The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, February 27, 1985, Page Page 8, Image 8
Page 8 - February 27, 1985 f] TUTIfiTjf. THE GAMECOCK
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Future star
Cornelius Steton was one of the
Black History Month celebration.
Ringling Brotl
By Robert O'Connor
What can be said to further
glorify an event that has transcended
the years?
The Ringling Brothers and Barnumand
Bailey Circus cast their
magnificent but sometimes unnerving
anchor .jnto Columbia last
... 1. - l 1 it
WCCK.CHU, uuu me rcsuu was an unforgettable
one. Running last Friday
through Sunday, the famous
troupe's annual visit to Columbia
was as elaborate and at times as
garish as recent memory would
serve.
So embellished with lavish production
is the circus that this
reviewer finds it difficult to recall
single details and events.
CAROLINA COLISEUM was
three-fourths full Su^fay afternoon
as the circus gave its final
performance in Columbia. The
crowd was excited and^esponsive
to an almost three-hour show that'
included clowns, daredevil acts
North Can
emphasize:
Marisa Porto
Unbroken spirit, intensity and lr
displayed by the North Carolina Dan<
Township Auditorium Monday night
i ne periormance impressed many
with its spontaneity and originality.
The 17-member cast, directed by F
began with "Guiliani: Variations on
sprightly dance featured Lauri Wor
Prewitt.
THE ATMOSPHERE of a count
trayed by dance members with skill ;
quaint old-fashioned costumes, comb
colors and ribbons, added much to tl
"Fragile Trophies" followed a 15sion.
The cast members returned <
greens and blacks. These drab col<
significant and spiritual piece, with
winning music by Karel Husa.
Dancer Pearl Potts beautifully \
Dove." a svmhnl of linhmlcn cr
freedom.
The Hussite war song from the 1!
Warriors of God and His Law" began
symbolized man's resistance to confii
strong, passionate nature of "Fragile 1
a symbol of the prison that encompas
tain nations.
THE CONTINUAL SOUND of ch
bined with the chanting of the cast m<
of victory as well as distress. The piec
portrayed by the ensemble an<
choreographed by Helen Douglas.
Though many of the audience meml
piece strange, it displayed the talen
Carolina Dance Theater in a way the
not. Pearl Potts' wildness and intei
with the structured rigidity of "The C
perfect piece for the troupe.
"Pentimento," choreographed by >
with music by Bach, allowed individ
the cast to showcase their talents.
The perfection and timing in "Pe
masterful. The cast members took th<
one peak moment to the next. The me
uniquely individual and intense, despi
ment in the whole "painting."
THE DANCE THEATER is a profi
of the North Carolina School of the A
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lers circus off
and disturbing animal exhibitions.
Perhaps the most appealing
detail of the circus were the
clowns. Although the simplest
aspect of a tiring show are the
clown acts, the Ringling Brother
clown ensemble was pleasant and
refreshing. Comedy was obnoxius,
but one cannot help but think the
clowns are the most actively entertaining
vehicle in the performance.
Clowns seem more enjoyable
oecause tney seem to try the
hardest.
This year's show was a lengthy
and sometimes tiring one (or
perhaps this critic is feeling his
age). Regardless, a capacity of
happiness and obvious energy was
missing. Smiles on performers'
faces seemed glued on, animals
were ready to 1^.1 over and nap,
and the darede^r acts were short
and unsatisfying,
Much of the cifckis this year was
spent on elegantly tacky costumes
and dawvc routines that were borilina
RqIIqI
.sin i vi uy iku I
s thematic
which worked wi
/ely dance were pieces, made its m
:e Theater at the "Fragile Trophies
Director Robcr
in the audience Salvatore Aiello sh
formance and a fi
Lobert Lindgren, occurred - a dan
a Theme." This troupe recovered
rill and Richard audience.
Cast members
ry fair was por- David Bushman, I
and beauty. The bell, Beverly Cha
lined with bright Crevier, Robin Fr;
le festive piece. Traci Owens, Mel
minute intermis- Prewitt, Lauri Wo
iressed in dark also be congratulal
Drs made for a cident into a posii
Pulitzer Prize- their production st
portrayed "The The lighting anc
>irit, pride and excellent, although
outshone the othc
simplicity of drab
5th-century "Ye background portrj
the piece, which emptiness of life r
nine idpslc Th*> barouue cnstnmpc
frophies" is also
ses all Iron Cur- .
IHL USC Cultui
interesting shows v
urch bells, com- wa^ definitely
;mbers, is a sign trouPe d?P?ay?l Pr
:e was magically modern dance that
J passionately f !*e dance t
of the year gave ki
Theater and Care
>ers thought this Series Com">ittec.
t of the North
other pieces did The North Caro
isity, combined South Carolina's B
iuard," was the close. The North <
practice and skill, v
/icente Nebrada seeing,
ual members of So the next time
them. Thev offer
timed, emotional |
ntimento" were within the next few
s audience from at The Township o
mbers remained Their strength ir
te their involve- ticket money for a
really don't enjoy t
this for you too. /
essional affiliate group of young pe
,rts. The troupe, won't fail.
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v ~
RAY GRONBERG I Ths Gamecock
Stars" talent show, part of USC's
ers elaborate
ing at tim$: Upsetting were the
smiles that had no real emotion
behind them. A huge cast and
; troupe
dancing
?ll together in the more classical
ain impression in the more abstract
?
t Lindgren and associate director
lould be congratulated on a fine perine
cast. Though one small mishap
cer fell during the first piece ? the
and overwhelmed the Township
William Bartlett, Jeffery Bullock,
uarieen callaghan, Edward Campimbers,
Christye Chantal, Jeffrey
anklin, Ralph Hewitt, Paul Maley,
issa Pittman, Pearl Potts, Richard
rrill and Terri Lynn Wright should
ed. They turned an unfortunate intive
experience for themselves and
aff.
1 costuming for all the pieces were
i, once again, "Fragile Trophies"
:rs in designs and costumes. The
green and black against a barren
ayed the harshness and spiritual
nuch more so than the beautifully
in "Pentimento."
ral Series Committee presents many
/ith many talented individuals, but
one of the better productions. The
ofessionalism, passion and flair for
most groups seem incapable of.
heater of this semester and maybe
ados to the North Carolina Dance
)lina Program Union's Cultural
lina Dance Theater may not rival
allet Theater but it certainly comes
Carolina troupe, with a bit more
vill mature into a group well-worth
this group is in town, don't miss
a variety of well-practiced, wellDeices
which may come to bloom
w?orc o... .u~ ?ce .1
;vuu. uui me liiuii nicy put iurm
n Monday was not overlooked.
? modern dance will be worth the
ny ballet fan. And for those who
he ballet, there's a bit of culture in
\t least you can watch a talented
ople try for the stars ? and they
Music's fine
By Robert O'Connor
The Grammy awards, telecast live
little surprise for many establishe*
1984.
Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen,
Lauper triumphed in the generally ti
awards presentation with accepta
mances. This year's Grammy Aware
most unsurprising in recent memor
Tina Turner, who host John Den
having the most successful comeba<
dominated the awards ceremony,
huge hit "What's Love Got To 1
47-year-old Turner was awarded wit
the year and best pop and rock fern,
received a standing ovation by th
audience.
THE ONLY surprise last night wt
out cold as far as awards went,
awarded the best new artist. Lauj
senseless choices as Corey Hart and
Hollywood. Sporting blindingly i
melodramatically sang "Time Aftei
Bruce Springsteen, the hero of 198
standard "Born In The USA" LP, 1
male vocalist. Springsteen, who e:
Julianne Phillips to the festivies,
Richie for the prestigious award. Ric
the year for last year's "Can't Slow
Phil Collins received the best pop '
his "Against All Odds" single,
nominated in two other categories,
although not present, won a Gram
production, s
dozens of choreographed moves
failed to make a big or entertaining
dent.
THE MAIN REASON this critic
was turned off is because of the
animal treatment. Naturally, most
of the animals were well-trained
and groomed, but how much enjoyment
can an animal have under
these circumstances? Particularly
noticeable were the bears and
elephants in outlandish costumes
and forced moods of complacency.
Animal tricks are stupid, as emphasized
by David Letterman, and
some are downright inhumane.
Thoueh the animnk wptp
rewarded with food for doing "a
good job," they were punished on
more occasions.
On other and more positive
hand, then*, were some very pleasant
aspects to the circus. Besides
The flfcrsG'ivil acts were not as
plentiful as in recent years, nor
were they as daring. The three
v;. y; y
Itthak Perlman, one of the world's
Township Auditoriu
Itzhak Perlm
From Staff Reports
The Columbia Music Festival /
celebrate its Golden Anniversary
highlight performance by internatic
violinist ItzhakPerlmanon Thursdi
p.m. at the Township Auditorium.
Perlman, in his second Columbia
CMFA, joins a distinguished list ol
performed for Columbia audiences
years under the association's auspi<
Perlman holds many Grammy
i
ist honored a
album "Making
last night, offered beat out The Ei
r\ miicar* ninvWr f Mnrln Uonrvn*
^ iiiujiv ^uun,-) ui IVAVIIV nag^ai
his heart-felt "1
Prince and Cyndi
resome three-hour PRINCE, W1
nces and perfor- winning conten
Is seemed to be the deservedly so. H
y. won as best alb
ver attributed with the award for be
:k in rock history, his performanc
After singing her Prince's third <
Do With It," the rhythm and blue
h the best single of For You."
ale singers. Turner
ie entire Grammy Chaka Khan,
eback, was awai
tist. She sane "
is that'Lauper was The Pointer S
although she was on Automatic
)cr beat out such smash hit Jum
I Frankie Goes To Pr9^uccr
red hair, Lauper tfwo nominees.
. ?? James Anthony
4 for the generally BEST GOSPi
won the best rock for her single "A
scorted girlfriend ment Award wa
beat out Lionel Nearly 6,000 I
hie won album of last night's cerei
Down." The results were
vocalist award for expected. Certai
while he was teen exemplify tl
I M! 1 * ?
iviicncai jacKSon, 1984 was an
my for his video awards cmphasi;
enseless anim
rii were full of of talented and
polished acts, but key elements
seemed to be missing. One performer
was shot out of a cannon,
while three families performed on
the trapeze and tightrope.
THE TRAPEZE acts were
shortened versions of what one
would expect and would hardly
evoke a sense of suspense.Somersaults
and swinging ruled that element
of the circus performance.The
body contortionists
were interesting enough, especially
a male duo who exhibited an exorU!a
- " "
imam amount oi strength. The
spotlighted performer who was
shot out of a cannon was perhaps
the single most stupid moment of
the show.
he tightrope walkers also^?ve
a short display of their innovative
talents. The suspense level was om4f*resent
for the most part, bi^he
performers were tired and ready to
end seemingly before they started.
foremost violinists, is disking his sac
m performance
an coming to t
recordings. His i
\ssociation will the standard vio
Season with a new composers,
nally acclaimed Perlman's acc<
ly, Feb. 28 at 8 Sanders, a nativ
Sanders has serv<
appearance for 20 years, is supei
F star3 that have ment and gives n
during the past Tickets are $
:es. available at the <
awards for his information, call
t Grammys
[ Micheal Jackson's Thriller," which
jrythmics and The Cars.
d won best country male vocalist for
hat's The Way Love Goes."
HO was touted as the night's biggest
der, won in many categories, and
is superior soundtrack "Purple Rain"
um soundtrack. Prince also collected
st rock performance by a rock duo for
C with his hnnH Th*?
Hid unexpected award was for best
s songwriter for Chaka Khan's "I Feel
who also made somewhat of a comded
best female rhythm and blues arI
Feel For You" to an excited crowd,
isters won for best vocal arrangement
' and best pop performance for their
P."
of the year catagory was shared by
Lionel Richie won the award with
Carmicheal and David Foster.
CL vocalist was Amy Grant, who won
mgels." The annual Lifetime Achieve
s awarded to Leonard Bernstein.
Recording Academy members voted in
nonies in seven chapters nation wide,
not so much dismaying as they were
nly, Tina Turner, Prince and Springshe
past year.
important year for music, and the
jed that.
lal treatment
the wonderful comedy from the
Ringling Brothers clowns, the
outlandish costuming was
hilarious and intriguing enough to
keep a dozing attention. Also,
Tom Thumb and his wife were tru
ly enigmatic and seemed to enjoy
what they were doing.
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum
Bailey circus can not be
criticized for trying, because it is
apparent that they did in many
spots. Exhaustion was the main
problem this year.
AND PERHAPS that is the simple
explanation to this critic's
disillusionment. And maybe there
relly isn't anyone to blame. There
is no denying that the circus had
many enjoyable points.
! r
However, this reviewer cannot'
help but feel that that feertainment
shnillH nr>t hp fr\rr#?H rtr at t ho
expense of defenseless animals.
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.gg pip
'r-Z Tir^y^^sIz7. ;5":~n?Z
and Columbia appearance.
own tomorrow
epertoire is vast, encompassing all
lin literature and many works by
whose efforts he has championed.
3mpanist for the concert is Samuel
c New Yorker and avid educator.
:d as a Juillard faculty member for
visor of the accompanying departnaster
classes all over the country.
25, $20, SI5 and $10 and are
CMFA office at 1132 Bull St. For
I 771-6303.
i