University of South Carolina Libraries
[PEOPLE PLAC T 1 _ A. ? ljearii a iui i CURTAIN CALL CHUCK GRIFFITH Staff Writer Learned Ladies -kit-kit (out of four stars) The Learned Ladies" was written by French poet and playwright Moliere during the 17th century. This romantic comedy is a tickler and a must-see as the content is still true today. The story takes place in 1995 in the home of the influential Chrysale and Philamente, a husband-and-wife duo played by Mack Amick and Kathryn Leahy. Their house is a storm of flamboyant characters including a deadbeat poet, a French maid, a ballet instructor, ck ncnntincr ina+m/*frni* Ha/a rlanrrVifaro w* ^uuiwilg 111UU UVWl J UUUgl ll/Vxlk? U11U guests from all over town. One town boy, Clitandre (Nathan Whitworth), falls in love with the naive daughter, Henriette (Amy Dietz). Clitandre plans to many Henriette, but her mother has different plans: Philamente wants her daughter to marry the hippy beatnik poet Trissontin (Patrick Holland). This begins the household conflict and the calamity of the characters involved The play also demonstrates what happens when society begins to care more about fads, fashion and gossip rather than family and feelings. The surprise in this production is the young talent on and off stage. Unlike "Othello," this production is a cast of all undergraduates. Yet, the play is rich in acting, colors and design. All the actors are phenomenal. As the play begins, we get warmed up with upbeat 1990s music, and no one talks. The French maid come out with a green dustr ing gun and goes about her job. We see characters moving in and out of the living room, which is beautifully designed by Tad Feekes. The set, with everything symmetric, illustrates how the family yearns to be "nice and trite," but we soon see that this is far from the family's goal. Dietz displays her ability smoothly and subtly. With her innocence, Dietz portrays a character we can so easily cling to as she uses her face and eyes to convey meaning and love for Clitandre. Whitworth has a style that we so quicklv become accustomed to as he sneaks with energy and nervousness, which makes his character of Clitandre so believable and charming. Melanie Kneuker does a fabulous job of executing Henriette's extremely pretentious sister. She whips her head around with purpose and seems to be such a stage presence that she uses the audi The Eagles return after a short brea Eagles ready f MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ? All the Eagles needed to do was follow the advice in one of their biggest hits: "Take It Easy." The band, whose members once vowed they would reunite when Hell froze over, got back together for a 70-concert tour last May but had to quickly cancel it when Glenn Frey needed colon surgery. They went back on the road last month. UXT7 111 1 TIT i? 1 N we neeaea a DreaK. we were nrea, fellow Eagle Don Henley said in Tuesday's editions of the Star Tribune. "On the first leg we were touring and recording at the same time, and we were also planning the TV show. It was too much. It really frayed everyone's nerves." And the bride wore... a bildni? NEW YORK (AP)?The bride and groom wore white, but just barely. "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson walked down the aisle in a skimpy white bikini for her wedding Sunday to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee in Cancun, Mexico. Lee, 32, wore white Bermuda shorts and no shirt or shoes. "The bride wore a very tiny ? an ex JES WHATNOT] rom 'Ladies' ence for what she wants it to do: laugh. Amick and Leahey have a masterful chemistry as the husband and wife. Amide's monologue in the first half is a work of comedic art. His use of his arms flapping in the air and his body to add a spice of humor in his lines would put Jim Carrey to shame. Holland tends to steal the scene, as we want him to, as the poet who is going after Henriette for her money. His poetry is terrible, but the "learned ladies" of the town hang on his every J J i.i_ ? i : wui u ime aurne new mu in ineir uonng lives. The minor characters are to be applauded as well. They come on with such subtle facial expressions that they become a dominant eye attraction on stage and funny to watch. The painting instructor (Matt Horgan) is an amusement of his own. He never says a line, yet we laugh when he comes on stage because he is always calm with all the chaos of the household. Matthew Alford as Vadius, nemesis poet to Trissotin, is uproarious and a thrill to watch as he moves his fingers with every line. Ariste, Chrysale's brother, is depicted by Nathan Terracio. If there is any one unaercasiea to nis talent, its rerracio. He comes on and off stage with the grace intended for his character. He's the only normal character in the play, and when he exits the room, we begin to associate him with an essential peace needed in the hysteria within the story. Meredith Mosle/s costume designs are brilliant and dutifully orchestrated to the personality of the characters. Kevin Shaw's lighting design is to be commended, as the uses of pinks, soft whites and blues give us the aroma of love. Steve Hart's directing is a visual symphony that grabs the eye. At times, there are 14 actors on stage, yet he fits them perfectly. His dynamic style to this modernization of a 200-year-old play is done well and hilariously. At times, I felt like I was watching a game between the characters, as their lines were rhymed with the sort of charm we look for in these types of romances. The play is a beautiful triumph with tour-de-force acting, visual conquering design and magnificent directing. Take one night away from Five Points and see this play; you won't regret it in the morning. USC Theatre's production of "The Learned Ladies" will run today through Saturday at 8 p.m. in Longstreet Theatre. Tickets are still available. ik from tholr 70-concort tour. or 'Long Run' tremely tiny?white bikini," Judge Pedro Solis told the Daily News. He wasnt missing a finger SALT LAKE CITY (AP) ? Mistaking one of the road crew members for Jerry Garcia might be all but sacrilegious to Grateful Dead fans, but local authorities say it still doesn't justify a punch in the mouth. Disc jockey Dave "Crazy Dave" Bentley said he was only looking to talk to the Grateful Dead legend when he knocked on a hotel room door at 8 a.m. Tuesday and asked the man who answered if he was Garcia. He said William Grillo responded with an expletive and asked, "Do I look like Jerry Garcia?" Then Grillo punched him in the jaw, Bentley said. Sgt. Lynn Rohlind of the University of Utah police said Grillo, 47, was issued a misdemeanor citation. He faces a maximum $1,000 fine or six months in jail. Grillo did not deny hitting Bentley, Rohlind said. I ! Bract ! Student loans pr i By Allison Williams I Features Editor For most of us, financial aid is a fact of life. Whether | it's scholarships, grants or loans, going to school would be close to impossible without them. But, with proposed financial aid cuts, rising costs | of education and a questionable job market are stuI dents going to be in over their heads after graduation? Six months after donning your cap and gown, marching down the aisle, reality rushes in. If s payback time. All of a sudden, you're paying back a loan, I plus other expenses like a car or apartment. Frater nity parties seem like a long time ago and $50 a month payments are all too real. If s a no-win situation said freshman Stan Charles. "Without student loans and maybe even with I don't I know if I'll be back next year. At the same time I'm not going to be able to get a job if I don't go to college." Charles and most other students are pretty con fident about getting a good job right after graduation. After all, after a few thousand dollars here and many all-night study sessions there, the least students can expect is a job, right? According to Alisa Mosley, director of Career ConI nections in the Career Center, the good news is that | 98 percent of USC students find a job within 12 months . after graduation. However, 13 percent of this 98 percent either go | into the military or graduate school and 23 percent are underemployed. This means some students accept jobs that do not necessarily require a four-year I degree. However, loans must be paid off starting sue months ! Students debate JACKIE MARIACA Staff Writer I Some students will do just about anything to get into a Greek organization. On the other hand, some students feel that Greek life is something they'd nev er want to get involved with. What is the appeal to Greek life, and how does one select the particular organization that he or she will be involved with? Julie Mashore of Alpha Chi Omega sorority answered, "I joined a sorority for so rial reasons; I wanted to meet more people." Ronny Stevenson of Omega Psi Phi said, "I was attracted by the bond and organization between the members. I liked the way each person is able to upI lift another and better themselves." Being away from home and family creates more reasons. Ifs like a second family, a family away from home," Stevenson said. "You always know that there will be someone there for you. You can always count on your frat brothers." When deciding which fraternity or sorority to pledge, Mashore said, "I looked around at all the sororities on campus, then joined the one that I felt I the most at home with." Stevenson adds, "When looking for a fraternity to join, I looked at their qualities and at what they con tributed to their communities. I selected the one that would benefit me the most while allowing me to play . a significant role in helping them in turn." There are 36 Greek organizations presently on I the campus, and the pledges continue to pour in each semester. With such enthusiasm, the Greek traditions carry on. I However, there are those who are opposed to the | very concept of Greek life and who would never even consider joining one. "I don't like the procedures that are required in | order for you to be accepted" said political science I major Keisha Jeeter said. "The sorority sisters intimidate vou and make vou do stupid things." Jeeter recalled her friend's experience when she | was pledging a sorority: "She couldn't speak to any guys or eat any sweets. She was spanked and thrown into the bushes while ketchup was poured on her." Practices such as these commonly take place dur y^r T WMm Bk tP^ w.g|a Mi?; *^||p.s|| OF Bl ove to be necessary i'm paying loans back right now. It's a pain. It's going to be an even bigger pain. But as a graduate student, if you want 4a tfn 4a caIiaaI uaii'va cfAlncf 4a fVMIIl ?W ?V 9VIIWI JVM IV ^Vlll^ ?V have to get a loan.' Computer science graduate student Will Dover past graduation, and a good job search may actually take six to nine months. Mosley estimated that 60 to 70 percent of USC students find employment within six months. But no matter if you have found a job or not, the payments will be here. As criminal justice major Chris Merlino puts it, "Later is coming." "Students need to be conscious of what they're doing before they in debt themselves," said Jackie Bell, assistant director for loans at the Office of Financial Aid. For some students, later is already here. Students who are on subsidized loans will start building interest after graduation, but students who are on unsubsidized loans have started accruing interest from the time they signed for the money. Also, many graduate students are paying off loans from their undergraduate education. Computer science graduate student Will Dover is pursuing his doctorate degree at USC while still paying off his undergraduate bills but sees this as a necessary evil. "I'm paying loans back right now. It's a pain. Ifs going to be an even bigger pain. But as a graduate student, if you want to go to school you're going to have to get a loan. Some people work, but you're probi the pros and coi / \ vJjj0r fl| j^fcjp' ^J/ -?^v , '^B iStf * I? 0 ??______????^ Fraternities and sororities are prolific with par ing rush. Hazing is the name given to such initiation practices. Because of hazing, many students are turned off by Greek life. <m li t i i /r i n i v/? i rersonaiiy, i was lumea on 10 ureeK. lire oecause of what I heard about hazing through the media," said Lauren O'Neill, an accounting major. MTV News recently aired reports about hazing. According to their sources, there have been approximately 25 documented deaths since 1983 that were directly related to hazing rituals. For this reason, 38 states have now enacted anti-hazing laws. When asked if she was required to participate in any hazing practices, Mashore replied, "There was no hazing done at all during rush." Stevenson said, "We, at Omega Psi Phi, do not condone hazing. We just don't get involved because we don't need it." Nonetheless the practice is still very popular, claimed the MTV report. But it's being driven un ife, mm * li " ># ifi Kjy * :^^C\ IIHn *ggj\ RYAN SIMS The Gamecock JRDEN evils of college ably going to have a little extra, or a lot of extra, help," Dover said. Graduate students, particularly law and MIBS students can easily rack up pretty hefty bills. But exactly how much money are we talking about here? Money depends a lot on what type of aid or aids you receive. Loans that are available for USC are the Stafford loans (unsubsidized and subsidized), Perkins loan, health professions loans, nursing student loans and some private loans. These loans are in addition to other financial aid sources such as the Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, federal nursing and health professions scholarships/grants and workstudy. The major loan is the Stafford loan. With the Stafford loan undergraduates can borrow up to $23,000. Graduate students can borrow up to $65,500 if they are on a subsidized loan, $73,000 on an unsubsidized loan. The interest on the Stafford loans for the 19941995 year is 7.4 percent. Interest rates can never be higher than 8.5 percent. This means that if you borrow the maximum of $23,000 you will probably be paying at least $50 a month for about 10 years. If this sounds like a lot of money, it is. But on the other hand, if it hadn't been for $50 million in loans, 11,000 students would not have been able to attend TTCr' 1?f f?U UJb id31 ian. And so maybe loans really are a necessary evil. But as students are hit with possible financial aid cuts, tuition hikes and the future of car payments, rent, food, etc. are students really thinking about what is to come? "Students don't realize. It's fun and games now. That's going to be a lot of money," said Charles. ns of Greek life BRIDGET QAFFNEY The Gamecock aphernalla. derground because of the publicity it is receiving. Victims of forced drinking and branding often go without medical treatment because they do not want to betray their fraternity or sorority. Such misplaced loyalty can be extremely detrimental to themselves, tV?p MTV rf?nor+ aaiH Some authorities feel that the problem lies in the fact that such a tremendous amount of power rest in the hands of relatively young and inexperienced men and women. During rush, these members of the fraternities and sororities often abuse their power over the pledges. Despite the negative publicity, the tradition of Greek life is still strong on the campuses nation wide. However, the scrutiny into their practices continues to increase with each incident of hazing-related violence.