ARTS The Michigan Doily Thursday, March 13, 1986 Page 7:.a U. students laugh it up By Heather Woodcock A H COMEDY ... What is it? Where does it come from? How do we get it? When found how is one to use it to its fullest? The dictionary . . . often tedious and time consuming, but filled with titilating information for any true academic. It serves as a constant companion and is useful even here as we examine this season's performan- ce of The Comedy Company. Web- ster's tells us that comedy, or "Komodia" for those of us interested in the Greek, means revel, village festival. To clear up any rumors that may have been circulating, this com- pany isn't concerned with village festivals, but does add yet another twist to the definition of the word in its show comprised of a number of sketches concerning everything from Superman's bad breath, to a special Olympics for single bar hoppers. The Comedy Company was founded way back in 1980 for the purpose of putting young student comedians on stage and comic student writers to work. This year's production does just that with a set of new writers and a cast made up mostly of freshmen. In addiion to the new material and the new writers, the company is trying out some musical sketches that also are student written and what else but new. With all of this material and young, untried breed, what should we, the Michigan community, be expecting from the troupe? Directors Janet Hofmann and Rick LeVee claim that the company stays clear of sexual and political cheapies as it has ever since its birth. It's "simple stuff without a lot of costumes. Simple, universal comedy that's bound to entertain," says LeVee. "It's bizare, fun, wan- digenous? Second only to Second City?" The cast shouts this last out as they run wildly around the room being their comic selves. Some examples of the new material? A short, annoying yet hilariously funny sketch with only two actors that is merely concerned with, one of them attaining his driver's licen- se that is bound to be a hit as the dialogue never ceases to amuse and neither do the laughs. Another com- bines a bit of "Back to The Future," "The Terminator," and "Taxi." How? It remains to be seen. Another: opens with a man calling up a woman - for a second date only to find that the date was too successful: she's pregnant. So, to answer our questions, comedy } is fun, new and comes from the truly funny people of the world found at the Comedy Company, where they are in- deed using their comic talents to the fullest. To answer the question "how do we get it?" there's only one choice. Go to see these young aspiring comics this March on the 13th, 14th and 15th at 8:00 p.m. in the Mendelssohn Theatre. You may not be witness to a village festival, but you're bound to witness some pretty jocular "Komodia." Saving babies is our goal. Support the march of Dimes Cast members of the University Comedy Company get set to bring on the laughs with their wacky' humorous sketches. Flanagan sets to celebra By Marc S. Taras ANN ARBOR is a community that IA-] ordsso many diverse cultural op- portunities that patrons are often for- ced to pick and choose. One must of- ten select from many, no doubt rewar- ding offerings, the events which are most likely to be redeeming. I am speaking of spiritual growth and inspiration. And of course big fun. This Thursday night's entertainment at the Ark will provide the best of both worlds. The Tommy Flanagan Trio will hit the stage at 7:30 and it'll be rockin' from jumpstreet folks! Tommy Flanagan is a native Detroiter who will turn 56 this Sunday. He began a professional career at 15 playing and recording with the great tenor sax man Dexter Gordon. He worked in the late '40s and early '50s with Lucky Thompson, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis and others before serving a stint in the military. He tagged up with J.J. Johnson, the trombonist, as well as guitar-playing-fellow- Detroiter Kenny Burrel in the late '50s. At the turn of the decade and the early part of the '60s Flanagan had the opportunity to work with two men who may arguably be the greatest tenor saxophonists in history: Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane. Who is that playing piano on the Giant Steps LP? McCoy Tyner? Nah! Not yet. This was before that quartet! This was a Coltrane favorite! A cat from Detroit - Tommy Flanagan! Tommy's association with Ella Fit- Peace conflicts unmasked By Lauren Schreiber M OONCHILDREN, Michael Wel- ler's comic drama about a group of college students in the late sixties, opens tonight at the Trueblood Theatre. The play will be presented by the University players, an un- dergraduate theater group. The four- teen-member cast includes Ethan Franzel, Helen McLogan, Karen Knapp, George Nitti, Craig Neuman, and Jeff Lupovitch Drawn from the author's own college experience, Moon- children centers upon a group of students living together in a house who are about to graduate. Although they share anti-war sentiments and idealistic attitudes, they neither trust nor really like one another. The play examines how those who preach peace, love, and understanding ac- tually their own lives. It becomes an examination of human relation- ships. Visiting director William Wright comments on the irony in the play: r "These people want everyone in the world to live together peacefully, but cannot themselves live together." Ethan Franzel, who plays the character Mike, says, "The play was originally named "Cancer," a major theme of the play having to do with cancerous relationships and idealism gone wrong. It is really about false commitment." Moonchildren will be perfor- med within an area stage. This theater-in-the-round production will allow for greater realism and will bring the audience closer to the action of the play. Moonchildren will open tonight at the Trueblood Theatre in the Frieze building and will run through Sunday. Performances begin at 8 p.m. tonight and Friday. There will be two performances on Satur- day, the first beginning at 5 p.m. and the second beginning at 9 p.m. Sun- day's performance is a matinee beginning at 2 p.m. For ticket infor- mation, contact the League ticket of- fice. Soundstage and Special Events, together with Michigras, present: BATTLE of the BANDS 1986 Come see 6 of Ann Arbor's hottest bands compete to be number one! SEMI FINALS: W & Th, Mar. 12,13, 9 p.m. FINALS: Sat., Mar 15, 10 p.m., U-Club zgerald, the first lady of loving fun and beauty, would be the beginning of his extraordinary experience and un- paralleled reputation as an accom- panist. He has worked with too many great vocalists and leaders to name in a conventient space. In truth, it is more proper to think of Tommy as making a record date or gig rather than acting as a sideman. Tommy and his buddies will lay out an exquisite musical garden. The vocalist need only waltz admiringly to look good. Check out the wAY Flanagan's trio graces Kim Parker's Good Girl LP to hear what I mean. Tommy helps her to sound so great! And Tommy's buddies? They are always the cream of the crop, and the trio he brings to the Ark is no excep- tion. George Mraz is an outstanding bassist and an inventive, thoughtful Rent a Car from Econo - Cr t vans. special WEEKEND rates Pick up services upon request We accept cash deposits OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK ECONO-CAR 438 W. Huron 761-8845 ANN ARBOR H EE SUSAN HJ "The Moveme the Moral W Anthropology and Re LUNCH AVAILAB For info call 6 ~1 802 MONROE ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 NOON FORUM FRIDAY, MARCH 14 ARDING ent Behind lajority," sidential College. LE FOR $1 62-5189 I !!!!!!!!!!!N!!! COUPON 000e e 000 , OF " " with this entire ad $1.00 off adult eve. rsi.u OFF "M" ayndor TRIP TO DAILY OFFICIAL BOUNTIFUL TWILIGHT STORY 2 Academy Award Nominations SHOWS Call for show times. Ii 0 t BARBECUED RIBS Get a full slab of baby back ribs for only $6.95 includes cole slow and french fries THURSDAYS 4:30 -10:00 p.m. 996-9191 338 S. STATE ST. te life ofjazz soloist and composer. Al Foster has inspiring us with the music of life it- been Miles Davis' pulse for a dozen self. Come celebrate Tommy years or so. You know he's a bad cat, Flanagan's birth and his life's music. right? He's blessed us and you'll bless him And Tommy Flanagan; beautiful, when he starts tearin' up the Ark! And swinging, funky, sophisticated Tom- remember: if the joint is really jum- my! Tommy keeps the music alive pin', don't anybody give their right in our minds and hearts: the Giant names! Steps tribute LP for Trane; his beautiful solo LP tribute to Monk, Thelonica. Tommy will be turning W EEKEND 56 and may be (correct me if I'm wrong) the only living pianist to have L AG A IE played with both Miles and Trane. Tommy Flanagan with an all-star Fridays in The Daily trio at the Ark tonight at 7:30. Tommy Flanagan blessing us and 763-0379 *, rnmum%4 TRAVEL SPECIAL $1.00 off instant passport ph I klnkoffs limit one per customer Expires 4/30/86 OPEN 24 HOURS 540 E. Liberty IIA )toe II ~I 0 r t TheUniversity Club is a private club for students, faculty, staff. alumni, and their accompanied guests. Only members may purchase alcohol. I U Sa s "0 0. U r L" Battle of the Bands Semi- Finals Wednesday March 12 U-Club 9 pm Thursday March 13 U-Club 9pm r " * f '1 - U Video Dance Party State St. Jazz Club Casino Night 4Carnival Activities Friday March 14 Union Ballroom 9 pm Friday March 14 U-Club 9 pm Saturday March 15 Union Ballroom & Pendleton Rm 8 pm YOU'VE GOT TH WE'VE GOT THE You've studied hard to earn your degree. And you know where you want it to take you. Whatever your field, we've got a program that can help you make the most of it. As a Naval officer. In business management, engineering.law, personnel admin- IE GOALS, E OPPORTUNITIES. Good starting salaries and excep- tional benefits include free medical and dental care, thirty days' paid vacation each year and a host of other allowances. Minimum qualifications require a BA or BS degree, U.S. citizenship and security clearance. You must not I I