^ Butch Ireland/Daily Nebraskan
Christina Bost, left, and Craig Ellingson rehearse a number for “The Music of Kurt Weill and Stephen Sondheim.”
Musical review has something for all
By Jim Hanna
Suff Reporter__
“The Music of Kurt Weill and
Stephen Sondheim,” a musical re
view in the University of Nebr&ska
Lincoln’s experimental theater,
Dance Preview
Thcatrix, will be a study in contrasts,
said the show’s director.
Keith Grant, a UNL professor of
movement and acting, has chosen to
unite three very different musicals
into one production that he calls a
tribute lothecarecrsoflwool musical
theater’s most innovative composers.
The show will run Friday at 8 p.m.
and Saturday at 8 and 10 p.m. in
Temple Building 301.
The musical selections are from
two of Sondheim’s scores, “A Little
Night Music” and “Company,” and
one of Weill’s, “Three Penny Opera.”
Condensed versions of all three musi
cals will be presented.
Vince Learned, a senior theater
major and a cast member, agreed that
the production will be a study in
contrasts, but said audience reaction
will also be contrasting.
“There is something in it for every
one and there’s certain to be some
thing that’s not for everyone,#
Learned said. “I think each audience
member will find something they like
in the production as well as some
thing that puts them off. That’s what
makes it a great show.”
Learned said Grant is a major rea
son the show will be great
“He’s cool,” he said. He is doing
this show because he wants to say
something. He is having a good time
and is still saying something. Keith
has been very supportive.”
At the same ume, Grant is full of
praise for his cast
“They have been very flexible and
supportive,” he said. “This show
started out sort of skeletal and it’s
only now that it’s starting to flesh out.
The cast hasTxjen very patient, and 1
appreciate alfd admire them for that.”
Bruce Tinker, Theatrix artistic
director, said this production is typi
cal of what Theatrix will offer all
year.
“It shows the wide range of events
that Theatrix offers,” he said. “It does
not follow conventional theater rules.
This production will cover new terri
tory.”
Cast members have their own
opinions of why people should sec the
show.
Jeff Adams, a sophomore theater
major, said the show offers several
different things.
“This show has everything,” he
said. It holding, singing and danc
ing, «plus*iigh <tocrgy, violence,
friendship^ex, love, heartbreak and
baby oil. But not all at the same ume.
Learned said, “It’s worth coming
just to see me trying to tap dance.”
Ane Meek, a graduate student in
directing, offered the most brief rea- *
son to attend the production. |
“It’s mellowly enthusiastic,” she i
said.
The production is performed by
nine music, dance and theater stu
dents. In addition to Learned, Adams
and Meek, the cast includes Christina
Bost, Wallace Dawkins, Craig
Ellingson, Jon Meyer, Karen Zrust
and Shaun Hamer.
Tickets may be reserved by calling
472-2073 or picked up at the door.
The cost is $1 for students and S2 for
others.