S
ARTS
he Michigan Daily Wednesday, November 4, 1992 Page 5
Une
Magnapop come loudly
The latest in tasty proto-punkfrom Athens, Georgia
piece
parfaite
de liasons
"
by Darcy Lockman
Seduction, passion, drama, de-
ceit. No, this is not a recap of the
'92 presidential race. It's cheaper,
shorter, and its cast is at least as
eloquent as James Stockdale.
Granted, you will have to travel
somewhat farther to see it than
you did to see Clinton, but hey,
this performance should last a bit
longer than five minutes. It's the
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre's pro-
duction of "Les Liasons Dan-
gereuses."
The play, based on Choderlos
de Laclos's novel of the same title,
depicts the moral decrepitude and
the sexual promiscuity of the
French aristocracy in the late 18th
century (obviously a time of de-
caying family values). This story
of the Vicomte de Valmont and
his ex-lover, the Marquise de
Merteuil, surrounds the Vicomte's
attempts to seduce both a 15 year-
old and a strictly religious married
woman, all under the guide of the
manipulative Merteuil.
Laclos was an army officer for
the French at the time he wrote the
book. The characters are based not
on the aristocracy, but the upper
middle class people of rural
France. It caused a great deal of
controversy in pre-Revolutionary
France, and ultimately led to La-
clos's demotion in the ranks of the
army. Christopher Hampton later
took the novel and adapted it for
the stage.
If the plot of "Les Liasons
Dangereuses" sounds fniliar, it
might be because you saw the
movies. The Hollywood produc-
tions "Dangerous Liasons" and
"Valmont" were also based on
Laclos's novel.
The Ann Arbor Civic's produc-
by Scott Sterling
I don't know what they feed these kids down South,
but if Athens, Ga.'s power pop sensations Magnapop's
diet has anything to do with the tasty proto-punk sing-
along guitar buzz they produce, more bands should
head south of the Mason-Dixon line for some good o1'
fashioned home cooking. Magnapop churn out feel-
good sweet 'n' sour pop rock that sounds like Belinda
Carlisle with a serious attitude doing Blondie tunes
from "Eat To The Beat."
The Magnapoppers (Linda Hopper sings, Ruth Mor-
ris on guitar, Shannon Mulvaney plays bass, and David
McNair keeps the beat) first started playing together
two years ago, gigging anywhere and everywhere in the
Southeast. Before long, their yin-yang balance of estro-
gen and testosterone-fueled noisepop earned them fans
that ranged from Michael Stipe to a handful of Euro-
pean record execs.
"It has happened pretty quickly," recounted Shannon
Mulvaney. "I talk to some bands, who are great bands,
but for some reason they haven't been noticed yet. It's
sort of weird how that stuff works. I guess it's just be-
ing in the right place at the right time."
They were soon booked to play some dates in Hol-
land, which had the British press rushing to their the-
sauruses for new adjectives to describe the band.
"It's kinda strange, kinda scary," Mulvaney said.
"We're a real good band, we put on good shows and
write good songs, but sometimes the British press goes
a bit overboard and sounds like 16 magazine or some-
thing. We just take it all with a grain of salt."
While the band was in Europe, they also had the
chance to play some mega-festivals, much to their de-
light.
"It went real well. We got to play with people like
Nick Cave and the Beastie Boys, these people that are
huge. We got to hang around backstage and see how the
rock stars act. It was pretty cool. I saw Mike D from the
Beastie Boys popping zits in the bathroom," Mulvaney,
recalled with a chuckle.
Back here in the good o1' U.S. of A., Magnapop has
just released their debut album, which is a self-titled
compilation of two earlier E.P.s teamed with two new
tracks. Three of those songs were produced by none
other than merry Mr. Mumbles himself, R.E.M.'s
Michael Stipe.
"It was intimidating at first, because I'd never really
met him before. But he was so relaxed, and made really
good suggestions, and was always so positive. It was
really cool working with him. It has helped us, of.
Christine Marshall and Bill Cross in "Les Liasons Dangereuses."
Magnapop
tion and the movie version, how-
ever, are not exactly the same.
"The direction that we're taking is
closer to the Broadway version
than the movie," said Wendy
Wright, the play's director and U-
M theater alum.
"You can't expect the amount
of money put into a movie to be
put into a play. But other than
that, there are a lot of similarities
in the text and the story," Wright
explained.
The element of "Les Liasons
Dangereuses" that Wright finds
most fascinating is its feminism,
which is very unique to its time.
"The reason the Marquise de Mer-
teuil manipulates as she does is
because she has no choice. As'a
woman in the 18th century, she
has to manipulate in order to get
what she wants. People were liv-
ing a double standard, so she
learned to play the game," Wright
said.
Seduction, passion, drama, and
deceit - why wait for the next
presidentialrace to get your fill?
The twisted "Les Liasons Dan-
gereuses" should hold you over
for awhile, at least until the '94
gubernatorial election.
LES LIA SONS DANGEREUSES
will be per formed at the Ann
Arbor Civic Theatre November
5th through the 21st, Thursdays
through Saturdays. Tickets are $8,
and are two for the price of one on
Thursdays. Call 971-0605.
course. A lot of people have listened to us because he
worked with us," Mulvaney said.
Magnapop is currently on their virgin American tour
looking to convert some Yankees with their legendary
live show.
"When we play live, it's a lot rougher and a lot
noisier than our records, and it throws people some-
times. Especially Ruthie. She punks out all over the
place. It has to be seen to be believed," Mulvaney en-
thused.
We'll have to wait and see, but Superchunk and Ju-
liana Hatfield might be well advised to start watching
their backs; Magnapop is shaping up to be the sassiest
band in America.
MAGNAPOP plays St. Andrews Hall tonight with WAX.
Doors open at 9p.m., and cover is only $3 (p.e.s.c). IS
and over welcome.
r-
*1
Write it. Read it.
Recycle itl
The Michigan Daily
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( The University of Michigan Pre-Dental Association
Open Meeting of the University of Michigan
Pre-Dental Association
topic: "Dentistry and Strategies to Gain Admission to Dental School"
panel: Moderator
Dr. Jed J. Jacobson, Director of Admission, University of Michigan
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Panel Members - Dental Admissions Officers from:
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