Arizona Daily Wildcat - Jan. 20, 2010 — WildLife

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dailywildcat.com/wildlife

B section

Steven Kwan Arts Editor 520•621•3106 arts@wildcat.arizona.edu

Fantabulous in pink

wednesday, january 20, 2010

Wildlife BEFORE YOU GRADUATE

Say what you want about Arizona summers; this time of year in Tucson more than makes up for the 100-degree days to come. Classes for spring semester have barely begun, so your academic obligations are about as undemanding as they’ll get between now and May. There’s no better chance to spend some time exploring what the area has to offer. Whether you only have a few hours or a full day, here are some opportunities to enjoy the season before the sweltering heat hits.

Mirror, mirror, along the Mall?

That’s right, the UA’s own Steward Observatory Mirror Laboratory is open for tours. The mirror lab is located right under the football stadium. Mirrors created on this campus have been used in telescopes across the globe. You may have been around for the Phoenix Mars Mission countdown, or maybe you’ve just always wondered about that R2-D2-shaped observatory visible from the UA Mall. Either way, you’ve probably heard about our university’s excellence in optics and astronomy. It’s time to go check it out firsthand. Joan Marcus/Courtesy of Broadway in Tucson

TOUR SCHEDULING

Becky Gulsvig, above, as Elle Woods and the cast of the National Tour of Legally Blonde the Musical. D.B. Bonds as Emmett Forrest in the National Tour of Legally Blonde the Musical.

Tuesday and Friday, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tours last approximately 60-90 minutes Reservations required in advance $15 Adults $8 Students (7 - 22 years old) $13 Groups (10+) Contact Cathi Duncan: cduncanf@email. arizona.edu

‘Legally Blonde’ an exuberant musical romp with a sweet message By Emily Moore Arizona Daily Wildcat What? Like it’s hard getting into Harvard? It wasn’t that hard last night for the opening night of “Legally Blonde The Musical.” As the crowd gathered at the Tucson Convention Center it was a little less pink than one might have expected, yet occasionally peppered throughout the audience you could easily spot the die-hard fans — clothed from head to toe in pure pink. Ironically enough, the crowd’s signature color was black. The audience, from men to women and elderly to young, was totally ready to see the show. The story takes the audience along for the much loved journey of Elle Woods’ life right after her longtime boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Jeff McLean) decided to break it off with her. Determined to get him back, she trades in her sunny West Coast life for the “drab” East. Along the way, she runs into loads of troubles from discrimination to sexual harassment, but that’s not to say the musical isn’t quirky and lighthearted with some excessive snapping. If you’ve seen the movie you know the story;

the musical doesn’t stray from the original. But it is interesting to see it done live with some singing and dancing added to the mixture. The cast was hilarious and made the show fun to watch. Each performer really embodied his or her character and had the audience LOL-ing the entire way. Becky Gulsvig positively played the pink part. She resembled the original Elle Woods, being quite the Reese Witherspoon lookalike. Although she didn’t command as much power as Elle Woods’ character should, Gulsvig gave quite a performance as the leading lady. Rhiannon Hansen, one of the girls featured on MTV’s “Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods,” plays Margot, Elle’s best friend. She took the stereotypical sorority girl character to a new comical level. Although she didn’t win the reality show, Hansen really fit into her character. Also among the favorite characters were Paulette (Natalie Joy Johnson), Kyle aka the UPS guy (Ven Daniel) and, of course, the dogs, who were all rescued from humane societies and animal control. BLONDE, page B7

Learn to love a cactus

To get tickets or for more information check out http://broadwayintucson.com/ or http://tour.legallyblondethemusical.com/ .

The show’s final performance is Sunday.

MOMIX to spin a ‘remix’ at Centennial Hall By Dallas Williamson Arizona Daily Wildcat

INSIDE

Photo courtesy of UApresents

Get ready for a new type of dance experience as MOMIX takes the stage Saturday night at Centennial Hall. Internationally acclaimed for presenting concerts that take audiences into the surreal and fantastic, MOMIX steps beyond the limits of a typical modern dance performance. Integrating theater, acrobatics and dance, company members are often referred to as dancer-illusionists, and founder and artistic director Moses Pendleton is hailed as one of the scene’s most imaginative and inventive choreographers. Although the company is based in Washington, Conn., MOMIX has dazzled audiences around the globe and has even appeared in film and on television. Blending eccentric props, imaginative lighting and energetic choreography, Pendleton’s works ignite the stage and give audiences a multimedia treat. The company is set to perform“ReMIX,”a collection of MOMIX’s greatest and most beloved works, in honor of the company’s 30th anniversary season. “The show is like a compilation album,”said Pendleton, who also co-founded the Pilobolus Dance Theater.“It features excerpts from five different programs which highlight the basic MOMIX aesthetic.” While previous works from such acclaimed shows as“Opus Cactus”and“Passion”will once again grace the stage, MOMIX

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will also provide a sneak preview of their newest concert, “Botanica,”which is currently running in Europe. So what makes their work a hit? “Well, with MOMIX, audiences should always expect the unexpected,”Pendleton chuckled.“Just sit back and let MOMIX take you on a little trip.” And with stunning athletic spectacles, such as a pas de deux on skis, an extraordinary score and vibrant set design, the fastpaced electric concert is sure to deliver nothing short of magic. “It is about the freedom of the spirit and the mind.” Pendleton noted.“The dances are about making contact with the elements and forces of nature. They are that of our dreams and fantasies, creation and invention.” After a journey to the surreal and back, UApresents audiences should not be surprised if they walk away with a little jump in their step.

Also be sure to check out: “A Year with Frog and Toad”

The fun and beloved Broadway musical hit that follows the delightful characters Frog and Toad as they discover the importance of friendship and the value of individuality.

Sunday at 3 p.m. MOMIX: “ReMIX” Saturday at 8 p.m. Centennial Hall 1020 E. University Blvd. Call 520-621-3341 or visit www.uapresents.org for tickets Tickets are available for only $15 to all UA students

Did you know that Tucson is surrounded by a national park? Those iconic saguaro cacti populate Saguaro National Park’s two districts, one east and one west. Head east to the Rincon Mountain District, about half an hour outside of town, for an eight-mile drive (or ride, if you’re adventurous enough to bike) on Cactus Forest Loop Drive that offers a stunning perspective on that dry, desolate desert people picture when they think of the Southwest. The mountains are formidable, the cacti are proud and if you head out right around sunset you’ll think you were in a classic Western. Bet you didn’t know Tucson could look this good. IF YOU PLAN TO GO Park open from 7 a.m. to sunset Visitor center open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Entrance fee: $10 per vehicle, or $5 per individual on foot or bicycle (each good for seven days)

Lake Pleasant is pleasant

If you’ve got a day or a weekend to spend, make your way up north past Phoenix to Lake Pleasant Regional Park. If you grew up in Arizona, you probably have at least one lake or family camping horror story. But have you been back lately? Even the least outdoorsy of us can appreciate the abundance of hiking trails and opportunities for stargazing, fishing, geocaching or relaxing lakeside with your refreshments of choice. The visitor’s center also offers an awesome view of the New Waddell Dam and plenty of information about the history of the area. Check out the upcoming events, which include the Sixth Annual “Dam Good Run, Walk, Hike” and “Scuba Adventure Day.” Visit http://maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant/ default.aspx for directions and events calendars.

— Marisa D. Fisher Is there something that you think we should do before graduating? Send your suggestions to arts@wildcat.arizona.edu. Please include your name, major and year.

‘Defaced’

Student exhibition confronts literary vandalism

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RIDICULOUSLY ENTERTAINING!❞

—THE HARVARD CRIMSON

NOW THRU SUNDAY ONLY! BUY TICKETS: 800-745-3000

www.broadwayintucson.com or in person at the TCC Ticket Office,

STUDENT TICKETS AS LOW AS $20!

Photo: Kate Turning


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Arizona Daily Wildcat - Jan. 20, 2010 — WildLife by Arizona Daily Wildcat - Issuu