ARTS
Friday , September 28, 1990
The Michigan Daily
Page 5
Dorothy
Parker
*persists'
by Jenie Dahlmann
W hat 20th-century writer is as
popular as the prophets who wrote
the Bible and Shakespeare? One's.
first guess is probably not Dorothy
Parker, pioneer of American criti-
cism and the modern short story.
However, of the 10 original Porta-
*bles that were first published in the
1940s only the Bible, Shakespeare
and Dorothy Parker are still in print.
A writer that keeps such good com-
pany deserves attention. What Fresh
Hell is This? An Evening with
Dorothy Parker, presented in coop-
eration with the Attic Theater, will
no doubt give Parker all the atten-
tion she deserves.
Originally staged as a simple
reading of Parker's short stories, crit-
ical writings and poetry, the produc-
tion has evolved into a complete
night of theater. Director James
Moran hopes this production will in-
troduce a new generation to the
funny, yet brutally truthful wit.
A female writer was not openly
accepted into the literary circles of
New York in the early 1920s, yet
0 Moran says Parker was "outspoken,
unstoppable and female long before
it was fashionable." She set a place
for herself at the infamous Algo-
nquain Round Table and wrote for
Vanity Fair, Esquire, and had her
own column in The New Yorker for
over 30 years. Her style of journal-
ism is still used today although it
may not always be credited to her.
What Fresh Hell Is This? lends
an opportunity to rediscover the
works of a woman who gained noto-
riety and success in a period of his-
tory where women were given little
opportunity to flourish. Her works
and the Attic Theater production may
serve as a valuable lesson to those
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Joe Jackson's sparks fly
by Howard Collens
As you enter the Power Center Sunday for a night out with Joe Jackson,
don't be surprised to find a workbench instead of a piano or a full
compliment of tools awaiting the rest of his band. After all, this is
theWorkshop Tour. Jackson, who is taking his first steps away from a
long-standing relationship with A&M Records, comes to town with a
whole bunch of new material that he wants to hone before recording a new
release.
Jackson brings a trimmed-down version of the band that appeared on
Blaze of Glory. The six-piece band includes the bass of the ever-present
Graham Maby, the haunting vocals of Joy Askew, the steady guitar work
of Tom Teeley, the rhythmic percussion of Sue Hadjopoulos, and the
newcomer on drums, Dan Hickey. This group should really be able to rev
it up for the Angry Young Man tunes and cool it down for the lingering
ballads. Past performances have proven that it's worth the price of.
admission just to experience the vocal compatibility of Jackson, Maby and,
Askew.
The new songs will be the focus of the show, but Jackson won't let the
old favorites simply fade away. The latest material will pick up many of
the themes from Night and Day and Blaze of Glory. Don't expect to see
the over-stuffed Elvis impersonation again, but there's hope that J.J. will
bring some rearrangements of his old hits. Lovers of Jumpin' Jive are sure
to get their fill of those immortal jazz compositions.
Jackson is also working on the music for a soon-to-be-released film,
Queen's Logic. As it stands right now, there will not be a soundtrack
released in conjunction with this project, but maybe Jackson will give a
sneak preview of his latest film score.
Either way, as Jackson pleases with standard tunes and surprises with
the new, sawdust and sparks are sure to fly.
JOE JACKSON appears at the Power Center on Sunday. Show starts at
7:30 and tickets are available at the Michigan Union Ticket office and
all Ticketmaster outlets for $18.50 (plus the evil service charge).
Dorothy Parker's work remains important today as exemplified by her drama, What Fresh Hell is This?
striving for success in today's world. - mances on Friday and Saturday,
and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday
WHAT FR ESH HELL IS THIS? and Sunday. Evening tickets are
plays Sept. 28, 29,and 30 at the $13 and $10; matinee tickets are
Mendelssohn Theatre in the Michi- $11 and $8 at the League Box Of-
gan League with 8 p.m. perfor- fice.
-W f - OsWDt
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