Wednesday Septa er1, 2002 michigandaily.com/arts mae@michigandaily.com ago jm OaUv rrs 9 NO INDUSTRY IMMUNE ep , 2002 changed every- the reality that became America, events in the time after the attacks. ti prtshalted play, schools being delayed numerous times. A Musicians put on a benefit perform- e ou t the only thing thatreality that no country should'v had ance, "Concert for New York" The kept runnin was the horrific to face. show featured talent from every eche- imagery being played out across Jokes stopped being funny. Ion of the pop spectrum. The event news broadcasts on nearly every Artists delayed albums, neo- was organized by none other.than Sir ihannel. Every facet of life was garage rockers The Strokes held Paul MeCartney and featured the like altered, soniehowin shme fashion. back their overly hyped debut Is of David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Elton The.. . ..ntriment.in.dustry was This It so the native New Workers.John and Eric Clapton amongst scores ;ex.. pti. Money seemed to stop could remove the track "New York of other musical talent. mattering as networks lost millions in City Cops" from thiealbum. In the days surrounding Sept. I1 , advertisin solely because they electn.. one of the most touching post- the separationt between celebrity and ed to minimize mrcial breaks, Sept, it moments, Dave Lettertnen's simpleton.Normal people became Movie executives shelved their finan- tearful retu dto late night television David.Bowie's "Heroes" if just for #ial edeavors and held movies like set the standard for how all entertain- one day. And for one day, everyone * "Cilatera Damge" back from box ment would function in a post-Sept. was on the same page. Television'most prestigious 11 world. His choking exchange with night the Emmy', took a. ackseat to Dan Rather outclassed all television - Luke SzArs.Edito Civic eatre uts on e yll' By Christine Lasek Daily Fine/Performing Arts Editor _ Michigan Theater to host ' Alum's 'March' premiere By Todd Weiser Daily Film Editor Childhood friends often make pacts to stay friends forever and maybe even work for the same busi- ness as adults. Some dreamy-eyed children talk of being famous and making a movie together. These youthful fairy tales never work out, right? Well actually they do some- times and "March," premiering Thursday night at the Michigan The- ater, is proof. Director James Mercurio, actor/producer Sean Kanan and writer Dean Morini were all teenage friends who jointly dreamed of movie glory. Their dreams are nor- mal but their success is unique. Also special is their connection to the University of Michigan. Both Mer- curio and Morini were once students here in Ann Arbor, making movies and writing novels. Mercurio received an M.A. in film from the University of Michi- gan (when that program still exist- ed) and received the prestigious Hopwood Award for screenwriting, an award also won by famous alums playwright Arthur Miller and direc- tor Lawrence Kasdan. Both Mercu- rio and Morini recall their college days with fine remembrance, even citing specific examples that still inspire them today. Mercurio remembers seeing a 70- millimeter print of "Apocalypse Now" at the Michigan Theater and collecting bottles from the streets to afford meals at Zingermann's. Mori- ni recalls writing a 300-page novel at one computing center and then pissing off fellow students during its printing, all the while protesting that, "Yes, it was for a class. I promise." "March" tells the story of Julian March (Kanan), an insurance sales- man with a wife and son, who is also having an affair with a cowork- er. When Julian's attempts to end the relationship don't go as expect- ed, he continues to hide the infideli- ty from his wife. Matters become a little more complicated when Julian's son's teacher, Angela, who knows of the affair, moves in with the March's after her home burns down. At the center of the film is a strange connection between Julian and Angela and how she plays a silently prophetic role in Julian's life, becom- ing the catalyst that leads to the dramaticI collapse of Julian's M house of cards. At theI Director Mercurio Th immediately became attracted to the story Set. 1 not only because his Student/Si life-long friend wrote $5.50 fo it but also due to an attraction to its mes- sage and the way it would be told. He said, "I think 'March' asks hard questions about people's ability or inability to face the truth in their life. And how if we don't deal with our shadow, it deals with us." He continues, "Very few people are making movies for adults, aimed at adults that respect the audience. We made an intelligent and complex drama whose ultimate meaning isn't completely clear until the film's last few frames." Most first-time filmmakers find it hard to acquire enough financing for their film, especially with a first-time writer aboard, but Mercu- rio and Morini were lucky; old friend Kanan is now one of the biggest stars on daytime TV, work- ing on "The Bold and The Beauti- ful" as bad boy Deacon Sharpe. Kanan, who made his made film debut in "The Karate Kid III," and co-producer Jessica Hammerschlag easily raised enough money from private investors to satisfy the final budget number, which Mercurio will not reveal besides saying that it is under $1 million. Besides Kanan the film also stars Cynda Williams ("One False The Ann Arbor Civic Theatre will be opening its 2002- 2003 season with a performance of the Tony Award-nomi- nated musical "Jekyll and Hyde." The show opens tomorrow and will be running all weekend right on central campus at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre behind the Michigan League. "Jekyll and Hyde" is based on the 1886 novella, "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," written by Robert Louis Stevenson. In the musical version, the story takes place at the turn of the century in London. Dr. Henry Jekyll is a brilliant scientist distraught over the death of his father. In this state of mind, Dr. Jekyll believes that he has discovered the existence of two states within every human psyche, one good and one evil, which are constantly in contention for control. Appearing before the board of Governors at St. Jude Hos- pital where he works, Jekyll presents them with his theory and asks for a subject on which to test his formula. The Gov- ernors, however, turn him down and scorn his hypothesis. In desperation, Jekyll tests the formula on himself, buthis exper- iment backfires, and Jekyll gives life to his alter ego Edward Hyde. Hyde is an evil and murderous being, who lets loose a reign of terror on unsuspecting London, fighting Jekyll for sole procession of the body. There is also a subplot in "Jekyll and Hyde" that revolves around the shadowy dif- ference between love and lust. There are two female figures in the play that seem to illus- JEKY trate the two halves of Jekyll. Emma Carrew H is Jekyll's fianc6, and the daughter of one of the Board of Governors. There is also Lucy, At the 1'i who is a prostitute drawn to Jekyll, but vic- TI timized by Hyde. Although in the original Sept. 1 novella the role of women is practically non- Sept. existent, its addition into the musical paves $10-s the way for the most beautiful music in availabl "Jekyll and Hyde."A The music of "Jekyll and Hyde" was written Ann Arb by Frank Wildhorn, with book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. It is a dark gothic/romance horror tale set to soaring melodies and florid lyrics. "Jekyll and Hyde" was originally produced in 1990, but made its Broadway debut in ARCH Michigan eater 2,7 p.m. 6.25 for enior/Child, r members went on to Move") as the straight- forward Angela and Rena Sofer ("Keeping the Faith") as Julian's coworker/coadulterer. "March" played the opening night of the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival and premiered at the American Film Market where it received great response, and then screen at Cannes. Now coming to Ann Arbor, Mercurio can- not think of any better location for his filmmaking debut to play. "Ann Arbor has the best audience in the world for independent films; filmgoers here appreciate meaning- ful and thought-provoking films. We made a movie aimed at that audi- ence," he said. Following the screening will be a Q&A session with Mercurio, Kanan, and Morini. I fLl Y Me 'he 2-3 15 2C e or C 1997. Many famous stars have donned the dual personality of Jekyll and Hyde, including Sebastian Bach, the former lead singer of the heavy metal band Skid Row. The members of the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre are now adding their names to this impressive list of productions. The Ann L AND Arbor Civic Theatre is a non-profit commu- DE nity theater that has been in operation since 1929. They produce comedies, dramas, clas- -ndelssohn sics and musicals, providing the citizens of ater Ann Arbor and surrounding areas the 14, 8 p.m. opportunity to participate in all aspects of , 2 p.m. theatre, including production, performance ), tickets and appreciation. at MUTO Wendy Sielaff directs this production, and ivic Theatre the cast includes some University students. Although Jekyll and Hyde is renowned for being a powerful and hauntingly beautiful musical, the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre will only be adding to this reputation with their careful portrayals of the characters as well as an outstanding lighting design. First two seasons of 'Mr. Show full of sketch comedy laughs. Courtesy of MGM Rod snapper, very tasty. By Ryan Blay Daily TV/New nMedia Writer It's a sketch comedy show so quirky that its creators chose the unusual path of releasing its first two seasons together on DVD instead of separate (granted, there are only four episodes in season one and six in season two). It's "Mr. Show," and it's damn funny. So who are the deranged creators and stars of Mr. Show? Bob Odenkirk and David Cross, two unknown comedians who in 1995 began their four year stint on HBO. Odenkirk was a writer for "Saturday Night Live" and "The Ben Stiller Show," while Cross, a fellow "Stiller" writer, had a bit part in "Destiny Turns on the Radio." Soon, they gained a strong following thanks to the absurd- ly quirky sketch comedy and their appearances in every- thing from "Just Shoot Me" to "The Drew Carey Show" to "Men in Black 2." Going places "Saturday Night Live" and "The Kids in the Hall" would never dream of, thanks in large part to being on HBO, the duo created such infamous sketches as "The Altered State of Druggachusetts" and "Family Owned Adult Video Store." Cross now has his own standup routine ("The Pride is Back," highly recommended for all "Mr. Show" fans) 'UHF' makes its long delayed debut on special edition DVD MR. SHOW: THE COMPLETE FIRST AND SECOND SEASONS Picture/Sound: **** Series: **** Features: **** By Ryan Blay Daily TV/New Media Editor I HJO routinely shown on HBO or Comedy Central. The first two seasons are excellent, but don't reach the heights of its third and fourth seasons. Season one is especially brilliant, notably the episode "We regret to inform you." Each "Mr. Show" episode is a half hour long and contains more laughs than most sitcoms do in their entire lifespan. Along with their two seasons worth of sketches, the two- disc set includes an entertaining array of extra features for "Mr. Show" fans. The 10 commercials for the show, aired originally only on HBO, are funnier than most extras on other DVDs. Oddly titled and brief featurettes "Fuzz: the Musical," "Before it was a show" and "Thd Best of Mr. Show: the incredible, fantastical news report" also appear. If it's not obvious by their bizarre names, they are, like everything else on the sketch comedy series, amusing and oddball. Dave and Bob wisely provide a commentary track on every episode, and unlike many commentaries, their thoughts are actually worthwhile to listen to while you watch. Other actors join them at times to provide more inside jokes and other information that seems to be for their own amusement. Most of their comments have little or nothing to do with what is happening on screen, but it is highly entertaining nonetheless. "Mr. Show" is prepped to make its debut on the silver screen, with the release of their feature film "Run Ronnie Run." The film focuses on Ronnie Dobbs, a regular charac- ter on the show who has a talent for getting in trouble with The most interesting thing by far about listening to "Weird Al" Yankovic's commentary on the DVD of "UHF" is not his humor, although that is at sharp (or dull to some peo- ple) as it normally is. No, the insights about death, fish and the super-low budget used to create the fine piece of satire is what makes the commentary worthwhile. "UHF" is a comedy about the TV industry. UHF E It's not intended to inspire change like any Picture/Sound: of Michael Moore's Movie: *** comedies; rather, it is Features: ** simply a vehicle for Weird Al to create MG] some goofy skits and play some amusing songs. Yankovic, who also co-wrote. the script, is George Newman. George is a dreamer who one day inherits con- trol of a UHF (ultra high frequency) TV station in the basement of the ratings. With a little imagination, and the help of some friends, New- man turns his Channel 62 into the No. 1 station in town. Victoria Jackson ("Saturday Night Live") portrays George's girlfriend, Teri, while Michael Richards ("Sein- bizarre ideas that fuel the movie. The movie, when it debuted in 1989, initially did poorly, making just over $6 million. As Yankovic notes, it is "the 2,253rd highest grossing film of all time" Debuting opposite "Batman," "Lethal Weapon 2" and "Dead Poet's Society," among many other quality films, "UHF" was out of the theaters in two weeks and "Driving Miss Daisy" took home the Best Picture DVD 1: **** Oscar (Yankovic wryly calls that the saddest moment of his life). Yet it has remained, as Al mentions at least four times, a "cult classic," albeit not with the strength of "Rocky * Horror Picture Show." At the time, critics panned it. Yankovic me of the more harsh the decapitation of a hand and more fromn the TV studios were wisely eliminated. Sadly, Al failed to keep the potential breakout hit, "Those darn homos." I wonder why. While he (Levey has hardly a word to say) and a few guests appearing for the commentary (not to ruin the surprise, but Michael Richards shows up and they call up Victoria Jackson in an amusing bit) mocks the deleted scenes and a few sight gags from the movie that just went on too long, its obvious how much fun Yankovic had filming in Tulsa. They loved him so much that they kept up a "Spatula City" bill- board for an entire summer, much to the confusion of passers-by, and were given fish from the famous "Wheel of Fish" segment. Jackson tells of her pleasure and the "honor" of working with Yankovic as George's girlfriend. On a limited budget, they could- n't afford to hire Buddy Ebsen for the "Beverly Hillbillies" - part of George's dreams. Yet their fans came unexpectedly. Dire Straits' Mark Knoppfler insisted on playing guitar on one song, and so he did (the music video combining the "Beverly Hillbillies" theme song and Dire Straits' "Money for Noth- ing" was actually well-liked even by critics who disliked the movie). Dr. reads reviews over the closing credits, and notes that when Rex Reed had to review "UHF" and a Yahoo Serious film in the same week, he nearly lost all of his hair. Roger Ebert similarly panned the film for its lack of intel- ligence. Still, it continues to make people laugh to this day. The extras on the one-disc DVD are hit-or-miss. The brief behind the. scenes vignette is amusing, but far too short to be informative. The pro- .,