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6The Daily Tar HeelMonday, February 1, 1988 Alvin Ailey dancers preserve black culture By KIM DONEHOWER Saff Writer When choreographer Alvin Ailey started a dance troupe 30 years ago, his purpose was to create an indigenous American modern dance company with an emphasis on multi-racial expres sion. Today the Alvin Ailey Amer ican Dance Theater is one of America's premier modern dance companies. The group will perform in Memorial Hall tonight as an event in the Carolina Union Performing Arts Series. In addition to regular perfor mances at New York City's his toric City Center theater, the internationally-acclaimed group has toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad. This emphasis on a heavy tour ing schedule reflects the philo sophy and purpose of the com pany as it was originally conceived when Ailey started the group with seven dancers in 1958. "Mr. Ailey is totally dedicated to representing and developing American modern choreography," said Laura Beau mont, management associate for the troupe. "(In addition), he was a pioneer in giving black dancers an outlet to perform. When the company first started, there was essentially nowhere for them to go Along these lines, Ailey has created a repertory company designed to preserve and continue both the American modern dance heritage and the uniqueness of black cultural expression. Works come from a variety of well-known American choreographers, includ ing Katherine Dunham, Judith Jamison and Ailey himself. The company now numbers 29 dancers, many of whom are grad uates from the Alvin Ailey Dance Center, an affiliated dance school currently registering more than 2,500 students annually from around the world. The Chapel Hill show is part of the final stages of the troupe's current U.S. tour. The company plans to travel next to Europe, to continue abroad the unique representation of American mod era choreography and its black cultural heritage. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform tonight at 8 p.m. in Memorial Hall. Call 962 1449 for ticket information. THE NINTH ANNUAL SHARING CONFERENCE of the Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium Chapel Hill, North Carolina, February 14-16, 1988 Keynote Speaker: Dr. Joe Lowman Author of Mastering the Techniques of Teaching The conference theme, "What Have We Learned?" invites a retrospective analysis of teaching improvement projects over the past fifteen years. For information about attending, contact Martha Diefendorf, Center for Teaching and Learning, 316 Wilson Library, 966-1289. wm grams J2 TV Ji 9 Pi.1-2 Lf.l st cny Chzpd Ili.'ICcrrbcro location THIS VJZEirS SPECIAL BUY ONE, GET ONE LuLzjLzjo Buy any foot long sub or large salad & get another or equal or less value free. Not good with any other offers. Limit one per person. Good only after 9 pm. Dovrntown- next to Johnny T-Shirt 967-54C0 Glcmvood- next to the new Harris-Teeter 960-4233 Ecstssts Shopping Center- 967-7027 Carrboro-ViHow Creek near Food Lion 929-2200 ROSEMARY RADFORD RUETHER Feminist Theologian and Scholar Professor, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary SEX AND THE SINGLE MALE GOD: WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1 7:30 PM HANES ART CENTER AUDITORIUM (RM 121) UNC CAMPUS TALK IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Sponsored By: UNC Women's Studies Program UNC Department of Religious Studies UNC College of Arts and Sciences Duke-UNC Center for Research on Women For more information, call 962-3908 (UNC Women's Studies Program) 'Mourning Becomes Electra' is exciting, compelling drama Paul Green Theatre was cold Saturday, so maybe the audience could shiver more easily. The theatre was also smoky and dark, so possibly the stage looked more haunted. Perhaps the action began a little late, so the audience's anticipation was heightened. None of it was necessary, because the audience jumped anyway, the stage was already ghostly and the anticipation for the second complete run ever of Eugene O'Neill's 1931 play, "Mourning Becomes Electra," was already high. PlayMakers Repertory Company, with the help of five guest artists, put on the long play with a delicacy and beauty that might have even impressed O'Neill. Director David Hammond used the unabridged version of the Greek based story, which is full of repeti tions and difficult phrasing that create a play that is difficult for the audience to grasp and even harder for the cast to perform. But Hammond surrounded himself with the best, including the husky voiced Isa Thomas and the tireless Tandy Cronyn, who were capable of the broad ranges of emotion and unemotion that O'Neill called for in the Mannon women. Thomas por trayed the mother, Christine, and Cronyn was the daughter, Lavinia. Both were in love with men they shouldn't have been in love with and both were wonderful in the parts. Cronyn performed well in her dualistic role a daughter who loved her father and hated her mother, yet was becoming her mother, to the point of imitating her in dress. The Electra complex has become a com mon term in the English language, but this play takes the idea one step further. Lavinia is Electra, full of fury over her father's death and wanting justice done. O'Neill manages to put it all in perspective, and the lust and madness unfold before the audience's unbelieving eyes. Mav'"' C father, zia, Kelly Rhodes Theatre rre- portraved the mill assumed two other roles after Ezra was killed off. James Lawson as Lavinia's fiance Peter seemed almost stiff and scared, but as one of the only normal characters in the play, he rightly should have been scared by all the events happen ing around him. Patrick Egan portrayed Adam Brant, a vengeful character who was faithful to his lover, Christine. Changing emotions quickly, Egan was capable of flying into a rage as easily as flying into Christine's arms. Wonderful performances were turned in by two of PRC's own, David Whalen and Susanna Rine hart. Whalen portrayed Orin, Chris tine and Ezra's son, who was caught in a battle concerning just that whose child could he safely claim to be? When both parents were gone, he was mothered to death by big sister Lavinia. Wonderful on the stage, Whalen was comfortable in any situation and adaptable to anything that transpired. Rinehart was Peter's sister and Orin's fiancee, Hazel Niles. The rage she portrayed toward her future sister-in-law and her helplessness at being caught in the situations she was in were frightening and real. One obvious drawback of the play is its length; five hours is a long time to be in a dark, smoky theatre. Hammond divided the play at a very good point, after three hours, when there was a virtual capsule summary of the action in the first part. Another drawback is the staging. Because the stage at Paul Green juts out into the audience, anyone speak ing is in danger of turning his back to someone, and a few times a line or two was lost because of this problem. The smoVe that was bem- pumped into the theatre was a good effect, 7 s N -Ay?,' ?- J x mi mm .&SSSK V.- . K. A" 1 4 s. Tandy Cronyn and David Whalen in "Mourning Becomes Electra" but had a bad effect on the audience's eyes and throats. The coolness was also a bit of an inconvenience. Most of the audience was brought to its feet in applauding the perfor mances of Thomas and Cronyn. And deservedly so: Thomas gave a new meaning to the concept of a nr. hcr and Cronyn gave a new meaning to the word endurance. The run of this play is a historical event in drama. The artists partici pating in it are well aware of the significance of every line and gesture, and anyone who sees it should share this awareness. Go see this play. Not only is it going to be remembered, but it is very well worth it. Campus Calendar Monday 12 p.m. Women's Studies Pro gram will have a brown bag lunchtime collo quium in Toy Lounge of Dey Hall. Dr. Rosem ary Radford Ruether will speak on feminism, theology and the church. 3:30 p.m. Walk for Humanity 8 of the Campus Y will have an organizational meeting in the Campus Y Lounge. All inter ested are welcome. 4 p.m. Graduate English Club PHYSICAL THERAPISTS PHARMACISTS OPTOMETRISTS CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS The Air Force can make you an attractive offer out standing compensation plus opportunities for professional development. You can have a challenging practice and time to spend with your family while you serve your country. Find out what the Air Force offers. Call TSgt Kirby Lindner Station to Station Collect (919)850-9549 is sponsoring a reading by Fred Chappell in Greenlaw 224. 7 p.m. Psi Chi will hold an inductee information meeting in 304 Davie Hall. By invitation only. 7:30 p.m. Women's Studies Pro gram will sponsor a lecture by Dr. Rosem ary Radford Ruether on "Sex and the Single Male God: What is the Problem?" in 121 Hanes Art Center. 8 p.m. Students for Dole will meet in Union 213. 8:30 p.m. Fellowship of Christian Athletes will have a . service in honor of Pete Maravitch in Kenan Field House. Items of Interest The UNC Environmental Resource Project is offering $250 stipends for student research work with selected N.C. citizens environ mental organizations. Contact ERP at 966-1301 or 966-3332 for info. Student Government All Campus Candidates Forum will be Feb. 7. If you have a question you'd like to ask the candidates for student body president, please deposit your question in the marked folder at the Union desk. Graduation Applications for all seniors graduating in May are due Feb. 10. I J 1 SE games, parties, exhibitions, freebies, golf, tennis, Jai alai, S I -M ! A f t l 1 m. 1. A .UA i... ! M greynouna racing, great nigniure ana me oesi oeacnes in Florida. It all happens in the Daytona Beach resort area, the Spring Break Capital of the Universe! Pack your car, hop on a tour bus or catch a flight on Delta, Eastern, American, Continental or Piedmont. A travel agent can make all the arrangements at no added charge. So, cal 8C3-S54-1234 for more Information. Follow th9 ffoad to Dmyton Borneh on FOR FREE SPRING BREAK INFORMATION call 800-854-1234. or write Destination Daytona!, P. 0. Box 2775, Daytona Beach. FL 32015. Name. ; School Address City .State. .Zip. STANLEY H. EC APL AW A OEPOMTf 10 TOUT SPEiliS F00 ITiiLF! rather ieuiV h,h. i "."""iWWtoitsrin Ph Jver-incre ider daily LS,,1"iiniJers ,vrx ?r JMXXM I. Ak.lPkrkrDOC rvTUCBCTAklPkADrMTCrkCVAliHdATliklC LfClPlflLJ PLUS SPEED READING! . : i!7 EDUCATIONAL Xf ' CENTER LTD. TEST PREPARATION SPECIALISTS SMCE 1938 S4 is- v a 1 a- ;.. , :. ...J j-,'- .. Mf k fc-vrr-j. ir a '7 U Win a new Dodge Daytona &. a Herff Jones Ccilege Ring! Enter the llerff JonesDodge Daytona SvmistaJfe ) am. i? your HtrffJoocsCoHce ft'w !iecife1' Mondayv Feb, 1 10 am-3 pm at Student Stores ffHERPf jqnes ONLY $10 DEPOSIT
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Feb. 1, 1988, edition 1
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