Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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T Theatre reviews Workshop's 'The entertainment foi By Janet Gibson Look out for Dwalin, Balin, Kili, Fili. Dori. Nori. Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bombur, and Thorin at the Workshop Theatre. These characters are the dwarves in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic tale, "The Hobbit," being presented at the Workshop through Saturday. When Bette Herring decided to direct the play, it was for the best possible reasons. She loves the show and has wanted to do it for a long time. But more importantly, sne knew "The Hobbit" would make ideal children's theatre, which is her specialty. What Director Herring has developed is both creative and amazing. She has staged a show with several adult roles and 39 children ranging in age from 7 to 15~a production that both children and adults can appreciate. THE STORY IS based on Tolkien's Middle Earth fantasy world hobbits, which he described as "burrowing, hole-dwelling people said to be related to 11 41 1 ?? 15*- * - * * men, muciiici man uwarves, wnuse me span is aDOUl 100 years." Portraying Bilbo Baggins (the Hobbit) is talented 10-year-old Charlie Bryan. The youngster is both fluid and convincing in his acting, obviously well'Pygmalion' a b r w to/^ n j jor neper By Nancy Young Staff Writer If there is one place to go in Columbia to see good live theatre, it is our own USC Repertory Company's productions in Longstreet Theatre. They seem to /innnixtnntl.. ...Uk 1 41 ~C Ll-U Luiu>iaicnu^ tunic up wiui pi uuuuuuiib ui uigil calibre. Pygmalion is just another example. The title stems from the Greek myth of a sculptor, Pygmalion, who falls in love with his statue of Aphrodite. When he prays to the gods for a real wife like his statue, his rrpatinn rnmos to lifp And hp marrips hf?r Audiences are probable more familiar with the musical adaptation, My Fair Lady, with Audrey Hepburn and Hex Harrison which featured such musical classics as "The Rain in Spain" and "Why Can't The English." But even without the music, George Bernard Shaw's clever wit comes through and the performance never dragged. Commodores dazzl< ?ff kin finn Ull MAO lint' UtlCIl By Danny Powell One of the moments of the The Commodores delighted a Ritchie's white large crowd at the Carolina out from benea Coliseum Thursday evening with platform. Thep great music and a dazzling stage with lights, aul show, as they kicked off their 1980 up as the piano national tour. the fog covered j After a mediocre performance Ritchie showe by Patti LaBelle, the crowd was when group mer eagerly awaiting the main event of dared him to m I the night, the Commodores. With a the stage. Thel new one million stage and light this off by reqi facility at their disposal, the group lower, which it I was sure to put on a great show. slide on arou Then the lights went out. The audience, which crowd had been getting restless, had it move ba< but they became alert with the clue _ the show was to begin. A moment later, as figures could be seen I going onto the stage, green lazer I lights flashed from the stage into I /k all parts of the Coliseum arena. I JL Thftrp was a hrilliant flash of I I light accompanied with a thun- 8 derous explosion in the center of I ] the stage, as if someone had set off I a bomb, and the Commodores were I j there, all decked in their white S sequined costumes, which? lTrj*CIl( sparkled under the lights. g \1oihhi After a lively opening number, II 1 ' . the group broke into their "funky" jfl 1 \( \S( N IK hit "Brick House," in which lead V K, , , singer /drummer Walter "Clyde" j ' ~ Orange did a wonderful job in 11 I( )f SUM flirting with all the ladies as he h vour lit sang. The group then got the I j rrnwri invr*lvf?H hv cinuinu rilrnif/ H t( 11 1 1 l.llK I which was a true high point in the fi The next series of songs were a I Sl'H collage of their hits, beginning with I ] their first one, "Machine Gun." g Si The other popular hits included I "Easy" and "Sail On," in which I lead singer Lionel Hitchie showed I ! Hobbit' great r children, adults rehearsed in his lines. Although Tolkien's hobbits usually shy away from adventure, Bilbo is persuaded by Gandalf the Wizard (Rav Kf?nnpv} nnH thp Hmon Aw o nine f a inin . . _ , f M.av* MSV UWUVII UTTU& T VO IV JVSIIA IUC111 III traveling to the lonely Mountain. Their mission is to kill Smaug the dragon and regain a treasure he stole from the dwarves many years before. Adventures they encounter along the way make "The Hobbit" a memorable play. Sound effects and a strobe used in one scene are effective, as most of the play's action takes place in the forest. The scenery is simple, but imaginative.' Trees, flowers, and muted colors create the mood. iu? ?i??- ? . .uumg iu uic piay s conesiveness is Baiiaaeer (Mike Bethea). Bethea, who wrote all the original music, acts as a storyteller, singing and playing guitar very well in between scenes. THE CHILDREN, however, stole the show. All are enrolled in the Workshop Theatre's drama classes, taught by Herring. Their hard work paid off in an excellent show,especially when considering the short rehearsal schedule-three weeks. In December, Herring is planning another children's production, "Tom Sawyer". If the play compares with "The Hobbit," it will definitely be worth seeing. >right start tory Company Christine Morris is lovable and charming as the Cockney Eliza Doolittle, who under the guidance of Professor Higgins, becomes transformed into a high classed respectable young woman. Through I could not help but see Audrey Hepburn, who made the Eliza immortal on screen, Miss Morris was able to put her own mark on the role. And, thank heavens, she was able to master a believable Cockney accent. Jeffrey West made a proper, high brow Professsor Higgins. Again, the thought of the definitive in lerpreiauon Dy nex narrison immeaiaiely sprang lo mind. These comparisons may seem unfair ? this is after all, only a small scale production. But the professionalism of the company merits and even demands such comparisons. West however lacked the assurance and ease of the character, choosing to focus disproportionately on his more aggressive aspects. ^ tne crowd ts. sat down to perform their top hit most memorable ' 'Three Times A Lady." evening was when The next song performed was grand piano rolled "Still," and Ritchie got a ride or th the drummer's his piano as he sang. The piano, or lexiglass top, lined a circular platform, slid arounc Somatically raised the stage with ease, giving the tune came to a stop on a bit of ironic action, as he was >tage. everything but still. d off his nftw "tnv" The finale of the concert was a Tiber William King tune off their latest album, Heroes ove it up closer on called "Jesus Is Love," The ead singer laughed Commodores were joined by a si> Liesting the top to member choral group in this did, and for it to gospel tune, which is a reflectior nd to face the on how the group got theii it also did. He then beginning in music. The song was :k into place as he to say the least, a hit. kRN EXTRA MONEY ly needed people with ucieosis to nid in Mrdirnl h. I! you hnvc or hi id wilhin ihr vvrrks Mono, you mny cjunlilv ).()() pci work lor * hours ot nr. (:<ill 2r>4 (>r>;*7 I or more in>n. :>loj*icaSs of Columbia, Inc. life l<>r>, 27l<) Midrilcburg Columbia, S.C. 2<>2<)4 9. f^SBSBB^^^^^sSSBSB^^^^^^Os ViJB ^ 1 n 1/ * p > 1 j -I^ESIpEWfl$.;11 ;": :l|^6^W?ilr.1 WMtotiM ? *&**- ^Hm I. Jan Gimber reviews her tines as Nori in the current Workshop production of 'The Hobbit.' I W/7/y Loman tells his wife Linda of his dreams to become the most successful salesman ever in a scene from Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman," to be presented by (JSC's Summer Repertory Theatre acting company June 25-29. Charles Whetzel plays Willy and Sally Welch portrays Linda in the sttcona proaucnon or the repertory season at USC. For tickets, call the Long street box office between noon and 5 weekdays at 2551. i 2009 Greene Street Appearing Mondays j i Mainland formerly the Patrick Boland Group T uesdays Dick Goodwin a yuintet Wednesday k/ >, Full Circle 4 Free Draft 8-10 with admission ! L / Happy Hour 10-12 |ll |y Thurs.-Sat. I s .In .fa i I Savannah. Ga. | } ; next Wed. and Thins. Rob Crosby |