al
-t
Ann ArborCivic Ballet
announces:
In celebration of. its Silver Anniversary, the
Civic Ballet will be performing "AURORA'S
WEDDING" at Power Center Theatre in the
spring.
Auditions Wed., January 16
7:15 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sylvia Studio, 525 E. Liberty-668-8066
(Male and female dancers must be 14 years of age. Pointe shoes
required for audition.
Page 6-Sunday, January 13, 1980-The'MichiganDaily
"Krame"is.good,
but.
MUSKET'
STAFF POSITIONS OPEN FOR
THE SPRING MUSICAL
-GODSPELL-
By ERIC ZORN
Our national standard of mediocrity,
fostered by television and the vast
majority of motion pictures released
from the faith studior, causes all con-,
temporary manifestations of mere ar-
tistic respectability to shine with an
unearthly light.
Is it really so extraordinary when
Director
Musical Stager
Stage Manager
Technical Director
Business Manager
Publicity Director
Props Master'
Musical Director
Vocal Director
Set Designer
Lighting Designer
Costume Designer
Make-Up
producers and directors come out with
a product that doesn't reek of commer-
cialism, cheapness, and cloying
cuteness? Apparently, because
whenever a fairly good film is
released-such as Kramer vs. Kramer
from Columbia Pictures-the major
critics burst blood vessels shouting that
I
the work is a remarkable breakthrough
worthy of much note.
Indeed, Kramer vs. Kramer deserves
such attention, but not because of any
rare artistic genius. It is a serious,
thoughtful American film that does not
descend to simplicity and sen-
sationalism to sell tickets. How very
virtuous I
What nicer way to indicate to the
public that the film is very "real" and
"adult" than to give it an impossibly
dull title; a title that sounds like a
wrestling card? Behind this title, for-
tunately, is a story of frustration, love,
and the complex conflicts between
estranged martial partners. Dustin
Hoffman plays Ted Kramer, a rising
advertising executive-goodhearted
but misdirected-who places his career
interests ahead of those of his wife and
young son in the mistaken belief that
what is good for him is eventually going
to be good for them. Even as the film
begins, Joanna Kramer (Meryl Streep)
is walking out the front door for good
(the precise nature of the domestic con-'
flict and attempts at resolution are
wholly unclear) to begin a new life
elsewhere.
HOFFMAN'S THOROUGH self-
absorbtion has blinded him such that he'
is genuinely puzzled by his wife's
behavior, and is initially convinced that
she will return home soon. The
premise, then, of Kramer is that true
professional success in today's business
world is not especially compatible with
being a good family person. Com-
promises are necessary, and com-
promises are at the root of the film,
Applications Available at the UAC Office,
2105 in the Michigan Union
DEADLINE: THURSDAY, JAN.'17th-5:00 p.m.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL 763-1107
Star Dustin Hoffman, director/writer Robert Benton and producer Stanley
Jaffe relax on location for "Kramer vs. Kramer."
t
1 1
1
[
I
"venue t .Mei n"f it.7 -97U 0
Formerly Fifth Forum Theater .
L _.
THE $1.50 BARGAIN!
See a perfect "10"!
from the legal and moral struggles to
the personal interplay of the charac-
ters. The only way matters can work
themselves out is if everybody gives a
little.
Initially, Hoffman must come to ter-'
ms with his six-year old son. The two
hardly know each other, but as they
learn together how to cope without
Mom, their bond becomes very tight.
Hoffman recinds his job commit-
ment-to the point of getting fired and
taking an inferior, less demanding
position-and allows himself to reach a
healthy balance between serving -him-
self and serving others.
Once this balance is reached-and it
takes a healthy chunk of the film to ac-
complish it, with many latter-day Cour-
tship of Eddie's Father type
scenes-who should return but Streep,
Joanna Kramer, who wants her little
ARE YOU LETTING
CLASSES GET TO
You?,'
00
RELAX
Take a ds tiI break
... you deserve it!
boy back? She left her husband, she ex-
plains, because her life was going
nowhere and she grew tired of always
being "somebody's daughter or wife or
mother." Having traveled around the
country and stared a professional life
of her own, she has come to terms with
herself and now feels capable of being a
mother again.. After her son and ex
husband have worked so hard to
achieve some sort of equillibrium, she
arrives to destroy it.
HOWEVER, SHE has right on her
.side as well. Though the filmmakers
barely pay lip service to her side of the
story (Hoffman is clearly the hero
throughout), Streep is only seeking
some form of justice. Hoffman's selfish
ladder-climbing forced her out of the
marriage and ruined her sense of per-
sonal worth. She'pleads in court for he
son, claiming that she is ready now to
be his mother and deserves the chance
she never bad.
The leagal battle for the custody of
the youngster is as ambiguous as the
question itself. The film offers no clear
choices, and 'either way the court
decides will have some element of in-
justice; both parents have valid claims
upon the child.
This is where the ultimate unfairness
comes in: while Mom and Pop wrestle
the problem to the mat, their child is
kicked around in the middle. Adults can
compromise, but little boys can't,a nd
their voices don't matter at all in the
custody fight. This, then, is the tragedy
of progress, tie invitable consequence
of rising expectations in the world.
Hoffman wants everything; Streep
wants everything. They do not allow
each other the communication and op-
portunity to grow individually that i
crucial, because they are both, in thei
way, obsessed with advancing them-
selves.
WHEN STREEP walks out on the
marriage, the implication is that this is
her only remaining option. All over her
now-famous face is the anguish of a
long-suffering martyr who has tried
everything, but can no longer make the
effort. Surely the failure of the
marriage between Kramer and
V% -b- - - V Y* I FRI-MON-TUES 5:30, 7:40, 9:50
YOUR TICKETS TODAY! FRhMON-TUE $1.50 til 6:00 (or capacity)
I SAT-SUN 1:00, 3:10, 5:30, 7:40, 9:50
"SAT-SUN $1.50 til 1:30 (or capacity)
CLASSES WILL BEGIN THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY, MEET ONCE A WEEK FOR 2 HRS. & LAST 8 WEEKS, EXCEPT AS NOTED.
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY SATURDAY
PAPERMAKING GRAPHIC DESIGN FIGURE DRAWING LEADED GLASS JEWELRY/FABRICATION
Make traditional sheet paper, Build your ability to communi- Capture the balance, propor- Learn techniques such as lead Everything you have always wanted
and explore the possibilities cate through your business cards, tion and character of the came and copper foil, working in to know about building your owh
f of sculpture and wall relief, logo, brochures, stationary and figure. Use various drawing 2 and 3 dimensions to create jewelry but were afraid to ask.
. Add found objects, fiber, and fliers. Technical instruction techniques in this introduc- beautiful windows, lamps sculp- Learn techniques from cutting
wire, and discover paper as an for camera ready production will tory course, and learn basic tures and more. Lab fee $10. and forming to stone setting
art form. Lab fee $4. 7-9pm be given as well-as concepts of concepts of design. 7-9pm This class will meet for 5 weeks. and finishing in this introduc-
successful visual communitation. 7-lOpm tory class. Lab fee $5. 10-12
Gaye Rutherford Students will undertake their Terry Walsh noon.
BFA Michigan State University own projects. No experience BFA Michigan State University Tim Osius
necessary. 7-9pm BBA University of Michigan Ann Martin
Note: A workshop in Bookbinding BFA University of Michigan
will follow this class in the Linda Alvira ENAMELING WATERCOLOR N.
same time slot. BFA.University of Michigan Jewelry and small dishes will
be made as the basic techniques A spontaneous and playful in-
QUILTING 1 PHOTOGRAPHY 2 of enameling are explored. troduction to the medium of A spontaneous and playful in-
Learn to prepare the metal, watercolor, this class will ex- troduction to the medium of
Discover the vast variety of This advanced course for apply your design, fire, then periment with wash techniques, watercolor, this class will ex-
_ quilts and quilting techniques persons with previous dark- finish the pieces you create. imprinting, resists, transpar-enisadmtng 7-p periment with wash techniques,
and learn the basic steps by room experience offers con- Intermediate students accepted encies and matting. 7-9pm imprinting, resists, transpar-
making a sampler pillow, and tinuing investigation of the for individual instruction. encies and matting. 12 noon-
perhaps a quilt. Lab fee $3.50. medium, The whys and hows Lab fee $7. 7-9pm BFAcandaidate, Eastern Michigan U. 2pm
7-9pm of techniques and aestheticsEatrMihgnU
will be covered in depth as Ruth Pinkus Michael Kelly
Janet Musgrave well as further visual explor- Studied with Rosanna Tendler Worth CALLIGRAPHY MFA University of Michigan
Michigan State University ation of subjects and seeing.
Lab fee $7.50,L ayabe 9at WOODEN TOYS& GAMES Develop an italic hand for
S. Quad Photo . p everyday use, and learn the
SWEAVING essentials of calligraphy.
Ben Coleman III COURSE OFFERING THROUGH Discover several formal alpha-
Explore a variety of fiber MFA Cranbrook Academy of Art STUDENT ARTS/CRAFTS SHOP bets, and the making of a quill
techniques such as tapestry, or bamboo pen. 7-9pm
~ olnwapn n ntig SOFT SCULPTURE an emphasis on handtools and
methods, and incorporate them Heather Price _=
into a creation of your own. projects involving toys and BA Alma College
\Basic design elements and in- Experiment with variousitypes games. Class limit 12 (two-
dividual expression will be of stitchery, and mold fabric thirds enrollment reserved for
stressed. Beginning and ad- into 3 dimensional forms. Begin- students). This class will PHOTOGRAPHY 1
vanced students welcome. Lab ning and experienced students meet for 6 weeks, beginning
fee $6. 7-9pm welcome. Lab fee $5. 7-9pm January 23. 7-l0pm. * Open a third eye on the world
'41 i~n this introductory class. 1
Mary Lewandowski Jan Gwyn David Fauman Basic techniques including -
MA Eastern Michigan University MFA candidate, Eastern Michigan U. the use of the camera, film
Fees: U of M students: $18 processing and printing, nega-
FANTASY DRAWING FURNITURE FOR SMALL UofM :staff/faculty: $27 tive and print evaluation and
LIVA Y RAING FSPACU E RS M L Others: $36 filters will be taught. Lab
LIVING SPACES fee $7.50, payable at South Quad
Learn traditional'drawing techni- Photo Lab. 7-9pm
"+ ques through exploration of fan- COURSE OFFERING THROUGH
tasies. "Doodles" of dreams, STUDENT ARTS/CRAFTS SHOP James Morse
sounds, movements give points of BA University of Michigan
departure for the fancy, and pen- Basic woodworking skills with
cil, pen and ink, pastels and an emphasis on handtools and
paint techniques for building projects useful for dormitory 1
- the image. 7-9pm or small apartment living.
Class limit 12 (two-thirds
Nancy Natow enrollment reserved for students).
BFAUniversity of Michigan This class will meet for 6 weeks, _ t
beginning January 22. 7-1Opm.**
PUPPETS IN PAGEANTRY David Fauman
See REALISM, Page 7