1976
page 12
daily nebraskan
. . jf a m m
By Ryan Scott
When confronted with the dreary opening forty-five
minutes of director Stanley Donen's latest film, Lucky
lady, I thought about writing my first unfavorable review.
But the film quickly became more engrossing, and the
result is well worth the admission price.
Lucky Lady's three-star billing is unique. Any of the
three main stars individually represents a major box
office attraction.
In the film, Claire (Liza Minelli), Kibby (Gene
Hackman) and Walker (Burt Reynolds) form a three-way
11
5
Music, acting;
it's Tantastick'
By Charlie Krig
The current Lincoln Community Playhouse
production, The Fantasticks. truly is. The play, which
opens on Friday and was previewed at its Jan. 20, dress
rehearsal, is one of the best to appear at the Playhouse in
recent years. It owes most of its success to a fine cast.
The actors achieved rapport with each other and the
audience. Their uninhibited joy in performing made the
evening lively.
Two newcomers to the Playhouse stage were most
notable. Ron Rusthoven gave flair and style to his
portrayal of the bandit 1 Gallo while Mike Schawang
gave a vibrant performance as Amos.
Robin Bates, another newcomer, displayed a fine
sarcastic wit. Veteran Lincoln area actor Clair Rickel
gave added meaning to a role that seemingly was written
for him.
The musical concerns two families who live next-door.
Each has a meddling father, but one has a 16-year-old
daughter and the other a "nearly 20-year-old' son.
The two are in love and wish to marry but fear their
fathers' rejection. The fathers resort to devious plans to
bring them together.
The humor is in the fathers' realization that by appear
ing to say "no" to the relationship, the youths will grow
closer. This is presented in one of the play's better songs,
"Never Say No," where one father admits "that what
you say no, the children must have."
Other musical highlights are the play's famous tunes,
"Try to Remember," "I Can See It," "Soon It's Gonna
Rain" and a marvelous dream-like dance number called
"Round and Round."
Also deserving compliments are lighting and set
designers Sybil Shaw and Don Yanik. Their imaginative
creations emphasize the play's themes that life can
appear dream-like, and our own fickle natures keep us
from truly understanding it.
The cast did an admirable job singing, too. No doubt
the best was Bob Kastanek as Matt the young man, whom
UNL students will remember from The King and I last
spring.
However, the other cast members, Dan Newton,
Scott Root, and Don Pedersen, and pianists Phoebe
Hanson and Jean Pitoka, blended well under direction of
John R. Wilson to help make it a fine production.
The Fantasticks will play at 8 pjm. from JFriday
through Sunday, and Jan. 30, 31, Feb. 1 , 6, 7, and 8 with
2 pjn. matinees the last two Sundays. For reservations,
call 439-9608.
CAIS hosts folk singer
A concert by folk singer Floyd Westerman, sponsored
by the Council of American Indian Students (CAIS) will
be Friday at 8 pjn. in the Nebraska Union Centennial
Room.
Westerman, a Santee Sioux Indian from South Dakota,
has recorded such songs as "Custer Died For Your Sins,"
"BXA.," and "Red, White and Blue."
CAIS President Harlan Chamberlain said the concert, a
fund-raising activity, is the fust of several they have
planned.
Tickets are available art booth in the Union north
lobby and from all CAIS members. Tickets cost $2.50 in
advance and S3 at the door. ..
partnership to take advantage of the prohibition era's
get-rich-quick illegal rum running.
The shared dangers and successes of rum running
quickly dissolve the partnership into a loose and curious
love triangle. Relationships among the trio provide much
of the movie's comic relief.
Though none of the three delivers particularly out
standing performances, each has a moment or two of
excellence. Reynolds, the most amiable and amusing of
the three characters, is particularly enchanting in a brief
scene in which he strums a ukeleie and serenades in a
soused state.
Hackman engages in a humorously conceived, name
c&Ilng and one-bettering bout with a Coast Guard
commander.
Minelli opens with "Get While the Gettin' is Good, .
proving that critics need to search for someone better
than her late mother for comparison.
In a publicity release, Minelli said her role is "the best
part written for a woman in the past five years." Such a
statement naturally invites comparison with her Cabaret
performance three years ago.
Her performance in the latter is the more refined
characterization, but it is doubtful that anyone could
have done a more credible job as Claire in Lady.
Minelli is one of Hollywood's few outstanding female
actresses today and it is worth seeing the movie for her
performance alone. She probably will get an Academy
Award nomination because her role was one of few sub
stantial female rolea in 1975.
The movie's pace is worth comment. Slow in catching,
the film never really takes off until the trio's first success
ful bootlegging run.
The change comes with a contagious bunt of energy
characterized by Minelli's moving rendition of the title
theme, "Lucky Lady." The film sails through its remain
ing hour until a sudden outburst of violence drastically
alters the smooth progression.
From that point, the audience is drawn into complete
emotional involvement with the characters. Both cast and
audience receive relief from the quickly injected serious
overtone and the spectacular sea battle climax.
Except for the surprise moment of violence, the film
never loses its comic appeal. This fact may be attributed
to the three actors' comedy styles.
Lucky Lady is highly entertaining, easily ranking
among the better films currently showing in Lincoln.
Don't worry about standing in long lines though. The slow
start makes it possible to buy tickets well into show-time
without missing much of the story. By movie's end, youll
be glad you decided to come.
Critics note: The "thumb's up" sign this movie rates'
indicates that the movie is high caliber. Shrugging hands
will indicate mediocrity. "Thumb's down" will indicate
a poor film.
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Photo by Kevin Higfoy
Mike Schawang, left, and Don Pedersen, right, play two devious faiiiers fat The Fantastickt
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Photo by Esv Eosrner
Jackie Lipsky , whose living room doubles as an art
g.ixy an wcefcrnds for Jccsl artist's work. -
Weekend gallery
displays local art
in a private home
"A place was needed for people's art," Jackie lipsky
said. And so she started the Horns Gallery, 2523 C SU
two yean ago last November.
It now displays the work of 40 artists, chosen by her,
and features one artist each month.
"I choose art and artists that I Eke," Lipsky said.
"I choose for my own tastes because I have to live with
it."
The gallery is her Jiving room. lipsky said art looks
better in a home environment, helping prospective buyers
decide how it would look in their own home.
Lipsky currently is enrolled hi several UNL art courses
and said she spends free time working on her own pro
ject, print making.
Gib h'eal, who received his bachelors and masters of
fine arts degrees at UNL, is this month's featured artist.
His sdkscreens and lithographs will be exhibited until
reb. 7. Neal was awarded the Thomas Cofcman Memorial
uSSJ? I974 wods Memorial Award of
in l975 whib tcachin t UNL,
a nSf 8 , P ? Pn s"rlays from 10:30 ajn. to
viSk. , dayi from 1 P-m. to 5 p.m., and can be
viuted by appointment by calling 477-1904