W 0 0 v - m B 0 0 K S T 0 R E S T H E A T I By Rebecca Chung W HEN discussing books with a University student, one could mean two things: those tomes bought for classes that inspire a love- hate relationship (emphasis on the latter) and those wonderful things that either cost too much or un- believably little, get read on buses or during warm afternoons on the Diag and are destined to become part of one's permanent baggage. Ann Arbor's many bookstores are quite willing to sell students these packages of agony and ecstasy. However, every shop has a unique gle e Ir q iii r POSTERS Seyptemb~er ?' AR ambiance and set of caveats, and the art of browsing takes precious time to perfect. In order to facilitate this overview, I will discuss the necessary first, and then the indulgent TEXTBOOKS University Cellar: "Ann Arbor's only non-profit student bookstore" is also the campus's only student-run operation. Three stories high, it carries a full ange of office, artist, scientific, and engineering sup- plies.Pluses include the lowest prices of any store, and the opportunity to choose one's own books (all texts are labeled and placed on open shelves, new and used next to each other). Drawbacks: long lines during rush, mostly spent lugging four or five classes worth of books to the register, and a location that guarantees a long walk even for Barbour- Newberry/West Quad inhabitants. Also carries gifts, cards, posters, and Michigan apparel, and has a North Campus location inside the student commons, making it the most con- venient place for Bursley residents. Ulrich's: Just slightly more expen- sive than U. Cellars, it makes up the difference in convenience and per- sonable service. Students fill out a rush slip, hand it to someone at the long back counter (stacks are closed to browsers during rush), and voila! the books appear within minutes (new or used depending upon request). If By Noelle Brower FOR THOSE with a theatrical flare, or those who simply like the world of make believe, Ann Arbor offers a rich resource of opportunities in which to indulge. No matter what one's own idea of theatre is, it's bound Vu eC-4dy - SaItu 6iound 4100or 271a 1 , ,. .my :. :: !.~ '. "" 7 . +% y- z,,y,. 'A'- "~ . K i tm- Y., ,' .w V-'K ' '.( . ..J J2 'r w 7 Y.. Yt".,,J+ tt, .'ii~ 4ram..es also tineS &7I fl7 (.[ 1, Z O 7L P R sponsored theatre organizations is the Department of Theatre and Drama it-1 self. Though it has come under fire in the last few years because of its lack of consistently good productions and rumors of inner turmoil, it has recen- tly undergone major changes under the auspices of its new head, John Russell Brown. atre department in a new direction. Brown, who assumed this respon- sibility in the fall of '85, originally came to the campus via the celebrated lecture series "Beckett at 80," where he delivered one of several speeches on the Irish playwright. When he took over as head of the department, replacing Walter Essylinck, he threw himself into the thick of things, immediately establishing Project Theatre, a forum which brings top-flight professional actors and theatrical technicians to Ann Arbor. Brown himelf is the Ar- tistic Director of Project Theatre and last year directed two daring produc- tions: D.H. Lawrence's rarely per- formed The Daughter-in-law, and the English premier of Antique Pink that starred Kim Hunter. Unfortunately, because of the tremendous financial difficulties, the Master of Fine Arts program was cur- tialed and the PhD program was put on temporary hold. These ter- minations leave the department bare with only the University Players (the undergraduate theatre group), and Project Theatre. However, Brown has not stopped his forward thrust and only seems to be just gaining momen- tum in the realization of his ideas. In the fall Benedict Nightingale will join the faculty of the department as assistant director and will head the undergraduate program. If the name is familiar to you, it may be because Nightingale has spent the last year as a drama critic for the New York Times. His current book is entitled Fifth Row Centers and details his year as drama critic in New York (look for a review of his book come fall). With Brown in charge and the new blood he's brought in to revive a sagging department, the future looks like a healthy one for the Department of Theatre of Drama. Another University-sponsored theatre program is the University Ac- tivity Center's MUSKET which stages one or two rather large productions each school year. Though in the past MUSKET has walked the straight and usually narrow path by staging relatively mild shows, they struck out this year and staged the difficult and controversial Webber/Rice musical Evita. The student-directed and student-run MUSKET deserves plaudits for having the daring to take such a risk - and succeed. Another U.A.C. sponsored theatre group is the SophSHOW which produces one show annually. Last year this student-run organization performed the musical Once Upon a Mattress. If you're interested in the sort of comraderie that one achieves when one does something with one's friends, then the U.A.C. MUSKET or SophSHOW could be right for you. It's good, clean, thespian fun. The R.C. Players, an outgrowth of the Residential College in East Quad, are known for their productions of student written and directed plays. Last year U-Players performed Alfred Ja pee you eitl hot pro org Its sid JL N MANY POSTERS and under gallery posters - most under $20 Remarkably, the quality of their productions and material is usually quite high. Make the trip to East Quad. They welcome all who are in- terested in exploring the many possibilities of theatre The Brecht Company is another group based in East Quad. It specializes in, what else, performing the modern master himself. This group of actors and actresses is highly trained in the technique of theatre necessary to performing Brecht. But they are not down-trodden with old fashioned ideas and means of doing things; in some ways they are the most modern of theatre companies on campus, utilizing contemporary music or interesting juxtapostions in their drama; and they don't always perform Brecht either. This spring they staged Caryl Churchill's Vinegar Tom. If you seek the unusual and the up-beat, or are curious to see what your its is sp ap the titi bu cri sta Go Fr sta pla Ve wc se bri ru An po, do ter Wl Daily Photo by DAN HABIB A customer browses over the plentiful supply of books. John Russell Brown: Taking the thea to find an outlet in Ann Arbor, where the concrete sidewalks often imitate the wooden boards of a stage, and vice versa. Ann Arbor is what you make of it. There is no reason to be bored here, and if you have thatspecial something, you never will be. First among the various University Art reproductions, dance, sports, rock and movie stills, laser images, M.C. Escher, gallery posters, nostalgic posters, Van Gogh, photography, Rockwell, Monet, wildlife prints, movies, Picasso, Asian art, animal posters. Harvey Edwards, Frazetta, music images, floral grahics, science fiction, Rembrandt, modern & ab- stract images, Eliot Porter, Rosamond, art deco, art nouveau, Renoir, travel post- ers, scenic posters, Chagall, astronomy, Dali, humor, cars.. . . . . and MUCH, MUCH MORE. redSHOW AND SALE iYI UNIVERSITY TOWERS The Best of Campus Lifer First order of checks FREE for new student accounts opened at our two campus locations. Checking and savings; NBD 24-hour banker; overdraft protection. We look forward to serving you! SUBSIDIARY OF NBD BANCORP, INC./MEMBER FDiC Michigan Union, Lower Level " 995-8037 Campus Office - E. William at Thompson * 995-8080 Ten Other Convenient Locations "El uh SC M) legant timate t "The Be in AAA M Rated # 1 b "-... best C ECHUA ANDAF FURNISHED APARTMENTS GREAT LOCATION Corner of S. University & Forest' 536 S. Forest Ave. 761-2680 Callfor student price MASTERCARD - VISA - AMERICA * FORBIDDEN CITY WEST 3535 Plymouth Road 665-3591 " 4! Page 18 - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 4, 19986 The, Michigan Daily -- Thursday