The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, March 25, 1983, Page 8, Image 8
.entertainmer
'Bent' wortl
By John Vaughan
Confronting "Bent" is a worthwhile experience
for a thinking theatergoer, though
the reasons for this may not lie along the
usual lines Of measuring HrnmnHn wnrth
Now playing at Longstreet Theatre,
"Bent" offers its audience a structural split
with curious successes and flaws to consider.
Happily, USC's production cements the
"worthwhile" in the experience through fine
exposition; the decisions made in design,
acting and direction highlight the play's
quirks.
WRITTEN BY Martin Sherman, "Bent"
concerns the treatment of homosexuals in
Nazi Germany during World War II. The
play strives to strike powerful chords ?
man's inhumanity to man, individual
deliverance, the ultimate power of love and
friendship ? through its focus on Max and
his imprisonment in Dachau, a Nazi concentration
camp.
The drama enjoyed a successful, one-year
run off-Broadway in 1979-80, and also played
in London. Richard Gere was generally
acclaimed as Max in New York, though
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duuicntca uicic ctis>u entouiiicreu me
strange challenges of Sherman's work.
"Bent" opens in surprisingly contemporary
style, with Max awakening hung
c or in his small apartment after a night of
liquor, cocaine and sado-masochistic sex.
His live-in boyfriend Rudy slowly and
humorously reveals his antics of the
previous night with a "leather boy" called
Wolf ? until the Gestapo bursts in the door
to brutally slash Wolf's throat.
Max and Rudy dash into the streets as
slides flash on the four screens above
Longstreet's arena theater, informing us
that this is Berlin, 1934. The previous night
was June 30, "The Night of the Long
Knives," when Adolf Hitler ordered the gay
faction under his left-hand man, Ernst
Roehm, murdered.
THE DRAMA continues in urgent fashion,
as Max and Rudy attempt to flee the
Local theater st
From Staff Reports old
PI
"Heaven Can Wait," a
comedy/fantasy based on a popular V
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Independent film
From Staff Reports
The Southern Circuit, a series of indep<
films, will premier at USC this spring and fall.
Films such as the animated, academy-^
Hungarian production "The Fly" will show So
how filmmakers in communist countries have
express themselves despite social and politica
Several Hungarian and Polish films sho'
makers overcoming restraints placed on th
ment-run societies will be shown at 2 p.m.
College of Nursing auditorium.
The Hungarian independent filmmaker, wri
Peter Tiborsky will be present at the showing
compare Hungarian and Polish animation. He
about how filmmakers in communist count
restrictions.
??? III Mill Bill
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iwhile for Jr
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# i w^
Max (Richard Jennings) and Horst (Rich Berg)
"Bent," now playing at Longstreet Theatre.
country, only to be arrested and thrown on a
train bound for Dachau.
The violence is shocking and the
homosexuality frank, but this is the nature
of Sherman's play. The drama's structural
split is between its two acts. Act One is a
violent, high-pitched display of agitation,
while Act Two is repetitive and almost
dream-like, in contrast, somewhat
melodramatic.
Director Rick Rottschaefer has realized
ages 'Heaven Ci
script, opens tonight at West based
umbia's Act I Theatre. Comes
Written by Harry Segall, the play is Te^eral
\ IJ || popular
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ir and Penny Jonas take lead roles in formati
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s circuit premiers
mdently-made .ln , as in all com
J cinema production is funded 1
state-operated movie houses,
iward winning clubs managed by Communis!
uth Carolinians
i had to learn to Any filmmaker trying to i
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wing the film- subtly, or it will never be expi
em in govern- f?r distribution.
Sunday in the J;m Millsappl; a mcdia ar
contradictions to Communist
ter and scholar allegorically because of the op
; to discuss and
will also speak These filmmakers must ma
ries overcome government approval and stil
viewers, Millsapps, an indepei
linking theat
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Photo by Jim Van Arsdale
face brutality in a Nazi concentration camp in
the successes and flaws of the play, though
he has not attempted to bolster the weak
spots. The use of four screens above the
stage embellishes the mood without unnecessary
distraction, and the constant
presence of Nazi guards over the viewer's
shoulder is ominous.
Rottschaefer is on target with his minimal
settings, and the technical worn, from
Carey Robinson's lighting to Jeff Cone's
costumes, is strong.
an Wait' Frem
on another, entitled "Here
Mr. Jordan." Segall's play TO SE
ade into a successful film '; i "
years ago, with Warren
Julie Christie, Dyan Cannon, From Staff Re
; Grodin, Jack Warden and Miche, Bui
enry in lead roles. tonight in US<
ven Can Wait" follows the of the llth am
ires of Joe Pendleton, who _. .
in untimely death through the f
g of a young angel. He returns Krench-laneu
th as another person, with onthethemi
?c mcliiio
UJ & vouiio.
's production will be directed Butor, a
ri Quick, who has brought Louisville thi
trap" and "Shenandoah" to his wor^ in I
success at the young theater ference, are i
r Languages ai
' Webster will portray Joe, ^ * J
;bra Leopard as Julia, Penny ^
s Betty and Jerry Stevenson as ^jpt
>erry Simpson will play Max mW
1 Canady will appear as Mr. *
)lay will run through April 9,
rformances at 8 p.m. except |
lay matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets
for adults and $3 for students
nior citizens. For more inon,
call the box office at 796- I
at USC 1
ft
munist countries, professional
t)V the Bovflmmpnt hanHlo^ K.( -- '
_ 0 v, .W..U1W yjy vainer conic
television stations and cinema with the Fr<
: Party Loyalists. present, in G
will run from
make a statement that would sarong ^
mmunists must make his point France and ?
essed to his people or released universities, \
ts department instructor, said Butor's ad<
Party policies must be made reservations
tpressive political climate. 777-4B81. Eegi
ike their point skillfully, to get ^ sessions,
1 communicate the message to rorimormatl
ident filmmaker, said.
ergoer
BUT "BENT" is a performer's showcase.
and while the audience need not be
mesmerized with empathy, it must be
challenged by character dimension.
Chuck Whetzel is simply terrific as Rudy.
His is an individualized performance of
great conscience, balancing timidity,
humor and fear with a sound foothold of ^
human dignity.
Likewise, Rich Berg delivers a superb
interpretation of Horst, a homosexual of
equal fiber who befriends Max in Dachau.
Berg is wonderfully gaunt and glib, inspiring
the viewer's respect and inviting his
sympathy.
Mert Hatfield couldn't have missed if he
tried as the brutal, hulking Gestapo officer.
But Bryce Taylor shouldn't be overlooked in
a brief appearance of disturbing decadence ^
as a transvestite cabaret performer.
THE PROBLEM with the role of Max is
that it asks the actor ? in this case the head
of USC's acting program, Richard Jennings
? to be "wracked" with emotion from the
outset, conversely shading his emotional
crescendo with the second act's low-key
surface structure.
Jennings' finest scenes attest to the
principle that "less is often more." When he
is forced to beat Rudy to save his own life,
Jennings dazedly quivers above the brink of
sanity until his horror and rage melt into a ^
violent fury. His supremely anguished,
muffled moan when Horst signals his love
before a bitter end packs far more power
than the histrionics the script seems to
demand from him in the first act.
Despite the script's curious weaknesses,
the production is certainly in the "plus"
column for USC. While some viewers may
find the violence and brutal decadence
shocking, the play is worthy of consideration,
and offers a solid evening of
theater.
"Bent" runs through Sunday, with performances
at 8 p.m. except for a 3 p.m. ^
aunuay maunee. ncKets are $3.50 for the
general public; $2.50 for USC faculty/staff,
senior citizens and military personnel; and
$1.50 for students. For more information,
call the box office at 777-2551.
ch novelist
ieak tonight .
ports
or, French novelist and critic, will speak
C's McKissick Museums Art Gallery as part
lual French Literature Conference.
ence ? which officially opened last night
*mance by the Comediens Carolingiens, a
age student theatrical troupe ? is centered
"The French Novel: Theory and Practice." ^
visiting professor at the University of
s spring, will speak in English and read from
French at 8 p.m. His reading, and the consporisored
by USC's Department of Foreign
id Literatures.
i v. ^ A leader of the
f t?#i ?tr?t #? 4. MM #1
HHnnwS "Uiiauuiun ami
hHHHBBBHSI children's books.
lichel Butor &
iraice sessions have been scheduled, dealing
inch novel from the Middle Ages to the
ambrell Hall room 429. Today, the sessions
9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Tomorrow,
vill run from 9 a.m. to noon. Scholars from
leigium, as well as from several American
vill present papers at the sessions.
iress is free and open to the public, but
are recommended. For reservations, call t
stration for the conference is $15. It includes
coffee breaks and a cocktail party tonight.
on, call 777-2520 or 777-1881.