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THE OKLAHOMAN | NEWSOK.COM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010
OU troupe delights with premieres PERFORMANCE | ELEMENTS CREATE VARIED MOODS IN SHOW BY CONTEMPORARY DANCE OKLAHOMA ARTISTS NORMAN — A Contemporary Dance Oklahoma concert in which each number creates its own special, distinctive mood is being staged through Sunday at the University of Oklahoma’s Rupel Jones Theatre. Seven men and three women came out of large picture frames, which they ultimately returned to, in the first work, “Portraits.” It was choreographed by Derrick Minter to the strange, static-distorted music of Alva Noto. The 10-member ensemble danced with great energy and athleticism, although “Portraits” was more powerful as an almost abstract, stylized work than as a family narrative related to traditional portrait photography. Wearing modern violet and red costumes that showed off their well-developed bodies beautifully, the performers also made good use of a movable double screen with its own steps (and silhouettes) in “Portraits.” Much briefer and offering a nice contrast to “Portraits” was “Voic-
DANCE REVIEW
Contemporary Dance Oklahoma › When: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 3 p.m.
Sunday. Where: Rupel J. Jones Theatre, 563 Elm, Norman. dInformation: 325-4101 or www.ou.edu/finearts/dance.
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es From the Sea,” choreographed by Kozaburo Yukihiro, a former director of modern dance at OU. A single seashell and a small bridge were the only props of this minimal but delicately poetic and quietly evocative meditation on mortality and the bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Performing to music by Gustav Mahler in “Voices From the Sea” were Diana Robertson and Anna Claire Brunelli, clad in pink-peach dresses, and Dwayne Cook Jr.,
wearing shades of gray and a white shirt. Much more direct and delightful was “I Could Be Dancing,” choreographed by Austin Hartel to music of the disco era. A ninemember OU dance company had a great time and made the audience have an even better time as it recreated the wonderfully outrageous moves, look and feel of disco to some of its biggest hits. Equally delightful, but very different, was “Ensorcelled” (which means “bewitched or enchanted”), an offbeat fairy tale also choreographed by Hartel, to music composed by OU music faculty member Michael Lee. Terra Easter played the sleeping princess in a curtained bed that seemed to move by itself (with the help of Katherine Irwin) in “Ensorcelled.” Struggling over her were good fairy Brunelli and evil queen Clare Springer, not to mention Mario Romero as a prince, riding his enchanted squirrel steed, Adryan Moorefield, who nearly stole the show.
Adding to the magical atmosphere of “Ensorcelled” was a supporting cast of woodland creatures and garlanded “gentle fairies” who “frolic happily,” almost like escapees from Sandro Botticelli’s “Primavera.” Moorefield returned for a stunning short solo, acting out a song by Gladys Knight with a starry night backdrop in “With a Smile,” a tribute by Minter to Denise Jefferson, director of the Ailey School, who died recently. Eleven dancers mastered the stylized, forceful movements of Martha Graham to portray various aspects of love in the final work, “Diversion of Angels,” choreographed by Graham and staged by Minter. Wearing white, red and yellow to symbolize mature love, erotic love and youthful infatuation convincingly in “Diversion” were Renee Beneteau, Allyson Yates and Brunelli. The OU dance program is highly recommended. — John Brandenburg
Wedding invitation stirs painful past DEAR ABBY: A male cousin greeted warmly, you should say sent me an invitation to his wed- something to your cousin’s fianding. I have met his fiancee a few cee before she marries him. times at family reunions and wedYou could benefit from talking dings, and she to a counselor who seems very sweet. specializes in sexThe problem is my ual abuse to make cousin sexually sure the effects of Jeanne abused me for what happened to Phillips many years when I you don’t affect was younger. I have you in the future. no desire to attend The counselor can his wedding. help you decide DEAR ABBY Am I obligated to what to do from send a card or a there. If you don’t gift? I don’t want his fiancee to attend the wedding, you are under think I don’t like her, but it makes no obligation to send a gift or a me sick to think of celebrating his card. marriage after what he did. What DEAR ABBY: I could never figdo I say when other family mem- ure out why “Margaret,” my wife bers ask why I’m not going? Am I of 20 years, married me. After our obligated to tell her what he did? wedding she tried to give me an Needs to Know in Texas image makeover. She’d buy me DEAR NEEDS TO KNOW: A clothes I left hanging in the closet. young man who sexually abuses She’d contradict and correct me in someone “for years” is a predator. public. In general, she’d find fault And while the news may not be with almost everything I did. She
THEATER REVIEW
“Mindgame” › When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Nov. 13. One 8 p.m. performance Nov. 11. Ghostlight Theatre Club, 3110 N Walker. › Where: Information: 286-9412 or www.ghostlight › theatreclub.com.
Ghostlight offers satisfying suspense with ‘Mindgame’ Ghostlight Theatre Club has chosen Anthony Horowitz’s “Mindgame” for the second slot of its 201011 season. “Mindgame” is a refreshing exercise for suspense-seeking viewers. Expertly directed by Lance Garrett, “Mindgame” takes place in an asylum for the criminally insane. Fairfield is situated in an out-of-the-way corner of Suffolk County, England. Mark Styler, a seemingly naive author, journeys to Fairfield to interview an inmate for his newest book. He meets Dr. Farquhar, who, though unprepared for his arrival, questions him about his interest in lunatic criminals. After some discussion, Farquhar agrees to have Nurse Plimpton provide a spot of tea and a sandwich. Terry Veal gives a wonderful reading of Farquhar, and Linda McDonald offers a fearless and superb characterization of Nurse Plimpton as they join Chris Crane as Styler. Garrett’s set design makes the most of the small space
and is complemented beautifully by the sound, lighting and costuming design. Christi Newbury leads the technical crew to synchronize perfectly with Garrett’s concept. Twists abound in this thriller, which terrorizes and tempts the audience to laugh as each new and unexpected event occurs. The end of the show happens almost too soon, as the performances are so enjoyable — yet soon enough as the audience members realize that, despite everything, they have been had. “Mindgame” is an excellent show to tweak the intellect, stimulate the creative centers and impress the senses, and Garrett’s interpretation brings out the best for the actors. The show has been called a farce, but directed as a straight offering, it’s far more terrifying than a farce would be. And far more amusing. Garrett’s direction and casting create a forceful, dynamic and entertaining change for Oklahoma audiences. — Elizabeth Hurd
put me down often, and if I reacted, she would either claim it wasn’t what she meant to say or tell me, “You do it, too.” I finally gave up and left her. Margaret has an excellent reputation, so people try to pry into why I left her. When I tell them I won’t bad-mouth her, they tell me she says plenty about me. My response is, “Then you know all there is to know, don’t you?” Two women close to my age, plus one college-age girl, are pursuing me. I’m afraid if I don’t leave this area, Margaret will allege that I left her for one of them. Your thoughts, please. Keeping Mum in Cleveland DEAR KEEPING MUM: You didn’t mention how long ago your marriage ended or whether your divorce is final. But regardless, aren’t you tired of worrying about what your ex is saying about you? The marriage is over — kaput! A move isn’t necessary. An effective
way to ensure that no one spreads a rumor that you left Margaret for one woman would be to spend time being seen dating all of them. DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for two years, and he still doesn’t know my mother’s last name (it’s different from my maiden name), nor does he know the names of all of my siblings. He doesn’t think it’s a big deal. What is your opinion? Name Game, Knoxville, Tenn. DEAR NAME GAME: Either your husband is not much of a family man or he’s not detail-oriented. Remembering someone’s name is a sign of respect, and it appears your husband of two years has little of that for your family. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. To order “What Every Teen Should Know,” send a business-size, self-addressed envelope plus check or money order for $6 to Dear Abby — Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.) UNIVERSAL UCLICK
Unescorted trick-or-treaters were often frightfully rude DEAR MISS MANNERS: I write to ask about the balance between community responsibility for children without visible parents and politeness. I had large numbers of unaccompanied children at my door for trick-ortreating. Not one of the unaccompanied children (nor several of those with parents) said thank you when receiving my candy. One even went so far as to declare, upon my opening my door, that I have a “messy house.” These children all live in my apartment complex, where it is safe for them to wander alone, but I’m not sure how to deal with outright insults such as the messy house comment, or impoliteness such as not saying thank you. I didn’t say anything about the lack of a thank you, but I did respond to the mess comment with a rather miffed, “Excuse me?” and had to resist the urge to take back the candy I had just given the girl who should have been old enough to know better. Miss Neat Police eventually said, “Trick or treat,” and ended with “Happy Halloween” but not thank you. Please advise me
Judith Martin MISS MANNERS about what to do next year. GENTLE READER: Maybe go to the movies that night. You know that Miss Manners sympathizes with you about the need for children to learn manners. She also believes that the community can help. But not by grabbing them in the middle of a candy frenzy and chastising them. That will only make you known as The Mean Lady in 705. If you truly want to influence them, you will have to make friends with them. You could invite one or two over for a treat and slip in a few mild directives: “I hope you like the cookies. When people say ‘Thank you,’ that’s how we know it was a good idea to offer them. Or if not, they can say ‘No, thank you.’ Now tell me more about your game coming up.” No doubt this is more than you bargained for.
You wanted to snatch the candy back or perhaps to snap at the children or their parents that they have no manners. Aside from being rude, this would be ineffective. DEAR MISS MANNERS: I just saw a post on my (pregnant) cousin’s Facebook page that is beyond an embarrassment. I would love to hear your comments so that I can share with her your thoughts and how unbelievably rude and tacky her post was. She wrote: “If you are not able to make it to my baby shower or I wasn’t able to invite you because of limited space but you still want to get me a gift, I am registered here, where you can buy online and have it sent by mail!” GENTLE READER: Nice offer: I’ve forgotten about you, but you might want to remember me. That is Miss Manners’ thought, but she cautions you that to repeat it for the sake of triumphing over your cousin would be rude. Miss Manners is written by Judith Martin. Go to www.missmanners.com or send questions or letters via postal mail to Miss Manners, United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016. UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE
BILLY GRAHAM DEAR DR. GRAHAM: I grew up in a religious home, but I’ve come to the conclusion that religion is just superstition, and I don’t believe in God. D.B. DEAR D.B.: I feel very sorry for you, and I mean this sincerely. You’ve lost something that everyone on Earth yearns for, and that something is hope. If there is no God, then you and I are absolutely alone in this universe. We have no one to comfort us when we grieve and no one to turn to when we need wisdom. Nor does life have any meaning; we are simply like a fallen leaf drifting aimlessly down a stream. But more than that, if God doesn’t exist, we have no hope of anything past this life. As Job said in a mo-
ment of despair, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope” (Job 7:6). But life doesn’t need to be this way, and the reason is because God not only exists, but He loves us and cares what happens to us. The most important thing I can urge you to do is to look at Jesus Christ. He was God in human flesh. Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Christ as He is revealed in the pages of the New Testament. As you open the Bible I challenge you to make this prayer: “God, I’m not even sure You exist. But if You do, speak to me through this book. And if You do that, I’ll not only believe in You but I’ll give my life to Jesus and become His follower.” TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
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5D
HOROSCOPE
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ARIES (March 21-April 19): You demonstrate success with your every move. This includes your move to relax this evening and do as little as possible. After all, successful people know how to pace themselves. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Not one to wait around to be entertained, you will take the initiative and do the things that excite you. This evening, you’ll be surrounded by people who are not only interesting but also excellent company. GEMINI (May 21June 21): You are careful about how you go about things. By practicing the right actions accompanied by the ideal thoughts and feelings, you will achieve the desired results. CANCER (June 22-July 22): You’ll spend time doing activities that will reinforce a loving, supportive family dynamic. The events you’ll participate in are not necessarily your first preference, but whatever makes your loved ones smile is so worthwhile to you. LEO (July 23Aug. 22): You’ll mix and mingle with important people, and there is an opportunity for you in this connection. These types appreciate how you get right to the point and say what you have to offer them. VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22): Part of you loves pressure and challenges; they are what push you to the level of greatness. You don’t know what you can do until someone squeezes you, and then you like what you find out. LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23): Your activities are in line with your heart’s desire. What’s more, you have as much time as you need. Doing the things you enjoy without interference — this is true happiness. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): Instead of worrying about what others are doing, you’ll focus on being the best you can be. You are no longer worried about who is ahead. Because of this, you have already won. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your energy level will be high, and the ideas just keep coming. The questions become where to put your attention and which impulses are worthy of your action. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Though you have made some conservative choices, deep down inside you are an adventurer. You need to be where the action is. You’ll be drawn to likeminded people — risk-takers who, like you, will go for broke. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take measures to separate yourself from the influence of others for a while. The shift in perspective will help you zero in on what you really think and feel. PISCES (Feb. 19March 20): You don’t quite buy the socalled official story. And though there’s something in you that wants to poke around and get to the truth, you may also decide to leave things well enough alone.
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CREATORS SYNDICATE