ENTERTAINMENT --- I GOING PLACES WEEK OF OCT. 21 27 - CITY OF SOUTHFIELD Southfield Library, Marcotte Room, "Don't Let It Be Forgot," series exploring the Arthurian legends. Tuesday, film Excaliber, 354-9100. BALDWIN LIBRARY 300 W. Merrill, Birmingham, Mystery Week, film Laura, Monday; Richard Douglass discusses mystery books, Tuesday; William Kienzle speaks, Wednesday; mystery play by the Lakeland Players, Thursday. 7:30 p.m. each night. 647-1700. THEATER Melanie Mayron is pictured in the "Couples" episode from "thirtysomething" with actor Ken Olin. iM elaniesomething History has repeated itself in acting roles for Melanie Mayron MICHAEL ELKIN Special to The Jewish News n that Claudia Weill movie, Girl Friends, Melanie Mayron portrayed Susan Weinblatt, a struggling but dedicated pho- tographer trying to find focus in a life blurred with obstacles. A decade later, Mayron is one of the stars of television's much talked about hit "thirtysomething," appear- ing as a photographer trying to find focus in a life .. . Even if the description of the role hasn't changed, Mayron's fortunes certainly have. Today, the appealing actress, who once turned down a chance to star in a "Happy Days" spinoff, "Ralph, Potsie and Maxine" — "I was Maxine," she says with a laugh — is turning heads in Hollywood. Happy days are here for Melanie Mayron — on her own terms. And they are terms of endear- ment for an actress who has waited long for what she wants. "In 1968, when I was in Jerusalem, I visited the Wailing Wall," she told me at our first meeting. "I wrote this message, all about peace, and stuck the note in one of the crevices of the wall. "But before I folded it up, I scribbl- ed a P.S. on it. 'God; I said, 'it occurs to me that I want to be an actress. Now I know being an actresis a risky business and there are no guarantees. " 'But I feel that you must have stuck this idea, that of being an ac- tress, I mean, in my head so I'm sure you'll make everything work out fine: " Her message was answered: As "thirtysomething" 's photographer, Melissa, Mayron provides a frame of reference for other young women who have blithely jumped over their 20s only to land with a thud in their 30s. Melissa didn't look before she leapt; the lake she once gleefully glided over has dried up into a granite pond. And, as she learns too often, gravel can scar. Melissa may not have watched where she was going, but Melanie cer- tainly tainly has. Facing her mid-30s, fitting nicely into the age group of the show' characters, Mayron has faced down tsuris and won. Mayron has always held out for quality roles, one reason she turned down the "Potsie" part. Bombshell roles — often tempting to out-of-work actresses — bombed out with Mayron. She was more in- terested in meaningful roles, even when that meant not working when they weren't offered. The past decade has been one of determination — a gritty and gutsy bid to stick to her dreams. And, as we speak again, Mayron is dreaming in Technicolor. A new film, Sticky Fingers, a com- edy starring Mayron, has recently opened. Mayron is in good company. Also starring in the film are Eileen Bren- nan and Carol Kane. But then, actress Mayron had a hint and a hand in determining who her co-stars would be: she is also the film's co-writer and co-producer. Her collaborator, Catlin Adams, is also the film's director. "It's a woman buddy film," says Mayron. She and Adams had been working to sell their project for four years. "It's proof that if you believe in something, you can do it. This is a dream come true for me." Stick-to-it-iveness led to Sticky Fingers; dedication is a welcome glue when welded to talent. Producer Mayron — Melanie likes the sound of it. Not that she wants to give up acting, however, She has en- joyed her roles too much to do that. BIRMINGHAM THEATER 211 S. Woodward, Birmingham, I'm Not Rappaport, Wednesday through Dec. 18, previews Wednesday and Thursday, admission. 644-3533. HILBERRY AND BONSTELLE THEATERS Wayne St. University, Detroit, Georgia Peach, about former Detroit Tiger star Ty Cobb, now through Dec. 9, Hilberry; A Life in the Theater, now through Dec. 15, Hilberry; admission. 577-2972. GREENFIELD VILLAGE Museum Theater, Dearborn, Laura, now through Nov. 12, admission. 271-1620. MEADOW BROOK THEATER Oakland University, Rochester, Amadeus, now through Oct. 30, admission. 377-3300. ROSEDALE COMMUNITY PLAYERS 21728 Grand River at Lahser, Don't Tell Mother, today and Saturday, admission. 532-4010. THE THEATER COMPANY Smith Theater, University of Detroit, Lily Dale, now through Sunday, admission. 927-1130. MICHIGAN OPERA THEATER Fisher Theater, Detroit, Follies, now through Nov. 6,admission. 874-7878. DETROIT YOUTHEATRE Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward, The Hello Show, puppet show, Saturday, admission. 832-2730. TITTABAWASSEE JANE 1515 Broadway, Detroit, now through Sunday; Thursday through Oct. 30, Performance Network, Ann Arbor, musical set in Middleton, Michigan, home of Sow Chemical, admission. IIIMINOMY'MNXMiii SPECIAL EVENTS F- Continued on Page 75 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 69