ARMY SURPLUS 301 E. Washington atF ourth *21 OPEN M-SAT, 9F6 h OPEN FRI. 9-8 L- - 20% OFF ALL SLEEPING BAGS and FRAME PACKS with this coupon Expires Monday, March 22, 1982 U~ m -NJ-- ARTS 6 Page 6 Friday, March 19, 1982 The Michigan Daily Clowns conspire to abolish seriousness 4. iw p , 4 & r N TUESDAY, MARCH 30 8:30 PM MICHIGAN THEATRE TICKETS ON SALE: Michigan Theatre Box Office, 603 E. Huron, Ann Arbor 2-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat. Hudson's, Wherehouse Records and all C.T.C. outlets. The comic Opera Guild, 432 S. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 1 By Julie Edelson W HEN WAS the last time you had a good laugh? The Clown Con- spiracy, appearing at The Canterbury Loft March 17-21, hopes to provide you with a few giggles and chuckles as a temporary escape from the serious and the mundane. They were somewhat successful in their attempt Wednesday night. The Clown Conspiracy, based in New York, is composed of Joe Killian, a former Detroiter and student of mime and clowning, and Tanya Sadofyeva, a Russian immigrant and graduate of the Moscow Circus and Variety Academy. The troupe is directed by Yury Belov. The characters are dressed in typical clown outfits-bulb-red nose, and baggy shoes-but Sadofyeva wears an evening gown. In You Can't Hurry Love they introduce themselves to the audience by portraying their first. meeting in a train. Here they expertly convey the male/female nervousness of a first encounter. We also see the Russian/American language barrier illustrated quite humorously. There were some ambiguities in the skit, however. At ,one point, the clowns frivolously throw all of their clothes out the train window, laughing constantly. This action became annoying, and could not be considered "entertain- ment." It was not clear what was inten- ded by this piece; the only laughs heard were those of the clowns. This made the excerpt elementary and lacking in taste. It was not clear why this was in- cluded in an otherwise witty excerpt. The second skit was far better. It detailed the personalities of circus per- formers and poked fun at their large egos. Both Killian and Sadofyeva were able to capture the comedy involved in the situation with their excellent pan- tomime in a variety of scenes: "weaklings" lifting weights, sticking a head in a lion's mouth, and falling asleep on a trapeze. The various facial expressions were enough to amuse even the most skeptical, serious-minded ob- server. The "Magician" skit, which ex- posed the magician's casual, suave nature in a lighthearted way, showed Sadofyeva at her best. As a magician with flair, she manages to bungle every trick, even the "simple" classic scarf and knife escapades. The whole sequence is quite comical, since it allows us to laugh at a figure who is not as "perfect' as he appears. The clowns also allow us to transcend their humor, so that we can observe the serious side of their relationship. Killian is sad when he fears Sadofyeva has left him, and she is sincerely sub- dued and reflective when she realizes that she loves him. Unfortunately, their on-stage relationship will never develop into anything more than the "happy partner" image, because they are always under the facade of humor, though they provided excellent contrast to the laughter. In fact, this "constant laughter" does no justice to the overall show. The slap- stick-breaking plates, shooting guns, and crushing hats, is silly and childish, not humorous, and it seems as if the clowns want some instant gratification in the form of quick, cheap laughs. This was totally ineffective and it exposed some inherent flaws in 'the duo's ability to perform. Aside from the slapstick and the desire of the clowns to arouse a con- stant stream of laughter from their audience, watching The Clown Con- spiracy proved to be a lighthearted way to spend an evening. University of Michigan Dancers rehearse 'Fresh Fruits in Foreign Places" for tonight's performance. Sing concert to featurse 1newdaces Second Chance, Ann Arbor ADVANCE TICKETScs|a at SCholeid s . Call 99-MUSiC for further info. Records, PJ's Used Records ajnd aill CTC uet ' ., By Tania Blanich I 'LL LET YOU in on a secret if you promise to tell everyone. The University of Michigan Dance Com- pany will perform at Power Center March 19-21 and their concert is sure to be spectacular. Featured will be a new work created for the University Dance Company by New York choreographer Manuel Alum. Also premiering are works by resident choreographers Elizabeth Weil Bergmann, Vera L. Embree, and Susan Matheke: All of the pieces abound with energy, fun, and outlandishness, promising to make this concert one of the most exciting of the year. Least you think that an amusing con- cert excludes good dancing, don't worry; the dancing should be splendid. The University dancers have become much stronger over the years and this concert will allow them to prove them- selves. The choreography is deman- ding, but the dancers handle it with aplomb. The spring concert will open with Bergmann's Short Stuff, a frolicsome piece about child's play. The choreography is "sheer stream of con- sciousness" according to Bergmann, which allowed her to capture the unabashed, -whimsical nature of kids. The original score by Gregory Ballard will be performed live by the Current and Modern Consort, a local band. This, along with playful, cartoonish costumes, should give the evening a zippy start. The 88's is a series of dance vignet- tes, celebrating the masters of the piano, those who play all eighty-eight keys. As Embree, the choreographer, says, "If you're going to play the piano, do it right!" Each section has its own personality, from a kooky take-off of video games to a period piece, and the pure emotion and soul of the blues. The silent dancers will enter accompanied by a piece of music by a famous piano player from another period. Alum's piece, Fresh Fruit in Foreign Places, promises to be fabulous. He spent three weeks in Ann Arbor earlier this year choosing dancers,+ choreographing, and, finally, rehear- sing. The time limitationrpresented cer- tain difficulties for both the choreographer and the dancers, but the -result is impressive. Fresh Fruits shows a different, less serious side of Alum, who is perhaps best known for brooding, dramatic por- traits. But with its lively salsa flavor and exotic costumes, Fresh Fruits takes off in another direction. The piece certainly reflects Alum's Puerto Rican background, but also draws upon his experiences as an inhabitant of New York, creating a fast-paced, funny, and amazingly intricate dance. The six dancers explode across the stage with frenetic energy, nimbly interacting with one another or occasionally breaking'out into a crazy solo. The dan- ce slows for a lovely, poignant solo, but the salsa 'beat again takes'over. The dance is loose and light, a rhythmic, dynamic look at life in the Big City. Closing the program with an electric bang is Susan Matheke's Rage and Ruin. Once again the Current and Modern Consort will perform original music by Ballard, adding even more vitality to this wildly vigorous piece. Crazy punk costumes and wild props help create a fantasy world. The piece has no plot but represents the "energy of conflict, the energy of today" ac- cording to Matheke. I have often wondered why Ann Arbor audiences insist on ignoring the dance talent they have in their own midst. Hopefully nobody will miss out on the'; Spring Concert. It will be an electric' and exciting experience. Pendergrass'4 is paralyze-. PHILADELPHIA-(AP)-Rhythnr and-blues singer Teddy Pendergrass , in critical condition at a hospital here today, partially paralyzed ,after his luxury car slammed into two trees, ofr ficials said. Pendergrass, 32, of nearby Gladvy4 ne, suffered severe neck injuries in ,tli accident early yesterday morning, sail Dr. Francis Sweeney, director of Thomas Jefferson University hospital. The paralysis is the result of damage; to the spinal column, the doctor said and affects the singer's lower e tremities. °g "There is movement below QtJ, neck," Sweeney said, but below tli waist doctors "can't be sure." No surgery was scheduled, he sai&° 19__ _ _ 769-1300 3ARGA'N MATINEES DAILY $2.50 ,(J . t V . I Z . ] w. Riveting... Enthralling... 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