Frday October 10, 2003 michigandaily.com artseditor@michigandaily.com '1T 5 Luck be a lady tonight with 'Dolls' By Melissa Runstrom Daily Arts Witer FINEA I You've just picked up your tickets from the Michigan League ticket office and make your way up the red stairs to the Mendelssohn Theater. You grab your playbill and heed the advice of a friendly usher at the door. After finding your seat the lights dim and very slowly the cur- tain opens. You don't know exactly what to expect but you know you are viewing one of Broadway's biggest successes, the original "fable from Broadway." Great music, true love and a wonder- ful cast combine for University Pro- Guys and ductions' presenta- Dolls tion of "Guys and Dolls." Thusday Saturday The musical was Saturday and originally pro- Sunday at2 p.m. duced in 1950, and $8 Students with traditional $15.20 Adults songs like "Luck At the Mendelssohn Be a Lady" and Theater "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," it is as entertaining as ever. "The music is classic now in the minds of many," director and musical theater Prof. Mark Madama said. The story takes off when Nathan Detroit, the organizer of a floating crap game in New York, bets Sky Masterson to make the next girl he sees fall in love with him. Of course the next women happens to be Miss Sarah Brown, a do-gooder Salvation Army type. At the same time Nathan is hav- ing his own relationship woes. His girl- friend of only 14 years is pestering him to walk down the isle, something the gambler obviously isn't rushing to do. "I wanted to do a traditional Broad- way show from the golden age of Broadway," Madama says. "It's not contemporary in feeling or in acting technique, butethe problems are as vital today as ever, and the characters as vital as any ever written." He says that he chose this classic show so that the actors could experience this specific kind of play. "It's ultimately the actors' personalities and approaches in this particular production that makes a unique live experience." "This production, with the unique personalities of the performers, will have its own personality," Madama said. He lets the actors bring their own sense of humor and awareness of the world to the staged situations. They will bring their experiences and perspectives to a story which is, "funny, touching and ultimately uni- versal in themes of love and the divi- sion of love and work." Madama also asserts that it "will delight anyone looking to see a bright, splashy, funny musical comedy." ZACH MABEE Film school be damned: Tarantino s rise to greatness ASHLEY . HARPER / Daily Practice, practice, practice. By Julie Sills For the Daily MICHIGAN ORCHESTRA EMBELLISHES SCI-FI CLASSICS Undergraduate and graduate students drawn from schools all over the University, together in one room, making some of the best music on campus. Who are these talented, out- standing, energetic University students? Let me introduce you to the Michigan Pops Orchestra! "The Michigan Pops started eight years ago to create a fun all-student orchestra committed to diversity across campus," said Michael Chang, its longest-serving member, and this is just what the Pops have done. Chang, currently in his eighth year, is a perfect example of the play- ers' loyalty and devotion. Joining the group as a freshman in the fall of 1995, and still a strong member today, he rehearses with the Pops every Sun- day night in Revelli Hall (also where enhancing musical Pops in Space Sunday Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. At the Michigan Theater www.umich.edu/ -uac/mpops 2003 concert, "Pops in Space," that includes pieces from "Star Wars," "ET" and "Apollo 13," to Dave Matthews Band's "Satellite," and more classical works, such as, "Moonlight Serenade" and "It's only a Paper Moon." Lees looks forward to taking advantage of the theatrical aspects of performing at the Michigan Theater. Last year they played "Fantasia" songs while showing clips from the movie, and this fall Lees is "excited to surprise the audi- ence with all of the multi-media and visual displays they have in store." Like many of the Pops members, Fatima Syed grew up playing the violin, continuing throughout high school. When she came to the University as an engineering student, she hoped to keep up her passion and in finding the Pops Fatima felt right at home. Now in her third year, and execu- tive director of the board, she feels, "The Pops, who are a part of UAC, are most unique because they are the only completely student-run orchestra on campus." She further commented, "It's great to be on the board because not only do you play with the group, but you're a part of making the entire picture run smoothly." With a larger turnout this year than ever before at their annual fall auditions, the Pops unfortunately had to turn stu- dents away for the first time. They were, however, overjoyed by the excitement everyone displayed in joining. If you missed the fall audition you can contact the group for a pos- sible spring tryout. "In rehearsal it is critical to work together, to breathe together," exclaimed Lees. This group really does that - they are more than just members of an orchestra, they are artists and friends, "All together under the basis of making awesome music and meeting cool people." uentin Tarantino doesn't have a film school diploma hanging from his wall. No, the Knoxville, Tenn., native learned his trade and cultivated his per- versely quirky, creative mind from a much more sublime and reflective place than any university: behind the checkout desk of a video store. Accompanied by long-time col- league Roger Avary, Tarantino spent his early years tirelessly watching celluloid classics and analyzing them for himself and his eager cus- tomers. Now, some 20 years later, it's quite evident that his early research and focus is paying off. Tarantino has undoubtedly proven himself to be a master both behind the camera and with pen and script in hand, but what exactly makes him so great? What about the eccentric cinephile and his ways endears people so? Just think for a moment about the general approach he brings to the table: a big-screen cocktail of ultra- violence, humorously salacious dia- logue and intriguing, well-sketched characters. It's safe to say that this technique has since been emulated on countless occasions and carries with it a very unique appeal. But it's not just Quentin's knack for all things crude or his ability to make light of accidental murders or the sexu- al undertones of Madonna songs that makes him such an able artist. Perhaps more importantly, he has great rever- ence for the classics and a very sound understanding of the characters, stories and filming techniques that made the box-office triumphs of yore so amaz- ing. He doesn't attempt to over-com- plicate his plots or outsmart viewers with sleight of hand; rather, he just makes deeply nuanced, rich stories and characters that make you fall in love with their depravity. His monumental work "Pulp Fic- tion" is exemplary of this approach. He makes the escapades of two sleazy hit- men, a lowlife boxer and some cracked-out druggies into a tightly woven epic journey of sorts that cannot be denied its place among the greats. It's a simple, pulpy tale of criminal dealings that Tarantino made excep- tional through a reverential approach that draws on classical techniques and motifs but enhances them just enough with his own zesty innovation. It does- n't attempt to outwit the audience or appeal to the higher sensibilities; it's unapologetically crude but in the most artful of ways. Tarantino's style and approach to his craft have brought him this far and gained him great distinction, but "Kill Bill" provides him with perhaps the grandest outlet for his special creativi- ty. Even the crummiest of filmmakers could make something out of a story about buxom ninja assassins; just the thought of this concept in Tarantino's hands is arousing. Zach isAmerican; his name doesn't mean shit. You can reach him at mabeez@umich.edu. the Michigan band rehearses), while he pursues a graduate degree in electrical engineering. "There have been several conductors during my time here and they all have the mark of the Pops - the difference with them is that they are all a lot of fun" Change comments. Fun isn't enough to describe the Pops' current conduc- tor's enthusiasm for his love of music and for the Pops. Chris Lees, relaxed on his podium, smile from ear to ear, directs his group of 75 artists, easing them through an eclec- tic mix of musical pieces with a positive encouragement that produces an energy felt throughout the entire room. Currently, the Pops are at work on their upcoming fall 'Assyria' makes for intimate evening at the Arena By Sarah Peterson Daily Fine Arts Editor ting them to work together," related Hill, and that was a big reason why he chose this play FINEAT E "The play is about two men who get togeth- er to act out fantasies of power and relation- ships, and try to play head games with each other for fun," said John Hill, director of the Basement Arts production of "The Architect and the Emperor of Assyria." He went on to say that the basic themes in the play include power, totalitarian states, playing in life and going too far. With a cast of two (Charlie Kelcha and Adam Miller-Bateau), a producer (D. Ross), a set designer (Bryan Huddleston) and a lighting designer (Meg Raphoon), this play is as intimate as the Arena Theatre where it will be performed. "My interest is working with actors and get- to direct. With only two cast mem- bers, it forces the director and the actors to work closely. The other reason why he picked this play was for its surrealistic charac- teristics. "I've thought for a long time that there needed to be a performance of an avant-garde play here on campus. It's really helpful for young actors to do that type of thing and they don't The Architect and the Emperor of Assyria Friday Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Free At the Arena Theater brilliance, "The Architect and Emperor of Assyria" is simply an extremely fun play. There are a lot of unexpected twists and turns that will shock the audience while making them laugh. Unlike a traditional, naturalistic play, the plot line is very loose, and really only used as a catalyst to move from one sce- nario to the next, but this uniqueness creates its fascinating qualities. As a graduate student in theater studies, John Hill has been around theater for a long time. With this production though, he is extremely excited and especially pleased with the enthusi- astic collaborative effort of the cast and crew. He remarked how he was quite pleasantly sur- prised by everyone's brilliant ideas and how easily they worked together. Now, Hill is just excited to see how every- thing comes together and how the audience will react. He stated that the play "stretches an That's me in the corner ... get the opportunity to stretch themselves in that way with material other than that which you find in a surrealist or avant-garde play." Hill went on to say that past its technical actor's imagination in ways that a traditional, naturalistic, realistic play doesn't," and tonight he hopes that "The Architect and the Emperor of Assyria" will stretch the imaginations of the audience as well. .. .. .... .. ... - -- - %Fill ,, Sponsored6 A lIatno's IResaurant & Goodule Grarie Jazz & Marlin, Bar C.orster oflst na lHumn Siret D0,..i0w0 AA (734) 623-7400 www.Aamatos.comn APARTMENT HOMES A ffor-able! 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartment Homes For all those who think a "good job" means 90-hour work weeks and pin-stripe suits... " " " " Resident Activity Center Washer & Dryer Carwash Center Nature Trail 1 100 RabbitKun Circle Ann Arb~or, MI 481 03 Phone (734) 998-1000 Fax (734) 998-0000 www.ced-concord.com Resort to the Lifestyle Yau Deserve ...McMaster-Carr. Our company follows a non-traditional approach to developing management talent. 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McMASTER-CARR www.mcmaster.com/careers Information Session - November 10th 8:00 pm Michigan League - Koessler Room Campus Interviews - November 11th Atlanta GA e Chicago IL * Cleveland OH e Los Angeles CA e Princeton NJ Wanna Be on MTV's "MADE"? ,-.-...-.....-.-.-.-. .-.-.-.-.-----------6 ..--..--..--..- .-- C-x---N-.N-N--.-N - -a- - - --" . - ." " " " ." - -. i " - V/ Come To the Open Casting Call at University of Michigan Friday October 10th from lpm-5pm Tappan Room (1-s floor Michigan Union)