The Michigan Daily - Friday, March 27, 1 87 - 'J.B.' modernizes classic theme By Lauren Schreiber "Why me?" This commonly asked question is the subject of J.B., a play by Archibald MacLeish to be performed this weekend by the Hill Street Players. J.B. is a moderninterpretation of the Book of Joab from the Old Testament. The story is of a man (J.B.) who, for no misdeed of his own, goes from riches to rags. He questions this apparent injustice, but retains his faith in God, nonetheless, and is thus rewarded. "It never really gets into the realm of religion - it just brushes on it," explains Debbie Applebaum, the show's producer. "The minute people hear 'Old Testament' they close their minds to it," she adds. MacLeish's mod- ernization helps to bring the material closer to our own time and experience, as it really is a timeless, universal theme. Hill Street Players was founded just two years ago. "Our goal is to produce plays that are thought- provoking and intriguing, but not widely seen or known," says Applebaum. In the past, the group has performed such plays as Talking With and No Exit. Although the group is in part funded by Hillel, the plays they produce are non-sectarian. The fourteen-member cast consists of a diverse group of students, including grads and undergrads from several colleges of the University. Featured are Melissa Hart and David Wilcox as narrators, and Mark Spencer and Charlene Jensen as J.B. and his wife. J.B. is directed by Carolyn McKnight, a teaching assistant at the University. J.B. runs Saturday through Monday at Hillel Auditorium, 1429 Hill Street. Performances begin at 8 p.m. with a matinee performance on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $4 and $5 at the door. I Records Simply Red Men and Women Elektra One thing is for sure. Simply Red vocalist Mick Hucknall is not just another pretty face. The cat has some real ability and a tight, funky, thoughtful band to support his phrasings. This second outing remains something of a dis - appointment, though, after last year's rock 'n' soul surpriser. The material is mostly strong but the album is production bound in a way that the predecessor was not. It's slick, alright. Too slick. It's that Phil Collins and Live Aid Sound. "The Right Thing" is a sexy, tempting dance tune with a catchy hook. If you've heard it and can get next to the production values, OK, fine. Yer gonna dig on the rest of the album. Otherwise... ahhhh... I'll vote for the two ballads that close out both sides of this LP. The A side ends with a heartfelt reading of Cole Porter's standard "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye." This one is a sweet sincere surprise. The B Side closes on perhaps a deeper original note with "Maybe Someday." It's a warm one for sure and leaves this listener with the feeling that the weaker stuff has almost been redeemed. If you thought the debut LP was the album of the year, you'll be pleased with this one. Otherwise, give it a listen and then decide, OK? --Marc S. Taras Michigan Daily ARTS 763-0379 LAZERGRAPHICs U COPONG PRINTING U BINDING U FORMS nalphlgraphios° Printshops Of The Future COPIES Open 7Days GRAND OPENING SPECIAL 663-6816 715 N. UNIVERSITY (2nd Floor) Located at: S. STATE & N. UNIVERSITY A 'Band'doned Although The Band postponed their Michigan Theater show scheduled for tonight, Jorma Kaukonen, former Band member will perform a special midnight show tonight at the Ark. People who have tickets to The Band can either hold onto them and wait for a new date or use them for tonight's show. Tickets, otherwise, are $10. / /Ga. r CIOLLEGE CLEANERS & LAUNDRY 10% discount to U of M Students & Staff ONE DAY SERVICE 715 N. University 662-1906 Ann Arbor Three stores away from Kresge's in the downstairs of Hamilton Square Mall 20 % OFF SERVICES HAIR DESIGNERS. FACIAL SALON. NAIL SERVICES COSMETICS. WAXING. PEDICURES Luck 0' the Irish Flutist James Galway and guitarist Kazuhito Yamashita will play Hill Auditorium in a performance of music from the 18th to 20th centuries. The show is tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $8 to $14. 747-8787 Mon - Fri: 9:30- 7:00 Sat: 9:30- 4:00 initial visit only 1220 S UNIVERSITY ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 EXP. March 30, 1987 L THIRD ANNUAL r ISRAEL CONFERENCE DAY A Day-Long Academic Program Exploring Social, Cultural and Political Aspects of Israel Sunday, March 29, 1987 11:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, The University of Michigan Admission is free. Professional childcare is available at a nominal cost 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Inquire at registration. CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES 11:00 a.m. REGISTRATION & INFORMATION A i !t , , ., _ w _ r t a Hclo. For ' 11:30 a.m. -12:50 p.m. INTRODUCTION & OPENING ADDRESS _ 11:30 Introduction to the Conference by Yossi Harel, Chair, Israel Conference Day MOSHE MAOZ The Peace Process in the Middle East: Prospects and Risks Dr. Maoz is Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Hebrew University and is currently a visiting scholar at Harvard. 1:00 p.m. - 1:55 p.m. SESSION I (Choose one of three.)__ CARL COHEN DAVID HAREL JACQUELINE ZEFF Proportional Representation: Exploiting the Power and Women and Politics: Private Israel and the Democratic Limitations of Computers: Goals and Public Action Ideal Computer Science at the Dean, Mercy College, Detroit Professor, Department of Philosophy, Weizmann Institute University of Michigan Professor, Weizmann Institute, visiting professor at Carnegie-Mellon 2:00 p.m. - 2:55 p.m. SESSION II (Choose one of three.) HAIM HECHT CALVIN GOLDSCHEIDER TIKVA FRYMER KENSKY The Israeli Media: Inequality in Israeli Society: ETTI NAVEH Democratic Reporting vs. The Jewish-Ethnic and the SHEILA FIEGELSON Security Concerns Arab-Jewish Conflict Panel Discussion on Women's Israeli Journalist. Jewish Agency Professor of Demography, Brown Issues Emissary in Philadelphia University Moderated by Harlene Appelman 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. COFFEE BREAK (Brown-bag it in the Assembly Hall. Beverages and pastries served.) DOCUMENTARY FILMS (Choose one of three.) CBS "60 MINUTES" "THIS IS ISRAEL" "ZUBIN MEHTA AND THE ANALYSIS OF "RICOCHET" A poignant travelogue presenting the ISRAEL PHI LHARMONIC" "Ricochet" is the acclaimed Israeli film many facets of the country and its (Back by popular demand.) A film on the war in Lebanon. Haim Hecht will people. exploring the long-lasting relationship moderate an audience discussion on between a unique music director and thef the effects of the war on the youth of Israeli orchestra. Special appearances Israel. by Isaac Stern and other guest artists. Burrito Supreme® for just 9 e I * ease present this coupon when ordering Limit: One coupon per person per visit. Not good with any other offer. Cash , redemption value is 1/20th cent. Good 1only at participating Taco BeLle staurants Tax not included. TACO Offer expires 4/19/87. BELL I Taco BeliGrande Taco Light991 Pease present this coupon when ordering. S Limit: One coupon per person per visit.1 ' Not good with at} other offer Cash .. redemption value is 1/20th cent Good Il at participating Taco BellTACO ' restaurants Tax riot included ^+ * * IKids Fiesta Meal e 1 e * with $1.50 $ ' purchase 9 I ease present this coupon when ordering 1 Limit: One coupon per person per visit. S Tot good with any other offer. Cash e redemption value is 1/20th cent. Good only at participating Taco Bel1h 1 restaurants Tax not incuded. TA CO * SOffer expires4/ B9/87. SELL 1 IRegaCu Lg Pepsl for just 9 1 e 1 e Please present this coupon when ordering. Limit One coupon per person per visit. 1 Not good with anw other offer trah * e redemption value is 1120th cent. Good I S ony at participating Taco Bell,. S restaurants. Tar not included. TA CO * 5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. SESSION IIIl(Choose one of three.) LEONARD LABENSOHN Jewish Unity-Myth and Reality Director, Israel Aliyah Center, Minneapolis/St. Paul IL ILAI ALON The Islamic Religious Background to the Israel- Arab Conflict Professor, Islamic Studies, Tel Aviv University, visiting professor at Princeton SHOSHANA WEITZ Hebrew and Israeli Drama and Theater Lecturer, Theater Department, Tel Aviv University, visiting scholar at University of Wisconsin-Madison i