ARTS Paae E Thursday, March 28, 1985 The Michigan Daily 'Falstaff' set to unleash a operatic extravaganza By Jeffrey Seller M arch 21, 1985. The Power Center Rehearsal Hall, hidden away on top of the theater's parking structure, explodes with electricity, excitement and the shared anxiety of many; opening night for the University of Michigan School of Music production of Verdi's Falstaff is just one week away. Here, a conglomeration of directors, stage managers, and performers are bringing to life the opera which has been their labor of love since January. At the helm of this rehearsal is stage director Jay Lessenger, formerly of the New York City Opera. Tall, thin, and not without patience or a sense of humor, he stops and starts the action frequently, jumping out of his chair to show the diverse cast, young elemen- tary schoolstudents and experienced graduate students alike, his intentions through physicalizing the desired ac- tion: one moment he jumps over the title character, Falstaff, like an eight year old girl, then next he chastizes Falstaff like an Elizabethian knight. His energy and dedication is constant, and the pay-off is a spirited, positiver cast that responds to his every wish. Indeed, his fervor radiates to all who are lucky enough to watch him direct in action, or, at best, hear him speak as he enunciates, a mile a minute, hist feeling about the-character Falstaff,i the opera Falstaff, and the art wherein it lies. Based on Shakespeare's play, The Merry Wives of Windsor, the opera depicts the frolicking experiences of Falstaff, a former member of the royal court. "As a somebody who used to be important, he's an object of derision," states Lesenger. "He's gotten fat and disgusting, but he doesn't see himself as gross."~ "He constantly reinforces his image of himself - he's not stupid, he's just self involved," he adds. "He's lost touch with reality so won- derfully, it makes him very funny - he sees the world as he wants to see it, not as it really is!" What makes Falstaff so endearing, says Lesenger, is Verdi's obvious affec- tion for the character. "He never allows the character to become negative." "No matter what happens (whether he is tortured, trampled, or thrown in a lake), Falstaff lands on his feet. He still comes up fighting, (and) that's ultimately his redeeming quality." "Falstaff is an enormously enter- taining opera, full of strong visual images and kinetic pictures," boasts Lesenger. Further, he adds, "the score is effervescent - so inventive and joyful." "It contains a multitude of ideas - gasps, hiccups and burps are indicated in the music, but not obtrusively. The musical indications are always clear." As an opera stage director, Lesenger is extremely mindful of the music which provides the vehicle for his form of theatre. "You have to respect the music; you must have a sense of the music as well as the text," says Lesenger. "The music is making a very strong statement." Lesenger is encouraged by what he sees as a good opera department that continues to grow. This is reflected in the improving productions as well as the improving ticket sales, he madds. Further, he asserts that student per- formed operas, like Falstaff, are ap- proachable for those who have not yet experienced the art form which many find intimidating. "We can depict things more accessibly," says Lesenger. "The University is a great place to tryout an opera like Falstaff - it's approachable, and it's full of great tunes!" Falstaff will be performed March 28, 29, 30, at 8 p.m. and March 31 at 2 p.m. at the Power Center. Tickets are available at the PTP ticket office in the Michigan League. For more infor- mation call 764-0450. Pictured from 'Porky's Revenge' are four boys, four shots, and a porkster. Be kosher, don't see Pory 's By James Mayes I have seen Porky's and Porky's II, so when I was given the opportunity to review "Porky's III" I jumped at it. All right, maybe yawned; but I was deter- mined to go into the movie with an open mind, no matter what .everyone else said. After seeing Porky's III, titled Porky's Revenge, I really couldn't tell who Porky was getting revenge on: was it those idiotic An~gel Beach flunkies (led by Dan Monahan asPee Wee); Porky himself (a touching, but masochistic idea);(or could it have possibly been on those hopeless Porkyites who constantly insist on throwing their money away on films like this? No matter which, one thing is very clear, when I left the movie I felt very much like someone had just avenged themselves on me. A movie of this nature only needs to make you laugh to be good. Unfortunately, Porky's Revenge combines no plot, very little acting, bare asses and breasts, and naked stupidity to make a "zany comedy ex- travaganza" which makes you laugh once in the approximate 2 hour and a half (seemingly days) of showing. If you are interested in the laugh and you have seen the previous two movies, then picture Tommy and Ms. Balbricker in bed together; you've had your laugh so send me the $4.50 instead, of giving it to the theatre. If you haven't seen the two previous films, don't feel bad, just stick a knitting needle through your palm and you'll get the same sen- sation. This whole series is obviously a vic- tiro of sequelitis, a strange and sadistic tendency characteristic of some film- makers who try to make more and more money by dragging the name of a good film through an endless array of' roman numerals. What's worse is that the first Porky's was no gem to star with. Maybe some day filmmakers will learn not to parade these endless sequels before us, or perhaps someone will find a cure for sequelitis. More likelywe are goingto be subjected to "Porky's IV...." For those of you who still insist on tor- turing yourselves by seeing this piece of "filmwork," don't look for'an original ending to Porky's Revenge; you'v already seen it in Porky's. y In this day and age of T-shirts and slogans, I'm waiting for the shirt which reads: "I almost laughed at Porky's, I almost yawned at Porky's II, and I almost threw up at "Porky's III." SUMMER CAMP POSITIONS STILL AVAILABLE AT TAMARACK CAMPS Bunk Counselors " Specialists in Waterfront, Crafts, Nature, Photography, Video, Computers, Horseback Riding, Song Lead- ing * R.O.P.E.S. Course Instructors " Trip Leaders * Unit Super- visors " Secretary " Food Service Staff Nurse and Clinic o Assistant " Social Worker e.Bus Drivers. Some positions available as trip leaders and counselors at Camp Kennedy, Agree Outpost and Teen Adventure Trips. Also opportunities to work with emotionally im- paired children at Silverman Village. FINAL U-M INTERVIEW DATES APRIL 2 AND 17 SIGN UP CAREER PLANNING AND PLACEMENT Tamarack is the Jewish residents camp agency sponsored by The Fresh Air Society of Metro Detroit since 1903 Chamber classics! By Neil Galanter E VEN WITH the abundance of good Bach, Scarlatti and Handel that we have been hearing lately, a change of pace is a welcome, and at the Kerrytown Concert Hall this evening, a young group of musicians will perform chamber music of everyone but the three above-mentioned composers. The group calls themselves "The Chamber Players" and they are made up of two violins, those being Robin Mayforth and Kay Stern; a viola who is Anna Kruger; a cello, Laura Sewell, and a piano, Laura Kargul. The Cham- ber Players was formed and brought together in Minneapolis, Minnesota by' the cellist of the group, Laura Sewell. They made an auspicious debut in February at the Ordway Music Theater in Minneapolis and the group hopes to eventually settle into the label of the Twin Cities' full-time resident professional ensemble. One member of the group, Laura Kargul, is a doctoral student here at the School of Music. She has studied with Theodore Lettvin, and Leon Fleisher and she is currently artist in residence at Albion College, where she teaches and performs frequently. In addition t her activities at Albion, Kargul has per- formed extensively throughout the " Great Lakes Region and also abroad in France and Switzerland. Since Kargul is an artist-in-residence at Albion College, the college is spon- soring a Michigan Concert tour for the Chamber Players, and the concert this evening at the new Kerrytown Concert Hall is part of their tour. The Chambe Players are the only group which being considered for the position o resident chamber ensemble at the Or- dway-Music Theater in Minnesota, an the concert tonight is a fine opportunity to hear an exciting new ensemble that is rapidly achieving prominence. Instead of a Baroque bill of fare, we will hear music of Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann. The G Minor Quartet of Mozart, Beethoven's Quartet for two violins, viola and cello in A Major, and The Schumann Piano Quintet, (whic combines the entire force) willlA covered and there is no charge for ad- mission to this event. It's 8 p.m. at Kerrytown, which is located at 415 Nor- th Fourth Avenue. If you have any fur- ther inquiries you can call the concert hall at 769-2999. Ulrich's Annual Inventory Sale Involving every item in our store except textbooks. Special prices on calculators, computers and computer products. __Sale Ends Saturday, March 30th 20% OFF All Michigan Items 4 Adults Sweatshirts Jackets Sweatsuits T-Shirts Jogging Suits Children T-Shirts Jogging Suits Jackets Jerseys Sweatshirts ...just to mention a few. Miscellaneous Glass sets blankets Hats Flags Thermos bottles If- 'r ..!' jf r s: ;{:f.f :/:+l ' ::rr'J 1 , / r. Af .lr .r.. .. .. ....... ... :"<:::: _ < _.,,'f,. /J.'/. .,,%?,../,1 ,...l, l.;f..i.,.r,:"r:f, _, ;...;e r.. ' " ,.r . - - - - - - - ;:"::.:.... SFr...: ....... _ _ ; t , Al