Photo courtesy of United Artists Pictures Inc.
Robin Williams (left) and Nathan Lane star as Armand Goldman and Albert, a gay couple who are forced to act straight
when their son’s soon-to-be father-in-law pays a visit in “The Birdcage.”
Movie lets laughter out of ‘The Birdcage’
By Gerry Beltz
Film Critic
It’s a hoot.
“The Birdcage”—the American remake of
the successful French comedy “La Cage Aux
- Follcs” — brings together
M0VI6 some incredible talent from
both the comcdic and dra
Preview matic fronts.
Armand Goldman (Robin
Williams) has his hands full
dealing with his neurotic
long-time partner, Albert
(Nathan Lane). And on top of
this, Armand’s son, Val (Dan
Futtcrman), announces his en
gagement.
The problem? Val is engaged to the daughter
of Sen. Kecley (Gene Hackman), who is so
ultra-conservative he makes Pat Buchanan look
like Howard Stern.
Kecley also is trying to rebound from the
scandal of his closest political buddy, who was
caught with an under-age prostitute, and a nice
wholesome wedding is just the thing his public
image needs.
Little does he know.
Val asks his dad to tone down the apartment
to something a bit more conservative, and also
to get Albert out for a while. But Albert discov
ers the scheme and eventually talks Armand
into letting him stay, as long as the two “play it
straight.”
The film was funny up to this point. From
here, it gets downright hilarious and side-split
ting.
Williams has a load of fun with this role, not
turning Armand into the comment-cvery-scc
ond character he has played in the past, but he
still evokes chuckle alter chuckle.
Lane absolutely shines throughout the film.
Albert is just neurotic enough to make his char
acter interesting, but not so much that we want
to yank him off the screen and beat him with a
warm zucchini.
The one who docs deserve a beating is Val.
His character is the weakest of all, considering
he is the one who asks for all the changes, even
alter being raised by two gay men in a long
term, loving, caring relationship.
Hackman’s character isn’t one that the audi
ence will hate, but one that will be laughed at,
considering the situation he isabout to walk into
and what he does once he gets there.
Another hilarious performance comes from
Hank Azaria as Agador, who cleans up the
apartment for Albert and Armand. He wants to
be a star at Armand’s club, but has the graceful
Film: “The Birdcage”
Stars: Robin Williams, Nathan Lane,
Gene Hackman
Director: Mike Nichols
Rating: R (adult situations, language,
subject matter)
Grade: B
Five Words: Gay couple tries playing
straight
ness of a bull elephant on really bad acid, and
that’s before he wears shoes (which is hilarious
in itself).
Director-producer Mike Nichols (“The
Graduate,” “Wolf”) brought an ensemble cast
together for “The Birdcage,” and he succeeded
in making an incredible film. Word has it that
Williams was continually ad-libbing through
out the film, and Nichols was probably wise to
let him do so.
“The Birdcage” is definitely worth seeing at
least once, but you’ll probably need to go a
second time to eateh all the linqs you missed
because you were laughing so hard.
Dancers make
athletic twists
By Greg Schick
Dance Critic
_
The Paul Taylor Dance Company thrilled a ]
Lincoln audience with its modem dance at the
Lied Center for Performing Arts on Saturday !
night.
The company ,
performed three j
pieces — “Arden
Court,” Offenbach
Overtures” and
“Speaking in
Tongues” — from
the repertoire of more than 100 dances choreo
graphed by Taylor.
T ay lor ’ s choreography rel ics heavi ly on bal
let, while emphasizing the athleticism of his
dancers.
A line from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”
inspired “Arden Court.” A group comparable to
Robin Hood and his merry men gathered in
Arden Forest and would “fleet the time away
carelessly.”
The dancers resembled fairies as they frol
icked in the forest. This piece most closely
resembled classical ballet in form, yet took an
athletic twist by using other dancers as ob
stacles.
The crowd’s favorite was “Offenbach Over
tures,” which blended comedy with the move
ment.
A group of men with Napoleon-style mili
tary hats tried to woo a group of women during
this set of five overtures.
The funniest turn came as two men danced a
“duel” and ended up dancing together with their
seconds slugging it out.
“Speaking in Tongues” told the stories of a
church congregation and its minister. While this
was the longest of the pieces, it was also the
most stylized and the least based in classical
ballet.
Symphony
Continued from Page 13
probably more youthfully accessible in his vi
sion to a college audience than some older
European conductors,” he said.
Although 1,500 tickets have been sold, seats
arc still available for tonight’s performance,
Marquis said.
“We urge people to come for an exciting
musical evening,” he said.
Robert A. Emile, professor of strings and
music theory at the UNL School of Music, will
give two pre-performance talks in the Lied
Center’s Steinhart Room at 7:05 p.m. and 7:30
p.m.
Tickets for the symphony are $42, $38 and
$34 and arc half-price for students. They may
be obtained by calling 472-4747 or at,the Lied
Center box office.
00s For Sale
Used washer, dryer, refrigerator or range, delivered,
guaranteed and payments of only $25 for three months.
"That's a deal!" 466-6252.
Blue’s Bike & Fitness
All 1995 bikes-buy one at regular price and receive the
next bike at 1/2 price. Must be equal or lesser value. All
new bikes receive lifetime tune-ups.
Closest bike shop to campus
427 S 13th
3321 Pioneers.
More bikes than your dog has fleas. Killer deals on 95
models. New models from Klein, Bontrager, Trek, Spe
cialized and KHS. See the midwest’s largest selection of
rigid, front suspension and full suspension mountain
bikes, hybrids and yes. we have road bikes.
Cycle Works, 27th & Vine. 475-2453.
Cleaning out your library? We will make office or house
calls for professors and graduate students. We are inter
ested pnmarily in buyingscholarly works. A Novel Idea,
118 N. 14th Street, 475-TOME.
TEVA
Get yours for Spring Break at the Moose's Tooth, 40th &
O.
'88 Honda Prelude, 5-speed, sham, asking $6200.
Resonable offers appreciated. 486-3314, John.
*88 Honda Accord LXi, automatic, excellent condition,
sharp, new tires, loaded. $8200.486-3314, Michael.
1994 Honda Accord LX
Four door, 26,000 miles, excellent condition. 484-7567,
1991 Eagle Talon TSI, 5-speed, loaded, sunroof. 77k,
$700Q/obo. 435-2655.
■
2u0s Notices
4 day. 3 night roundtrip cruise from Florida to Bahamas.
I can't use it after all. You can for a great price! 421
8237,leave message.
$150
Cash Prize!!
'96 Homecoming
Theme & Design
Contest
Submit theme & design on 8 1/2" by 11" paper. No
reference to alcohol, drugs or use of derogatory language.
Must follow UNL Affirmative Action statement. Entnes will
be judged on generation of Big Red Spirit, creativity, ease
in building display and overall appearance. Deadline
March 11. Questions?? call 472-2581 or stop in at the
ASUN office. 115 Nebr. Union.
* J>J>
The Dog Pipes
An acapella group for all breeds- March 14th at
8:30pm in the Cnb. Free food and drinks! And
don't forget to grab your free spring break surviv
al kitll Sponsored by the University Health Cen
ter Student Advisory Board and Student Involve
ment
ALASKA SUMMER JOBS
Fishing Industry. Earn to $3,000-$6,000+/month + bene
fits. Male/Female. No experience necessary. (206)971
3510 exLA57784
ATTENTION PRE-HEALTH
STUDENTS!
"Writing Your Personal Statement" March 13,7pm, Union.
Sponsored byArts & Sciences Advising Center, NU
Meds, & Pre-Optometry.'
Attention
Teachers College
Teachers college dean's list recognition ceremony has
been moved to the Nebraska Union Ballroom March 13 at
7pm.
Camp Challenge
Summer Leadership School
So you didn't sign up for ROTC as a freshman or sopho
more. Catch up at Army ROTC Camp Challenge, a PAID
six week summer course with college credit in leadership
training. Call 472-4269 for details.
CRUISE SHIPS HIRING.
- Earn up to $2,000+/month. World travel. Seasonal & full
tiro jwations^No exp, necessary. For info, call 1-206
DISC GO ROUND
Used CD's, $5.9947.99.
T-shirts, posters, imports, hacky sacks, music
books, sonabooks and CD towers.
New CD’s $11.99412.99
DISC GO ROUND
50th and 0,486-0047.
EASTERN EUROPE JOBS
Teach basic conversational English in Prague, Budapest,
or Krakow. No teachingcertificate of European languages
required. Inexpensive Room & Board+other benefits. For
info, call: (206) 971-3680 ext.K57781
EMERGING LEADERS
TEACHING ASSITANTS
Applications to be an Emerging Leaders Teaching
Assitant are now available in the office of Student Involve
ment, 200 Nebraska Union or 300 Nebraska East Union.
Applications are due to the office of Student involvement
200 Nebraska Union Friday March 29,1996 by 5:00 p.m.
English food. I have to buy bulk. If you want in on orders,
caw Matt, 1-402-786-2262.
EXPERIENCE EUROPE
THIS SUMMER!
Don't miss this chance to see the best sites in Europe.
Find out how you can see Europe this summer and earn
tuition credits at the same time. Information meetitm this
Wednesday (March 13) at 12 JO p.m., Nebraska (City)
Union, Room 334. We'll see you there!
rnfcfc FINANCIAL AID!
Over $6 billion in public and private sector grants &
scholarships is now available. All students are eligible
regardless of grades, income, or parent's income. Let us
help. Call Student Financial Services: 1-800-263-6495
ext. F57784
Guitar Instruction/Rental
Zager Studio. 464-7771.
INTRAMURAL SOCCER
Tuesday, March-12 is the last day to enter Men's and
Womne's Soccer. Don’t Delay I Enter your team now at the
Office of Campus Recreation. Call 472-3467 for more
information.
INTRAMURAL SLOW
PITCH SOFTBALL
The last day to enter Co-Rec Slwo Pitch Softball is
Tuesday, March 12. Don't delay! Enter your team now at
the Office of Campus Recreation. Call 472-3467 for more
information.
INTRAMURAL BENCH
PRESS MEET
The Men's, Women’s, ara Co-Rec Bench Press Meet will
be held Tuesday, March 12 at the Campus Recreaion
Center. No advance entry is required. CaH 472-3467 for
more information. \
LEARN SPANISH IN MEXICO!
Don't miss this chance to learn to speak Spanish (or
improve exism skills) at one of 9 campuses in scenic
Mexico this summer. Learn more by attending an informa
tion meeting this Wednesday (March 13), at 3:30 p.m.,
Nebraska (City) Union, Food Court C. i Hast a
MlSrcolesf __
Nebraska Wesleyan Union Programs presents The Jeff
Dunham Show. Ventriloquist and comedian featured on
The Tonight Show and Comic Strip Live. March 26,1996
9:00 pm.TIWU O'Donnell Auditorium 50th and Hunting
ton. Tickets $7.00 general admission. Purchase tickets at
NWU Student Center and Homers (13th and 0,61st and
Nurse Scholarships
+
• Freshmen/sophomore nursing students, cash in on good
grades. Apply now for ARMY ROTC Scholarships, Call
472-2468 for more information.
PRE-DENT STUDENTS!
UNMC Dentistry at the Arts & Sciences Advising Center,
107 Oldfather, Monday Mar. 11, 1-5. Call 472-4190 for
appointment.
PRE-HEALTH STUDENTS
Creighton PT. OT & Pharmacy at the Arts & Sciences
Advising Center, 107 Oldfather. Wednesday, April 17,10
2. Call 472-4190 for appointment.
PRE-MED STUDENTS!
Creighton Medicine at the Arts & Sciences Advising
Center, 107 Oldfather. Wednesday, March 13,1-5. Call
472-4190 for appointment.
Pregnant Employees
We are looking for volunteers to assist us in understand
ing pregnant women's experiences in the workplace.
Participation would involve completing an anonymous 20
minute questionnaire that would be mailed to you. For
more information, call Michelle Clark at 464-5159.
RESORTS + CRUISE LINES
now hiring for summer. Work in Calif, Florida, Caribbean,
Hawaii, Rocky Mts. & more. Call Hotline 619-530-2534 for
information.
SPEND YOUR SUMMER IN
CASTLES, CHATEAUX &
COUNTRY HOUSES!
Italy, France, Belgium and England are the places to be
this summer! Learn more about how you can experience
these countries, famous for their examples of historic
design, by attending an information meeting this
Wednesday (March ft) at 1KN) p.m., Nebraska (City)
Union, Room 334.
Student Foundation would like to congratulate Dr. Ronald
Hanson from the Department of Agn cultural Economics
on being selected as this year's recipient to the 1996
Builder's Award. Congratulations.
STUDY IN CHINA &
THAILAND THIS SUMMER!
You can team more about child development textiles and
nutrition in China and attend the Home Economics Con
gress in Thailand on UNL's far-east summer program.
Find out how you can go by attenign at information