personal
motto to guide her through the course
of her reign:
“Life is best when you live it.
Love is best when you give it.”
By this she means, “Everyone
should experience life and reach out
to others and in turn they will do the
same.”
DeVaughan’s career goal is “to
work in a business corporation in the
marketing field.” Her ultimate goal,
she added, “is to own my own com
pany.”
DeVaughan cited her mother as
her greatest influence in life.
“She has risen from poverty and
abuse to a lifestyle of love, success
and happiness,” she said.
thee 1 sing...
Mrs. Caddy, (Mattie N. Perry) Ali
Baba, (Comelious Goodwin) the
nurse, (Catherine Iglesia-Flores) and
the patron’s of Paddy’s Bar, Myrtle
Rivers, Shelia Johnson, Shirley Jones,
Marian Mitchell and Edmond Koker.
Simply Heavenly was directed by
Shawn Smith, with the assistance of
Paula Sutton.
Although the musical had high
energy the pacing and momentum
were flawed by characters’ inability
to project and or remember their lines.
The technical direction by Vicki-
Webb Thomas left something to be
desired with lights blacking out and
false lighting cues to close scenes;
however, the setting presented a real
istic 1950’s Harlem.
The overall musical numbers, di
rected by L. Anthony Johnson, ex
posed a wide range of musical talent
among the cast. Brenda Clarke, Mike
Godfrey, Dorothy Wills and Bennie
Lewis aJl gave commendable perform
ances in this area.
Even though themusical’smomen-
tum dragged at times the audience
responded well with laughter, some
times even cheering characters on.
And the play had enough bright
moments to partially redeem the
flawed production.
Scholarcade, an annual production
by the faculty and staff, was launched
by Chancellor Jenkins in 1980. Its
purpose is to raise scholarship funds
for students.
Photo by Unult McMHUcc
SACS
continued from p.l
examined the University’s records and
documents in a diverse variety of areas,
including all academic departments,
major administrative offices, and fi
nances.
“There were fifteen members in
the group,” according to Henderson.
“They included college professors,
vice chancellors for academic affairs,
and one representative from SACS
itself.”
Henderson said that in order to be
reaccredited the University must make
any changes recommended by the
It
PAn
to
advertise
in
The
Compass
call 335-3711
team. All changes must be made
“within a very specific period of time,”
she added.
“We know we were very well pre
pared,” Henderson continued. “People
across campus came together and
worked hard to getready for this visit”
Final announcements about which
schools have been reaccredited will
be made in December at the SACS
meeting in Atlanta, Ga, Henderson
said.
“ECSU has been the most prepared
campus thus far for the SACS team,”
she said.
McCleure, Director of the SACS
team, is President of Virginia Union
University.
Correction
In our last issue a misprint occurred
on p. 4: ESCU instead of ECSU.
Also, Sylvia Walton wrote the story on
women's fashions (p. 5). The editors
regret these mistales.
The Editors
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n»to by Albert C P. W
f
Brenda Clark and Michael Godfrey, playing Joyce Lane and Jessie B. Semple, cuddle In Joyce’s room
sharing a moment in love’s bliss, during rehearsal forthe presentation of Langston Hughes’ Simply Heavenij'
The play, directed by Shawn Smith and Paula Sutton, was performed by members of ECSU’s faculty and
staff April 14 in Moore Hall.
Safire releases her second album
The National Opera Company performed Donzettii's "Daughter of the
Regiment" in Moore Hall on April 4. The opera was the last production
of ECSU's 1991-92 Lyceum series and the fourth since the celebration
of the Centennial began.
By Tarsha White
Safire is one of the hottest record
ing artists on the dance scene today.
Her new album,/W^as/i’ tBorn Yester
day, was released just a month ago
and, already, the first single, “Made
Up My Mind” is on the charts. It is # 13
on the Dance Sales chart and #38 on
the Dance Singles chart.
Safire is a not your average dance
diva. She was bom Wilma Cosme in
San J uan, Puerto Rico but later moved
to East Harlem with her family as a
small child. By the age of 12 her
singing in church and school had led
her to the desire to become an enter
tainer. Eventually, she won an audi
tion contest for Cutting Records and
recorded “Don’t Break My Heart”
and “Let Me Be The One” which
became instant hits in many dance
clubs across the country. Safire’s self
titled 1988 debut album brought forth
3 major crossover hits: “Boy I’ve Been
Told,” “Gonna Make It,” and a Top 10
smash hit ‘Thinking of You,” which
was written in memory of her uncle
who died of AIDS.
Just last year, Safire received a
New York Music Award for BestLatin
Music Artist and the Hispanic Enter
tainment Award (DESI) for Best
Female Vocalist.
“Made Up My Mind,” the first
song on the album, is a very danceable
song. The music is great and the lyrics
are meaningful. Safire says that this
song is about her independence. “This
song is about my independence be
cause that’s the way I feel. I’m a
person who can make a decision and
stick by it no matter what, no matter
how.” Safire refers to this song as her
Declaration of Independence.
“Loves Gotta Be There” is another
danceable track on the album. Safire
says that this song is about relation
ships that last a lifetime. “I think
everybody knows that I was married
at one time. I recently got a divorce
because I was too young and didn’t
Album Review
know what I was getting into. The
song is about relationships lasting a
lifetime. In order to have a relation
ship last there must be love.” Safire
says that this isn’t just another silly
love song, though.
“Whatever Happens” is a beautiful
ballad off the album. It is more Pop-
oriented than Rhythm and Blues with
Dancer, singer&songwriterSafire.
its use of the guitar and keyboard.
This song also has a lot of meaning
behind it. “This song is about love.
It’s also a song about me. When I love
someone, I love them honestly and
deeply. That song resembles truth,
honesty, and commitment. I hang in
there no matter what” This song
expresses Safire’s feeling very well.
“Taste The Bass” is another up
tempo dance song. It sounds a litUe
more like hip-hop music with its use
of rap in the song. The music sounds
very similar to “Made Up My Mind”
in beat, unfortunately. Safire’s de
scribes this song as a fun song because
she is rapping in it herself.
Safire also raps in the title track, “I
Wasn’t Bom Yesterday.” Like moj
of the fast songs on the album, thi;
song is also very danceable. TIk
music sort of in the style of She®
Easton. Safire describes this song will,
one word: attitude.
“Some Things Never Change’»V
perhaps, the most special song on tk
album to Safire because she co-wroit
it with a good friend, Tony Moran
who also sings in the song. Safin'
says, “A good friend of mine. Ton)
Moran, co-wrote that song. Inmyift
I had a lot of friends who turned o|
not to be my friends. When all thost;
people out there made my life diffioii'
he was there. We’re still the best d|'
friends and that won’t ever change’
This song is, however, somewhat/
repeat of some of the other up-lp
songs.”
“I Can’t Cry” is a slower-pac^Jl
song. The beat is good and the lyrics-
are meaningful. It’s an emotional sojij!
Deep inside I may be crying, but Tifi
not going to let you guys see that'
says Safire.
“Shame” is another song aboiil
independence. In this song, a womai
catches her man in the act with some
one else and she’s not going to bt
taken advantage of. She says, youV
busted. I’m disgusted, out you ga'^
This song has a great beat and it is alsl)',
easy to dance to.
“I Never Heard” is a song writteiiS
by Michael Jackson. This song is aboult
a man who falls in love with someoiiel
who doesn’t know he’s there. It is-
different, musically, from the otiief;
fast-paced songs, too. Says Safut,
“Michael Jackson wrote this songanJ'
he’s my idol. I’ve always looked up.
him and learned a lot from him aSi^-'
performer and as an artist. Michadis
someone who will always be remeni
bered. I’m striving for that as well.’
“I’m A Victim” is the last songdn
the album. This is another song tiial
Safire uses rapping in. The beat' is
good but a little weaker than the otliei, ■
songs, however.
Photo by Eugene O'Neal
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