Ben Schrank Reads ... Writer Schrank reads from his book "Consent" tonight at Shaman Drum. 8 p.m. Free. michigandaily.com iRTS TUESDAY MARCH 19, 2002 5 'Richter' own TV By Christian Smith Daily Arts Writer Andy Richter made himself as Conan O'Brien's screwy side- kick for seven years on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," contributing precious comedy bits as the show's comedic cor- respondent off the set. After seven years, Richter left to pursue a career of his own, and after a few small film a name for * ANDY R CONTRO UNIV Tuesdays at FO controls destiny Also making use of the increasingly trendy laugh-track free approach, the pilot episode is remarkably unimpres- sive. It begins with a rather annoying "Groundhog Day" style * scenario, pondering the possible ways that ICHTER Andy's day could begin. )LS THE But while it struggles at ERSE first, the groundwork is set, and early on the 8:30 p.m. show already displays tX signs of improvement. If that doesn't sound promising enough, it's worth checking out for the amusingly well-rounded supporting cast. Besides Richter, the show also stars Paget Brewster, best known for her performance on "Friends" as Kathy, Joey's girlfriend with whom Chandler was in love. Here she plays Jessica, Andy's laid- back boss and good friend. Other familiar faces include Jonathan Slavin as the company's odd new illustrator who Andy is forced to share an office with, James Patrick Stuart as Andy's good-looking friend and Irene Malloy as receptionist Wendy, the object of Andy's affection. Creator/Executive Producer Victor Fresco ("Mad About You") and Andy Ackerman ("Seinfeld"), realism is obviously not a primary concern here. Only a few episodes in, Andy has 'White Rose' tackles important moral issues in Nazi Germany roles, he decided to go back to televi- sion. The result is this half-hour imaginative comedy. As Andy nar- rates the story of his life, he constant- ly thinks about every possibility, showing the audience the real, the desired and the surreal version of events. Witty and eccentric, "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" focuses on a struggling short story writer (Richter) who makes a living writing technical manuals for an enormous and apathet- ic company in Chicago. While the show is unique and innovative, it does bare a strong similarity to that zany NBC comedy "Scrubs." However, here the fantasy gags come off as much less effective. Thankfully, these sequences become gradually scarcer as the show goes on. Courtesy of FOX Andy, what the hell are you doing? already had three different incredible women, none of whom are in the day- dream segments. First, we see a past attempt to date Jessica, then, he has a moral dilemma in a sex-only relation- ship with an old high-school friend. And by the third episode, he has already wooed his crush Wendy, away from one of his ladies man co-work- ers. Sure he's a nice guy and all, but come on, he's still Andy Richter! The bottom line is that "Andy Richter" could go either way. The show was pushed back from the fall season, which is never a good sign, and prime time audiences might not be ready for Richter's quirky humor that developed such a following with Conan. But it does show promise and the post-"That '70s Show" timeslot gives it a great opportuni- ty. So we'll just have to see if Andy Richter - can control the remote control Courtesy of FOX as well. Brewster, lookin' fine. By Jenni Glenn Daily Arts Writer With its emotional look at a group of student dissidents, Perfor- mance Network triumphantly tack- les the issue of when to speak out against atrocities in its new produc- tion, "The White Rose." Inspired by the true story of five students who resisted the Nazis in World War II-era Germany, play- wright Lillian Groag's "The White Rose" fol- lows siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl through a series of police inter- rogations after they are caught distributing anti-Hitler leaflets at their university. The audience views the Scholls and their friends Alexander Schmorell, Willit THE WHITE ROSE At Performance Network Through April 7 $20 -$25 Performance Network Graf and ity. Tulip's plays Anton Mahler, a representative of the Nazi party working with Mohr in the police department. In Tulip's hands, Mahler becomes more fright- ening because he often appears innocuous. In his speeches, however, Tulip endows Mahler with an insidious qual- acting makes the char- his agreement with Sophie's insis- tence on speaking out against the oppressive government and his need to keep himself and his family safe from the Nazis. His perform- ance helps the audience members identify with Mohr and wonder what they would do if.caught in his position. Rademacher's scenes with Uni- versity Prof. Malcolm Tulip clarify the nature of Mohr's struggle. Tulip design highlights the intense rela- tionships between the characters. He knows when to narrow the light on one actor to emphasize hos or her lines. Walker also displays some of the dissidents' slogans on the walls in red lights periodically to show when the plot is jumping around in time and space. In addition, Monika Essen's set design heightens the drama by adding levels to the small stage. Twin staircases surround the main performing floor and vary the ways in which the actors utilize the space. "The White Rose" prevails in creating real interactions between its actors that draw the audience into the story. Director David Wol- ber creates an atmosphere that allows viewers to laugh out loud at the students' jokes even while they grapple with the issues of free speech at stake. The production entertains its audience members but also presents ideas that they will ponder long after the house lights come up. The Tallis Scholars bring sacred medieval music to Ann Arbor Christoph Probst as they progress from a social circle with sharing political views to an organized resistance group through a series of flashbacks. In the Performance Net- work's intimate theater, the audi- ence becomes a part of this lively crew, sharing in their cultured jokes about Beethoven and Goethe. These scenes allow Scott Crownover to skillfully present Hans' somewhat naive awe in the power of ideas, while Robyn Heller, who portrays Sophie, develops her character's devotion to her beliefs. Whilethese moments provide important insight into the formerly carefree existence of the Scholls, far more compelling are the pro- duction's interrogation scenes. Here Heller truly shines, demonstrating true chemistry when paired with Mark Rademacher, who plays Robert Mohr, the police official in charge of the treason case against the students. Heller lends the char- acter of Sophie the quality of seren- ity, even when she is faced with Mohr's threatening temper. Rademacher successfully fills the key role of the production. He con- veys a true sense of power under tight rein in his portrayal of Mohr. Rademacher vividly brings to life Mohr's internal struggle between acter of Mahler a perfect foil for Rademacher's tormented perform- ance as Mohr. Daniel C. Walker's lighting By Jamie Freedman For the Daily "We have ourselves, the music and our inspirations. Is there really anything else?" This is how Peter Phillips, director of the Tallis Scholars describes his relationship with music that was written 500 years ago. Phillips describes the Renaissance, the rich and glori- fied era of Michaelangelo, DaVinci and Machiavelli, as "the only period which can be said to have been dedicated to choral music." THEI Through the Tallis Scholars, Phillips has suc- SCH( cessfully interpreted this music for the 21st century. At St. F This pioneering choral ensemble has creat- AssisiC ed a standard of excellence and beauty for Ch Renaissance sacred music that has basically Tonight been untouched since its inception. They have$3 been recognized around the world for their University M depth and variety of repertoire and their puri- ty and clarity of sound. Tonight, Phillips and the 2002 Grammy-nominated Scholars will return to the Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Ann Arbor for their third performance after their sold-out concert in 1999. The 10-person ensemble will be joined by 30 members of the University Musical Society Choral Union. Together, the ensembles will begin and end the con- cert with composer Thomas Tallis' masterpiece for 40 parts, "Spem in alium." Because of the Scholars' tour schedule, the two groups will only be rehearsing together for 45 minutes this after- T, O Fr C, ui a 54 Mu; noon. Choral Union director Thomas Sheets was given a few basic guidelines about style, but everything else will be left to the short rehearsal and to spontaneity of the actual performance. The Scholars will alone perform other pieces by Byrd, White, Taverner, Sheppard, Fayrfax and Parsons. "What I chose in this program" said Phillips, "is both known and unknown. We have recorded quite a few of these pieces, and I hope to spread their fame, but I suspect very few of these pieces have 'ALLIS been performed by more than a handful of LARS groups." The Scholars most recently received a ancis of "Best Small Ensemble Performance" nomina- atholic tion for their recording of Cristobals de rch Morales' remarkable six-part "Missa Si bina t 8 p.m. susceptimus" for this year's Grammys. The $40 ensemble has also been the recipient of many sical society honors throughout the world. In 1994, the Scholars performed in the Sistine Chapel to mark the complete restoration of the Michaelangelo frescos. Other notable accomplishments and performances include a 1998 performance in Italy at the invitation of Claudio Abbado and the premiering a John Tavener work written for the group and narrated by Sting, with guest speaker David Attenborugh. In 2000 they gave a perform- ance with Sir Paul McCartney. Phillips founded The Tallis Scholars in 1973 after falling in love with this music at Oxford University. The Scholars perform over 80 concerts every year, including tours of Europe, the United States and the Far East. -,_ . Courtesy of Performance Network Rademacher and Heller make terrible music together. Terrible Nazi music, that isi NO..NO PLEASE! 'The Commish' stars in mature new police drama 'The Shield' ' . +1 I ,r r , F . I 011, OH the new michigandaily.com alkS " OOo NO By Melissa Golob Daily Arts Writer Cable television has ch quality of programming w like the Emmy-winning "T nos" and "Sex and the continues this trend with police drama, "The Shi gritty mature cop show week as the highest ra drama premiere in history. "The Shield" stars Mic lis as Vic Mackey, a hard- ferent kind of cop who deals with the undesir- able of society to keep the streets safe. He knows most of the drug dealers and pros- titutes in town and they either offer up information on com- mand or are hauled off the jail. While he tries t city safe for its citizens, n David Aceveda (Benito "Outbreak") goes behind and plots to remove him e.ma begins to beat him with a telephone book until the shot goes blank because Captain Aceveda turned off anged the the television set so the rest of the with shows squad could not witness the rest. The Sopra- Meanwhile, Captain Aceveda con- City." FX tinues to plot against Mackey and to h the new take him off the streets. He recruits eld." This an informant to sabotage the aired last approaching drug bust. Mackey ted cable allows the informant inside the operation but at the end realizes that hael Chik- the informant is not part of his team nosed dif- and takes care of the problem. "The Shield" is rem- q giniscent of the way "NYPD Blue" used to AAN be in its glory days. THE SHIELD The nudity and rough language only add to Tuesdays at 10 p.m. theemotion andreality FX of the show. The pre- miere touched on sev- eral storylines that will o keep the intertwine personal relationships Mackey throughout the episode. One minute he gives a prostitute money to feed herself and her chil- dren and the next he beats informa- tion out of a kidnapping child molester. His heart is in the right place in most of his behaviors but the methods he uses varies, mirror- ing real-life dilemmas. IL_____________________ HEY MICHIGAN WOLVERINES, MAKE YOUR CLIMB TO THE TOP AWHOLE LOT SHORTER. START YOUR CAREER OFF AT A HIGHER LEVEL. ew captain Martinez, d his back from the with the job. Like "Blue," their problems are from real-life which make it all the more harder to watch. Mackey seems to be prone.to infidelity when he pronositions a . In r_ ~- l . .. t ... _js. 1 . .. - - -.F .. . ~