RTS . 'Blood'y fine production By JOSHUA RICH Though surprising and strange sto- ries are not uncommon in the theater world, "Blood Wedding" by Federico 7 Blood Wedding Ann Arbor Civic Theatre September 28, 1994 Garcia Lorca certainly could top the list. Second Stage Productions' per- formance of "Blood Wedding" at the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre certainly invests a lot of effort into bringing to life the surrealism and horrific nature of this play set in 19th Century Spain. While the acting generally lacks con- viction, the impeccable direction of Joanna Woodcock makes this play as enthralling as it is frightening. The story is a simple love tale. A girl is faced with her impending mar- riage to a young man from a neigh- boring town. Although she loves her future husband and wishes to marry, she is torn between him and her former lover, Leonardo, whom she still loves. Leonardo, however, is also respon- sible for the terrible blood feud that exists between his and the bridegroom's families. He has maimed and killed many of his oppo- nents. As the wedding day comes and passes, the girl laments that she does not desire her husband as much as her ex-lover, and tensions between Leonardo and the bridegroom's fam- ily grow stronger. This ultimately leads to the play's implied bloody climax. The title of this play should, per- haps, be a clear hint about the even- tual violent nature of its plot. Never- theless, bizarre yet fascinating scenes successfully surprise the audience and lead them into a world of mystery and death. This sense of surprise is well- produced in the show. Instead of sim- ply speaking their prognostications of death and despair, for example, the actors sing, almost chant their lines, as if they are able to taste the horror that surrounds them. As a result, the audience certainly can. The set is simple yet practical. Given a play that demands dancing and much movement from its per- formers, the stage is almost always bare and, thus provides a fine arena for the actors' fluid motions. Chris- tine Reising has designed appealing Spanish costumes which make them look as fierce and fearless as the mata- dors they resemble. The special effects are subtle and very helpful in making scary scenes feel frightening, and happy scenes seem joyous. What is most adeptly grasped among this production's tech- nical achievements, however, is the abrupt changes in mood and setting that so distinguish this fascinating play from others. While the acting is certainly not this show's strong point, some per- formances stand out. Most convinc- ing is University professor Leo McNamara as the gentle yet reclusive father of the bride (Adrianna Buonarroti). He adds a charm and flair to this cast of generally dry per- formers. Also quite impressive is Wood- cock as the embodiment of Death. She creeps eerily on stage towards the end of the second act - when blood between the warring families begins to boil and the bride is torn with Two cast members from Ann Arbor Civic Theatre's production of "Blood Wedding." Is this before of after the blood?' indecision - and she remains there as a horrific mark of the evils of humanity as instilled in the main char- acters. Woodcock should be proud that she not only shines as one of the few fine performers in this production, but that she has also created a show that is engaging while it is shocking. Though the story is simple, this is a disturbing play that, thanks to superb directing and organization, will not easily be forgotten. BLOOD WEDDING runs through October 8 at the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (2275 Platt Rd.), Thursda4 through Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8. Call (313) 971-AA CT. Bergman's autobiographical film is a rich and delicate family portrait By SCOTT PLAGENHOEF Ingmar Bergman developed into Sweden's most acclaimed filmmaker early in his lengthy career. In the 1950s, upon the creation of such classics as B Sunday's Children Directed by Daniel Bergman; with Thommy Berggren and Henrik Linnros. Bergman's early films were often brooding tales of repression and mysti- cism. They reflected the outrageous childhood imagination he had fostered living sheltered in the Swedish coun- tryside. Bergman made a brief, yet trium- phant comeback in 1983 when he both wrote and directed "Fanny and Alexander," one of his best and most accessible works. Always very autobiographical in his work, Bergman has become none more so this decade. As he continues to age, his talents have failed to diminish despite being now limited to screenwriting. Quite possibly as a re- demption or as an attempt to reconcile his long life as it begins to wind down, Bergman has written and developed two highly autobiographical scripts in the past few years. The first of which, "The Best Intentions," is a film regard- ing the relationship between his two parents. The second is "Sunday's Chil- dren." "Sunday's Children" is a recollec- tion of Bergman's boyhood in the 1920s. The film is about a young boy named Pu (Henrik Linnros) and his strained relationship with his father (Thommy Berggren). The father is an evangelical minister who is, at the same time, the requisite workaholic father. His drive to succeed does eventually appoint him as the pastor to the royal family, and a severely stern and strict parent. Ingmar Bergman's father was in- deed a Swedish country pastor to the royal family and like Pu's father in the film was near tyrannical in the method in which he dealt with his own family. As a result both Bergman, and subse- quently Pu, turn to mysticism and imagi- nation for both comfort and escape from a disappointing reality. Confounding the familial relation- ship surrounding the film is the fact that it is directed by Ingmar Bergman's own son, Daniel. The theme of father- son relationship is then given yet an- other ironic twist by this collaboration. "Sunday's Children" is an often rich and delicate portrait of the rela- tionship between Pu and his father, yet it is also often unrewarding. The elder Bergman creates a script which at times is seemingly written too much for him- self and less for the audience's enjoy- ment. Considering that Bergman is es- sentially recreating himself and his own family rather than creating a fictional cast, it is surprising to find that some of the central characters are painted as somewhat one or two-dimensional. Herein may lie some of the banality and distress of Ingmar's youth, but also some of the problem with the film. Yet, the film does have unmistak- able qualities. Qualities that are recog- nizably Ingmar Bergman. The elements of mysticism which undercut the plot illuminate the need for a void in young Pu's life to be filled. They also draw attention to hi desire to mirror his father's career. The use of soft light and minimal direction accentuate the-film as achild's story and allows the outstanding act- ing, particularly by the young Linnros, to take center stage. SUNDA Y'S CHILDREN is playing at the Michigan. "Wild Strawberries" and "The Sev- enth Seal," Bergman cemented his po- sition as a world-renowned artist. S I S, II Ah )h I Power Jam Aerobics Ballroom Dance Section I(.J. Abbot) Section II(lIiltons) Bartending Section I Section II Shawna RedCloud Calligraphy Betsy Sundholm CPR Section Section I II An Intense Cardiovascular exemcise incorporating Cardio-Funk, Hip-Hop and Tubing will be avaiable for specialty sculpting. Abdaminal and lower body work is always included! Join exclusive instructors from One-on-One Athletic Clubs for the best class on campus. A FREE week long membership at One-on-One Athletic Clula will also be provided to all enrolled aerobics students. Mondays Michigam Union Ballroom 7:00-9:00 10/10-11/14 Thursdays Michigan Union Ballroom 7:00-9:00 10/27-12/8 Put on your dancing shoes! h this course for beginners and intermediates, you'll learn various dances such as the Rumba, For Trot, and Cha-Cha. Monday U-Club-Union 7:00-9:00 10/10-11/14 Thursday U-Club-Union 7:00-9:00 10/13-11/17 Amaze your friends, annoy yor parents! Learn how to mix over 100 drinks. A certificate of graduation will be awarded upon completion of the course. Colored water is used, not liquor. Tuesdays Wolverine A,B,C-Union 7:00-9:00 10/11-11/15 Inroduction to the tools and kcbziques of calligraphy. *A ten dollar lab fee will be sctcd by the instructor on the first day of class. Wednesdays Room 2209-Union 8:00-10:00 10/12-10/19 Wednesdays Room 2209-Union 8:00-10:00 10/26-11/2 This course taught by the Aimican Red Cross will cover basic CPR. A great skill for all to know. A Certificate will be awarded upon completion of this course Tuesdays Room 2209 A&B-Union 7:00-10:00 10/11-11/15 Wednesdays Room D-Michigan League 7:00-10:00 10/19-11/30 Ahh... forget about the mid-week stress and take a study break that will really relax you. This class provides an introductin to an in-depth approach to massage. Each session, students will give and receive a massage. Bring a towel. Mondays Room 2209 AB-Union 7:00-8:30 10/10-11/14 This is an introduction to n-cdiiation. Registration will be held at the UAC office, 2105 Michigan Union Tuesdays Union Games Room 7:00-9:00 10/11-11/15 Tuesdays Union Games Room 9:00-11:00 10/11-11/15 Explore the fundamentals of billiards. Sessions include handouts, demos. and practice time. Mondays Anderson Rm-Union 6:00-7:00 10/10-11/13 Mondays Anderson Rm-Union 7:00-8:00 10/10-11/13 $40/couple $40 $30* $42 $42 $42 Free $30 $30 $35 $3 3 Scottish Country Dancing Mondays 7:00 - 9:00 PM 10/3- 11/21 Learn the basic steps and formations of Scottish Country Dancing and be able to dance reels and jigs to the lively music of fiddles, piano, and accordion! Good Exer- cise as well as fun and a great way to meet people. No partner necessary. Instructor: Helen Welford. $40. (This is 8 weeks) Bartending Session I: 10/3 - 11/7 Mondays 6:00 - 8:00 PM Session II: 10/4 - 11/8 'Tesdays 6:00 - 8:00 PM Learn how to make over 100 drinks! Ken Mallwitz, bartender at the Nectarine Ballroom, returns to teach this popular course. A certificate of graduation is offered following comple- tion of the course. Colored water is used, not liquor. $40. Womyn's Self-Defense Tesdays 6:30 - 8:30 PM 10/4 - 11/22 Enhance your self-esteem, learn how to protect yourself. Become more comfortable with your body and build assertiveness, awareness, self- confidence, and flexibility. Registration begins Septem- ber 1 and continues through September 30. Register at NCC Administration Office. For more information call 764-7544. Yoga Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:00 PM 10/5-11/9 Reflect on the meaning of yoga and meditation. Explore the benefits of this ancient tradi- tion and discover what it can do for you in everyday life. $40. Origami Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:00 PM 10/5-11/9 Learn the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. Discover new and interesting ways to use your recycled paper and have fun too! $40. Massage Thursdays 6:00 - 9:00 PM 10/7 - 11/10 Consider abandoning your studies, hectic schedule, and other responsibilities for a peaceful, restoring time for YOU! Learn to give and receive massage for stress release, relaxation, and general well- being. $40. Tai Chi Chuan Thursdays 7:00-8:00 PM 10/6- 11/10 Tai Chi Chuan is an internal Martial Art which focuses on using the mind to perform the movement and not brute strength. Its slow, graceful movements and relaxed breathing process can contribute to a general improvement in health by relaxing mind and body, as well as improving balance and concentration. r , A. .r ; , ,: Massage Section I(Barry Ryder) Section II(iane Sierra) Meditation Kapla C. Castoldi Pool Session I Session II Derek Pogerski Sign Language I (Beginner) II (intermediate) All Classes are taught in the iI I I