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(03/25/13 1:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students Kelly Lusk and Nathan Alan Davis premiered their original plays, “(a love story)” and “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” Friday and Saturday night at the Wells-Metz Theatre. The plays are part of “At First Sight: A Repertory of New Plays,” which correlates with the revival of IU’s MFA playwriting program.“(A love story)” centers around three couples struggling to define what love really is and how it can be achieved. Senior cast member Jacque Emord-Netzley said the opening night went very well and that she thoroughly enjoyed performing in front of the Wells-Metz Theatre’s full house.“The audience had a lot of energy and seemed really into the production, and all the feedback I’ve heard has been really positive,” Emord-Netzley said. “It just felt great to finally allow people to see what we’ve all be working on.”“Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” premiered Saturday. The show tells the story of Dontrell, an intelligent boy from Baltimore who dreams of his ancestor falling into the sea and has an unexplainable urge to go out and find him.Yusuf Agunbiade, a freshman studying theater and drama, plays Dontrell in the show. He said the cast’s first night performing in front of a live audience was exhilarating, and he was so happy to have shared it with his fellow cast members. “The vibe that we started with going on the stage was enormous,” Agunbiade said. “That was due to the unity that all of the cast members felt with one another, and it really helped with the performance as a whole. No matter what happened during the play, there was a trust built from the cast that helped give a very astounding and memorable performance.” Jessica Evans, a sophomore studying theater, attended the latter show’s opening night and said she enjoyed the play for its dramatic and visual elements.“I loved the colors and how they played together in the play,” Evans said. “I also loved the use of costume and how the actors used it to change character.”“(A love story)” and “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” will continue to run through Saturday as part of the repertory. Agunbiade said he hopes to keep the energy the cast built around its first show going until the final production.“Overall, I felt really incredible about the show, and the feedback we received afterwards definitely reassured me that we made a huge impact on the audience that we had,” he said. “I hope to see the same passion and enthusiasm from the cast members as it was tonight and the same packed crowd who are ready to witness a magnificent piece of work for the rest of the performances.”
(03/24/13 10:02pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students Kelly Lusk and Nathan Alan Davis premiered their original plays, “(a love story)” and “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” Friday and Saturday night at the Wells-Metz Theatre. The plays are part of “At First Sight: A Repertory of New Plays,” which correlates with the revival of IU’s MFA playwriting program.“(a love story)” centers around three couples struggling to define what love really is and how it can be achieved. Senior cast member Jacque Emord-Netzley said the opening night went very well and that she thoroughly enjoyed performing in front of the Wells-Metz Theatre’s full house.“The audience had a lot of energy and seemed really into the production, and all the feedback I’ve heard has been really positive,” Emord-Netzley said. “It just felt great to finally allow people to see what we’ve all be working on.”“Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” premiered Saturday. The show tells the story of Dontrell, an intelligent boy from Baltimore who dreams of his ancestor falling into the sea and has an unexplainable urge to go out and find him.Yusuf Agunbiade, a freshman studying theater and drama, plays Dontrell in the show. He said the cast’s first night performing in front of a live audience was exhilarating, and he was so happy to have shared it with his fellow cast members. “The vibe that we started with going on the stage was enormous,” Agunbiade said. “That was due to the unity that all of the cast members felt with one another, and it really helped with the performance as a whole. No matter what happened during the play, there was a trust built from the cast that helped give a very astounding and memorable performance.” Jessica Evans, a sophomore studying theater, attended the latter show’s opening night and said she enjoyed the play for its dramatic and visual elements.“I loved the colors and how they played together in the play,” Evans said. “I also loved the use of costume and how the actors used it to change character.”“(a love story)” and “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” will continue to run through March 30 as part of the repertory. Agunbiade said he hopes to keep the energy the cast built around its first show going until the final production.“Overall, I felt really incredible about the show, and the feedback we received afterwards definitely reassured me that we made a huge impact on the audience that we had,” he said. “I hope to see the same passion and enthusiasm from the cast members as it was tonight and the same packed crowd who are ready to witness a magnificent piece of work for the rest of the performances.”
(03/22/13 3:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>“At First Sight: A Repertory of New Plays” will debut Friday night at the Wells-Metz Theatre, featuring original plays written by students Kelly Lusk and Nathan Alan Davis. The two plays, “(a love story)” and “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” will run in rotation at the Wells-Metz Theatre. “(a love story)” will open Friday and “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” will debut Saturday.“(a love story)” tells the story of three couples from different walks of life as they struggle to define what love really means to them. Senior cast member Emily Mange said she thoroughly enjoyed getting to act in a production created by fellow IU student Lusk.“It is a thrilling experience to be able to work so closely with the playwright and see when his inspiration came from experiences in Bloomington,” Mange said. “Being able to craft my role with the knowledge of the playwright’s intentions was very satisfying.”Although the show’s message is grounded in real life, Mange said a lot of fantasy has been incorporated into the play, something she hasn’t particularly dealt with before as an actor.“(a love story),” while grounded in realistic feelings and emotions, deals with many non-realistic images and occurrences,” she said. “I have never dealt with a play that incorporates such fantastical concepts, so it was a fun process to treat even the silliest of things as a real and tangible part of the play’s world.” The second play, “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” follows title character Dontrell and his dreams of an ancestor thrown off a ship and his decision to dive into the ocean and save him.Junior Patricia Millard plays Shea, Dontrell’s cousin, to whom he often comes for advice. Millard said getting the opportunity to act in this play was wonderful, and she especially appreciated the strong relationships formed on set.“I loved the atmosphere that always surrounded the space during our rehearsal,” Millard said. “Everyone who was in the room during our rehearsals grew together as a unit and became very close very quickly. It allowed for us to grow in our understanding of the story and to discuss relevant issues that more distant groups cannot.”Millard said she thinks the shows are wonderful, and she expects people to walk away from “Dontrell” feeling moved. “People can expect a beautiful experience, a wonderful story that is unlike any other you will probably see in the theater,” she said. “A story that needs to be told. To quote my castmate Ian Martin, ‘Enjoy its comedy, but look for its gravity.’”
(03/19/13 3:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and members of The Silk Road Ensemble took to the stage at the IU Auditorium and were welcomed by the auditorium’s sold-out crowd Monday night. The ensemble, founded by Ma in 2000, performed six classical pieces that reflected the musical and cultural diversity of the ensemble’s 16 members. The group opened with “Side In Side Out,” composed by Japanese musician Kojiro Umezaki, who plays the shakuachi, a Japanese flute, in the orchestra. The number featured Umezaki as well as other members of the group and provided an energetic start to the night. A fun-loving energy translated to the performance while the members addressed the audience. Cellist Eric Jacobsen playfully referred to himself as “the other cellist” in the group and expressed how happy the ensemble was to be back in Bloomington. The second piece, “Atashgah,” was written by another ensemble member, violinist Colin Jacobsen. The piece was inspired by Jacobsen’s visit to Iran in 2004, when he heard Iranian kamancheh player and Silk Road member Kayhan Kalhor play. The piece was written to feature the kamancheh as well as Western strings.The next musical performance followed with “Silk Road Suite,” which featured four movements: “Rustem,” “Rajasthani Traditional,” “Kali Sara” and “Turceasca.” The piece featured a number of composers, and ensemble member Sandeep Das acted as arranger on “Rajasthani Traditional.”The ensemble’s fourth piece, “Playlist for an Extreme Occasion,” was written for them in 2012 by New York composer and jazz pianist Vijay Iyer. In keeping with the group’s mission to promote the appreciation of culture and the arts across the world, the Silk Road Ensemble performed a Japanese piece, “Tsuru no Ongaeshi.” Meaning “Repayment from a Crane,” the song was composed by Umezaki and inspired by a classic Japanese story of the same name. The performance ended with “Suite from Book of Angels,” a compilation of various short pieces by American composer John Zorn that the group put its own spin on by arranging them itself. Kalhor’s arrangement made its debut during the recent concert tour. The Silk Road Ensemble features members from 20 countries all over the world, including Asia, Europe and the Americas. The group, under Ma’s artistic direction, strives to explore contemporary music from each other’s countries and celebrate both the similarities and differences that encompass world music. Together, The Silk Road Ensemble has toured around the world and recorded and released five albums. The 2011 record “Off the Map” received a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Crossover Album. The attraction of Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble was enough to get people from outside Indiana to turn up to the IU Auditorium.Christine Kim, a student at the University of Minnesota, said she decided to come after her friend, who goes to IU, offered her tickets.“I like Yo-Yo Ma,” Kim said. “He’s an enthusiastic musician. I really want to hear his music.”The auditorium’s full house also held music lovers who shared the ensemble’s appreciation for world music. Junior Elizabeth McClary is an India studies and East Asian languages and cultures major at IU. She said she is fascinated by world cultures, which in part drew her to the show Monday night.“An event like this is right up my alley,” McClary said. “I like fusion music, and I think projects like this are really interesting.”
(03/17/13 8:16pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma will perform with the Silk Road Ensemble at 8 p.m. Monday at the IU Auditorium.Formed by Ma in 2000, the Silk Road Ensemble was inspired by trade routes that ran through Eurasia 2,000 years ago. Ma designed the group to promote sharing and learning across cultural boundaries through its music.The ensemble consists of musicians and artists from more than 20 countries across the world. The various cultures members bring to the group allow them to create innovative music and multimedia pieces. Although tonight’s performance will be the Silk Road Ensemble’s premiere in Bloomington, Ma has performed solo concerts at IU before, said Maria Talbert, associate director of the IU Auditorium. “Based on the overwhelming response to Yo-Yo Ma’s solo recital here in 2010, we knew that this would be a performance our audience would love to see,” Talbert said. Talbert said Bloomington’s artsy reputation and the community’s long-time support of the creative arts has helped this performance gain momentum. “With the multicultural landscape of IU and Bloomington, the strong music tradition at IU and the unceasing support of this tradition from the community, this performance is one that has drawn tremendous support,” she said.Talbert said the group’s performance this evening should be an eclectic, inspiring and captivating event for all in attendance, especially those with an appreciation for music. “It will be a feast for the ears as so many musical styles and a variety of instruments, unique to each performer’s country, will be featured,” she said. As of Sunday afternoon, the event is sold out.
(03/07/13 4:38am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Monty Python’s Broadway musical comedy “Spamalot” made its return to the IU Auditorium on Wednesday night to a nearly full house of students and Bloomington residents.The show, created by original Monty Python member Eric Idle, advertises itself as being “lovingly ripped off” from the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” The show follows the misadventures of King Arthur, played by Arthur Rowan. Throughout the course of the musical, Arthur hastily assembles his Knights of the Round Table, travels to Camelot and searches for the Holy Grail. Many characters from the film, including the Knights of the Round Table — Sir Lancelot, Patsy, Sir Robin and Sir Dennis Galahad — return in the musical adaptation. The show also introduces new characters into the Monty Python world, like the Lady of the Lake, who presents Arthur with the sword Excalibur that, according to Arthur, makes him king of Britain.New songs by Idle and John Du Prez were written for the musical to go along with the familiar plot line. Songs like “I Am Not Dead Yet,” “The Song That Goes Like This” and “Knights of the Round Table” received many laughs from audience members. Bloomington resident Doug Crandell said he’s been a fan of Monty Python’s work for a long time, yet Wednesday’s performance was the first time he had ever seen “Spamalot.”“I’ve enjoyed Monty Python and their films,” Crandell said. “I’ve never seen ‘Spamalot,’ but members of my family have. I’m hoping it’s going to be a funny, good time.”IU freshman Cori Leader said she was a big fan of Monty Python as well and that she liked “Spamalot” so much the first time she saw it, she decided to see it again.“I love Eric Idle,” Leader said. “He is Monty Python. I also really like the songs. My favorite song is the song with the knights. It’s a silly song, and it’s stuck out in my mind from the first time I saw it.”The traveling cast of “Spamalot” will continue performing throughout the United States through April. Stops for the musical include Minneapolis, Denver and Austin, Texas. Tickets can be purchased through the show’s website, montypythonsspamalot.com.
(03/06/13 2:58am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Monty Python’s Broadway musical “Spamalot” will return to the IU Auditorium for a one-night performance at 8 p.m. today.The musical draws inspiration from notable people, moments in history and the Monty Python film, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” to produce a comically serious spoof on the musical. The show centers mainly around the legend of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table. References to Monty Python and modern fixtures in pop culture update the ancient story and add to the comedy of the production.Cast member Thomas DeMarcus, who has been part of the Monty Python family by touring with “Spamalot” for the past three years, said the fond memories he had of Monty Python’s comedy made him want to be a part of this show’s traveling cast.“I grew up on Monty Python,” DeMarcus said. “My parents instilled a comedy feed in me at young age. I also worked at a Blockbuster, and I remember watching ‘The Holy Grail.’ I’d never seen a movie like that. It was so off-the-wall and silly, but there was a real truth to it.”DeMarcus, whose theater work has consisted mostly of dramatic plays, said the silly atmosphere found in “Spamalot” was a refreshing change of pace for his career.“It’s so much fun to get out there and take on a silly wig or fat suit and come out and be this real person,” he said. “You’re not trying to be funny. I’m not a trained dancer by any sort, but the dancing is silly and the singing is fun. It’s not like your typical Broadway musical, which works in its favor.”DeMarcus said he has performed this show almost 500 times, but it’s the inventive comedy and the energy that the audience seems to have that makes the show feel fun and fresh every time. “We get a very different audience compared to most shows I’ve done,” he said. “It’s more of a frat atmosphere. There are times where one character will come on and the audience starts clapping because they know what’s coming. It makes you feel like a rock star.”DeMarcus said he encourages people to come out for the chance to escape from their lives for two hours.“People can laugh at our silly characters and enjoy the songs,” he said. “The message of the show is to ‘always look on the bright side of life.’ I think for those two hours the audience is inside, they can expect a PG-13, very clean, family-friendly trip down memory lane for Monty Python fans.”
(03/05/13 9:27pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Monty Python’s Broadway musical “Spamalot” will return to the IU Auditorium for a one-night performance at 8 p.m. today.The musical draws inspiration from notable people, moments in history and the Monty Python film, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” to produce a comically serious spoof on the traditional musical. The show centers mainly around the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. References to the Monty Python film and modern fixtures in pop culture update the ancient story and add to the comedy of the production.Cast member Thomas DeMarcus, who has been a part of the Monty Python family by touring with “Spamalot” for the past three years, said the fond memories he had of Monty Python’s comedy made him want to be a part of this show’s traveling cast.“I grew up on Monty Python,” DeMarcus said. “My parents instilled a comedy feed in me at young age. I also worked at a Blockbuster, and I remember watching ‘The Holy Grail.’ I’d never seen a movie like that. It was so off-the-wall and silly, but there was a real truth to it.”DeMarcus, whose theater work has consisted mostly of dramatic plays, said the silly atmosphere found in “Spamalot” was a refreshing change of pace for his career.“It’s so much fun to get out there and take on a silly wig or fat suit and come out and be this real person,” he said. “You’re not trying to be funny. I’m not a trained dancer by any sort, but the dancing is silly and the singing is fun. It’s not like your typical Broadway musical, which works in its favor.”DeMarcus said he has performed this show almost 500 times in his life, but it’s the inventive comedy and the energy that the audience seems to have that makes the show feel fun and fresh every single time. “We get a very different audience compared to most shows I’ve done,” he said. “It’s more of a frat atmosphere. There are times where one character will come on and the audience starts clapping because they know what’s coming. It makes you feel like a rock star.”Tickets for the show are on sale at the IU Auditorium box office and start at $20 for students and $38 for the general public. DeMarcus said he encourages people to come out for the chance to escape from their lives for two hours.“People can laugh at our silly characters and enjoy the songs,” he said. “The message of the show is to ‘always look on the bright side of life.’ I think for those two hours the audience is inside, they can expect a PG-13, very clean, family-friendly trip down memory lane for Monty Python fans.”
(02/27/13 5:36am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Children dressed as Peter, Tinkerbell and Captain Hook filled the IU Auditorium Tuesday night as the musical “Peter Pan” began its two-night run on campus.Starring famed Broadway actress Cathy Rigby as the boy who won’t grow up, “Peter Pan” follows the storyline made famous by the James M. Barrie story and the Disney animated film. Peter flies into Wendy’s bedroom, Michael and John one night and whisks them off on a trip to Neverland, where children never grow up and parents are absent.For the musical, a new score and musical numbers were written to accompany the storyline. Songs like “I Gotta Crow,” “I’m Flying” and “I Won’t Grow Up” add to the story and the carefree life Peter and the Lost Boys lead. Along with the new songs, the show incorporated dance and aerial stunts. Rigby twirled and flipped through the air while she sang, and a group of Indians performed a dance number to welcome the audience to Neverland, including leaps and death-defying drops.The audience for the family-friendly musical primarily consisted of parents and grandparents with kids eager to see the show. Katie Stephens, 9, from Ellettsville, Ind., came with her grandmother. She said she was excited to see the show and likes coming to see shows at the IU Auditorium.“It’s a very nice place to see things,” Stephens said. “I want to see some amazing things, like Peter flying through the air.”Stephens said Peter Pan is one of her favorite Disney movies and her favorite character is Tinkerbell.“She’s kind and outgoing,” she said. “I like how she makes things out of stuff you find on the ground.”Bloomington resident Lisa Lenz came with her three children in tow and said the story has been a family favorite for years.“My husband and I buy season tickets for the IU Auditorium every year,” Lenz said. “We’re curious about the songs and curious to see if it’s anything like the Disney movie. We like the story, and the kids are really excited about seeing it.”
(02/25/13 1:46am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Department of Theater and Drama’s production of “The School for Scandal” began its residency at the Ruth N. Halls Theatre on Friday.Directed by Dale McFadden, “Scandal” focuses on how the gossip culture corrupts the public’s mind, leading to obsessions over all things scandalous. The show featured a cast of mostly undergraduate and graduate theater and drama majors. The play intertwines two major playlets, “The Slanderers” and “Sir Peter Teazle,” written by playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan. “The Slanderers” focuses on brothers Charles and Joseph Surface, played by first-year master’s student Joshua Krause and second-year master’s student Aaron Kirkpatrick. While the brothers maintain different reputations in the public’s eye, it is revealed throughout the play that the public’s perception may not be correct. “Sir Peter Teazle” tells the story of Teazle, played by second-year master’s student Clayton Gerrard, and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Lady Teazle, played by first-year master’s student Mara Lefler. As a newly married couple, the two get into frequent arguments brought on by Lady Teazle’s desire to gossip with the higher class.While the play is set in the 1700s and features some heightened 18th-century language, cast member and sophomore Cassie Alexander said the response to the show was great. Alexander plays Lady Teazle’s maid in the production.“The audience followed everything quite well and responded positively to the show,” Alexander said. “It’s hard sometimes to perform a period comedy like this because you’re not sure if other people, especially students, will find it funny. But we had lots of laughter and positive responses, which is extremely rewarding.”Fellow cast member and junior Jackson Goldberg, who plays Crabtree, said it’s the talent and enthusiasm of the actors that really help bring the show to life.“This play succeeds when the entire cast brings intense enthusiasm and energy to every scene, and there is not a moment of dead space throughout,” Goldberg said. “Our enormous cast of 25 actors have done this beautifully. The show is hilarious and exciting to work on, and I have my fellow cast members to thank for that.”The show has repeat performances from Feb. 26 to March 2 with an additional performance at 2 p.m. March 2. Alexander said the opening weekend went well, and she hopes to see the warm reception she and the cast received continue through the show’s final performances.“The cast in this show is really incredible,” she said. “Everyone delivered a wonderful performance for opening and will continue to do so throughout the run. It is such a privilege to work with this talented ensemble.”
(02/24/13 10:46pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Department of Theater and Drama’s production of “The School for Scandal” began its residency at the Ruth N. Halls Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.Directed by Dale McFadden, “Scandal” focuses on how the gossip culture corrupts the public’s mind, leading to obsessions over all things scandalous. The show featured a cast of mostly undergraduate and graduate theater and drama majors. The play intertwines two major playlets, “The Slanderers” and “Sir Peter Teazle,” written by playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan. “The Slanderers” focuses on brothers Charles and Joseph Surface, played by first-year master’s student Joshua Krause and second-year master’s student Aaron Kirkpatrick. While the brothers maintain different reputations in the public’s eye, it is revealed throughout the play that the public’s perception may not be correct. “Sir Peter Teazle” tells the story of Peter Teazle, played by second-year master’s student Clayton Gerrard, and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Lady Teazle, played by first-year master’s student Mara Lefler. As a newly married couple, the two get into frequent arguments brought on by Lady Teazle’s desire to gossip with the higher class.While the play is set in the 1700s and features some heightened 18th-century language, cast member and sophomore Cassie Alexander said the response to the show was great. Alexander plays Lady Teazle’s maid in the production.“The audience followed everything quite well and responded positively to the show,” Alexander said. “It’s hard sometimes to perform a period comedy like this because you’re not sure if other people, especially students, will find it funny. But we had lots of laughter and positive responses, which is extremely rewarding.”Fellow cast member and junior Jackson Goldberg, who plays Crabtree, said it’s the talent and enthusiasm of the actors that really help bring the show to life.“This play succeeds when the entire cast brings intense enthusiasm and energy to every scene, and there is not a moment of dead space throughout,” Goldberg said. “Our enormous cast of 25 actors have done this beautifully. The show is hilarious and exciting to work on, and I have my fellow cast members to thank for that.”The show has repeat performances from Feb. 26 to March 2 with an additional performance at 2 p.m. March 2. Alexander said the opening weekend went well, and she hopes to see the warm reception she and the cast received continue through the show’s final performances.“The cast in this show is really incredible,” she said. “Everyone delivered a wonderful performance for opening and will continue to do so throughout the run. It is such a privilege to work with this talented ensemble.”
(02/24/13 10:44pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>At 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, the Broadway musical “Peter Pan” will fly through the IU Auditorium. Starring Cathy Rigby as Peter, the show follows the story of a boy who never grew up and his adventures with the Darling children in his home, Neverland. The show stays true to the storyline of the J. M. Barie book and Disney film, with an original score made for the musical. Cast member Kim Crosby has played Mrs. Darling and grown-up Wendy in the show for the last four years. In a phone interview, Crosby shared how she joined the musical’s cast, what it’s like play a mother and what an honor it is to work alongside Cathy Rigby.IDS How did you become a part of the “Peter Pan” cast?CROSBY I was living in Springfield, Miss. Cathy and her husband (Tom Mason) were staging the show in Missouri. Word came that she was casting locally. We got a call, and they asked if my husband and I would be part of it. My husband played Captain Hook, and I played Mrs. Darling for two summers in Branson, Miss. IDS Describe your role in the play.CROSBY I play Mrs. Darling, and she is the mother of the children. She has caught sight of Peter Pan before, and she explains having seen Peter and what has happened. She’s fearful that he might be returning. She gets the ball rolling story-wise. She and her husband have to go to dinner, and once they leave, that’s when Peter comes. She doesn’t see the children for a couple years after that. When we see her again is in the last scene when the children return. She’s convinced they’ll never return, so it’s a happy homecoming.I also play an older Wendy. After the children come home, Peter told Wendy before he left that he would come for her to help him do the spring cleaning. He doesn’t come back for many years. She’s grown older and he’s stayed the same. It’s poignant when he returns. She’s grown up and has a daughter who’s about her age when she met him. Her daughter goes back to Neverland with Peter. It’s a nice little role. It bookends the entire play.IDS How does this role compare to other roles you’ve played in the past?CROSBY I’ve played English women before. I played Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.” But I’ve never played a mother. Most of the roles I’ve played in the bulk of my career have been ingénues and leading ladies. I am a mother of three children, so I identify with the character in a way I couldn’t have years ago. As an actor, you always want something interesting and essential in any show. It’s nice to have a show where I don’t have to carry the story on my shoulders. It’s a good part, otherwise I wouldn’t still be a part of it.IDS What do you think audience members will like about the show?CROSBY The most overwhelming response is “isn’t Cathy amazing?” She is a rare specimen of a performer. She’s incredibly agile. The greatest reaction is to her charm and skill and acting ability. She’ll far exceed expectations. It’s wonderful to see a beautifully crafted stage musical. There are many book scenes, a wonderful script and surprisingly touching moments. People will be surprised at how taken they are with the heart of the piece. It speaks a lot of truth. People are obsessed with youth, and Peter holds on to that at the expense of his happiness. He doesn’t want to grow up, but the rest of the world does. It’s wonderfully humorous. There’s terrific dancing and a talented cast of actors and singer/dancers. It hits the ground running, and there isn’t a lull in the action at all. Hopefully people will be surprised at how entertained they are.Tickers start at $38 for adults and $20 for children and IU students and can be purchased at the IU Auditorium Box Office.
(02/21/13 4:44am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Beginning Friday, IU professor of acting and directing Dale McFadden will present “The School for Scandal,” a play about the gossip culture in the late 1700s. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and continue through March 2.Tickets cost $15 for students and senior citizens and $25 for everyone else.The play focuses around two storylines. One involves two brothers, Joseph and Charles Surface, and society’s views and judgments of them, whether true or false. The other storyline centers around the unsuited marriage of Lord and Lady Teazle. A central theme of this play is self-realization in a world overrun by gossip and societal judgment. McFadden, the director for “Scandal,” said having to get this message across with the period the play is set in and the 18th-century language challenged the actors. “It gives us an opportunity to have a high design period play with acting challenges for our students,” he said. “I tried to get the students to grasp the language, the humor and the story of our play in a world of intrigue and gossip and slander and show what happens to people who live in this world.”Alex Goodman, a freshman majoring in theatre and drama, plays Charles’ companion in the show. “I was so excited to audition for this show because it is unlike any other performance I’ve done,” Goodman said. “This type of comedy is incredibly specific and isn’t often produced. I was thrilled by the opportunity to be involved in something new. It is so important as a performer to be acquainted with different styles of theatre and movement, and it has been such an educational experience to work on this show.”The play’s characters are obsessed with gossip, which leads to some colorful, eccentric behavior from them. Junior Drew Jenkins, who plays Sir Benjamin Backbite, said his character and his crazy antics never got old.“My favorite aspect about my character is the fact that he is so outrageous and expressive,” Jenkins said. “It makes playing my character extremely fun.”Jenkins said getting to work with McFadden was beneficial, and as a director, had lots of advice to share.“Dale McFadden has given us so many words of wisdom throughout the process,” he said. “He has told us to be there in the moment and tell your character’s story. But most importantly, have fun with this show. The audience won’t enjoy it if you aren’t enjoying performing it.”McFadden said he hopes those who see the show recognize the similarities this world has to the present and learn to look past the gossip that overruns our lives.“I hope people recognize that gossip and dishing and having to have the latest dirt is an unfortunate universal trait that has been around for 250 years,” he said. “Ultimately, people can rise above it all.”
(02/18/13 5:25am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Sophomore journalism student Terrin Thomas was crowned Miss IU Sunday by the 2012 winner, senior Brianna McClellan. Thomas was one of nine IU students competing in the pageant, which took place Sunday night at the Willkie Quad Auditorium. Along with the title, Thomas earned a $1,500 scholarship from the IU Foundation and the opportunity to compete in the Miss Indiana pageant June 19-22 in Zionsville, Ind.Thomas said the title of Miss IU will act as a stepping stone to an even larger goal — competing in the Miss Indiana pageant.“I competed as a teen in the Miss Indiana teen program,” she said. “I’ve been dreaming of going to the Miss Indiana pageant for many years. I’m so excited that I actually get to go and that my dream came true.”All contestants had to declare a platform to sponsor and work with as Miss IU. Thomas’ platform was volunteering, and she said she cannot wait to use her new title as a way to help out even more.“I’m so excited to get involved in IU and the community and do whatever I can,” Thomas said. “I plan on doing whatever is required expected of me as Miss Indiana University.”Including the scholarship awarded to Thomas, the Miss IU organization awarded $3,000 in scholarships to its contestants, as well as awards for the highest scorers in the talent and interview competition. Awards for community service, congeniality and people’s choice were also given.While she didn’t earn the title, first runner-up and winner of the interview competition, Erika Burghardt, said she plans on continuing her support of her platform, Youth Unifying Communities. “I still want to continue to promote my platform, because it’s something I’m very passionate about,” Burghardt said. “I want the youth of today to continue to give back to the community.”Along with the pageant, the Miss Indiana University organization partnered with Circle K to collect nonperishable food items for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Public Relations Chair Elizabeth Koss said it was important for the organization to give back.“One of the primary parts of the Miss America organization is community service,” Koss said. “It’s not all dressing up and talent. It is about service, too.”Thomas said she can’t wait to start her duties as a role model in the community.“I am so humbled and so honored to be able to represent Indiana University,” Thomas said. “I’m so excited to start my year.”
(02/18/13 4:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When hearing the word “circus,” many people think of elephants doing handstands and clowns in colorful costumes riding around on unicycles. But what might a circus look like if the performers had the final say?Enter “Traces.”On Friday and Saturday, “Traces”, a spectacle performance show, took over the IU Auditorium with its high-flying circus show. The 90-minute show was a product of 7 Fingers, a group of seven acrobats and circus performers which comprise the cast of “Traces.” All of their shows, including previous ones like “Loft,” “La Vie and “Psy,” abandon the traditional circus atmosphere in favor of a more intimate setting for the performers to connect with the audience. Although not yet a household name, the show still drew a sizable crowd to the IU Auditorium. Bloomington resident Carla Chism, who attended the show with her daughter Taylor, said she heard about the show after seeing an advertisement at the IU Auditorium’s “Rock of Ages” show in December.“We thought it might look neat,” Chism said. “It looked like a Cirque du Soleil kind of show.”Like Chism, second-year graduate student Samantha McClellan said she was also drawn to the show’s spectacle.“I’ve seen Stomp and it was amazing,” McClellan said. “I really came out of curiosity more than anything else.”In “Traces,” the show started with a high-energy dance number in an abandoned warehouse setting before a microphone dropped down from the ceiling. With it, the performers were able to introduce themselves to the audience and share anecdotes about their lives. The performers shared tales about everything from their grandfather’s smell to their love lives before transitioning into acrobatic stunts, including a balancing act on a giant ring, aerial routines and stunt performances involving basketballs, skateboards and rollerblades. The performers used the audience as well as their acts to share even more about themselves. Performer Mathieu Cloutier revealed he was a romantic before pulling out an acoustic guitar to serenade the crowd. The only female in the cast, Valérie Benoît-Charbonneau, told of her flirtatious nature before hopping on the lap of an audience member. The audience gave the performers a standing ovation both nights, IU Auditorium Associate Director Maria Talbert said. She said she was very pleased with the audience’s overall reception of the show.“It’s not yet a household name, so people here were adventurous,” Talbert said. “Based on the standing ovation the show got both nights, I’d say the crowd was very pleased with the show.”Talbert said the show exceeded her expectations and was able to both move and entertain her.“I really appreciated the emotional element of it,” she said. “The humor behind a lot of what they were doing and saying was a lot of fun. I left the show feeling very out of shape, but I loved every aspect of it.”
(02/17/13 6:48pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When hearing the word “circus,” many people think of elephants doing handstands and clowns in colorful costumes riding around on unicycles. But what might a circus look like if the performers had the final say?Enter Traces.On Friday and Saturday, Traces, a spectacle performance show, took over the IU Auditorium with its high-flying circus show. The 90-minute show was a product of 7 Fingers, a group of seven acrobats and circus performers which comprise the cast of Traces. All of their shows, including previous ones like “Loft,” “La Vie and “Psy,” abandon the traditional circus atmosphere in favor of a more intimate setting for the performers to connect with the audience. Although not yet a household name, the show still drew a sizable crowd to the IU Auditorium. Bloomington resident Carla Chism, who attended the show with her daughter Taylor, said she heard about the show after seeing an advertisement at the IU Auditorium’s Rock of Ages show in December.“We thought it might look neat,” Chism said. “It looked like a Cirque du Soleil kind of show.”Like Chism, second-year graduate student Samantha McClellan said she was also drawn to the show’s spectacle.“I’ve seen Stomp and it was amazing,” McClellan said. “I really came out of curiosity more than anything else.”In Traces, the show started with a high-energy dance number in an abandoned warehouse setting before a microphone dropped down from the ceiling. With it, the performers were able to introduce themselves to the audience and share anecdotes about their lives. The performers shared tales about everything from their grandfather’s smell to their love lives before transitioning into acrobatic stunts, including a balancing act on a giant ring, aerial routines and stunt performances involving basketballs, skateboards and rollerblades. The performers used the audience as well as their acts to share even more about themselves. Performer Mathieu Cloutier revealed he was a romantic before pulling out an acoustic guitar to serenade the crowd. The only female in the cast, Valérie Benoît-Charbonneau, told of her flirtatious nature before hopping on the lap of an audience member. The audience gave the performers a standing ovation both nights, IU Auditorium Associate Director Maria Talbert said. She said she was very pleased with the audience’s overall reception of the show.“It’s not yet a household name, so people here were adventurous,” Talbert said. “Based on the standing ovation the show got both nights, I’d say the crowd was very pleased with the show.”Talbert said the show exceeded her expectations and was able to both move and entertain her.“I really appreciated the emotional element of it,” she said. “The humor behind a lot of what they were doing and saying was a lot of fun. I left the show feeling very out of shape, but I loved every aspect of it.”
(02/15/13 8:46pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Urban acrobatics show “Traces” will bring its fusion of circus and street performance to the IU Auditorium for the first time 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.“Traces” incorporates the hodge-podge elements of contemporary dance, music from artists like Radiohead, VAST and Blackalicious, as well as theater and poetry into its acrobatic showcase. Rather than moving from trick-to-trick, the performance is broken up by poetic and narrative interjections from performers. Described as “Cirque du Soleil meets Stomp” by IU Auditorium Associate Director Maria Talbert, the show follows its seven performers as they share their personal stories with the audience through dance and acrobatic displays. “The name ‘Traces’ come from the fact that the heart of the show is about these seven people that come across each other,” Talbert said. “It’s about the traces or things they leave one each other.”Many of the performers have ties to spectacle shows like Cirque. What sets Traces apart and adds to the overall show is the incorporation of the performers’ true, heartfelt stories, Talbert said.“There’s a lot of meaning and a lot of heart,” she said. “After witnessing each one of these performer’s personal stories, people will walk away feel entertained and inspired.”Although it might not be as widely recognized as Cirque du Soleil or the Ringling Brothers company, Talbert said patrons should still make an effort to come out and see the show.Tickets start at $28 for adults and $16 for students and can be purchased at the IU Auditorium box office. “It’s one of those shows that is not yet a household name, but I’m sure it will be,” she said. “This is an opportunity to see the show before it gets really big. It’s also a chance to brag to your friends that you saw it before it got big.”
(02/14/13 10:21pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>On Friday and Saturday, IU Cinema will welcome actor and filmmaker Crispin Glover as he presents two of his feature films and live dramatic narrations.Glover will show the first two films from his “IT” trilogy, “It is Fine! EVERYTHING IS FINE” and “What is It?” The films and narrations begin at 7 p.m. each night.Glover’s live narrations, known as “Crispin Hellion Glover’s Big Slide Show,” are broken into two parts and based off of the eight books Glover has written during the years. Each book is based on 19th-century books he has reworked and combined with photographs and his original drawings, he said.Glover said he always loved writing and drawing accidentally fell into bookmaking in the early 1980s. “I was in an acting class, and down the block was an art gallery that had a bookstore upstairs,” he said. “In the bookstore, there was a book for sale that was an old binding taken from the 1800s, and someone had put their artwork inside the binding. I thought this was a good idea and set out to do the same thing.”It’s all the work he did with writing and editing books that lead him naturally into filmmaking, Glover said.“When I was editing my first feature film, there was a reminiscent quality to the way I worked with the books,” he said. “As I was expanding the film in to a feature from what was originally going to be a short, I was taking film material that I had shot for a different purpose originally and re-purposed it for a different idea, and I was writing and shooting and ultimately editing at the same time.”Glover said he got the idea to start performing live narrations based off his books because he felt the best way to tell his stories was through visual representation. He began the first part of his live narration, “Crispin Hellion Glover’s Big Slide Show Part 1,” in 1992.“The content of that show has not changed since I first started performing it,” Glover said. “But the performance of the show has become more dramatic as opposed to more of a reading. The books do not change but the performance of the show, of course, varies slightly from show to show based the audience’s energy and my energy.”While Glover has acted roles in many major films, most notably as young George McFly in “Back to the Future,” Glover said he is currently focused on the filmmaking aspect of his career.“My own filmmaking is what takes most of my energy now and is the most important thing to me,” he said. “In the last decade, I have been specifically funding my films with the money I make as an actor. So I almost think of the roles I am offered as acting assignments.”Glover said he is currently working on the third film in the IT trilogy, “IT IS MINE.” He said he also plans on working on films outside the trilogy, and is not concerned with whether his films receive any sort of commercial backing.“It seems plausible that my own filmmaking may coincidentally align to the interests of corporate distribution, and if that should happen and it makes a mathematical sense to sell to a distribution company, then I would do it,” he said. “If that does not happen and I continue to self distribute in the way I am, that would be OK as well. The most important aspect is to make my own films that I am passionate about.”More information on Crispin Glover and his projects can be found at crispinglover.com.
(02/12/13 4:46am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock spoke to students and Bloomington residents Monday night at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs as part of a College Republicans at IU meeting discussing the state of the Republican party.Fresh off a recent campaign for U.S. senator, Mourdock thanked those in attendance for supporting his candidacy and encouraged them to come out again during the next election season.“I got my graduate degree in geology, and I never imagined 15 years later I’d be running for public office,” he said. “No matter what your background is, I encourage you to get involved in the public process.”A self-proclaimed Abraham Lincoln enthusiast, Mourdock used the president’s work in office to draw comparisons to Barack Obama’s presidency.“(Lincoln) didn’t make the popular decision — he made the right decision,” he said. “There are people today in Washington saying, ‘If we just raise taxes a little bit more, if we spend a little more, we’ll make things better.’ It’s a very popular argument, people love to hear it. It’s an easy answer. But if you’re not paying attention, you’d better, because it’s not the right one.”Mourdock said it is important for young people to win their peers over to the conservative party, and although this year won’t see any major elections, he said there’s still work to be done. “Don’t use this off election year to be uninvolved,” Mourdock said. “Do something about it. Use this year as best you can to win people to the side of fiscal common sense, because the other side, right now, has none.”At the end of his lecture, Mourdock took questions from audience members. Topics ranged from policies Mourdock had worked on in previous years as treasurer to whether he believed a strict conservative would ever win a general election. “I think yes, it can yet happen, but quite honestly, I don’t think we’ve hit bottom yet,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve hit the point where people realize this crazy Obama-nomics is so out of tune with reality that they are willing to make the hard decision to go in the other direction.”Mourdock said he hoped that, if anything, those who attended his lecture were inspired to stay involved in politics and would recognize the threat the economy poses on the future. He said he loves getting the opportunity to speak to students.“Students always ask good questions,” Mourdock said. “Usually, when I speak to crowds above the age of 25, they’re so reticent to ask questions.”College Republicans at IU Chairman Daniel Cheesman said the organization was thrilled to have Mourdock speak at their meeting. Cheesman first saw Mourdock speak as a freshman and said Mourdock’s been a friend of the College Republicans for years. “I hope people that were here tonight realize the Republican party is still strong and has a presence on campus,” he said. “I was glad to see so many people come out. He’s a smart guy and major figure in the conservative party.”
(02/11/13 3:19am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>High schools may have their homecoming and prom, but Saturday night the Bluebird Nightclub had its Winter Formal featuring pop rock band Dot Dot Dot.The audience embraced the theme of the evening, dressing mostly in party dresses, dress shirts and ties. The event kicked off with a set of remixed top 40 songs from DJ BSizzle. Dot Dot Dot took the stage around 11:30 p.m. Lead singer Adam Blair explained the main reason for the Winter Formal was to have an excuse to wear something other than jeans and T-shirts to a show and complimented the audience’s change in appearance.Kicking off with original material, Dot Dot Dot breezed through songs “All Be Alright” and “You Do,” encouraging the crowd to sing along. The band presented a cover-heavy set that showed off all the members and their individual talents. While Blair took lead vocals for The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” he covered bass for Little Lisa as she sang out Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance.” Blair also took over as lead guitarist when Rose Ana Laguana channeled her inner Morten Harket on a-Ha’s “Take on Me.” The new-wave ‘80s hit also featured an electric keyboard solo from Michael Bonowicz. Formed in 2006, the band features members from two Chicago bands. Blair and Bonowicz were previously in the band The Fabulous Janes, and Laguana and Little Lisa came from a group called Catfight. “We had a clandestine rehearsal in a music store in late 2006,” Bonowicz said. “We ended up on a television show (Fox’s ‘The Next Great American Band’) soon after. We traveled a bunch. Eight hundred shows later, we’re still here.”Drummer Marty Kane, who came to the group after its original formation, said he classifies their genre as “dance-able, sing-able pop and rock covers and originals” and said the rush he gets performing live with the group is unparalleled.“The energy, spontaneity and even the musical imperfections are, to me, what makes music an active and engaging art,” Kane said. “We sponge so much energy from our audiences. They are definitely an integral part of our shows.”Aside from having an excuse to look pretty and rock out, Blair said the Winter Formal was designed as a way for people to redo one of high school’s pinnacle experiences. “The formal is for those who were never asked to prom and for those who had such a good time they want to relive it,” he said.The band will continue to tour and will return to the Bluebird Feb. 27.