Special menu for the cost and calorie-conscious. has had security problems at the loca- tion, and promotes harmony among residents in the neighborhood by inviting them to see a show at no cost. In fact, anyone attending the preview night of a performance is invited to just "pay what you can." The group keeps in touch with patrons and sponsors through a newslet- ter distributed to about 3,000 people. The first season at the location last year featured a kickoff bash followed by performances of Something Wicked This Way Comes (the troupe's version of Macbeth) and The Government Inspector. But the season was cut short when a city water main burst, flooding the building and causing significant dam- age. "Everything has been repaired and cleaned up, and we're ready to go again," Block enthused. "Our goal is to produce plays and workshops that encourage new ways for artists — and audiences — to create, define and experience theater. "The artists have the freedom to improvise and change the writer's work up to two weeks before opening night, when we have to cut it off and rehearse the final production." Bodyland will be followed Oct. 26- 28 by artist Tim Miller's Glory Box, a humorous, sexy and politically charged chronicle of same-sex couples' struggle for immigration rights in the United States. There also will be musical shows, classes and workshops, including a mask-making workshop Nov. 10 and 17 for children ages 6-11. Born in Detroit, Block, 38 and sin- gle, admits she enjoyed sports more than the arts as a youngster. Her father, Alan Block, was in the steel business and died at age 50. Her mother is Elaine Block Victor of West Bloomfield. Erika attended Bloomfield Hills' Andover High School and the University of Michigan, graduating with a bachelor of art degree in gener- al studies. Spurred on by winning one of U- M's noted Hopwood Awards for cre- ative writing, she obtained a master's degree in playwriting at Columbia University and taught English at U-M. "My parents always observed the Jewish holidays and traditions and I had a bat mitzvah at Temple Kol Ami. My parents were strong believers in civil liberties for everyone and fought for social justice, and they always were very supportive of my career as a writer and director," said Block. Block met Ramsden, 47, an actress and teacher in London, and they for- mulated the idea for Walk & Squawk. By then, Block had become a prolific scriptwriter. She also worked at the Village Voice newspaper in New York's Greenwich Village, and even did a stint as a paralegal at a Wall Street law firm. "During that time, I evolved from a writer to a director and a producer as well," Block related, "and began work- ing more closely with actors to demonstrate how images and move- ment are so important to the presenta- tion of a script." Block has written numerous scripts, and has been a playwright-in-resi- dence, lecturer and director for theater groups and colleges throughout the country. Last year, she was one of six directors selected for the National Endowment for the Arts/Theatre Communications Group Career Development Program. In 1999, she was chosen as a short- listed artist for Artists & Communities, a Millennium project of the National Endowment for the Arts. She also has received three Creative Artist Grants from ArtServe Michigan. One of Walk & Squawk's best- known productions was 1998's This menu is not available after 5 p.m. on Saturdays, or with any other specials (coupons) or during the month of December. All entrees served with Soup or Salad and S.a•hetti Skewered cubes of Tenderloin, fresh peppers and onions served over a bed of spanish rice. S 5 9 93 BUTTERFLY PASTA MANDARIN SPINACH SALAD Finely sliced boneless breast of chicken lightly sauteed in olive oil with gar ic, peppers and basil tossed with tarfalla pasta. 5995 Fresh spinach, mandarin oranges and pine nuts ladled with our raspberry vinaigrette dressing S850 SANDWICHES Sliced beef tenderloin sandwich covered in our famous "ZIP" sauce. 5950 And many more delicious dishes! Our regular menu is also available. 248-373-4440 Call us for details and reservations 885 Opdyke Road (Across from the Silverdome) Serving memorable Italian lunches and dinners since 1939 Monday Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. • Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. • Sunday 12 noon to 9 p.m. - The Theatre Company Inhlanzi Ishelwe Amanzi — As Fish Out of Water, the result of the three months Block and Ramsden spent as guest artists at the University of Natal in South Africa. They returned to Michigan with 10 South African per- formers and staged the show in sever- al locations over six weeks. The organization has five staff members, and two other member's of the area's Jewish community recently joined the ensemble: Jeffrey Steiger of Ann Arbor, who is an actor and director, and Tara Rubinstein, an apprentice actress, who performed at Ann Arbor's Community High School. "It's refreshing to be here as a per- former," said Rubenstein, "because we have freedom of expression, and we re encouraged to be creative and help shape new plays." The Walk & Squawk Performance Project stages Bodyland Oct. 11-Nov. 11 at the Furniture Factory, 4126 Third St., (between Alexandrine and Willis), Detroit. Preview is at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11; pay what you can. Other perform- ances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, S24; and 4 p.m. Sundays, $18. (313) 832-8890. BEEF SHISH KABOB OSSO BUCCO Veal Shank slowly marinated in a seasoned vegetable sauce served over rice. at the University of Detroit Mercy The Best of Italian Cuisine Ol n pub chk 2 FULL DINNER1 iu of ENTREES OR I % LUNCH ENTREES OFF I 1 -• FREE SOUP OR SALAD W/LUNCH I L I OFF FREE APPETIZER W/PURCHASE OF 2 FULL DINNER ENTREES I (Mon. - Thurs. only.Z___ Enjoy Our New Chef From Tuscany Catering, Weddings, Parties, Birthday Parties and Carry Out Available Open for Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30-2:30 1 DINNER RISTORANTE SUGAR TREE PLAZA Mon-Thurs 4:30-10:00 Fri-Sat 4:30-11:00 Sun 4:30-9:00 6263 ORCHARD LAKE RD., N. OF 15 • WEST BLOOMFIELD • (248) 855-3993 10/5 2001 73