RTS 'Piano' teaches valuable lesson By J. DAVID BERRY *ew modern playwrights have been able to embody the spirit and culture of the African American ex- perience as poignantly and poeti- cally as August Wilson. This week- end, in conjunction with the Martin Luther King Day celebrations and Black History Month, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre will be presenting Wilson's Pulitzer-Prize winning d ma "The Piano Lesson" at the ia.Mendelssohn Theatre. Set in Pittsburgh during the de- pression, this powerful drama deals with one black American families struggle to overcome their enslaved ast while still paying homage to heir history. The main obstacle omes from the brother's desire to ell the families prized piano in opes of buying the land that his wily once worked as slaves. His ister, who possesses the piano, de- ides that selling the ornate piano hat symbolizes the families past ould be untrue to their legacy. With MLK Day approaching, di- rector Simian Ha feels that this play embodies much of what Martin Luther King jr. believed in. "The whole aspect of trying to advance socially and come to terms with our history of blood and sweat is embodied in the play." Besides that, Ha believes that the courage and strength of the family and the power of Wilson's drama will make the play accessible to a multi- cultural audience. Dealing with Wilson's wonder- ful writing has proved an inspiring task for Ha and his cast. "I think August Wilson has written beauti- fully in terms of language and rhythm," says Ha. "In those terms it's always a challenge to match up to the writing." In this drama, Wil- son has interspersed searing family drama with African spiritualism and supernatural occurrences that deal with the heritage of the piano. Ha tried to find the reality in the world of the play without the realistic con- straints and trappings of society. Added to the play are a number of songs that help to represent the feel- ings of the past and the pain of their ancestors, while also embodying the uplifting experience and courage their ancestors experienced during their fight for freedom. This play is also representative of the new movement in African American culture. Wilson's enor- mous talent as a playwright and a storyteller has aided in the spread of African American playwrights to be accepted into the American mass culture. "The Piano Lesson" is an important front runner in this rela- tively new movement, and should prove to be a very entertaining and uplifting evening of theater. THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson will be performed Wednesday-Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 2pm & 8pm at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Tickets range from $12-$16 and are available at the Mendelssohn box office. Call 763-1085 Sarandon's 'Safe' bet for Oscar By BRIAN T. ARMBRUST *And the nominees for Best Ac- tress are..." 1994 provided Hollywood with its biggest box office gross ever. How- ever, producers should hang their eads in shame. The lack of films Safe Passage Directed by Robert Allan Ackerman with Susan Sarandon and Robert Sean Leonard howcasing the talents of women will e embarrassingly apparent next th, when the Academy Award onations are announced. Thank- ully, Susan Sarandon demonstrates hat true skill still survives, and that a apable performer can transcend ob- tacles in order to deliver a magnifi- ent performance. Based on a novel by Ellyn Basche, Safe Passage" depicts the tension md fear experienced by a family dur- n three days of crisis. Mag ndon), a mother of seven sons, opes with the possibility that one of ier children has died in a Mideast arracks bombing. As she waits for ither a phone call from her son or a isit from a representative from the Marines to announce her child is dead, Mag steels herself, as a source of strength for her other six sons, as well as her estranged husband Patrick (Sam Shepard). In waiting for the official word, the Singers confront various rivalries and disagreements from the past. "Passage" feels at times like a stage play, so confined is the action. Nevertheless, it works as an interest- ing and certainly captivating premise. Deena Goldstone's screenplay suc- cessfully creates moments of both joy and terror while characterizing a likable, realistic family. Unfortunately, while Mag, Patrick, and a few of the sons receive extensive exposition, some of the other boys seem little more than ex- tras. Similarly, many of the conflicts and resolutions among the sons come off as contrived. Overlooking some storytelling errors, "Passage" nonetheless offers a most enthralling roller coaster ride. Thank Sarandon for this. In creating Mag, she utilizes a huge range of moods and personalities, combined with intelligence and wisdom. Acer- bic wit, untempered anger, solid de- termination - Sarandon runs an enormous and most impressive emo- tional gamut. Through it all, she re- mains completely convincing. Sarandon's genius comes from her ability to take realism to a higher plane. Rooted in authenticity, she turns in a stellar performance. The men of "Passage" fare with varying degrees of success. Shepard manages some nice moments as a father coping with an unraveling mar- riage, middle age, and deteriorating eyesight. However, he fails to show the blunt, ruthless edge Patrick sup- posedly contains. Both Robert Sean Leonard and Sean Astin as the eldest two sons accomplish little more than slowing down and muddling their scenes through their cutesy shtick and maudlin broodings. Casting un- knowns might have been a smarter decision, as evidenced through Nick Stahl. As 14-year-old Simon Singer, he offers credible and sophisticated ensemble work. "Passage" is not a perfect film. However, it invites beckoningly to its audience, and provides a terse drama peppered with humor and warmth. Even more important, it showcases the incredible gifts of Sarandon. Since this movie opened on a limited basis last year, it is eligible for the Oscars. Whetheror not Sarandon will be nomi- nated along with Jodie Foster or sit on the sidelines with Linda Fiorentino remains to be seen. In either case, Sarandon's performance sends ames- sage: while counting the bucks raked in by the "moron elite" (a la Jim Carrey) and cartoons, don't forget about the women of Hollywood. SAFE PASSAGE is playing at Showcase. All gentlemen By ROBIN BARRY EngineeringseniorWilliamFriedman is asking University men tired of singing to their shampoo bottles to join a new a cappellagroup.Friedman hasposteredthe campus with fliers about today's mass meeting, funding the project out of his own pocket at a cost of about $150. "I love a cappella music," he said. "the people on my hall know I sing in the shower." Friedman was a member of the Men's Glee Club for four years. He served as the group's business man- ager as a junior, and last year he was president. This year, Friedman decided to pursue other interests, like his recent should audition quest to form The Gentlemen A Cappella. The group will not be the first he's formed. While interning at Microsoft in Seattle, Washington two summers ago, he started a group called the Sardines. The group used to perform at the Public Market."ThePublic Market is in ascene in 'Sleepless in Seattle,"' he said. "It's downtown by the water, with all out- door stores. We used to have gigs there." Friedman's always wanted to start a group here on campus. The group will be different from others like it on cam- pus because it will be the only main- stream a cappella group for men. "Ex- for A Capellla cept for the Friars," he said. "But you have to be in the Glee Club to be in the Friars." Friedman sees the group giving a con- cert near the end of the term. As the mastermind and driving force behind the group's formation he has already invested alotofhisowntimeandmoney but, "itwill all be worth while once we perform." Mass Meeting for the Gentlemen A Cappella is tonight at 7 PM in the Michigan Union Anderson Room AB. Auditions are Saturday January 14, 1 PM and Sunday, January 15 at 1 PM in the Michigan Union Michigan Room. Does waiting in line bug you? We have all the services to get you in and out FAST! * Automated machines that collate and staple " Report binding while you wait " Canon Colore pies in minutes " Overheads before class begins t) ,4ilo fe.. // , II99 0% r' report L binding / *" l 7r __ Ship UPS with us. V I / Laughtrack Present: Stand-Up, SKITS & Improv Co44edy of... Selected 'e""Oo forkwo UnSigral Tuesdays, January 24 and 31 February 7 and 14,199 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. CEW CONFERENCE ROOM * 330 E LIBERTY Hilarity Thursday, January 12 - -, 10:00 PM in the U-Club $5.00 (Entree Plus accepted) or assisted listening device, please call 763-1107 one week prior to event. G5 If you need sign language, interpreter space is limited.Attendance at alltour meetings is expected. Call 998-7210 to register Registration deadline - January 18, 1995 RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS * Designed for women in their junior or senior years at U of M 0 Join us in an interesting four-week discussion series to plan for your future. Career decisions and relationship goals will be the focus Presentations, reading and open discussion using resources available at the Center for the Education of Women and Career Planning and Placement. I Make decisions carefully to get you to the place you want to be in life. Presented by the Center for the Education of Women and co-sponsored by Career Planning and Placement Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Symposium Program on Intergroup Relations and Conflict (IGRC) .4 t~c, %MtN ca A", SI,,, Monday, January 16,1995 Modern Languages Building * I