Page 4 Retriever features Cults: not a fad but a movement

by Tim Doyle AIso, there are about 3 million people involved lives, emotional release, spiritual certainty, and in cult activity in the United States. a sense of community. Most cult organizations We all remember the horror and surprise Contrary to the beliefs of many people, cults have "apocalyptic views" and believe that they after hearing about the Jonestown, Guyana are not just a fad—they're a movement. They will be saved, and salvation can be quite allur- mass-suicide in 1978. We saw the films of the made their biggest impact on American life dur- ing for someone with no answers. hundreds of dead bodies that were strewn on ing the fertile decades of the 60's and 70's, when Perhaps the most frightening aspect of cult the ground, face down, over 900 of them. They Vietnam and governmental policies spawned a recruitment is the process of indoctrination. were the bodies of men, women, and children; national sense of searching and unrest. They try to suck people in through brainwash- that's not quite the Utopian society that Jim With all the different cults, there's really a ing and a process called "love-bombing," where Jones promised these people. The victims were group for everybody. You name it, sex, drugs, the recruits are showered with love and accep- buried in a common grave. Jones' People's music, crime, celibacy, vegetarianism, and tance. But their blind obedience comes after Temple was left an empty temple. almost everything imaginable, cult groups cater this: and that's achieved through isolation, dep- This incident aroused the conscience of the to the desires of their following. They hold a lot rivation, peer pressure, and enviroment. It's an American people to the sometimes-fatal out- of allure for those with no place else to go, assault on the psyche that continues until the mind 'snaps'and allegiance is assured. One beg- ins to think collectively with other followers while most aspects of individuality are snuffed out. Many cults reside in communes or farms Jillian Gordon, John Wellmann, and David Steinberg in The Fall of the House of Usher. where they remain detatched from society. TV, newspapers, media, family, and friends are for- bidden. "Mail drops", where a letter's return address is nowhere near the cult member, are common. Outside influences are vehemently Poe's House of Usher discouraged. To raise revenue for cults, many groups sell things. We've all seen the flower peddlers before. But that's just the beginning, some makes a stage debut groups are involved in housecleaning, sex acts, and crime to pay for cult activity. This is a good by Melissa Skillman design with the UMBC Theatre Department. case for slave labor in many of these groups. Ms. Zlotescu says that she believes in "making When and if one gets away from a cult, a From one of the greatest tales of horror right costumes, not beautiful ones." process called deprogramming often follows. comes the American premiere of the chilling Also working side by side with McCready is This system attempts to free the minds of cult theatrical adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's The Anrew Bolton, a senior and music student here. followers who are oblivious to everything but Fall Of The House Of Usher. This gothic night- Bolton is creating the original choral and the workings of their group. "It's [deprogram- mare, scripted by the genius of the British thea- instrumental scoring. He will rely on synthesiz- ming] like trying to break up lovers,"said Koch. tre, Steven Berkoff, will be "one of the most ers and percussions to create the chilling atmos- ■ It's an arduous process but it's usually successful. exciting and unusual theatrical events ever to be phere of this gruesome tale. It frequently takes about 7-15 days. Depro- presented at UMBC," according to director Poe's horrifying masterpiece centers around gramming is often an abusive process that Sam McCready. Roderick and Madeleine Usher who live in a brings out pain, emotion, and anger, but it McCready made his directing debut last fall decaying house. They both have become men- come of cult activity. A cult, as Webster des- promising refuge, community, and spirtual eventually frees the victim from his association with the original Punk/ Renaissance revival of tally unstable due to the intertwining of their cribes, is a label for religious activites of many certainty. with a cult. the 30's hit musical, The Boys From Syracuse. resistance to change and the incestuous nature kinds. But there's a problem— it's also a label Cults revolve around multitudes of different Some cults are very powerful. Moon, who is McCready will carry on his innovative tech- of their relationship. A friend is invited over in for unconventional religious or spiritual philosophies. Many cult ideologies fashion scheduled for release from jail shortly, will niques as he finds a fresh interpretation of Poe's hopes of alleviating the boredom. The friend, deviance. It usually describes a relatively small themselves after western doctrines; others, like return to his $825,000 home and business as Usher. By using a chorus of the living dead, however, gets drawn into the horrific atmos- group of worshippers, fanatical devotees, that yoga and Zen, originated in the east. Still, oth- usual. Koch's program also highlighted a list of sixteen centuries of gruesomely twisted and phere. Madeleine dies and is buried in the fam- mainstream society considers destructive and ers worship physical phenomena like UFO's. funding organizations for the Unification decayed Ushers will be on stage, bringing the ily vault. Some days later Roderick makes a unacceptable. One. almost universal aspect of cults is the Church that is about a mile long. house itself to life. McCready believes that "a startling confession. This is a tale not only of a "We're talking about those cults that destroy existence of a charismatic leader. Many leaders, This exemplifies the long arm of voracious house is not built of wood and stone, but from house, but of the death of a civilization and a minds and personalities," said expert Molly such as Reverend Moon of the Unification cult groups. The Unification Church is heavily its ancestors—it's people that make a building." whole way of life. Koch. Koch, who has spoken here on a number Church, claim to be the Son of God. Other involved in rational politics and they also own In this unique production, which runs from From my small preview, the performers of occasions, doesn't scare easily. Despite a leaders, like Jim Jones, have a hypnotic effect, and operate the Washington Times newspaper. March 7-9 and 14-16 at the UMBC Theatre, promise to keep the audience wide-eyed. David number of threats, she's not afraid to speak out and can persuade their worshippers to do In an attempt to influence world policies, the McCready will present the entire Western Civil- Steinberg will be portraying Usher; Jillian Gor- about the danger of cult activity. anything. Unification Church has recruited many learned ization on the stage via his ancestral chorus. don will portray the ailing Madeleine: Carl In her program "Cults: What They are and These leaders are elevated through the expec- people as part of a vast religious and political This is the first time this has ever been done in Freundel will be the friend; and John Wellman, How to Avoid Them," she described many tations of their followers. Many leaders have machine. the history of theatre. The impact of the walk- the servent, Oswald. problems with cults in America. She knows her absolute authority, making them spiritual dic- "I see this [cult activity] as an evil in our ing dead breathing life into Usher and the house The stage itself will be the perfect setting for stuff. Armed with government reports and tators or terrorists, if you will. "Never doubt the society," said Koch. She makes this abundantly through words and actions is deliriously scary this tale of deprivation and destruction, information, she answered all questions with leader, that's the key thing about cults," said clear. She is a woman who is not afraid to speak in itself. inspired by the haunting Medieval unicorn conviction. Koch. "They almost always live better than out about the terrible injustices that persuade Costume designer Elena Zlotescu will add to tapestries of Gavin Holmes with lighting and The program, sponsored by the Jewish Stu- their followers, which makes their following the core of many cult organizations today. She the eerieness with her stunning costumes for sound by Terry Cobb. dent Association (JSA), was another prime believe that the leaders are better. speaks frequently at various schools and events. both the living and the dead. McCready General admission is $5; Students and Senior example of disinterest at this campus. Over 400 "Recruitment techniques are subtle, and they Perhaps, through her work and that of others, believes her creations to be so powerful that he Citizens are $3. Group rates are available upon flyers were distributed throughout the dorms, prey on human nature," said Koch. She added the terrible crimes that occur with cult activity told his performers in a recent rehearsal, "No request. For reservations call 455-2917 from 9 but the turnout was a meager 20 students. "I've that cult recruiters are very well-trained, and will become a thing of the past. one should abuse the talents of these costumes." am-4 pm daily. become used to small turnouts," said Eudice they know exactly who to look for. They Zlotescu is an assistani professor of costume Beiner, advisor to the JSA. Too bad for those approach people in a very friendly manner, who missed it. The program shed a lot of light making them feel comfortable and safe. Their on cults and greatly interested those in targets are people who seem to be searching; they hang around counseling centers at col- New LP reveals Morrison (again) attendance. The program was prompted because of some leges. Anyone in an airport with a backpack is to the quasi-mystic lyrics or to the dreamlike since it was a last minute add-on, it does not fit of the cult activity here. We see it everywhere., also a prime candidate. by Jorge Barrientos in with the overall feel of the album. However, It's on the streets of Catonsville, with the Hari People with education are also good targets arrangements. Morrison, without sounding the song has the unrehearsed feel of his early Krishna house; it's even in the Retriever. Eve- for cult recruiters. Also, people in transcience, When Warner Brothers instituted their clean- overstated, can carry his message across more seventies albums. It may sound strange in an rybody has seen them in the airports and train runaways, college students, and the homeless up last fall, dropping such major artists as readily. The album opens with a perhaps adequately album about Morrison's search for conscious- stations. They've become a part of our culture. are all perspective members to a hungry Carly Simon and T-Bone Burnett, word got ness, but seldom has Morrison put more into a Conservative estimates have individual cult recruiter. around that Van Morrison, who had been at the titled "Tore up a la Rimbaud." This song seems likely to be about his eternal quest for knowl- song. Moreover, Pee Wee Ellis' brisk horn organizations at approximately 1300 in Amer- They approach those who are searching and label for 16 years, would also be dropped. A edge and consciousness and how it drove him arrangements and the three female backing ica, but many say the number is much higher. cults have all the answers. They promise better declaration was issued by Lenny Wanroken concerning the drop and expressing how sorry away from a way of life that he did not find vocals try to keepvup with Morrison who all of a he felt about dropping sucK a big name artist or satisfactory. "Showed me way light out of the sudden has energy to spare. any artist, but he also said that he felt it was a tunnel...gave me knowledge of myself." But The next song is another cover. Half of it is a necessary move. The label's decision, he said, apparently the course has not ended nor has medium-paced song and the other a spoken No gags, just good fun Morrison found it has gotten any easier. "...I verse which Morrison mumbles through very was because Morrison was going into directions that were not marketable. was tore down a la Rimbaud. And I wish my In a later interview, Morrison denied that he message would come...you know it's hard watching Sure Thing was dropped and it was his decision to leave the sometime." label. Official word from the record company However the next track, "Ancient of Days," by Mike Lagana a small, but strong performance was given by backs up Morrison's story. Morrison's move, is much like the material on the previous Viveca Lindforms, who played the highly- however, is not a surprise since his albums out- albums. But it does not subtract from the rest of It was a pleasure to attend the Baltimore opinionated English professor, Mrs. Taub. side the U.S. have been distributed by Phono- the album, for this song fits in nicely with the premier of The Sure Thing, an Embassy Pic- The film is very humorous, more so than graph, a division of Polygram Records since previous one and in a sense seems to add to tures release that stars John Cusack and Porky's or Fast Times or Class, because it relies 1979's Into the Music. The move was such that a Rimbaud and complements it as well. Daphne Zuniga. on slick screenwriting instead of nude bodies. 1984 live album has yet to be released (it is The next track is sort of an instrumental. I The film is what I would call a "neorealistic Gib's love for Alison, his lust for The Sure currently available as an import). say that because it says on the inner sleeve comedy," which would be a comedic situation Thing, and Alison's relationship with Jason are Now, months overdue, the much-talked "Evening Meditation (instrumental)." But I that could happen to somebody, but it really is • woven together beautifully. No meaningless about album has hit the stores. This album thought there was no singing in instrumental not soihething that one would see everyday. scenes are thrown in at random, and the dia- presents a new Morrison (again) and this one is or at least not humming or howling or however Director Rob Reiner from "All in the Family" logue is realistic. In short, The Sure Thing is a sure to stay around for a while. Seemingly, he you describe what Morrison does on this track. handles Cusack (minor roles in Class and Six- triumph for screenwriters Steven L. Bloom and has found a new style that fits him comfortably If it is an instrumental, then Morrison has teen Candles) and the newcomer Zuniga well in Jonathan Roberts. without losing his sound. It is partly a throw- finally realized exactly what his voice is. The their mildly unrealistic journey across the coun- Finally, music scores by Huey Lewis and The back to the tough R and B that worked so well piano in the background sounds lame by com- try in search of perfect mates. News, Rod Stewart, Sammy Hagar, John for him in the early seventies, but it also con- parison to Morrison's fervent vocal. The film opens with Walter "Gib" Gibson Waite, Peter Wolf, Lionel Richie, Wang tains the mysticism and religious commitment The next two songs are typical of the theme of (played by Cusack) talking to his longtime Chung, The Eagles, and The Cars add to the of his last four albums. The result is mixed but the album, but in different ways. The first, "The friend, Lance (played by Anthony Edwards), sharpness and realism of the picture. enjoyable. Master's Eyes," is a slow song about just what File about going away to college; he is headed for a The Sure Thing is good humor that relies on With this new sound, Morrison can get his the title implies. It is simple but to the point and Van Morrison returns. Again. northeast Ivy League school while Lance is good acting instead of gags. Because of this, point across much better. In his last few albums unfortunately suffers from its own strength. It bound for UCLA. Cusack's market value should go up. The Sure (with the exception of Into the Music), he had seems too cliche' next to the understatedness of swiftly. Then the movie cuts to Gib at school as he Thing is not going to be nominated for Best come across in a rather drab tone. His songs the rest of the album. The other track is one of The song is not boring or very lengthy, but tries to pick up Alison Bradbury (played by Picture, and Cusack will not be nominated for were mostly slow and frequently rather lengthy three covers on the album. It is an old Ray just because it is a cover it does not have the Zuniga), a beautiful prude from his English Best Actor; however, both are highly deserving (check out the 18-minute "Summertime in Eng- Charles song called "What Would I Do With- sincerity or the understatedness that his own class. When he finally does get a date with her, of praise. On a scale of ten, The Sure Thing is a land" on 1981's Common One). In this new out You." If it weren't for the typical Ray Cha- compositions have. Another point is why these he blows his opportunity when he gets fresh sure eight. format, his singing no longer takes a back seat rles melody line, it would be unrecognizable. two covers, "What Would I Do Without You" with her on the roof of the library. In the mean- Morrison sings it with much care but without and this track ( the other was a last minute time, Lance sends Gib a letter telling him about compromising himself to the romantic theme of replacement), doing on this album. Since Mor- The Sure Thing (played by Nicollette Sheri- the song. rison had signed with WB, he had only tvfo dan): a beautiful, blond nymphomaniac that is THIS WEEK'S EVENTS On the second side, things really begin to fall covers ("Green" on I973's Hard Nose On the just dying to meet him. into place. It opens with the title track, which is Highway and "It's All in the Game" on I979's So instead of being depressed over Alison, Tuesday, Mar. 5 surprisingly strong. It aptly ties the whole Into the Music). If Morrison rushed this album album together. It summarizes all of Morrison's out, which seems highly unlikely, he could have Gib decides to hitch a ride out west with an Women's Week Film UCPB 11 am-1 pm; UC Ballroom elderly couple during his Christmas break, but attitudes past and present, and in its seven min- come up with two or three more songs on the surprise, Alison is going west; her boyfriend Music Scholarship Auditions 1:30 to 4:00 pm; Recital Hall utes goes where "Summertime in England" album. But this does not take anything away never could. After this song, it seems that Mor- Jason goes to UCLA, too. During the third day Wednesday, Mar. 6 from the album. The spirit is kept and the song of the trek, Gib and Alison are kicked out of the rison can do no wrong. And in effect, that is is very much in character. car because of their constant arguing, and they Women's Fair UC 310-311/312-313; 10-4 pm quite correct. The last song on the album is "A New Kind of are forced to hitchhike the rest of the way SGA Film - Star Trek III 6-8-10 p.m., LH II Then comes a surprise. Another instrumen- Man." The song explains what we have all fig- The next 45 minutes also deals with their a tal. Which has become typical in his recent ured out by this time on the album: that Morri- journey westward in humorous and sometimes Thursday, Mar. 7 albums. However, where there was once a son has become a new man. Morrison had even lonely piano playing out the melody and a syn- touching scenes. Alison finally breaks down House of Usher (play) 8 pm Theatre refused interviews and had not had his picture tethizer cooly setting the right mood, there is on an album cover since Into the Music. Morri- and eats Gib's junkfood and she learns how to Music Scholarship Auditions 1:30 to 4:00 pm; Recital Hall use a beer-bong. Meanwhile, Gib learns how to now an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar. son seems to be less preoccupied with ending his become tolerant with Alison when he finally Friday, Mar. 8 The best thing about this Morrison's instru- long quest for consciouness and more with realizes that she has problems just like he does. mental (called "Boffyflow and Spike") is that it actually living his own life. It would be pure folly to relate how the film House of Usher (play) 8 pm Theatre sounds nothing like a Morrison instrumental. The late Lester Bangs sajd in 1975 after the ends, but it will suffice to say that the couple Women of the Year Awards UCPB 12-2 pm; UC Ballroom Lounge This song is a folkie upbeat song with a good release of Veedin Fleece that Van was out on a does make it to Los Angeles, and the ending is guitar lick by session musician Chris Michie. long quest to find himself and to continue in the slightly dramatic and quite unexpected. Saturday, Mar. 9 The next song is the second cover on the theme that began on that album. Lester also The characterization in this movie is solid. House of Usher (play) 8 pm Theatre album. This Morrison song was tacked on as a said that most fans would stay for the duration Cusack could be any sexually-deprived partier last minute replacement to a spoken verse writ- of it. This album by no means ends his quest nor at UMBC, and Zuniga, although her role is less Sunday, Mar. 10 ten by Yeats which was removed by request of does it show any signs of finding a quick end, colorful, performs admirably. Edwards handles UMBC Symphony at Charlestown 3 pm; Charlestown Chapel the Yeats estate. The track, called "If You Only but it certainly means that his strong following the partying, girl-chasing Lance with ease, and Knew," is really good. There has been talk that has no signs of letting up.