Arts^Entertainment
Hard rockers take break from stage, scene
Singer’s surgery
leads to hiatus
By Ann Stack
Staff Reporter___
11 could be the end of an era for bars
in the Midwest.
The band Tight Fit, a constant in
the Omaha and Lincoln bar scenes
since 1982, is playing its final notes
together — at least for now.
The bandmembers are temporarily
going their separate ways while vo
calist Rich Beers’ recovers from his
recent throat surgery.
Beers, who founded Tight Fit with
lead guitarist Rob Fox, underwent
extensive surgery last June to remove
callous-like nodules from the back of
his throat.
The hard-rock quartet has gone
through more than 20 membership
changes in its 12-year history. Beers
said. The band is now composed of
Beers, Fox, bassist Troy Johnson and
drummer Mark Ruthermund. The band
recently added singer Michael Ar
royo, who has been standing in for
Beers while his throat heals.
Arroyo said he was glad to help out
the guys in Tight Fit.
“My band. Thick, arc good friends
with the guys in Tight Fit. We opened
for them in Omaha, and a couple
weeks later they called and asked me
to fill in,” Arroyo said.
“My first time at the Grove I saw
Tight Fit, and I said to my friend,
‘Wouldn’t it be so cool to sing with
them?’ And now I am. I’m having a
great time.”
Beers said he has also enjoyed the
new partnership.
“It’s been really cool having Mike
sing. We really appreciate his help,”
he said.
Beers said it could be anywhere
from eight months to two years before
he recovers his voice.
I
Damon Lee/DN
Tight Fit bandmembers Bob Fox, right, Mike Arroya and Troy Johnson perform at the Royal Grove last Saturday. The hard
rock band plays a mix of cover and original songs.
Rather than find a new singer, the
band chose to wait until Beers’ throat
heals. Beers said the chemistry the
band has together is rare and some
thing worth preserving.
Ruthcrmund agreed.
“We have nothing against other
singers, but when people think of
Tight Fit, they think of Rich. Rich is
Tight Fit,” Ruthcrmund said. “There’s
nobody like him.”
“These guys are the best I’ve ever
played with, and I’ve played with a lot
of bands,” Ruthcrmund said. “They
know how to entertain a crowd. Rich
puts on a hell of a show.”
Beers said the time Tight Fit
bandmembers had spent together has
built a tight bond of experience and
chemistry between them.
“Everyone has a unique sound. 1
have a unique voice, the bassist Troy
has his own style of playing, Mark’s a
solid hard-rock drummer—there’s a
good chemistry between us,” he said.
While he has not been singing.
Beers said he was not absent from the
band’s shows. He frequently joins the
^ Courtesy of Warner Bros
Macaulay Culkln stars as the Nutcracker Prince in “George Balanchine s The
Nutcracker.”
Mac lacks, but troupe worth seeing
At least Macaulay Culkin
doesn’t have any speaking parts.
The “Home Alone” kid is back,
i but he’s moved up to a more de
manding role. Culkin spent 1989
and 1990 at the American School
of Ballet and performed in the New
York City Ballet production of “The
Nutcracker.” The stage work pre
pared him well for his role as the
nutcracker prince.
Jessica Lynn Cohen, in her film
debut, did even better as Marie, the
young girl whose love for the toy
*
nutcracker brings it to life.
Principal dancers of the New
York City Ballet fill the other ma
jor roles.
The story is the familiar one. A
young girl is given a toy nutcracker
from her godfather. She has a dream
— or is it real? — about the nut
cracker coming to life and taking
her on a tour through the land of the
See NUTCRACKER orTlO
- a
We have nothing against other singers, but
when people think of Tight Fit, they think of
Rich. Rich is Tight Fit.
— Ruthermund
drummer
-— ff —
band onstage to share guitar playing Beers’ throat problems, Tight Fit is
duties with Fox. -
Ruthermund said in addition to See TIGHT on 10
Frosty air filled with
wonders of Christmas
Holiday entertainment
opportunities abound
By Anne Steyer
Senior Reporter
’Tis the season for an outpouring
of holiday sights and sounds, coupled
with seasonal entertainment opportu
nities. There is, of course, the usual
stuff, including various offerings of
the traditional favorite “The Nutcrack
er,” but this holiday season presents a
variety of choices.
STAGE
• “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.”
Based on the story by Dylan Thomas,
this holiday musical for the whole
family is on the Lincoln Community
Playhouse stage, 2500 S. 56th St.
Shows run this Thursday through Sun
day, Dec. 9-12 and 16-19. Thursday,
Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8
p.m. with 2 p.m. performances this
,Sunday and Dec. 19, and at 7 p.m. on
Dec. 12. Student tickets are $7 for
Thursday and Sunday performances
and $8 for Friday and Saturday shows.
• “A Chipmunk Christmas.” Alvin
and the Chipmunks present this talc of
the true meaning of Christmas at
Pershing Municipal Auditorium, 226
Centennial Mall South, Dec. 23 at 3
p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets, $9 and $7
reserved, are available at the Pershing
Box Office.
•“Big Daddy’s Cajun Christmas.” A
holiday musical comedy by Gail
Erwin, takes place in the swamps of
Lousiana. The play is showing at
Omaha’s The Dinner Theatre, 6064
Maple St., now through Dec. 23.
Shows are at 8 p.m every night but
Wednesday and Sunday. Tickets,
which arc $ 13 and $ 14 for dinner and
show, and $7 and $8 for show only,
are available at 553-4715.
• “A Christmas Carol.” The Omaha
Playhouse, 6915 Cass St., presents
the Charles Dickens’ classic now
through Dec. 22. Tuesdays through
Sundays at 8 p.m. Sunday matinee at
2 p.m. Student prices are $ 12 plus tax.
Call 553-0800 for more information.
FUN & FROLIC
• Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, 12th
and R streets, presents its annual Hol
iday Party, Dec. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The free event, sponsored by the Ne
braska Art Association, follows the
theme of “A Child’s Holiday Fanta
sy.” The decorated gallery will be
filled with clowns, entertainment,
singers, dancers and refreshments.
• “Christmas Laser Fantasy.” This
traditional offering at the Mueller
Planetarium, Morrill Hall, 14thand U
streets, will be shown Saturday and
Sunday and Dec. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m.
and 3:30 p.m. Admission is $4 for
adults with discounted prices for chil
dren. Much of the soundtrack is pro
vided by Mannheim Steamroller.
•“LaserCountry Christmas.” Anoth
er laser presentation from Mueller
Planetarium, this features Christmas
tunes from Garth Brooks and Vince
Gill, among others. Shows are Dec.
11 and 18 at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Tickets are $4 for adults.
• “Dickens in the Market.” Friday to
See SEASON on 10