14 Thursday, September 30,1982 The Ouquesne Duke Tom Jones' frolics Pittsburgh Public Theater Bv CLARE DiDOMINCUS Don Howard cuts a fine figure in tween Damkoehler as Squire Western Howard as Tom and Cynthia Strick- Allegheny Center (across from Buhl I h, Pittsburgh Public Theater the title role, though the play's lovale and Hugh A. Rose as Miss Western, land as Mrs. Waters share the stage Planetarium) includes period costumes opened itv 1982-83 season September hero is somewhat less spirited a cannot be overlooked. In the former's with a loaf of bread in this and an excellent, inventive stage set. IS with a bawdy, rollicking production fellow than Fieldings original (owing farcical apple-eating oratory (with dinner seduction scene. The result is Curtain time is 8 p.m. Monday through .! I . ry Arrick's "Tom Jones," a more to the script than to Howard's Rose in drag as the city-bred aunt) incredible, noteworthy and uproar- Saturday with Sunday performances musical adaptation of Henry Fielding's handling of the part) the timing of the farce has the audience iously funny. at 7 p.m. Matinees begin at 2 p.m. I8ih Century novel. Arrick, who In good voice (along with the rest rolling in the aisles. "Tom Jones" is definitely a show made his debut as artistic director (a The highlight of the production is The show, which continues until of the cast) in the few numbers he's Oct. 24 at the Hazlett Theater in worth seeing. position held for the past seven years given, Howard merits praise for the a hilarious affair in the second act. by Ben Shaktman). shares credit for depth he brings to Deacon Tuckerat the splendid show with Musical Direc- the play's conclusion. tor Barbara Damashek who penned He successfully acts as a mirror of more than twenty songs in the pro- both his cohort's imer feelings and duction. The boisterous those experienced by the audience as story of Jones is introduced by a he reflects on the outcome of Tom's roup of common folk who, deciding final adventure. Although for a short that a slow lomantic ballad is not for moment, Howard hits the mark in their ears one lively night, produce his characterization. "the ballad of the bastard"and com- In addition to the fine acting and mence to spin the class-conscious singing that marked the performance tale of Tom. was a surprising musical versatility. Employing a play-within-a-play Characters set the mood with make- set-up. the townsfolk fall eagerly shift devices such as washtub bass into the fast-paced drama of women, and slapstick and appeared (quite woe. fortune and fame, creating a comfortably) with guitar, harp, lap world where high society intersects harp, violin, glockenspiel and other with low life at every twist of the instruments. plot. Derek Meader, as Tom's rival, The division apparent in the world supplied a suitably cowardly Blifil. of Fielding become synon ymous with though his whimpering was not nearly those limiting lines looped around so long as could be expected. Anne the lives of the story-tellers, so the Kerry provided anappropriately lovely characters must interrupt when the Sophieand Kate Lohmanas Honor, course of one so low-born as Tom her maid, offered a good spot of takes too fortunate a turn. "It ain't comedy. true to life," they protest at different Though the comic moments were ROSEMARY McNAMARA (left) portrays Goody Brown and Rosalyn Farinella (right background) plays Bridget in the points. The story is all the stronger many, some, such as the scenes be- for these juxtapositions. Pittsburgh Public Theater's production of "Tom Jones," which runs through Oct. 24. UNION X presents morbid UNON PROGRAM BOARD views of society PRESENTS By JOE SWATSKI "Riding with Mary" has a couple Asst. Arts/ Entertainment Editor leaving a hotel after an illicit meeting The American band, X, is being only to be confronted by the figurine hailed by critics as the best punk or of Mary, Queen of Heaven, on the new wave band to appear in this dashboard. The title track also has JANET GILLESPIE country. Produced by former Doors' several Biblical allusions to Stations keyboardist Ray Manzarek, X is of the Cross and the Old Testament, gradually making its mark. The group's but ironically most of the song revolves third album. Under the Big Black around drinking, adultery and d;ath & Sun, finds the quartet from Los "smoke in one hand Angelos commenting on the state of looking for a light U.S. society. X sees the world through Martini in the other hand dark glasses, and the darkness lies in pointing at midnight." PRESENT COMPANY their songwriting. The gnawing "Real Child of Hell" Husband and wife team John Doe gives us a glimpse of the Hadeanside and Exene Cervenka handle the song- of society. Doe and Cervenka really writing and vocal chores. Their har- pour on the he^avy subject matter. 1982- 83 DUQUESNE monies blend well, but their words and the music keeps driving you to make bleak pictures of life today. listen to what they are saying. I he album's striking cover conveys this message : a pen and ink drawing Not all of the songs are morbid, UNIVERSITY RESIDENCY presents an empty black room dom- but most come close. "Blue Spark" nated by the "light of the big black emulates Camus'style in The Stranger. sun." It reminds one of the morbid the killer experiencing a similar Thursday Friday illusionary songs of Jim Morrison blackout during his brutal act. Exene and his counterparts. But X's state- Cervenka regrets taking marriage " October 7 8 ments prove valid, both culturally vows in the bitter "Because I Do" : Fall 1982 and artistically. The vicious Billy Zoom guitar " What kind of fool am I December 2 3 attack and the primitive beat of D.J. I am the married kind Bonebrake give the evil "Hungry The kind that said I do. " Spring 1983 Friday Saturday Wolfits deadly punch. Eerie synthe- Again a cynical attitude is taken in February 18 19 sized wolf sounds emphasize these Satanic images : the miserable "How I (Learned My Thursday Friday " Welcome to dripping jaws Lesson)", with Cervenka wallowing The altar of your death. " in love hate and Billy Zoom blistering April 7 8 Does the hungry wolf represent a his fingers on rough guitar runs. stronger force of life, like government The soulful lament of "Come Back Ticket Information or societal classes? Doe and Cervenka to Me" and the remake of I930's leave that to the listener. "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" Single Performances 3 Performance Series The sleazy "Motel Room in My and the remake of an otherwise $3 Student Ticket $6 Student Bed"tcllsof the lonely and sometimes bleak lyrical mosaic on Under the dangerous world of the one-night Big Black Sun. $5 N on-Student $10 Non-Student stand and singles bars a la "Looking Producer Manzarek's work on the •Oct. Performance Vi price with series purchase for Mr. Goodbar" : album is evident throughout, the "Can't sleep, staring at my sheets Doors' brooding desolate spirit per- Series purchase available until Nov. 15 or crying on my sheets meating X's concept of being American Tickets: D.U. Info.; Dance Gallery. Lionwalk Center or bleeding on my sheets. " spokesman. Under the Big Black Many songs on Under the Big Sun may be one of the most prophetic Black Sun contain religious allusions. albums produced in the "80s so far