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~ Thigpen pre By MARY JO MILLER Staff writer His church is a cavernous theatre on Assembly Street, his vestments arc weather-stained .3 ' ucmm, ana ms sermons are oneand two-act dramas and comedies that have little to do with God, but don't be misled ? Jim Thigpcn says he's bringing a 4P> gospel of sorts to Columbia. "Being involved in theater in South Carolina is like evangelism," Thigpen said, sprawled on the floor of his theater. "No one's a theater person in this part of the country. It's like preaching the gospel every day. I'm trying to tell peo^1*. ?I I-.. ? ' " civ, ncy, mis is neai. YOU ought to give it a chance.'" Because Thigpen wants everyone, especially college students, to give live theatre a chance, he and his wife Kay have started a mom-and-pop theater named Trustus. Trustus, housed in The Beat's former location on Assembly Street, was chosen by the Thigpens for its location and its casual setting. Movie screen: Rv STFPHPU r mill cnvi c ? I w.Mf ?!? w. HVibl WILL Staff writer Many adventure movies are pla ^ around town, and this guide is < moviegoers some help in deciding their ticket dollars. "King Solomon's Mines." The make this movie seem like a ripoff the Lost Ark." It is. It stars Richard Chamberlain adventurer named Quartermain, wl brim hat and tan pants. There is a sccne in "Raiders" ir Jones climbs under a moving truck; a train. Jones also used his whip t? truck; this movie has a chain dai caboose. But the closeups aren't doi can see the lines of the bluescreen < The fellow who played Sallah, Egyptian friend, also happens to b but as a bad guy. John Rhys-Ds Turkish crime lord who wants the tr< friends in the German army. He w "Raiders," and he deserves better 1 ' J I, Grand 0 Tuesd; ALL S' FREE WZL CASH Stop In || of the NEVH OL COLUMBIA'S MOS furniture pact I. 12 ft. "state o over 25 f 211 MAIN STREET aches gospel "Wc wanted a place where people would be relaxed, but we didn't want California," Thigpen said. "Wc didn't want bean sprouis and pita bread hanging around the place. On the other hand, 1 didn't everybody pinched in fur coats and a 'Bravo, bravo!' atmosphere." ^Thigpen has been trying to escape the theatrical stereotype ? little old ladies in mink coats yelling "Bravo" ? for most of his career. His escape route has taken him to standup comedy and soap operas in New York, teaching stints at the University of South Carolina and Spring Valley High School, and a stint as the president of Workshop Theatre in Columbia. Thigpcn is optimistic that his contacts in Columbia and New York theater will allow him to bring to the state a caliber of theater he thinks is lacking in South Carolina. "There are lots of good theater groups in town, and they all appeal to certain segments of our s feature hits Some good film movie ticket, how lying in theaters "Target. " Gem iesigned to give an endearing tean I how to spend love each other thi ing Hackman's pa advertisements someone in his pi of "Raiders of kidnapped, and tl her. The plot is one as an African and Dillon's chai ho wears a wide about his father's lust and blasting 1 which Indiana violence and sex a ; this movie uses "Starchaser: 77 o hang onto the story has (treat an rigling after the dimensions. The i tie well, and you audience, the way jffect. years back, but to Indiana Jones' The plot is pretl e in this movie, It runs along the 1 ivies stars as a town kid making easure, as do his has a sword hilt th as very good in the hilt ? as use than this. without the blade. PEKING CELE iy, December 10, 10 am - 6 pm rUDENTS INV1 HAMBURG! & HOT DOC D ONLOC^ for PHRSMflL TO rLf itcriUVfllEP VI ?D WHflLEY'S MILL T EXCITING UNIQUE :age ? security ? swimi ceilings ? 9 ft. window sleep & study lofts if the art" heating & cool floor plans of 1, 2 & 3 1 COLUMBIA, SOUTH ( (803) 254-7801 ts from California Dreamii of theater society," Thigpen said. "I feel the void in town is off-Broadway, Greenwich Village theater." To fill the void, Thigpen plans to produce a different show each month. And Thigpen's repertoire promises 10 oe a change from the usua! Columbia theater fare. "We're trying to get the rights to a play dealing with AIDS, for instance. We're not here to shock, but we want to do good theater that no one else is doing," Thigpen said. Trustus' November production of Extremities, a harsh drama Hfalinn uii'li 1 .v?....5 nun iapc, upcnca lo favorable reviews. If Thigpen can duplicate that success with his future productions, he may well convert Columbians to his message of theater. "Live theater, like live music or comedy, is the ultimate in entertainment," Thigpen said. "It's more fun. And when it's good, live theater can make you cry harder and laugh harder than the movies and TV. I want everyone to give it a chance just once and they'll see." and misses is can be found that are worth a $5 'ever. j Hackman and Matt Dillon make 1 as a father and son who learn to rough a series of mishaps concernist. He was once a CIA agent, and ist is seeking revenge. His wife is le two embark for Europe to find of revelation to both the audience racter, as the son doesn't know past. This is a movie full of love, I machine guns, although the ire kept under control. He Legend of Orin in 3-D." This imation and is wonderful in three dea is not to throw spears at the they did in "Comin' at Ya" a few ' entertain. ty basic for a science-fiction film. "Star Wars" theme of the smallit big by saving the galaxy. Orin lat he has to find a blade for, but d by Orin ? can sometimes cut ? owl <w?i ?? fmt ?*?? ??? . ' 1 ? ' Uv --W MW?' *?.? * > Is, - W' I i'U < :BRflTION 1985 [TED ^DC vl\0 is iTION NGS (IRS I ) YEAR I APARTMENTS ming pool s ing BR CAROLINA 29201 ig The Affordable Solutions for a New Car. I AlmtiXX I PA four-passenger, two-door hatchback | ; Very economical and easy handling $399Qroj :ible sportscar. or < Bjl suspension ff st drive py^ | MIM.I ?ne f0aay]- BERTONE Dick Dyer Yugo/Bertone r 3^^ jl ^ji I E 1L _ 1 jL wS 1^ ^ SL, ib - ' ' ^--A... . ; .. . j MMg^gr >, jM B Bsky,, mj % T5;-v'~"^^'^i^;-^"-;-ESfe^swj-''" ' /' .?**^i53lH^^Ky^B^^89BHHHl^H8vRsE9llii^^^lfl?85I^^BG^^ESEifiM3KSl IroliSi ISm' WM JL JLs soon as you get a job^you could The Card can help you begin to get the American Express? Card. establish your credit history. 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