Lazer Vaudeville sheds light on traditional entertainment
By Danell McCoy
Staff writer
The performers want people to
know that what they do is different:
They don’t put on just a laser light show.
To make that clear, the cast of Lazer
Vaudeville spells laser with a “z.”
“We use the ‘z’ for a showbiz
effect,” said Cindy Marvell, a performer
with the troupe. “It gives the name a lit
tle pizzazz.”
A visual assault of light, action and
eye tricks opens Friday at the Lied
^Center, 301 N. 12th St. It’s a mix of old
and new, complete with the antics of old
vaudeville mixed with high-tech lasers
and black lights.
The show is a modem combination
of classic acrobatics, juggling and
magic tricks, along w ith plenty of spon
taneous humor. Lazer Vaudeville also
uses rope spinning and the nearly lost art
of hoop rolling.
Classic juggling with balls, clubs
and rings round out the show but a few
surprises are always thrown in.
“We have professional jugglers who
come and watch us because we have so
many different juggling techniques,”
Marvell said. “Some of them are tech
niques that most people have not had the
chance to experience.”
Lazer Vaudeville was founded in
1987 by Carter Brown. Brown had
worked as a circus juggler, but after six
years decided he wanted something
new.
Brown mixed his interest in laser
programming and technology with his
act, basically vaudevillian, and created
the show.
“We use the lights as set pieces,”
Marvell said. “The black lights can
bring certain things into focus and give
the audience a better look at what is
going on onstage.”
It also keeps the audience from see
ing what is happening onstage techni
cally. While the black lights are on,
troupe members may be moving
around, helping with the next trick or
getting things in place for future acts.
With the aid of the black lights,
Marvell said, the audience is able to
focus on the current act instead of what
is going on in the background.
The show plays not only with the
eyes of the audience, but also with their
ears. Members use hand drums or other
devices to add a rhythmic backdrop to
the performance.
The troupe also makes audiences
active members of the show. And don’t
think it’s just for kids. Adults may be
asked to try to escape from a strait jack
et or hold spinning plates.
“We don't just pick on the kids,’’
Marvell said. “We have things for the
adults to do. too. We try to take advan
tage of whatever unexpected moment
Lied Center
The Facts
What: Lazer Vaudeville
Where: Lied Center for Performing Arts
When: Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m.
and 7 p.m.
Cost: $9 for general admission, $4 for
students
The Skinny: New art blends classic
entertainment with modern technology.
arrives.”
The troupe is holding a free juggling
workshop at the Lied on Friday at noon
open to the public.
_ Coi'RTESV Pli' iTO
THE JUGGLING CLOWN is a favorite entertainer of the Lazer Vaudeville troupe.
The show combines age-old circus tricks with new-age light effects.
Dropped Notes
The Facts
I What: Peter Schickele and the Lark Quartet
Where: Kimball Recital Hall
j When: Tonight at 8
Cost: $22. $18
The Skinny: Nationally renowned
composer makes Lincoln appearance
Composer Schickele to appear
in concert at UNL’s Kimball Hall
Famed composer Peter Schickele will
appear tonight at Kimball Recital Hall.
Schickele is known as the man
responsible lor discovering the lost
works ol the mythical genius P.D.Q.
Bach, a long-lost son of Johann
Sebastian Bach.
Schickele's work under this alias
has been acknowledged as some of the
greatest satire of the 20th century. He
has appeared w ith such symphonies as
the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the
New York Philharmonic and the
London Symphony Orchestra.
He is appearing tonight w'ith the
Lark Quartet, composed of Diane
Pascal, violin; Jennifer Orchard, violin;
Danielle Farina, viola; and Astrid
Sclween. cello.
The quartet, founded in 1985. has
earned several accolades, including a
gold medal at the 1991 Shostakovich
International String Competition.
It tours internationally and is in res
idence at Ohio University'.
The centerpiece of tonight’s con
cert will be Schickele’s “String Quartet
No. 2 ’In Memoriam.’” which was
written for the Lark Quartet in 1988 as
a memorial piece for Schickele’s broth
er-in-law.
Taize Prayer Service
i
Meditative worship with
music from the ecumenical
community of Taiz6.
Friday Feb. 5, 7:30 pm
700 music rehearsal
; Westminster Presbyterian Church
2110 Sheridan Blvd.
475-6702 ext 101
DANCING
EVERY
THURSDAY
Doors open
at 8 p.m.
Lessons begin
at 8:30 p.m.
Cossons by
Amy Castro
of llanoe Sport USA
The PLA MOR
Call 475-4030
for more info.
on:
FRIEND OR php?
jl vy ji—j •
Did you know that the Pill can clear your com
plexion?
Did you also know that the Pill can wreck re
lationships, cheapen life, and cause abortions?
Join Janet Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor
of Philosophy at the University of Dallas, as she
takes a look at the emotional and moral impact of
contraception.
DATE Time: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m.
SR JANET Smith Location: Pius X High School Auditorium
6000 A Street, Lincoln
FREE-WILL OFFER! N G
j ★ 'k^k^k'kit'kit'k^k'k ★ ★★ ★ ★ * ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★
T “STAR MAKERS LOOK FOR NEXT STAR!” £
A New York Times A
r MODEL SEARCH ]\t
AMERICA!:
*
!*
I
|+
INTERVIEWS |
THIS WEEK ONLY! :
r MEET F. DAVID MOGULL |*
i -K' President of Model Search America ->(
and former leading Ford model. ^
i*j MODEL SEARCH AMERICA HAS DISCOVERED NEW MODELS FOR *
* THE MOST IMPORTANT MODEL MANACERS IN THE WORLD j*
★ ★★★★★★
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY-MEN-WOMEN-CHILDEN (AGE 4 & UP) j*
* MSA SCOUTS FOR ALL SHAPES & SIZES FOR FASHION, COMMERCIAL, PRINT & TV i *
■^C i -A(
* ELITE * COMPANY * NYERO MEN * GENERATION * ZOLI * BETHANN * GILLA ROOS * LA. MOI ILL.S ! .
^ * PAGE PARKES * FORD & MANY OTHERS INCLUDING AGENCIES PROM PARIS & MILAN’ 1 *
* IF YOU CAN DREAM IT - YOV CAN DO IT! j*
„ : i— -t --—-——— ----——
; MONDAY, FEB 8th at 6:30PM ;
; |™"THE CORNHUSKER HOTEL p
BE THERE - you have everything to gain and nothing to lose - PARENTS WELCOME! +
Model Search America is the host successful & experienced professional search company in the country ^