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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 18, 1992)
Arts & Entertainment Berry presents message at Lied Lecturer speaks about problem of racism with humorist twist By Ingrid Youngquist Staff Haportar At the conclusion of her three-day stay in Lincoln, Nebraaaaska “ya wanna come detassel some com,” Bertice Berry gave a side-splitting performance to an audience of more than 2,000 young people and adults at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Her message did more than split some sides, italso split many preconceived notions about sizism, sexism. racism, aiconoi ism, vegetarian ism and about every other -ism Berrv imaginable, oerry Berry’s mes sage was filled with power-packed punches at people who make fun of the differences in others. She opened her performance with pokes at Lincoln and the ratio of while people to black people in the city. “When they came to get me at the airport, they asked me ‘Excuse me arc you Dr. Berry?’ “I said ‘How many other black women do you see in this here air port. Then she moved on to attacking vanity and accusations about appear ances. Berry said she spends less money worrying about how she looks so she can spend “money on changing people’s attitudes so people can think like me for free.” From beauty she went on to more delicate and less talked about subjects — like menstruation. After discussing the trials and uibu lations of “the monthly burden,” she likened periods to airplane food. “You don’t want it, butif it doesn’t come, then you ask, ‘Where’s mine,”’ Berry said. Berry also poked fun at people who smoke and drink. She explained that she didn’ldoeither with this witty comment* “I’m a black woman from the land -44 The more diverse the environment, the better the products that come from It. Berry comedian -ft - of the free and the home of the brave. I don’t need any more illusions.” Her comedy was fast-paced and her transitions were incredibly smooth. One of the messages than ran throughout her performance was that education is important. At one point she asked for volun teers from the audience. After discov ering that one of the volunteers was a teacher, she made the comment: “We live in a society where we give more to our doctors and lawyers than to our teachers. If it weren’t for our teachers, there’d be no doctors and lawyers.” Toward the end of her message she spoke strongly about the importance of understanding, appreciating and accepting people's differences as nec essary to “make this world work. “The more diverse the environ mentthe better the products that come from it,” Berry said. “All of us are different no matter what your difference is, be that be cause you’re not going to be anything different I’m a black woman and I’m going to be a black woman when I die, praise the lord.” Berry discredited the theory of America as a big melting pot and instead likened it to a salad bowl ’’all of our differences are what make the bowl nice.” Gwen Nugent, administrative di rector of the Nebraska Educational Television Council for Higher Edu cation, said Berry was asked to come to Lincoln afterNugentreceived feed back from administrators at various Nebraska state colleges. The administrators suggested that there was a need for more educational material dealing with multi-cultural issues, she said. Nugent said that Mark Kelley, who is producing the program for Nebraska Public Television, had seen Berry at Concordia College and thought she was wonderful. Kelley suggested that they get Berry to come and address these multi-cul tural issues, she said. Nugent said NETV officials began talking to Berry’s manager in Janu ary. Wednesday night’s performance is the third component of what will become a television special on NETV. The special is planned to air this fall. Nugent said the special is directed at college students. On Monday, Berry arrived in Lin coln and gave a lecture on racism on college campuses to a group of stu dents from several University of Ne braska-Lincoln classes, Nugent said. On Tuesday, she said, Berry had a question and answer session with seven minority students who attend UNL. Former Commodore returns to stardom By Jill O’Brton Staff reporter Lionel Richie, known for his soulful singing and rhythm and blues song writing, is back after five years away from the music scene and public eye. mufiir | Richie, who joined forces with The Commodores in 1968, em barked on a solo career in 1982 with the success of ‘Truly” under his Motown belt. His latest release, ‘‘Back to Front," is actually a compilation of his musical history, yet includes three new songs, “Do it to Me,” “My Destiny’” and “Love, Oh Love.” He opens with “Do it to Me,” a rhythmic, gentle-rocking song about—you guessed it—making love, slow and easy. “Do it to Me” was listed on Billboard’s “Hot 100 Singles” in June as number 28 and is climbing, which isn’t unusual for a song of Richie’s. Eleven of the 14 songs on his new release were at one time No. 1 hits, including “Endless Love,” “Say You, Say Me” and “All Night Long” “All Night Long,” with its snappy Calypso beat, shows off Richie's diverse song writing abil ity. Not only can Richie croon sweet love songs, but he can rock as well. And, of course, you can’t have a Lionel Richie retrospective with out his tenderest tunes, “Three Times a Lady” and “Easy.” Richie said “Three Times a Lady” was inspired by his parents’ wedding anniversary during a speech his father made. For Richie fans, the song still evokes a senti mental catch-in-the-throat emo tion, just like it did IS years ago. “Easy,” another classic hit on “Back to Front,” brings back the pain and memories of yesterday. With “Sail .On,” Richie’s vel vety-smooth voice takes prece denceover the the strings and horns, as he sings slowly and hesitantly, “I’m looking foragood lime, good time—” and crescendos into the unforgettable chorus, “Whoa, sail on, honey. Good times never felt so good.” Richie says he’s excited again about singing and touring. So ... sail on, Richie. Old songs never felt so good. Butterfly to flitter into Howell Theatre From Staff Repons The Nebraska Repertory Theatre will open its 25th season today at the Howell Theatre with “M. Butterfly,” a drama that has won numerous criti cal and artistic awards. The plot is based on the true-life story of a French diplomat who has a 20-year love affair with Song Liling, a Chinese opera singer. Interwoven within the plot are scenes of Chinese opera, diplomatic life in China during the Vietnam era and themes dealing with the meeting of eastern and western cultures as well as men’s and women’s percep tions of each other Martin shines Goldie Hawn’s old tricks are appealing in ‘ Housesitter ’ “Housesitter” By Gerry Beltz Staff Reporter' Although sadly predictable in many points, “Housesitter” still has mo ments that sizzle, thanks to the chem istry between S te ve Martin and Goldie Hawn. The third cinematic teaming be tween Martin and director Frank Oz (the first two being “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Dirty Rotten Scoun drels”) weaves the tale of Newton Davis (Martin), and the house he de signed and buill as an engagement present to his longtime love, Becky (Dana Delaney). Unfortunately for Davis, she re jects him and the house is left to gather dust. Three months later, Davis is still depressed over Becky and tries to forget her via a one-night stand with a waitress named Gwen (Hawn), who intrigues him. She is a master of deception, word games and knows how to read be tween the lines. In short, she’s a con artist. After their tryst, Gwen uses what she learned about Davis from the night before to establish herself as Davis’ wife in his hometown of Dobbs’ Mill, which is also the location of his pala tial house. She starts at the grocery store, but ends up picking up dishes, furniture and a well-earned blessing from Davis ’ parents (Donald Moffat and Julie Harris). moyip Gwen then begins establishing herself as the original "small-town housewife" with the local townsfolk, and she takes to the hoax like a fish to water. Davisevenurally returns home with the intent to sell the house in an at tempt to pay his debts, only to find it filled with artwork, furniture and so on. It is from here that the chemistry between Hawn and Martin really starts. She is an experienced con-artist and liar, which he learns quickly. Although there are not many sur prises in “Housesitter,” the work that Martin and Hawn put forward is won derful. Hawn’s portrayal of Gwen starts off with a lot of promise, giving depth and intelligence to her character. Ttiis is a far cry from some of her earlier roles in "Foul Play” and “Protocol.” But eventually Hawn’s portrayal of Gwen falls into a stereotypical “quasi-bimbo” characterization, as well. Martin’s depiction of Davis as a man swept into a situation where noth ing is as it should be, is very good, but his portrayal did not start off as well as Hawn’s. Oz has an interesting premise to work with, but he drags it out far too long. The jokes and situations wear themselves thin about two-thirds of the way through the picture. The Film does have its moments, however. Particularly worth noting is the marriage counseling scene with the town minister, as well as Davis’ heart rendered version of Bing Crosby’s “Tura Lura Lura” during a reception for Davis and Gwen. Also, the scenes where Davis at tempts to seduce his true love, Becky, are somewhat amusing. Filmed in various locations of Massachusetts, the scenery through out the Film is absolutely wonderful; the town of Dobbs ’ Mill itself is some thing that would make Norman Rockwell jealous. “Housesitter” is now showing at the Cinema Twin on 13th and PStreets.
