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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 30, 1968)
Summer NJebraskan Tuesday, July 30, 1963 .58 IS I 1 ft V Jf. ...And Then There Were Twelve... By Wayne Stoeber A Current Member oi The Innocents Society (Each May a select number of male University of Nebraska students receives letters from the Innocents society, tbe campus honorary which choses its members "for their scholarship, service, and participation In University activities," according to the NU Campus handbook. Mr. Stoeber received his letter in May, 1968.) Now, upon receiving my application to the Introversion Society, overcome by joy, I immediately, uncontrolably and irrevocably commenced to laugh, cry, throw up and make other contradictory reactions that any other member of various campus ethnic groups would have done in my situa tion. I then asked my room-mate what it was. She didn't know. So I walked down to the library (knowing full-well anything worth laughing, crying and belching forth about must be in Love.) Anyway, I did want to see if anything now had been written on the can doors. Well, I got there, sat down and found one bound copy if last year's Cornhostler yearbook, and, after thumbing through one hundred pages about SeDeck's p r o s - i n -residence, I finally reached a section on the Introversions, only to find that year's fairy princesses instead. I was corrected by a member of some breeding stock seated next to me, and some 23 others, (reacting in harmony to his words) each wearing an iden tical beanie labeled "1968 SDS or Sigma Delta Sigma, the campus Number One Greeks" on their heads. They have large heads. He explained to me that the Introversions looked like fairy princesses because they always wore the fabled chartreuse robes and hoods which symbolized the yellow jaundice epidemic put down some fifty years ago when 17 regents left the state, which explains why there are always just 13 Introversions. I thanked him and started to read the sentence on their accomplishments of the year: It seems they made quite a haul on the frosh hop and also on the sale of beanies, (it then occured to me why the other 23 were wearing identical beanies labled "1968 S.D.S. or Sigma Delta Sigma, the Campus Number One Greeks". So, I filled out . the application, ran home, and closed the book (in reverse order) fully assured that I could sell beanies just as good as anyone. And I signed up for a crash course at Arthur Murray's for some dance lessons, to be ready for the frosh hop, just in case I was elected to the Introversions. (Ivy Day is the University of Nebraska's most traditional tradi tion the day when Sheldon Art Gallery's west lawn is the site of many age-old festivities: The singing fest, the planting of tbe ivy, the crowning of the May Queen. It is also the day on which new Innocents are tackled. Mr. Stoeber, an NU music major, is not an on campus resident. He portrayed Tony in the Kosmct Klub spring produc tion of "West Side Story" and is a member of a campus folk singing group. He was tackled in May, 1968.) Now came the period know as the bugging, when all of the candidates try avoiding to be avoided by the Introversions, which wasn't hard for me because I spent most of my time taking dance lessons and wasn't toome. Anyway, the Introversions seldom go off Greek Row, but I had been a big hit in this year's Cosmo Club with my dancing donkey disguised as Terri Carpenter. I thought I had a pretty good thing going. That day of reflection, selection, rejection and election finally happen ed and everyone was out in style for it. The grandstands were filled with every kind of student imaginable. There were Greeks, and there were . . . and yeh, even some . . . un huh. The counterpart of the Introversions were there also, those being the Mortar Drawers. Governor Taxem and Chancellor Hardly also participated in the festivities. The most memorable event, of course, was the group singing. Once again the Betas edged the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with their rendition of "She Got Her Key on Monday: We'll Have a Shotgun Wedding Someday Soon, Helen." Somebody next to me said: "Now it's time for the Mortar Drawers tapping!!" I said, "Make mine a Bud," but it wasn't that kind, so I passed. Then all at once I'm being herded out into the middle of this field with all of the rest of breeding stock and people are pushing and yelling . . . and yelling . . . and sweating . . . (and being cool) . . . and these Introversions are runn ing around, knocking guys over. . and then cheers go up. Why, it's sadistic, that's what it is. And they keep knocking down people (it's kind of like open registration) now, all at once, I'm tackled and land right on my billfold. Well, I can't tell you how relieved I was knowing my dance lessons hadn't been a waste. I was seated with the rest of the new members handshaked and picturetaked. I was told to come to a party which ended up with the old Introversions running around the banquet table shouting profanities. We had our first meeting tbe next week where I learned, that to make a long distance telephone call, all you have to do is dial 112 and then the proper digets which isn't very likely when reminded of the facts . . . but then again . . . that style of plaid conflicts with the trousers . . . The story you have just read is underestimated. The names have been changed to protect the Innocent. La Boheme: An Opera W ith A Modern Motif A poet falls in love with a iGcwer child. They are part of a turned-on, effervescent generation of youth whose lives are spent in absolute abandon of the customary restrictions imposed by con ventional society. A new play about the hippie generation? No, it's "La Boheme," Puc cini's immortal opera, written in the 1890's, and set in Paris ofthel830's. According to John Zei, pro fessor of voice at the University of Nebraska and dramatics director for the up coming production of "La Boheme" on campus, this opera could be updated, set in modern times in a New York ghetto or a Los Angeles slum. "It's just simply one of the greatest operas of all time," Zei said. "It could be set in any period." The NU production, though, will follow the classical timeline. It will be performed in English, however. "La Boheme" was com posed by Giacomo Puccini in 1896. The libretto was written by Luigi Illica and Guiseppe Giacosa. The opera premiered at II Teatro alia Keggio in Turin, Italy. It's first American performance was at Los Angeles in 18S7. There are actually two "La Bonemes , both based on "Scenes and Ways of the Bohemians," by Henri Murger, a French writer. The other opera was written by Leon Cavallo, but was not too popular because "Puccini in fused into the music all of the tragedy and comedy of Mergur's book," Zei said. He added that Mergur's book never was fully realized until Puccini wrote his opera based on it. The theme of Murger's book was: La vita gala e ternbile The gay life but terrible. "Puccini's weaving o f gorgeous orchestral colors and soaring melodic lines are paramount in making his music part of the drama in this opera," Zei said. He said that each character, like in the historical Wagnerian "leitmotif' tradition, has his own musical motif, identify ing who he is. "This is a unique opera in that it does not have many compramario roles (subsidiary leads). Each character, such as Mimi, Rudolpho, Musette, Marcello, Schaunard, and CoHine, are all major roles," Zei said. Basically the opera is divided into two sections. The first "establishes the champagne-like vitality of the characters and their absolute abandon of the customary restrictions imposed in socie ty." This simple zest-for-life of Rudolpho, a poet, ii com plicated by Mimi, a flower girl who abruptly and devastating enters his life and they fall in love. The plot is further com plicated when Mussetta, a coquette, enters the painter Marcel's life, and they too have an affair. The second part deals with the dissolving of the affairs in a sorrowful third act when both sets of lovers decide that they cannot live together. The final climax discloses that Mimi's health was never to be restored. In the end she dies in Rudolpho 's arms. "La vita gaia e terribile." Puccini's background pro bably influenced his writing about the Bohemians. His life was a mixture of music, art, good literature and a strong leaning toward drama. His life was also filled with tragedies, successes and t - Keepsake Diamonds Longines Watches failures, and a zest-for-life. His real life was infused with the same basic emotions as the Bohemians in his opera. "What every opera buff is greatful for, however," Zei said, "is Puccini's ability to visualize this life and give it to us as an aesthetic er perience through his musical genius." The opera contains three famous arias: "Your Tiny Hand Is Frozen," "I Am Called Mimi," and "Musset ta's Waltz." "Oh Lovely Maid in the Moonlight" is its most famous duet The NU summer production will be offered Aug. 17, 18, 19 at the air-conditioned Howell Theatre. Tickets are one dollar, plus tax. SUMMER HEBRASKAX Lam Zr Mm Bi tor aaMfaatk but fc HlM to 311 Nikrnk, Rail mr ,aM l to 47I-MM. Tk auMMEK NEaEAt KAN h aaMtoaa lfW Um oortat tk itmnwr MatoMi fhw la tat 014. aai ANYTIME IS POPCORN TIME! 'MaifjWWWMM vi' ' '.uii'wti Car il Cm Chats Cam Paacara alb CLIFTON'S CORN CK3 1150 Ha. 41ft Atraw mm Wfcwaiw 'Wig tri' i r mi in iiiiii 1 1 1 1 .mi mi m u ' ' i ' for the golden arcfies . - fa!cDyns!d's- Hearts and Hands By John W. Reiser (Ed.'s Note: Reiser, a recent NU graduate, is a past Young Republicans president on campus and is still active in GOP politics) Can Nelson Rockefeller be nominated next week in Miami? I hear the question a couple dozen times a day and I don't know how to answer, for the answer is not in my hands. At least, not directly. He is so obvious a choice the "gut reaction" is still to say "Yes, I think so." But the delegate projections are staggeringly for Nixon and the optimism catches in my throat. Can the delegates really ignore the fact that Rockefeller is the strongest possible Republican candiate, probably the only one who can win this fall? Can they really turn their back on the fact that Rockefeller is the only Republican candidate with a record as a vote-getter in major cities? Do they really not care that he has outlined the most thorough plan of any candidate for bringing an end to the seemingly eternal hell of the Viet Nam war? Is it really of so little consequence that this man, now endorsed by Martin Luther King. Sr. and by James Farmer and by Bill Cosby, is the only Republican who can hope to attract the votes of members of racial minorities? Well, those questions will be answered next week in Miami. It would seem that "no " would be an awfully hard answer, but the memory of San Francisco in 1964 is very real. Meanwhile, Governor Rockefeller's backers are unwilling to say the time has passed for the people to influence the nominating process. A unique effort is underway to set the voice of the American public ringing in delegate-,' ears. Time now is very, very short, but those who are interested in seeing Governor Rockefeller nominated can still do something about it. They can send a postcard, or a letter, or, best of all, a telegram to "People for Rockefeller," Box 1643, Washington, D.C. It need contain nothing more than an expression of support for Rockefeller and, if you wish, your name and address. These wires, these cards, these letters will be taken to Miami and given to the delegates. They will mean that the 1968 convention will not be a coronation. With this evidence of the public's will in their hands, it will become even more difficult for the convention to choose the present front-runner. In the hour of their decision, let delegates to this convention be confronted with the public's cry for new leadership, for a unifying force, for a Republican party commited to peace, to progressive solutions to our domestic ills, and to the idea that men can yet learn to live together as brothers. Can Nelson Rockefeller be nominated next week in Miami? Perhaps the best answer is to ask: Will you take the time to send a postcard, or a letter or a telegram? Perhaps just perhaps the answer is in your hands. iiiiiuiHiiiiiiiinitiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiD I At the I Cinema ffinniiiiiiiiiiiiiinraininiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin When I walked, out of the Nebraska Theatre after seeing "For Love of Ivy," I was depressed. After being bombarded by beautiful clothes, beautiful homes, and beautiful people I thought: "What in the world am I doing in Lincoln, Nebraska?" Then I sauntered over to Casey's, aad a beer, and thought: "How in the world can a black man identify with Sidney Poitier?" "For Love of Iw" is a verv perplexing movie. The troube is, it shouldn't be. When we talk of human rights we mean that, among other things, bianey jpoiner nas a pertect right to make a simple, frothy comedv if he wants to. Just because he is about tbe only black actor around doesn't mean he has to ulav serious. profound roles or race. Howevere. with the country still immersed in serious racial tension, with the com munications media trying their damndest to tell it like it is, it becomes frustrating to watch Sidney playing tne studly black cat in white America. L and irobably ten million blacks, want to see Sidney (or at least someone else) in black America. Iw is a colored maid (in the venacular of the movie) for a wealthv New York family of swingers. Abbey Lincoln plays Ivy ana aoes it so aroealincly. Miss Lin coln is beautiful, sexy, charming, the perfect match for handsome "Black Jack" Parks, aatruckine tycoon who runs a nocturnal moving-van rjrcinn for rich whites e never take money from col- oreds, he tells Ivy.) Whpn Iw wants to leave th Austin household the sw inger youngsters line her up with Jack. As most cmemauc romances develop, they do fan in love, even though it is against both of their natures. Th situation is not unlike the Doris Day-Rock Hudson epics of yesteryear. Except that Sidney has taken Doris' place. After may virginal SHOW AND TELL . . . Tker's CAR-CHEK Our 230-point report SHOWS what's right, what's wrong with your car . . . Tells your mech anic what's to be done, let CAR-CHEK and TELL you. ALL OPERATING FUNC TIONS TESTED ELEC TRONICALLY. OPEN EVERY DAY Cell 434-6351 1300 N. 48rh v Skirting the Issues, For Love of Sidney roles, Sidney has finally made a love scene, and we find that he is a man, not superman. The movie is played for corned', inserting up-to-the-minute dialogue on Black Power, the draft and the generation gap. Some comes across, some doesn't. Most of it is amusing, such as when Jack and Ivy frolic at a local hippie discotheque. Beau Bridges (son-of-Lloyd) plays the Austin's hippie-in-residence, and is funny. Sidney is Sidney, insomuch as the part enables him to perform, with gentleness as a big-time crook who wants to live the good life. Poitier, has tremendous appeal, and one sits through his movies mainly for love of Sidney. j It really isn't very fair knocking this movie. It was meant to be a comedy and i it is a comedy. Director. Daniel Mann (Come Back! Little Sheba) has made no big j blunders, the photography is j colorful but mediocre, the I screenply (based on a story by Sidney) is often bright and j crispy. j But it still doesn't speak to 1 millions of Americans who! don't experience the Great American Dream. It's ' fabulous clothes and homes, 1 and its never-never land ap-; proach puts it in the future ; tense instead of now. The sequences opening and closing the movie vividly underscored what has been presetned: The lushy phot ographed Manhattan skyline a hazy profile of the nation's largest city. All one has to do is think of a Harlem or Bedford-Styvesant skirting that beautiful city, and the problems pop back into memory. So staying away from it all really doesn't help much, does it? Larry Eckholt Satokinf Setting. Yea DawaT Try o Cliff's Pipe Cliff's Smoke Shop 1204 "C St. A3iPUS en Important cSew cReport A definitive report on a two year study by a major uni venity. Vance Packard de scribes tbe revolution in sex attitudes and behavior of college students bere and broad. Just how far stu dents have come and will go -with sex. His docu mented findings, based on thousands of questionnaires distributed throughout the world are revealed in an authoritative look at what the "now" generation thinks, feels and does about sex. 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