Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Oct. 22, 1997, edition 1 / Page 8
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October 22,1997 8 Campus Extras ^Irene doesn't give the same old song and dance lORYHOKE fMlwK (Tia This faU's musical comedy, Irene, by Hugh Wheeler and Joseph Siein, soeaks up on you (o split your sides. Professional sets, aa impeccable pii band. Bed) Leavel’s fun cboreogra- pby, and lively blocking add U> some smashing voices and rodc-solid acting K> get the high-energy aowd-pleaser thatis/rew. The first act busies itself with ris ing action and developing the charac ters: Irene O'Dare'is starting up her own [riano-tuning business, and longs to leave her working-class ninth av enue background for fifth avenue high society. Her first job is for the wealthy Marshalls, where she learns bow much one class has in common with another. Unfortunately, Irene has so much work (0 do early on that the first act becomes the ugly kid sister of the second aa, wbere, Seit^eld-Xint, the laughs come bard and fast from burst pretensions and swiK;bed personalities. Irene's Irish accents come and go, but tbe affected accents of tbe second act are consistent and very funny. And lying und^ tbe piano like a garage mechanic may be a novel way to tune aSteinway, but Irene’s ungainly posi- tic« while at work makes the contrast tetween bcr and the stuffy Marshalls that much funnier. Amanda Johnson performs tbe title role with gusto, managing to play to tbe back row while subtly building her character’s rapport with the audiencc. Her costume, presence, and inflectitn areperfect for her plucky heroine. Even her gestures are in charaaer, from the composed but compassionate way she shakes a grown man’s tears off her hand to the down-to-business way she takes off her jacket. Johnson sings tbe comic songs sassy and the love songs sweet, but always with perfect diction. She masters the difficult intervals of “Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown” with out so much as a pained expression. Community playerGaiy Williams deserves mention for his Madame Lucy. He’s sharp and liinny, but not too broad. Tbe cast adores bim, as well. “He's awesome. He rocks,” said Kathryn Alien, who makes bo- small part as tbe Marshall’s maid suipns- ingly strong. As tbe musical directors, Eliza beth Reep and Nancy Whalen Rice operate the talented cast's voices so well that their vibratos seem to beat togetha". Tbe cbonis’s blend is supe rior rarely did any voice stand out Within the cast, Holly Hendricks, as Mrs. Marshall, has an excellent voice. She’s a good actor and seems sorely underused. Lara Smith and Jennifer Parrott, as Helen and Jane, Irene’s sidelucks, bad such powerful voices (bat they sounded like more than just two singers. Their roles were substan tial, but seemed too small. Meredith's costuming class, un der the guidance of Bill Rodgers, cre ated tbe outfits that proved crucial to tbe [day. Set in 1919, and featuiing flashy dress designing as a major pbt point, Irene deluded on appropriate costuming to succeed, and succeeded. St^ manager Kellie Harris pulled all these elements together to make Irene woit. The set changes were breath takingly speedy and the lighting dgbtly conhx)lled. “She runs the sbow.”said Kim Debus, who plays Irene’s mother, Geraldine O’Dare. “The crew has been out of this world. We’re reaUy excited. We've got some new blood, some fitshmen in tbe cast” Debus threw out ber back throwing herself in bcr performance, but she knows the show must go on. Irene does go on, from October 21-25 at S:iXlpm and October 26 at 2:00pm. VOICES continued from page 1 litically-aware. His political career began in Chapel Hill. After Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Lee found an outlet to ex^vess his “feelings of protest” by working on political campaigns. He then went on to become tbe mayor of Chapel Hill. Leeranforseveraloilieroffices and though not always successful, hestill ran to make his mark. He said, “It means to be, in some cases, to be the sacrificial person in order to make the way for others.'’ Doth senators urged everyone to get involved in public events. Lee said, “One docs not have to run for public office to serve the public.” Serving ou a citizen committee is an excellent way to get involved. Lee also urged citizens to get to know those representing their districts. If people are uoinformed, then it leads to political manipulations. Manipulation becomes easy bccause most of politics is a one-way conversation. The senators both seemed pleased with their pan in serving tlie state. In fact, Reeves announced his csmdidacy for the next tenn that very evening. Tliey cited campaign fundraising as the least pleasant pan of their jobs. Voices of theTiiangle was coordinated by junior Katherine Miller. About 30 students attended the meeting as well as faculty members from the History and Politics depanment. kimbdily Debus as Geraldine O'Dare and Amarvla Johnson as Irene O'Daie in the musical comedy Irene. PKolo by Marilyn Worihinglon Graduates! Your Announcements Are Available. Alcohol Awareness Week educates students Campus Activities Ikiard and oilier campus groups sponsored many events tbroughout the week to raise awareness over the elTects of alcohol. Tbe "We RememberWall of Remembrance asked to the Meredith community to remember those they've lost to alcohol. Tlie Wall raised approximately $40 which willlM; donated to MADD. Photo by Allison Carter TO 1/1 ^ L.. COLLECe CRAOUATION ACCESSOAICS'** THE LAST TIME to order personalized graduatim rninouncements prior to December graduation will be Monday, November 3 frran 10-4 and Tuesday, November 4 from 10*6 at Cate Centa. Prior to this you may order by calling Jostens toll-free North Carolina Regional Office at; 888-433-0559.
Meredith College Student Newspaper
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Oct. 22, 1997, edition 1
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