Stuart Theatre -lost opportun ity
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An opportunity passed up often turns out to
be a thorn forever in the eyes of those who could
have capitalized on it.
Lincoln has a fine example of such a lost
opportunity at the corner of J 3th and 'F streets,
in the form of the remodeled Stuart Theatre.
Several years back, there was a vigorous
campaign to preserve the majestic decor of the
Stuart Theatre. The preservationists decried as
aesthetic heresy the modernization project of the
Stuart's owners, the Dubinsky Brothers Theater
Corporation. The campaign was unable to gather
enough support, and the remodeling took place.
The new decorations attracted reactions that can
best be summarized as consisting of "damnation
with faint praise."
The controversy eventually died down and
moviegoers adapted to the new surroundings.
Scars re opened
However, with the re-opening of Omaha's
Orpheum Theater, some old scars .have been at
least momentarily re-opened, with a pinch of salt
thrown in.
suited for nothing save movies. Decked out in
decidedly austere dress, while not obtrusively
tacky, it is a poor cousin of the rich stone and
wood work of the old Stuart Theater.
Other things missing
Stone and wood are not the only things
missing from the new Stuart. Displaced, as a
result of the remodeling, were the concerts of the
Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, as well as the
annual presentation of the Junior League.
Unfortuantely, this is all after the fact, and no
amount of wistful remembrance or acid harping
will restore the Stuart to its former state. One
should not harbor ill-will against the Dubinsky
Brothers Theater Corporation for having
followed a logical, fiscally sound procedure in
renovating the old theater.
However, it is right to contemplate the
Orpheum theater, its ornate lobby glittering as
the hub of Omaha's cultural affairs, and then to
reflect upon the opportunity Lincoln lost.
Omahans might put it together better than
anyone else with the hoary Edwardian relic:
"There but for the grace of God go I".
Rebellious inmates in the documentary film. Attica.
which will be shown this week at Sheldon.
Attica I' behind the scenes
Attica, a powerful documentary film shot during the New York
prison's violent uprising in September 1971, will be shown this
week in the Sheldon Film Theater's Documentary Film Series.
Produced and directed by Cinda Firestone, the movie is, in the
words of New York Times film critic Vincent Canby, "a superior
example of committed film making."
The movie goes behind the scenes with prisoners (43 of them
would die during the bloody rebellion) and is a searing indictment
of the prison system and of the officials responsible for the
tragedy.
Showings are at 3, 7 and 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday in the Sheldon Gallary Auditorium. Admission is $1.25.
AOJlJ OQVidwOre Team to perform
Every Monday is
Student Nite
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at
BUQK PITCHERS
25 DRAWS
For anyone showing
college l-D-at
The fun place to go ... at Ulih & "C
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hinlfellilihlH
Omaha businessmen and civic leaders put their
support wholeheartedly behind the Orpheum
Project, and sank a lot of time and money into
the theater. The result is a playhouse, capable of
housing almost all forms of the performing arts
in a style nearly unknown in modern show
business.
The Orpheum is the new home of the Omaha
Opera Company and will be the site of many
variety shows, as well as classical music concerts.
In comparison, Lincoln is left with a theater
By David Ware
Tenor James McCracken and mezzo-soprano
Sandra Warfield will present a concert Tuesday in
Pershing Auditorium!
The husband and wife team has won acclaim
both in the United States and Europe since their
debuts at the Metropolitan Opera in 1952. Since
then,-McCracken has become strongly identified
with the title role in Giuseppe Verdi's "Otello", a
role he has sung twice in two new productions at
the Metropolitan Opera in 1963 and 1972.
Warfield has sung with various regional opera
companies in the United States, in addition to
her career with the Met.
The concert begins at 8 p.m., and. is open only
to persons presenting a valid Lincoln Community
Concert Association membership card.
.. .. V l f fynliFA 1 rr..... -"v
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59WOW and CHI PHI FRATERNITY
ALPHA DELTA PI SORORITY
Invite You to
30 Spectacular Hours of
larafhon Dancing Fun
March 7 at 6 PM.
NEBRASKA UNION BALLROOM
All Net Proceeds to
USiicftnlar rhicflrnnhi AQnniation
Trophies Awarded! If you and your favorite dance
partner wish to participate, clip and mail the coupon
below or telephone for details.
CHI PHI and ALPHA DELTA PI
f i Yes, I wish to participate in the 59WOW Dance Marathon to fight Muscular
Dystrophy. Enclosed is $5 per couple entry fee which entitles me to two
Dance Marathon T-Shirts.
My name and address are: '
monday, january 20, 1975
daily nebraskan
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