performingarts playfighting DAILY NEBRASKAN
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Johnny Carson School features mondern redux of classic play ‘The Three Musketeers’
thursday, february 23, 2012
pagE 5
STORY BY KELSEY HAUGEN PHOTOS BY DANIEL HOLTMEYER With realistic fight scenes and live rock music, the Johnny Carson School plans to put on a very modern version of “The Three Musketeers,” a play about love, betrayal and friendship, that will keep the audience on their toes. Opening night is tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Howell Theatre, with subsequent shows running through March 3. “I always look forward to opening night to see if how I envisioned the audience to respond actually comes true,” said Ian Borden, the director of the play. Specifically Borden is interested in the audience reaction to the carefully choreographed stage fights. “I hope the audience will respond very vividly,” Borden said. Since he is one of the Johnny Carson School’s certified teachers of stage combat, Borden has been able to work with the performers on perfecting their skills. Julie Hagemeier, general manager of the Johnny Carson School, views stage fighting as one of this production’s strongest points. “This play highlights the school’s expertise in stage combat,” Hagemeier said. “We are the only university in the nation with three certified teachers of stage combat on our faculty.” Hagemeier sees this as a draw for the play and hopes the spectators will be impressed by the skills in the fight scenes. “Since contemporary audiences have been raised on action movies, it will
If you go: when:
p.m.
Tonight, 7:30
where:
Howell Theatre, Temple Building how much: $10 (students), $16 (public)
certainly appeal in the action category,” she said. “The performance of it and the choreography are very interesting and exciting.” This incarnation of the play follows the adapted version of “The Three Musketeers” written by Ken Ludwig. “The language is more contemporary and Mr. Ludwig has a faster-paced, more in-your-face approach to comedy,” Hagemeier said. Although Borden’s version is based on Ludwig’s, it’s a bit of a spinoff. By adding a new element of modern rock music, the director hopes to further improve an already popular play. “It’s one of the greatest romantic stories of all time but ... it’s funnier, quicker and will include a live rock band,” Borden said. “Sound will be huge in this play.” With intense rehearsals at both the Howell and Studio Theatre spaces six days a week, the actors are fully prepared for the first show, Hagemeier said. “They are ready for an audience to provide them with feedback,” she said. Borden is looking forward to seeing the finished product of “The Three Musketeers,” as the actors transform their hard work into the real thing
(top) D’Artagnan, portrayed by Jordan Deffenbaugh, a senior theater major, confronts the Three Musketeers to tell them he wants to join the trio. The theater program’s production of “The Three Musketeers” opens today, kicking off its spring season. (right) Senior theater major Calen Calero portrays Athos, one of the Three Musketeers, drunkenly revealing his past to d’Artagnan. Nearly two dozen undergraduate students perform in the play, which runs until March 3. and others involved with the production enhance the play. “It is a very technically involved set and a lot of fighting,” Borden said. “Hopefully
the skills of the actors will make these fight scenes come to life.”
kelseyhaugen@ dailynebraskan.com
Novice, experienced musicians to demonstrate Beethoven masterpieces Lied Center event features two classically trained Lincoln music groups Katie nelson daily nebraskan
The Lincoln Symphony Orchestra has featured multiple guest performers this season, from acrobats to world-renowned classical artists and groups. But on Feb. 25, they’re aiming for something a little more localized. The Lincoln Symphony Orchestra will be joined by the Lincoln Youth Symphony and professional, local pianist, Mark Clinton, in their show “An Evening With Beethoven.” The show will begin at the Lied Center for Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. and will feature three of Beethoven’s masterpieces: the Egmont Overture, the Emperor
Piano Concerto and his Symphony No. 7. The Lincoln Youth Symphony will join LSO in the Egmont Overture. This is the second year that LYS has been invited to play alongside LSO and the first year they will be joining the symphony in its new
home, the Lied Center. LYS was founded more
than 50 years ago by the Lincoln Public Schools system. Lincoln high school students in grades nine through 12 are able to audition for the group. “I always feel like the youth symphony is the best-kept secret in town,” said Clark Potter, the
If you go: “An Evening with Beethoven” when: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. where: Lied Center for Performing Arts how much: $10 (students), $25 (public)
BETHANY SCHMIDT | daily nebraskan
Pepe Fierro stands at the counter of his Havelock restaurant, Pepe’s Bistro, on Feb. 14. Pepe’s is a cash-only restaurant and is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “I think people may be surprised by how good this is going to sound.” LYS had one of their regular performances about 12 days ago and played the Egmont Overture. Potter said they have been rehearsing the piece since midNovember and the upcoming performance will give them a chance to integrate their sound with a lauren vuchetich | daily nebraskan
Pepe’s Veg-Mex Bistro serves up mediocre food
beethoven: see page 6
Pepes: see page 7
conductor of LYS and an associate music professor
cara wilwerding daily nebraskan
When most people hear “Mexican food,” they think beef enchiladas, chicken tacos and pork carnitas. But Pepe’s VegMex Bistro, located at 6220 Havelock Ave., gives diners some different options. The unique vegetarian/vegan menu varies by season and currently offers three entrees. The tostada plate was my favorite. The crispy corn tortilla contrasted nicely with soft black beans and was topped with fresh, tomato-filled pico de gallo, smooth Daiya cheese and organic greens. The plate
included two tostadas and a side of cilantro lime rice for $7. My boyfriend ordered the Seitan taco plate, which I didn’t enjoy quite as much. The $8 plate consisted of two soft corn tortillas filled with palabi-spiced seitan (wheat gluten), potato, tomato, onion, apple pico, various spices and a side of lime rice. I disliked the strange texture of the seitan, but I don’t care for tofu either — so maybe that’s not such a problem for others (especially vegetarians). The apple pico, however, was
upcoming events “Little Shop of Horrors” Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Center for Performing Arts how much: $20
when: where: Lied
Split Lip Rayfield w/ Kris Lager Band when: Friday, 9 p.m. where: The Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St. how much: $13 (in advance), $15 (day of)
The Mezcal Brothers w/ Lloyd McCarter and the Honky-Tonk Revival when: Thursday, 9 p.m. where: Zoo Bar, 136 N. 14th St.