The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, November 14. 1978-F Chicago rocks Crisler By TIMOTHY YAGLE The single from Chicago's new LP at Streets . sums up the jazz-rock aid's rejuvenated feeling perfectly: Nuly, this band is "Alive Again." "It's like being born again," said assist and vocalist Peter Cetera about laying with new guitarist Donny acus. Although the death of lead guitarist Terry Kath is still fresh in the minds of the eight-man band, the group does more than survive; with Dacus, they thrive. Nattily attired in dress shirts, fancy vests and suitcoats, the unit opened their show with a satisfying "Feeling Stronger Every Day." But after that impressive start, things bogged down a The sun'11 come out tonight at the Fisher By JOSHUA PECK ,.Some critics have called Annie entimental goop, a description not ithout truth. New York Magazine fin- :s'thle show a vertible "Oliver Twist in Irag' Again, there is merit in the rguinent, but mention of an important eature in the show is conspicuously ab- ent. This is the fact that Annie is fun- y, highly professional, and over- helmingly great fun. Annie Book by Thomas Meehan Music by Charles Strouse Lyrics by Martin Charnin Fisher Theare Annie- .......................... Kathy-Jo Kelly Miss .Hannigan.... ..............Ruth Kobart Grace Farrell ................. Jan Pessano Oliver Warbucks ...........Norwood Smith Rooster Hannigan ............. Gery Beach FDR .......................Sam Stoneburner San y............................... .him self Martin Charnin, director: Peter Gennaro, ouiaerrder: Theoni V. Aldridge, couaunes; Judy Rasmuson, ligliing; David Mitchell, setin,,s: Glen Clugston, musical direction: Peter Howard, danc arruneenent That Annie is a show of uncommonly higlt quality is first revealed when we discover that the line of little-girl or- phans. which constitutes the "cute con- tiigent," is composed of children blessed with greater gifts than cu1eness. These young ones are ac- tually talented. Their singing is both meodious and harmonious, their precision dance routines precise in- deed and even their lines, if lacking adutlt luster, come off quite nicely. WHAT'S NICE about Annie's book is thatit doesn't ask its audience to take it seriously. When Annie sings on a radio program, the matron at the orphanage shakes her head and clucks, "next things she'll be on the funny pages." Lightly mocking the preposterousness of 'the show's concept, rather than ignoring it, was a clever choice. Annie takes its Little Orphan from rags (the New York City Municipal Or- phanage) to riches (Daddy Warbucks' grand ballroom) with stops at the White House and midtown Manhattan along the way. Kathy-Jo Kelly in the title role leads her audience and manipulates its collective heart with a facility far beyond her twelve years. Her voice is robust and womanly, and at times it almost seems incongruous. But soon, speaking a girlish sentiment, or casting a woeful, youthful glance, she shows us that she is a little girl after all. MEEHAN, STROUSE, and Charnin have collaborated their way to an entity that is a curious mix of material: some as old hat as it could be, short of being entombed, while some that sparkles with innovation and freshness. An example of the former is an abominable number called "N.Y.C." Despite the spectacle of dozens of cast members zipping by on the stage's moving walk- ways, the hollow familiarity of this ode to the Big Apple fails to excite, or, for that matter, interest even a viewer with warm and pleasant memories of the bustling isle. And, dismayingly, the quality of the lyrics and music for this number are strats below the rest of the score. Nortwood Smith has played a great many leading men, but here, as the tycoon Warbucks, he thankfully never forgets that his love is paternal, and not romantic. And, Freud notwithstanding, there is a difference. Smith is best in his transitions from brisk, hard-hearted businessman to daughter-loving daddy. "Something was Missing" and "I Don't Need Anything but You," sung con- secutively toward the show's end, are a bit redundant, even down to their titles. But Smith and Kelly make such a lovely striking couple that one can really overlook that one little problem. WITH REGARD to artistic and technical design, Annie is astonishing. Warbucks' lavish mansion, complete with the Mona Lisa and Gainesborough's Blue Boy, must have spurred more than few audience mem- bers to upward mobility. The walkways (topped by the New York City tableaux) are frivolously handsome touches, and costume' designer Theoni Aldredge has done an impeccable job. The only noticeable problem with design was Kelly's makeup. Even for a "natural redhead," as the program proudly calls her, her complexion was too pale and washed out. Or was it the lighting? On to the bad guys: Ruth Kobart as Miss Hannigan, the matron of the or- phanage, and her brother Rooster. Kobart's handling of the frustrated, grizzled old lady provided some of the audience's favorite moments, but her gruffness of character and voice began to grate after a while. Gary (Rooster) Beach burlesques his way through his song and dance with such conviction that one finds himself cheering through even his most dastardly deeds. "Easy Street" is per- formed so slimily that it approaches kinkiness. Quite a treat. But then, so. is the whole marvelous evening. 't Like: Kitchen Talk. Accent on Living. Motor GoodMorning, World. Friday, our weekend fun guide to iwhat'shappening in the state. Sunday Ann Arbor! Magazine. TV Magazine, with statewide You will have the opportunity to order from your Josten 's College Ring Specialist: Right now, as a special introductory offer, you can get 13 weeks of.The Detroit News A.M. Edition for just 80q a week. That's a weekly savings of 50C off our regular subscription rates. And The News will arrive on your doorsteo at 7 a.m. listings. And now, sports columnist Joe Falls. I C t)C rtOrl I NCVS To start home delivery, just send us this - - coupon or call 668-1733 or 668-1734. 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