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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014
CULTURE
El Ultimo Ready to take stage Aquinas’ Egres prepares for vocal recital Elvis
A story of love, music, and obsession By Cameron Thompson The Saint Reporter The Fifth Annual Latin American Film Festival held at the Wealthy Theatre provided an opportunity for cultural exposure. As per usual, the committee presented the most recent, highly acclaimed Latin American films. It is always wonderful to see diversity in and around the city, and Wealthy Theatre is an Eastown novelty. One of the many films shown at the recent festival was the Argentine film, El Ultimo Elvis (The Last Elvis) directed by Armando Bó. It stars John McInerny as Carlos Gutiérrez (Elvis), Griselda “Priscilla” Siciliani as Alejandra Olemberg (Carlos’ ex-wife) and Margarita Lopez as Lisa Marie Gutiérrez (Carlos’ daughter). The plot followed the deterioration of an Elvis impersonator who becomes trapped in his own world of performance as “The King,” then is suddenly left with paternal responsibility when his ex-wife and daughter are in a car accident. He is called upon to care for his daughter, Lisa Marie, while his wife, Griselda, is in a nonresponsive state at the hospital. The two form a closer bond with the music of Elvis, and Carlos’ beautiful renditions of Elvis’ body of work. Through impersonations, Carlos finds meaning in his seemingly downtrodden life as a washedup performer while working in a factory to fill his days. When he gets on stage he comes alive. The passion can be heard in his perfect vocal ability, displayed in his detailed costumes and visualized in his stage presence. He begins to unravel while Griselda remains in the hospital, becoming aggravated during performances, leading him to storm offstage, and begins using
pills recreationally. Nevertheless, Carlos never loses the lovely connection he has with Lisa Marie through his struggles, however, when Griselda regains consciousness, the family is reunited again at least for a moment. Then the delusions of Carlos’ lifestyle become increasingly real to Lisa Marie and especially to Griselda, who fears that she and Lisa Marie are losing him to his alternate life. When Lisa Marie is returned to Griselda’s care, Carlos informs them of his plans to go on tour. He sells his possessions and flies to Memphis, Tennessee to visit the home of “The King.” What seems like a somewhat innocent and childlike adventure is actually steeped in darkness and it can be sensed that something unsettling is going to befall Carlos. While on a tour of Elvis’ home-turned-museum, Graceland, Carlos sneaks upstairs and hides in a closet until the museum closes, allowing him to walk about in his bathrobe feeling like he is Elvis in his own home. The next and final scene is a sadly accurate depiction of real-life Elvis in his later years as Carlos sits in the master bathroom swallowing pills. Slowly, his eyes close and he crumbles to the floor. The film ends with a shot of the apartment building where Lisa Marie and Griselda live, a testament to those he left behind. The film highlights addiction and obsession, and the struggle between love and art. The Latin American Film Festival was an event that brought all kinds of people together in the West Michigan community and celebrated diversity at one of the city’s most treasured settings.
By Chucky Blackmore Staff Writer
Aquinas College junior Anna Rose Egres has been waiting to share her musical talents. Her upcoming vocal recital in Kretschmer Recital Hall at Aquinas College’s Art and Music Center on Saturday, April, 12, is the prime opportunity for her to display her hard work and dedication. Doors are expected to open at 7 p.m. and her performance will start at 7:30 p.m. Following her performance, a small reception will be held which all are invited to attend. Egres is expected to perform a number of her pieces in various genres including both classical and contemporary. During outfit changes and in preparation for her next set, she will exit the stage, having members of Aquinas’ own music program perform selected pieces during short intermissions. Egres’ repertoire consists of more than a dozen songs, all of which span through different MARY WEBSTER/THE SAINT genres. The set list includes a Mozart All the right notes: AQ junior Anna Egres prepares more than a dozen pieces for composition, as well as a compilaher vocal recital set to take place on Saturday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Art and tion of Broadway, jazz, country, and Music Center. much more. Wynonna Judd, and Carlos Santana. “[She] has helped me so much,” The singer attributes her musical Egres lists singer-songwriter, Matchsaid Egres. “She is a phenomenal tastes to be influenced from her childbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas person and teacher.” hood, as the Clarkston, MI native reas a major influence because of his McCargar’s witty humor and pasmembers family road trips and singambiguous lyrics. sion to get her students on the right ing along to her favorite musicians on “I want to write a song that might track for success is the reason why the radio. Hearing many female singers on the radio further influenced her mean one thing to one person, but has Egres looks up to her. She also ada totally different meaning to anothmires Kathy Gibson, Contemporary to pick up the guitar and sing. In fact, er,” she said. Vocal instructor; Dr. Paul Brewer, when Egres was just 11 years old, she Since singing has become a big Director of Instrumental Music; wrote her first song. She laughs as she part of her life, Egres has been introand Dr. Mark Webb, College Choral reflects on the moment: duced and has become particularly Conductor--all faculty at Aquinas. “It was terrible,” said Egres, “I accustomed to old country and jazz After graduating from Aquinas tried playing the guitar and I didn’t music. College, Egres plans to move to Nasheven know how.” When Egres isn’t reading, writville, Tennessee where she wants to As she played her song in front of ing, or dancing with friends, she is ac- obtain her Master’s degree in Comher family, they were overjoyed. Her tively involved in the Aquinas College mercial Music at Belmont University. father’s strong work ethic influenced Music Department family. Being at a While she is there, she hopes to get her to keep at it. She wanted to her own band together and end up emulate his success in life through her small, communal school allows her to sing noncompetitively, and encouragon the radio someday. Until then, she music. es her to just be herself. Egres extends will focus on her studies. Pinpointing favorite artists and her gratitude to Aquinas College Her passion for music and her composers is difficult for Egres, as it Associate Professor of Music, Barbara love for singing proves that her vocal is for most. Some of her idols inMcCargar, who has contributed a lot recital will surely not be one to miss. clude Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, to her improvement as a musician.
Aquinas’ Cyrano to be squashbuckling production John Guild and Stephen Wright play Captain LeBret and Count De Guiche, respectively. LeBret serves as the narrator of the play and Cyrano’s confidante. Guild really owns the role and he commented that he “particularly [liked] breaking the fourth wall and talking to the audience.” This personal narrative style helps bring the audience in. Wright’s role serves to include the audience as well, but in a completely different way. As said during a dress rehearsal, he had a lot of fun playing the character. Wright also said that he enjoyed playing the “foppish and arrogant character that is direct about what he wants.” The play has an interesting mix of classic and modern elements. The original verse structure of the play is gone, but the poetry of Cyrano is still intact, adding occasional classicism to the otherwise current language. “The language is beautiful,” said Dodge. “It’s a rare opportunity and a great first acting experience at Aquinas.” Behind the scenes, senior Jenn Kalchik manages the stage and Katherine Mayberry directs. Both CHUCK HYDE/THE SAINT help to coordinate the pieces of the play to make it into an enjoyable The nose knows: Aquinas College’s production of the historic comedy Cyrano experience. de Bergerac promises to be filled with sword fights and Romantic poetry. Kalchik has performed on Both Dodge and Collenburg stage previously, but has worked By Chuck Hyde Staff Writer had fun getting into character. behind the stage for several shows now. This experience helps everyAquinas College’s Circle The- Collenburg said that Roxane “is thing go smoothly. She said that in some ways a dramatic 13 year atre is putting on a modernized she enjoys “making sure all hell version of Edmond Rostand’s old, but in others can come out and doesn’t break loose, and if it does, Cyrano de Bergerac, a historical- kick ass.” the audience doesn’t know.” Cyrano’s affection for Roxane ly-prominent play that features The actors themselves are beswashbuckling, poetry, and a love is blocked by the attractive Chrising coached by Mayberry, who has tian de Neuvillette, a new soldier triangle, among other surprises. experience directing a variety of in his company that Roxane falls The comedy unfolds in France, shows. The actors were all quick set during the time of the Thirty in love with. Freshman Ben Avery to praise her, saying that her direcYear War, one of Europe’s most plays Christian, bringing to life tion brings everything together. As turbulent and destructive conflicts. the loveable naivety of the characWright said, “she brings it to life.” ter. Avery analyzed the role on a The production stars Aquinas’ HuCyrano de Bergerac opens this manities Professor Mike Dodge as line to line basis, something new Thursday, April 10-12, at 8 p.m. the titular character, a playwright to him. He said it really “set this and runs through Sunday, April experience apart” from other plays and soldier with a deformed nose 13, at 2 p.m. Student tickets will be that falls in love with his younger he’s been in. Cyrano features an ensemble five dollars. cousin Roxane, played by Freshof interesting characters. Seniors man Zoë Collenburg. Culture Editor Abigale Racine
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Foster the People stick it to the man on latest album
COURTESY THE GUARDIAN
What you want to be: Indie-pop band Foster the People asks some tough questions on their latest record, pushing the envelope with controversal lyrics. By Cait Hilton Staff Writer
On March 18, Columbia Records released Foster the People’s latest album, Supermodel, which gathered generally favorable responses. Supermodel is the follow up to 2011 album Torches, Foster the People’s first release after their formation only two years prior. Torches featured the popular single, “Pumped Up Kicks.” The album’s dependence on electronic beats aligns them well with similar artists, MGMT and Phoenix, and earned them a well-deserved reputation here in the U.S, as well as Australia and Canada. Foster the People’s second studio album makes a shift from electronic pop to a more instrumental sound–looking to The Clash and The Kinks for inspiration. With lighter instrumentals, Supermodel focuses on much darker lyrics revolving around the album’s radical theme. The concept album develops a negative perspective towards popular culture and consumer ideology. Not only does Foster the People criticize capitalism, but also the more personal issue of the flawed
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creation of self-worth in today’s society. In the Supermodel Documentary Series, vocalist and guitarist Mark Foster identifies the need to present ourselves like supermodels, showing others who we want them to perceive us as while hiding our real selves. Supermodel carries the same level of energy that can be found in their earlier album, though harnessed and controlled. The album’s theme offers a contagious spirit embodied by younger generations that are feeling the tolls of popular culture. “Are You What You Want To Be?” expands on the album’s worldly theme by incorporating West African rhythms in its shuffling chorus. The pattern of sounds add a diversity to the album as well, such as the structure of “Nevermind,” which starts with gentle finger picking and builds into a combination of pulsing bass and heavy guitar. Foster and his bandmates, Cubbie Fink (bass, backing vocals) and Mark Pontius (drums, backing vocals) pull it off again. The tracks on Supermodel are sure to demand attention with their head-bobbing tunes, but within minutes of the music’s start, true fans are developed when they begin to understand the album’s underlying message. Supermodel is the must-listen album of 2014 and deserves a 4/4 stars.
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