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January 24, 1994 - Image 8

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The Michigan Daily, 1994-01-24

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8 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, January 24, 1994

'Collage' condenses Music School's best

By MELISSA ROSE BERNARDO
For the sake of convenience and expediency,
once a year the School of Music presents a com-
pilation of its best ensembles. To go to all their
concerts separately, or to have them all play full
programs, would take days. Therefore, the Col-
Collage XVII
Hill Auditorium
January 21, 1994
lage Concert was born. For 17 years the classic has
delighted audiences with its diversity, and this
year was no exception.
The pieces are challenging, exciting, fun, bi-
zarre - involving any kind of music you can
imagine; baroque, digital, modern, romantic,
Broadway -just like Prego, it's in there. Every-
one is shoved onto the stage of Hill Auditorium,
and alone spotlight indicates the beginning of one
piece and the end of another. And it's 18 pieces
totaling just over 60 minutes (minus the intermis-
sion), so you don't have time to get bored.
Baritone Jean-Ronald LaFond gave a lively
rendition of Camille Saint-Satns' "Dance Maca-
bre," engaging the audience with not only his rich
vocals but with his emotional involvement in the

piece. "Aeneas in Strophades" was a strange but
exciting listening experience for many audience
members, performed by the Harp and Digital
Music ensembles. Stephen Thomas played a lovely
solo piano interlude, an excerpt from Johannes
Brahms' "Intermezzo (op. 118, no. 2)," giving
into the lulling romantic quality of the piece, but
not giving himself too passionately to its emotion-
alism.
There were some pieces that received mixed
reactions. The Men's Glee Club, plus male mem-
bers of the University Choir and Chamber Choir,
gave the second public performance of "Sicilian
Muses," a piece by University Director of Choirs
Theodore Morrison. The piece combines the ca-
cophony of brass and percussion with the three-
part harmony of the male voices. Sometimes this
juxtaposition worked, and the result was very
exciting, but sometimes it didn't work, and the
result was painful.
The "Rhythmic Etude" performed by the Cre-
ative Arts Orchestra and "Rain Spell" performed
by the Contemporary Directions Ensemble were
two others that didn't quite make it off the ground.
Since these ensembles are so specialized, reper-
toire is very limited, but for the second year in a
row their piece selection brought down the perfor-
mances.
However, the biggest hits of the evening were

saved until the end. The University Wind En-
semble played music backing Roald Dahl's verse,
narrated by the animated Erin Dilly. The music
accentuated but never overshadowed Dilly's
storytelling, and Dilly made great use of inflec-
tion, facial expression and poses to bring the
audience into the work.
Twelve brightly-costumed members of the
Musical Theatre program performed "Sit Down,
You're Rockin' the Boat." Led by the engaging
Eric Millegan, the group really got into the mock-
serious Salvation Army confession - swaying
their arms, standing on chairs, and generally hav-
ing a good time.
The evening ended triumphantly with an ex-
cerpt from William Walton's "Belshazzar's Feast."
Accompanied by the University Philharmonia
and members of the University Symphony, the
Univeristy Choir and Chamber Choir sang with
exuberance and devotion. (You can hear the full
piece on February lat Hill.) Of course, when
under the direction of the amazing Jerry
Blackstone, how could one do otherwise?
If you haven't learned by now, the Collage
Concert is perhaps the best way to get to know the
School of Music, at least that's known to the
public. And here's a tip for next year: It starts at
8:15. Get there at 7:30. At least. Not only does the
concert go fast, so do the seats.

Hip Hop Bop
Tomorrow evening Ann Arbor's own WCBN presents Tony Brown's
"Live Hip Hop Jam." Lockdown Productions and Phase two will be
jamming. We are also told that some surprise guest DJs and rappers from the
area will be making appearances. Get your bootie to the Performance
Network (408 West Washington) at 8 p.m. (show starts at 9) for this all ages
show, but leave your booze at home. $5 at the door. Call 994-0525 for more
info.
Building Blocks of Life
Through February, the School of Art and Architecture will be displaying
selected projects from the fall term Architecture studios. You can see
projects from the design studio, plus professional models and drawings from
Architecture students. See it at the Jean Paul Slusser Gallery (Art &
Architecture Bldg.) from I1 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Ooh La La
On exhibit now through March 6 at the Museum of Art is graphic work
by Franco-Anglo painter and printmaker James Tissot (1836-1902). This isO
a unique opportunity to view a new kind of art, and proof that the French
artists are responsible for more than just impressionism. Tissot is renowned
for not only his paintings but for his work in graphic media, which made use
of images with unsettling experimentation in surface and space. The exhibit
is from the private collection of Ann Arbor residents Robert and Katherine
Aldrich.
Darn Good Music
We don't know how else to describe this School of Music faculty recital.
The lovely soprano Martha Shiel will sing the music of Beethoven, Debussy 0.
and Strauss, accompanied by the very talented Martin Katz. Even though
Shiel will be shoved into the sound vacuum of Rackham Auditorium, it's
definitely worth the trip. Be there Wednesday at 8 p.m. And it's free, though
this duo is definitely worth paying for.
Relive the '60s
Wednesday in Leonardo's (North Campus Commons) Paula Denton will
be making an appearance. Accompanying herself on the acoustic guitar,
Paula will sing all of your favorite ditties fro the '60s and '70s. Wonder if
she does the Cher and Butt-head-rendition of "I Got You Babe"? Heh heh. *
Mel Torme Does the Classics
No, we're not kidding. As part of the Pops Series, Mel Torme will
vocalize with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Leslie
Dunner and Robert Krogstad. The show is divided into two halves, entitled
"Classics & the Movies" and "Mel & the Movies." Mel will announce what
he will perform the second half, but the "Classics" will feature Rossini's
Overture to "The Barber of Seville" (used in "Prizzi's Honor), Ponchielli's
"Dance of the Hours" from "La Gioconda" ("Fantasia"), Liszt's "Hungarian
Rhapsody No.2 in c" ("Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and Wagner's "Ride ofO
the Valkyries ("Apocalypse Now"). Shows are Thursday through Saturday
at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30. Tickets are $15 to $50, and the show's at
Detroit's Orchestra Hall (3711 Woodward). Call 833-3700.

DEGREES
Continued from page 5
nights of Flan's career. They are oh-
so-casually attempting to ease the
comfortable Geoffrey (Ian Mckellan)
into forking over a paltry $2 million
so that Flan can acquire the coveted
Cezanne that he needs. Cocktails are
soon interrupted by the arrival of Paul
(Will Smith), a breathless, bleeding,
yet very well-dressed young man,
who tells them that he has just been
mugged.
Claiming to be both the Harvard
classmate of their daughter and the
son of Sidney Poitier, he is quickly
welcomed into their home. Within
the hour, he is cooking an elegant
dinner, sweet-talking the parsimoni-
ous Geoffrey and charming them all.

With his pleasing manner, effortless
anecdotes and generous offer to put
them all in the film version of "Cats"
that his father is directing, it is no
wonder that they are all taken in. That
is, until the next morning, when they
find themselves forced to unceremo-
niously throw him out, out of fear for
their lives and riches, (which may be
one and the same). They are further
dismayed to learn that "Paul" has
p(l)ayed a similar, bleeding visit to
various other wealthy couples.
Who is this man? Why has he
visited these specific families? Now
that he's made his introductions, what
does he intend to do with these people,
if anything? Why does he keep resur-
facing and why does a certain boy
whom all their children went to school
with seem to know him so well? And
lastly, what is to become of him? It is

these questions and more that drive
the film on and it is the answers, or
lack of them, that make the film so
singular and interesting.
To simply describe the plot like
this does not do the film justice. One
must experience Stockard Channing
staring in disbelief at everyone else
who has been deceived, musing: "It
seems the common thread linking us
all together is an overwhelming need
to be in the movie version of 'Cats."'
She, and the production itself, are
exquisite, both live and now.
All the performances are good.
Most surprising of all is Will Smith.
This is not due to the fact that
Courteney B. Vance, who originated
the role on Broadway, was unbeliev-
able - most people who see the film
did not get a chance to see the play,
anyhow.

What's surprising is that some one
with as few acting credits as Smith
has, (he is best known both as a rapper
and as his extension of that, the title
role on "Fresh Prince of Bel Air")
could be so good in such a challeng-
ing and pivotal role; the film, in many
ways, depends upon the impact of his
performance.
The only concern is that such a
New York-centered story might have
trouble connecting to an audience not
affluent with the whims and ways of
New York and the culture it breeds.
However, any such fears were quickly
alleviated opening night. Not only
was the theater packed, but people
were laughing at every punch. They
even got the "Cats" references. Now
that's a good sign.
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
is playing at Ann Arbor 1&2.

RECORDS
Continued from page 5
Bette Midler
Gypsy
Atlantic
The Bette Midler made-for-TV
movie, "Gypsy," had been in the works
for years, and it finally aired in De-
cember. The whole production -

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especially Midler - received rave
reviews, and thus the release of this
recording.
Midler's voice has the size of Ethel
Merman's, the edge of Tyne Daly's,
the warmth of Angela Lansbury's,
plus something more. It's hard to ex-
plain - it's just Bette. And it's just
perfect for the role of Mama Rose.
Midler is stellar as the over-bear-
ing but well-meaning and warm but
selfish stage mother, the role for which
she was born. Her "Some People" is
gripping, her "Funny" touching, her
"Everything's Coming up Roses"
mind-blowing, her "You'll Never Get
Away From Me" humble. And you
had better be sitting down for the
finale, "Rose's Turn," because Bette
will blow you away. The rest of the
cast takes a bit of a back seat to
Midler; her magnificent presence
lights up the recording just as if she
were in front of you.
Cynthia Gibb (remember when she
was Karen Carpenter in a TV movie)
plays Louise quiet and refined ("Little
Lamb") and makes a nice transition
into the honky-tonk sequence ("Let
Me Entertain You"). "If Momma Was
Married" is a nice duet with Jennifer
Beck as June, though Beck is border-
ing on darned annoying. PeterRiegert
is about as good of a Herbie as there

could be; it's a woman's show, and
consequently a woman's recording,
but Riegert is okay.
As soon as you hear the recording,
you'll be dying to see the movie that
accompanies it. Surely that will be
put out on video. But until then, this
recording is superb, and testament to
Midler's title of the "Divine Miss M."
- Melissa Rose Bernardo
Various Artists
Unsung Sondheim
Varese Sarabande
With the piles of Stephen
Sondheim repertoire that's been dug
up in the past five or so years, it's a
wonder that there was enough to make
this recording. But "Unsung
Sondheim" is yet another compila-
tion of cut songs and rare gems, and
perhaps the best of them all.
There are 16 songs on this record-
ing, only four of which have been
commercially released in the past.
They encompass songs cut from
Sondheim shows, songs from obscure
productions, songs from films and
music from plays. And they comprise
16 reasons to buy this recording.
Particularly splendid tracks in-
clude Judy Kuhn's crystalline "What
Can You Lose?" from "Dick Tracy,"

Reg
Reg
Clas

Atout Mini-Courses and UAC Mini Courses is a committee of te University Activities Center (UAC).
UAC, (pronounced you-ack), is the largest student-run organization on campus, providing an
opportunity for students to become involved in a variety of extracurricular activities.
The UAC offices are at 2105 Michigan Union
istration Dates January 24 - February 7
istration site Michigan Union Ticket Office @ 763-TKTS
No mail-in registrationI
Refunds will be given only if the course is canceled.
sses Begin February 7 For more information Call UAC @ 763-1107

Aerobics
Jen Davis
Ballroom Dance
Section I(J.J.Abbott)
Section II(Hiltons)
Bartending
Section I
Section It
Shawna Red Cloud
Massage
Section I
Section II
Barry Ryder
Meditation
Kapela C. Castoldi
Photography
Ben Colman
Pool
Section I
Section II
Derek Pogirski 3
Sign Language
I (Beginner) 1
II (Intermediate)I
III(Beginner)
Joan E. Smith I
Tarot Cards
Richard MaurerF

Tues/Thur Anderson AB-Union 5:00-6:00 2/8-4/19 $45
if you want to stick to those New Year's Resolutions, if you're getting ready for Spring Break
or if you just want to get in shape, this is the class for you! wear loose fitting clothes and gym
shoes and bring a towel for floor exercise!
Thursdays Michigan Union Ballroom 7:00-9:00 2/17-4/7 $40/couple
Mondays Michigan Union Ballroom 7:00-9:00 3/14-4/18 $40/couple
Put on your dancing shoes! In this course for beginners and intermediates, you'll learn various
dances such as the Rumba, Fox Trot, and Cha-Cha.
Mondays U-Club-Union 7:00-9:00 2/7-3/21 $40
Thursdays U-Club-Union 7:00-9:00 2/10-3/24 $40
Amaze your friends, annoy your parents! Learn how to mix over 10 drinks. A certificate of
graduation will be awarded upon completion of the course. Color water is used, not liquor.
Tuesdays Pond Room-Union 7:00-10:00 2/8-3/22 $35
Wednesdays Room 2209-Union 7:00-10:00 2/9-3/23 $35
Ahh... forget about the mid-week stress and take a study break that will really relax you. This
class provides an introduction to an in-depth approach to massage. Each session, students will
give and receive a massage. Bring a towel.

Judy Kaye's "Truly Content" (which
is parallel to "Movie Star," from the
"Passionella" section of Sheldon
Harnick and Jerry Bock's "The Apple
Tree), Crista Moore's "The Two of
You" (accessible in "Side by Side by
Sondheim"). Michael Rupert does his
standard amazing job with "Multi-
tude of Amys," a song cut from "Com-
pany," and Debbie Shapiro-Gravitte
does a bang-up job with "Water Un-
der the Bridge," a song from a soon-
to-be-produced TV musical called
"Singing Out Loud." (Sondheim en-
thusiasts may remember Liza
Minnelli's catastrophic introduction-
of the song in the Sondheim Celebra-@
tion at Carnegie Hall.)
Though we didn't need more proof
that Stephen Sondheim is the greatest
living composer for the theater, this
recording is a gem, and a must for
Sondheim collectors.
- Melissa Rose Bernardo
C.C. Lemonhead
Bass to Another Level
Attitude Records
You've had to put up with five
days of boring lectures and now it's
the weekend. You're ready to go and
dance away the weekdays' miseries.
But, when you get to the party, it
turns out to be wack as hell. But do
you sweat? No, you simply reach into
your pocket and pull out your copy of
C.C. Lemonhead's "Bass to Another.
Level" and let the magic work.
This CD is live. Almost all of
Lemonhead's mixes are fast paced
and perfect for anyone who's ready
for a little ass shaking. Mixes like
"Take it Off," "Rock and Don't Stop"
and "3 Piece Dinner" are all fast-
paced cuts which will make everyone
get off their seats and start dancing
nonstop. Some of the DJ'sat the wack-
ass parties I've been to at the Michi*
gan Union should pick up this CD.
There are, however, two major
problems I have with this CD. The
first is Lemonhead's attempts to in-
sert a slow rap in some places. It just
doesn't sound right. After getting you
into the dancing mood for three or
four songs straight, Lemonhead de-
cides to add some slow shit.
Another, more serious problem
with this disc is the song "Hurt Me
Hurt Me." Although it has a good
rhythm,as the title implies, it refers to
masochistic sex in which the man .
says, "Tell me how you like it," and
the woman replies, "I like it where it
hurts." Talk like this really isn't nec-

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4.._

Mondays Pond Room-Union 7:00-8:30 3/7-3/28
This is an introduction to meditation. Registration for this course will be in the
UAC office 2105 Michigan Union.

free

Thursdays South Quad Darkroom 6:00-8:00 2/10-4/7 $40*
Learn how to develop your own pictures. Students will learn hands on the skill of film developing.
* A 525 lab ee will he collected by the instructor.

Tuesdays Union Games Room 7:00-9:00 2/8-3/22 '
Tuesdays Union Games Room 9:00-11:00 2/8-3/22 '
Learn the fundamentals of billiards. Sessions include handouts, demos, and practice time.
Mondays Wolverine Room-Union 6:00-7:00 2/7-3/14 '
Mondays Wolverine Room-Union 7:00-8:00 2/7-3/14
Tuesdays Wolverine Room-Union 6:00-7:00 2/8-3/15
Learn this valuable form of communication. Basic American Sign Language is taught.
Tuesdays Wolverine Room-Union 7:00-8:00 2/8-3/22
Unwmp you intuitive expressionism and learn the new age sense of reading tarot cards.
Emphasis placed on history and philosophy as well as learning to use and interpret them.
*A lab fee of S2() will be collected by the instructor.

$30
$30
$30
$30
$30
$25*

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