ARTS Wednesday, November 30, 1988 4 The Michigan Daily Page 7 Black Nativity Glorifying gospel BY CHERIE CURRY H AVE you heard? The word is out that last year's holiday hit, Black Nativity, is planning a smashing return to campus; this time, they say, in a much grander, brighter, and festive fashion. The musical takes place in a Southern country church where the people cele- brate Christmas by retelling the story of the Christ child's birth with pomp, pagentry and good old-fashioned, soul- stirring Gospel praise. off the roster. Pinkney, also the Artistic Director of the Billie Holiday Theatrea resident professional BlAck Theatre company in Brooklyn and Director of the off- Broadway production of Inacent Black, has done extensive research to adapt the script and add flavor to the already exciting work. Nativity's Set and Costume Designer Felix Cochren adds his award-winning touch, as he did for his designs in the world premiere productions of Samm Art Wil- liam's Home and Charles Fuller's Pulitzer prize- winning drama, A Soldier's Play for the internationally famous Negro Ensemble Company. Choreographer Paulette Brockington and Music Director Alvin Waddles should add to the anticipated heartfelt song and dance with their direction. Brillant costuming, dazzling choreography, and pan inspirational sound from a combination of traditional ind contemporary Gospel styles and Christmas classics- all tied together by creative direction; I want to be a part of it, don't you? Bring in the holiday season by experiencing the Christmas magic of Black Nativity - I hear you won't regret it! BLACK NATIVITY, presented by the University Black Entertainment Series, runs Thursday through Sunday at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, with a preview for press and special guests tonight at 8 p.m. Evening performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Matinee performances are Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10, $5 for students, and are available at Ticketmaster outlets and the Michigan Union Ticket Office. When two people look alike but aren't known to be related, about their parental background. In Separated at Birth the c over the world are reunited for the first time since their birt Separated at Birth? By Kurt Andersen, Graydon Carter, and Tom Phillips Doubleday $6.95/paperback Have you ever wondered if you were a twin and your parents sold your sibling because they couldn't afford to raise both of you? Or if you were adopted and you have a brother or sister out there whom you'll never meet? Well, the crack research team of Kurt Andersen, Graydon Carter, and Tom Phillips have discovered num- erous pairings, and even some triplings, of celebrities who must have been Separated at Birth. The trio first came up with the idea when they noticed that "some people look like other people - a shocking phenomenon that's never really received adequate press coverage." Since Andersen, Carter, and Phillips are the editors of Spy mag- azine, they had a perfect outlet to cover the phenomenon. At first, Separated at Birth was a feature in this New York-based publication, but "once the magazine got rolling, we quickly realized that America deserves a whole book of look-alike photos." Everyone from Isaac Asimov to Meryl Streep is matched up with a new brother or sister. The guest list for a reunion of these long lost siblings would look like a copy of Who's Who - with the addtion of a couple of fictional characters, too. The resemblance between Alexander Haig and the Grinch is as scary as either of these two characters are by themselves. The editors of SPY, have a secret to the way they produce their comic effects, and they were quite happy to share it: "You see, there's this one person, and you notice that he looks like this other person, and then you get a whole bunch of photos. Then you pick out the best pair and run them side by side at the same size... and maybe, just maybe, you do what you can to make sure they're facing sort of the same way and have, if possible, similar expressions. That's all." Some of the best pairings come from matching people of the opposite sex - Geraldine Ferraro and David Bowie, for example. "The fact that there were two cross-sexual pairs out of three in the very first installment was the most obvious tip-off that we wouldn't be going for easy Frank Perdue/Ed Koch pairings." The imagination behind the look-alikes is broad enough to surpass not only gender barriers, but also the gap between fictional characters and real people.In fact, they have even recast the Wizard of Oz, and with such celebs as George Schultz playing the Cowardly Lion, no make-up jobs are needed. Be sure to read the adjoining captions which can be as biting as the HOUSE OF WINGS But it's not just a rumor: Black Nativity is back, and it's not your everyday Christmas Song Play. This Nativity, conceived by Vinnette Carroll and Langston there is always question Hughes, is a gospel, musical review, in the style of children of milkmen all Carroll's Your Arms Too Short to Box with God. The 'h' musical takes place in a Southern country church where pairings, such as "Decent actor the people celebrate Christmas by retelling the story of Crispin Glover and indecent pres- the Christ child's birth with pomp, pagentry and good idential candidate George Bush." old fashioned, soul-stirring Gospel praise. Andersen, Phillips, and Carter hold What makes it even more special is the talent nothing back, but put it all in black involved in bringing the production together. Artistic in white - with pictures! So if you Director and University graduate Mikell Pinkney starts ever become famous, the trio might dig up a lost relative for you. Then again, you might find that stardom is not allr it's cracked up to be if you wind up paired with Phyllis Diller. And Bob Talbert - eat you heart out. - Mark Shaiman CLASSIFIED ADS! Call 764-0557 r I Cornerstone CHdFusTIx>N FELLOWSHIP BOERSMA TRA VEL ROSE BOWL (an interdenominational campus fellowship) Students Dedicated to Knowing and Communicating Jesus Christ Weekly Meetings: Thursdays: 7:00 pm 219 Angell Hall John Neff - 971-9150(0), 747-8831(H) i 1 4w 04wpw ATTENTION PLASMA DONORS! Earning $20 has never been so easy! FLIGHTS from$253 Hurry! Spaces limited! .Michigan Union -'663-7749 - -. -. ~1J3,.1988/8 wilabe Supplements will be here Dec. 1st11 Copies will be available only at Student Publications Building, 420 Maynard, be- Iween the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm ' .Monday through Friday. $2.00 each 5 " 1 - Earn $20 on your first donation. You can earn up to $120 a month. Couples can earn up to $240. Repeat donors who have not dontated in the last 30 days receive an additional $5 bonus for return visit. ROSE BOWL - ROSE PARADE GREAT SEATS AVAILABLE TICKET TIME YPSILANTI PLASMA CENTER 813 W. Michigan Ave., YpsilantiV Monday thru Friday 8:00am-4:00pm I 'Waishra, (213) (714) 202-0053 832-5800 (818) 440-9700 (818) 783-1033 A MILES 482-6790 e eopWichiga n helping people. NN Plasma donors are people ONE NIGHT ON CL.Y Thurs. & Decemb University of Michigan SCHOOL OF MUSIC Fri. "Women and Wallace, " by Marc er 1 & 2 Sherman Presented by Basement Arts Directed by Fred Adler Arena Stage, Frieze Bldg., 5:00 p.m. FREE Wind Ensemble & Contemporary er 2 Directions Ensemble H. Robert Reynolds/Richard Rosenberg, LIVE IN CONCERT inIembr 2, 1988 8 OO0uin M ichIigan FI 'i B1011 1-4)(0111~ll GeneraI l Amiss-ion -;20 Tickel ts a ,Iilalc al the MIichiigan a, h a r O~I ffice' and ~lall'Fickett "lt'sfer :ti al70-T'K'S. . . Fri. Decembe 7 conductors Wagner: "Siegfried Idyll" Brahms: Serenade No. 2 f T I f. __ l K .- 11 f._ _N ..---