kn't sit at home on Halloween night. Sure, some folks think it's
a devil's day, but live a little devilish for a night and attend one of
the plethora of Halloween parties around town. Arbor Brewing (7
p.m.) and the Heidelberg(10 p.m.) will both host live bands, while
the Power Center hosts the Michigan Pops Orchestra beginning
at 5:30 p.m. Admission costs vary.
ow fj£icft~m &Bak
LRT
Monday in Daily Arts:
Don't miss a review of the Insane Clown Posse show in
Monday's Daily Arts.
Friday
October 30, 1998
5
Legends
Palace
Will Weissert
Weekend, etc. Editor
Rock 'n' roll legends with common
folk roots, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell
are a pair music anthologies expect to be
friends.
But all common-thread and musical-
influence innuendo aside, it's refreshing
to know they actually do seem to like
each other.
"Bobby wrote this verse," Mitchell
ooed halfway through her opening
number "Tear Down Paradise and Put
Up a Parking Lot." And there he was,
Bob Dylan -just standing and smiling.
The always rebellious, often-sneering,
formally hard-driving and hard-drugging
Dylan just standing there and looking
thrilled about asking Mitchell and the
then-sleepy Palace crowd why anyone in
the world would want to pave over eter-
'THE BIG' CHILL' ANNIVERSARY
By Matthew Barrett
Daily Arts Writer
Whether it's through the playing of "You
Can't Always Get What You Want" at a funeral,
dancing while doing the dishes or the notion
that rationalizations are more important than
sex, writer/director Lawrence Kasdan touched
something in audiences with "The Big Chill."
Kasdan, a University alumnus who attended the
school from 1966 through 1971, made the main
characters in the film graduates of his alma
mater.
The director's experiences at the University
were "the unstated back story of the movie. It
was about the people I knew and the experi-
ences we had. It was in the background of the
characters."
"They're all based on people I knew. They're
based on me and Barbara Benedek who wrote
it with me and went to N.Y.U., and everyone of
them is a composite of people we knew."
"The Big Chill" centers on seven college
friends who reunite for the funeral of a former
was eventually made into a movie starring John
Belushi). Spielberg then offered Kasdan the
opportunity to write "Raiders of the Lost Ark,"
an offer that the writer wisely accepted. Upon
its completion, Kasdan took the script to
George Lucas who was involved with the cre-
ative development of the film. (Indiana Jones
was named after Lucas' dog.)
Lucas then suggested that Kasdan work on
the script for "The Empire Strikes Back"
because the film's original writer, Leigh
Brackett, had passed away. The second install-
ment of the "Star Wars" series ended up being
the first screenplay of Kasdan's to make it to
the big screen. Not a bad start.
After the success of "Empire," Kasdan was
again called upon by Lucas, this time to write
"Return of the Jedi." Although Lucas contacted
him about working on the upcoming prequels
to the "Star Wars" series, Kasdan declined. He
also added that he would not be involved with
the rumored fourth "Indiana Jones" movie.
Kasdan wrote and directed his latest project,
"Mumford," which he describes as a story
"about a psychologist who comes to a small
town and becomes involved with the people.
there." The movie, slated forwatspring 1999
release, stars Loren Dean ("Apollo 13"), Jason
Lee, Ted Danson and Alfre Woodard. Kasdan
also produced the upcoming "Home Fries," a
love story with Drew Barrymore that is due out
sometime this November.
Kasdan remembers his University experi-
ence as some of the best times of his life. "My
college experience was great at Michigan. I had
a great time, it was a great time to be at
Michigan, 1966 through 1971. There was so
much happening at that time. The whole culture
of that place was going through a giant trans-
formation along with the rest of the society, and
Michigan was right on the cutting edge."
And his advice for aspiring moviemakers:
"It's really hard to get in because it's the great-
est work there is. The only thing to do is be
relentlessly persistent."
nal happiness.
Bob Dylan
and Joni
Mitchell
The Palace
Oct. 28, 1998
The songs were
Dylan's plea-
sure was already
there, his amazing
energetic display
would come later.
With Mitchell's
mellow and emo-
tonal mix of old
and new com-
plete, Dylan
returned to the
stage looking just
as content but this
time intent on
having a good
time.
virtually the same as
house mate, and
Chill
Written and direct-
ed by Lawrence
Kasdan
Friday at 7 p.m.
character. Costner
follows them as they remi-
nisce, fire up old flames
and score some new
sneakers. Now, 15 years
after its debut in theaters,
the movie is being re-
released for a whole new
generation to enjoy on the
big screen. And to the
chagrin of some of the
movie's fans, no new
footage will be added.
The main reason for the
attention given to the cut
footage is that a then-
unknown Kevin Costner
played Alex, the deceased
, whose face is never seen,
Kasdan warmed audiences against holding
their breath waiting to see more of the Costner
scenes. The director didn't add the footage
because, "It didn't work. The movie stands up
very well and I believe in it, and I don't think
we should change it."
One of the most distinctive features about the
movie that carries it so well is the role of the
music. "The music was always intended to be
important. I asked my wife to come up with
tapes of music that she and I had liked when we
were at Michigan and that had been important
to us." Kasdan said. He then listened to these
tapes while writing the movie's script and
ended up including some of the songs that
struck him while he was working on certain
scenes.
FILE PHOTO
Lawrence Kasdan smiles during at 1983 visit to the University. The University alumnus wrote and
directed the '80s classic "The Big Chill."
The film's cast rehearsed for four weeks
before shooting on the movie started, some-
thing Kasdan deemed "veny unusual for a
movie." The last two weeks of rehearsal were
spent in South Carolina, where the film was
shot, and the actors did a variety of acting exer-
cises to get ready for their roles. This included
preparing an entire meal in character, and
according to Kasdan, the actors "loved it. They
loved having the time and opportunity to work
something through like that."
Along with "The Big Chill," Kasdan has
been involved in writing a number of high pro-
file projects including installments in the "Star
Wars" and "Indiana Jones" trilogies. Early in
his career, he sold a screenplay called
"Continental Divide" to Steven Spielberg (it
only appears in the film's beginning when his
body is prepared for his funeral. Scenes of
flashbacks involving Alex were shot, but none
of them made the film's final cut.
in shows past, although the ever-live
"Silvio" was nowhere to be found. As
always, Dylan did an acoustic, extended-
length "Tangled Up in Blue," and ended
with "Highway 61." Even songs he's
ne a million times, however, sounded
w and fresh. His harmonica, notice-
ably absent in recent years, was heard
again and again as a dancing Dylan lit-
erally wailed on it with all his might. At
one point in the melee the lights on stage
dimmed to make Dylan's dancing body
a shadow puppet against the Palace's
unfriendly interior. At another, intense
feed back from his guitar made the
whole building shake and sent fans
ung enough to be his children into
delirium.
Maybe it's that he's just happy to be
touring with true friend Mitchell. Maybe
he's thrilled the nation liked "Time Out
of Mind" so much, but Dylan seems to
have remember why he's been on the
road for 30 years. His delight never
wavtred through his set and a six-song
encore. He thanked everyone, told jokes
an proved again that his live career will
go on until he's ready to end it.
Classic films spook fans at State
By Matthew Barrett
and Ed Sholinsky
Daily Arts Writers
"Do you like scary movies?" If so you're in
luck because the State Theater is showing
"Scream" and "The Rocky Horror Picture
Show" this weekend to celebrate Halloween.
Kevin Williamson revitalized teen-slasher
films with his script for the ueber-cool
"Scream." The film pokes fun at the stereotypes
of horror films and the people who watch them,
and in effect created a whole new audience to
make fun of.
"Scream" grabs audiences by the heart with
its nerve jangling opening sequence involving
Drew Barrymore and a pesky caller. Fans have
never seen the inner-beauty of Barrymore quite
like they do here.
The psycho killer continues to torment the
cool crowd at a California high school. Neve
Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, Rose McGowan and
Matthew Lillard play lead characters in this brat
pack of horror-loving teens. Williamson and
director Wes Craven think up quite a few spec-
tacular ways to kill off characters and maintain
a suspense uncommon for most horror films.
One unfortunate side
effect of "Scream" was
that it inspired a variety
H l eof tripe that was similar
Halloween to the films that the
fun movie mocked. Flicks
'Scream' and 'The such as "I Know What
Rocky Horror You Did Last Summer,"
Picture Show.' "Urban Legend" and
even the quickly released
"Scream 2" were unable
to capture the horror of
n "Scream" Also included
in this film, for your safe-
ty, is a useful guide on
why using the pet exit on
garage doors is not recommended.
Playing opposite "Scream" is the much
beloved cult phenomenon "The Rocky Horror'
Picture Show" While not as scary as "Scream,"
the camp appeal (see Tim Curry in drag!) is sec-
ond to none.
Although she didn't win her Oscar for it -
Academy politics, you know - Susan Sarandon
masters the role of the underwear-clad Janet
Weiss. This musical comedy rip off of
"Frankenstein" is charged with gothic horror
and homoeroticism, making it ripe for its cult
following. One of the film's most memorable
scenes involves a meat loaf dinner - we're not
talking about the kind mom used to make.
As a possible precursor to "Titanic," Tim
Curry floats to the end of the film on a flotation
device from the ill-fated ship.
So Goths and other fans of the horror genre
have two terrific reasons to leave their homes
this weekend. Thanks to the Halloween double
bill at the State, you can avoid any predictions of
murder and mayhem from major talk show psy-
chics.
courtesy of 20th Century-Fox
Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick do the time warp, again.
Off-stage love sends 'Letters'
By Jenni Glenn
Daily Arts Writer
Basement Arts presents its full-
lngth season premiere in "Love
ters" this weekend.
The presentation is unique in that
the-actors are linked to the characters
in a surprising way.
"Love Letters" tells the classic tale
of the relationship between Andy
Ladd (Ryan Boda) and Melissa
Gardner (Hannah Ingram) through
their written correspondence. The
letters follow the relationship
between the characters as they
become adults.
*'Basically, the show comments on
communication," director and actor
Boda, a junior in the musical theatre
department, said.
,"l'm a big fan of letter writing,
especially longhand, (because of the
emotions revealed)."
The avant garde presentation of
Love
Letters
Arena Theater
Tonight and
Tomorrow
the story emu-
lates the way
emotions are
revealed in per-
sonal letters.
Traditionally,
this play is per-
formed with the
actors reading
from their
scripts without a
set, lights or
music.
Boda changed
some of this for-
mat while still
to help get subtext out and put in a
little bit of twist on (the story)," he
said.
Honesty in the writing drew Boda
to the story, to which he feels many
people can relate. "It's a beautiful
story, but it's so beautiful because it's
so true," Boda said.
Boda, who plays Andy in addition
to directing the show, and Hannah
Ingram, in the role of Melissa, date
one another off-stage as well. This
adds another dimension to the play's
love story.
Boda said the actors have a bond
similar to the one the characters have
in the story. "I think it's interesting
that these two lovers are played by
two people who are lovers in real
life," Boda said.
After he first read the script, Boda
message
said he fell in love with both of the
characters. He enjoyed the play so
much that he couldn't imagine any-
one else directing it or playing Andy
when he thought of bringing the pro-
duction to Basement Arts.
"I've never directed anything like
this before," Boda said. "It's like I'm
playing God and I want control of all
the aspects, how it's done and what
happens."
Boda wants the audience to leave
the theatre with an appreciation for
the simplicity of "Love Letters."
"I'm not trying to present this really
lofty commentary on life and that
kind of stuff," he said. "It's just a
beautiful story, that's what it is."
Performances of "Love Letter" are
tonight at 7 and 11 p.m. and tomor-
row at 4 and 7 p.m.
keeping the presentation simple.
"I'm adding in music and lighting
Weekend, etc. returns next week with a look at
"The Big Chill" era of yesteryear compared with
the new generation of University students.
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