theater review I little-staged work makes most of women

By Michael Grossberg ►►Otterbein Otterbein College will present ______the COLUMBUS DISPATCH and-white costumes and Nine at 8 tonight and Saturday Emily Asbury, as a vitriolic night, 2 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m, Dana White’s pink, blue and On a scale of one to 10 gold lighting to Rob John­ critic-turned-producer; Thursday through May 30 in Caidin Scott, as the motherj the Otterbein College pro­ Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., son’s versatile set — which duction of Nine earns a balances white-tiled and the added four- Westerville. Tickets cost $25. dancing chorus. suave and seductive “nine.” Call 614-823-U09 or visit www. platforms and a spiral stair­ In this case, instead of case with arched stone Ot the male actors, the playing it safe with another otterbein.edu/theatre. columns. most successftil is Justin revival of a mass-appeal Thanks to the sinuous Keller — flamboyant as a work that many people direction of Christina Kirk producer with ties to the with the many women in Folies Bergere. ®fen before, Otterbein his complicated life. and sensuous, beautifully stylishly delivers the first integrated choreography of Yet the central perform­ major central Ohio produc­ The sophisticated show, Stella Hiatt Kane, the pro­ ance is problematic, partly which opened last night at tion of the 1982 Tony duction becomes an enter­ because of the script. winner for best musical. Cowan Hall in Westerville taining showcase for tal­ Guido, like Bobby in is suggested for adult audi­ Adapted by composer- ented students — especially Company (which Otterbein l^icist and ences only, given its mature the actresses, who play all staged in 2006), is mostiy themes and sexual innu­ passive, with primarily an playwright Arthur Kopit endoes. but five of 29 roles. from 8>/2. a 1963 autobio- mterior conflict. So the role Nine isn’t presented Elizabeth Shivener graphical film by Federico exudes tolerance laced with IS triclcy, especially for a Fellini, Nine adroitly inter- often, partly because of its less-experienced actor. difficulty, adult orientation pain as wife Luisa. She weaves fantasy, reality and lends eloquence to My Villavicencio struts and memory. and forgettable score. Yet sings nicely but acts with­ the college students stage Husband Makes Movies At the center of the sur­ because of what is felt but out much angst. real circus is Guido Contini and sing it extremely well. left unsaid. From the balcony (where Venice, Italy, in the early (Cesar Villavicencio), an Among the other women I sat for part of the Wednes- Italian director struggling 1960s is evoked through a day preview), the crowd striking design, which ex­ who shine: Kari Ringer, with his ninth film while wacious but vulnerable as tableaux and stage move­ coming to uncertain terms tends from Marcia Hain’s ments helped define Guido varied and stunning black- ' the mistress; Sara King, lovely as muse Claudia; more by his relationships. [email protected] 4 I THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Weekender | Thursday, may 21,2009 ■*

THEATER TALK ‘ & comedy To read Michael Grossberg’s blog, visit Dlspatch.com/blogs.

II COVER STORY

Theatre Roulette MADLflB THEATRE, 105 N. GRANT AVE, RARE STAGING RANKS (614-221-5418, WWW.MADLAB.NET)

A marathon will be offered mtJ during the final weekend of the AMONG BIG CHALLENGES 10th annual festival; The rotating collec­ tion of 10 short new plays - including BY MICHAEL GROSSBERG 1 THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

the hilarious Not Funny by Christopher * * * Lockheardt and the amusing Alien Hand Syndrome by Michael Erickson - Haven’t seen Ninel You aren’t will be staged Saturday in three parts. alone. SHOWTIMES » 8 tonight and Friday Otterbein College hopes to night; and 2, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday introduce more theatergoers to TICKETS » $12, or $8 for students and the work, which is rarely staged senior citizens, $6 for members outside . The Broadway hit was nomi­ nated for 12 Tonys in 1982 and won five, including the award for best musical. The college production, open­ ing tonight at Cowan Hall in Westerville, marks the first major staging in central Ohio of the adaptation by composer- lyricist Maury Yeslon and play­ wright ArtJiur Kopii. The piece is based on 8'/^, a MADUB THEAIRE 1963 autobiographical film by Jim Azelvandrc as Man in the about a man short Cold Breakfast coping with a midlife crisis. Set in die early 1960s In Venice, Italy, Nine revolves The Tale of the around the dreams and Allergist's Wife memories of Guido Contini, an

GALLERY PAYERS; JEWISH COMMUNITY Italian director trying to come to CENTER. 1125 COLLEGE AVE, (614-559-6248, terms witli the relationships in WWW,jCCGALLERYPLAYERS.ORG) his life — especially those with women. The witty comedy revolves "With all the shifts from reality around a culture-obsessed New to fantasy and back. Nine is hard York wife who is affected by a visitor. to do well," director Christina SHOWTIMES » 7:30 tonight, 8 p.m. Kirk said. "Fveryone has to be at In the Nli.e cast: Andrea Varadl with, from left, Conner Poulin, Cesar VUlavicencio, Cattlin Scott, Drew Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday die top of their game — from Heintz urid Daniel Kelly TICKETS II $8 to $18 the singing and acting to the lighting, costumes and scenery. "Nine is also a hard musical to the newest, greatest thing. He’s a Beyond the number of films John Heffron produce because you're trying to very visual person, so everything that Guido has made, Kirk said, he sees inspires him. the title also refers symbolically FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB. EASTON TOWN render Guido’s mhid.” CENTER (614-471-5653, WWW,COLUMBUS Otterbein student Cesar Nine "But, at times, he loses track to his psychology. FUNNYBONE.COM) of reality with fantasies.” "Part of him wants his 9-year- VUlavicencio plays the lead OTTERBEIN COLLEGE: Largely concerning his old self and doesn't really want The performer is known from his character, who encounters a COWAN HALL, 30 S. GROVE SI, relationships with women, from to grow up,” she said. “VWiat’s > summer 2004 victory in the NBC creative block as he seeks to WESTERVILLE (614-823-1109, prepare his ninth film. WWW.OTTERBEIN.EDU/THEATRE) his wife and mistress to a prosti­ most beautiful about the story is competition Last Comic Standing. tute in his youth and the muse what makes it resonant: Guido’s SHOWTIMES l> 8 and 10:15 p.m. "Guido has to go through a falling-apart," VUlavicencio SHOWTIMES II 7:30 tonight; of his creative adulthood, the younger self is ultimately what Friday: 7, 9:15 and 11:15 p.m. 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, next two-act musical explores themes said."He’s putting his own life in helps him accept where he is as Saturday: and 7:30 p.m. Sunday Thursday and May 29-30; and with a sensuality that limits it to perspective to face his problems. a 40-year-old. TICKETS » $15 for Sunday, $18 for 2 p.m. Sunday mature audiences. ... He's done groundbreaking "It’s incredibly moving and Friday and Saturday "Women are Guido's muses, films but is trying to keep up TICKETS II $25 tender when his 9-year-old self his foundation as a man,” Villa- with himself and come up with vicenclo said. See RARE Page 5 !■ TAN & CARDINAL en Inment MAY 21,2009 More than a numberwhafs Otterbein's newest musical production ‘'Nine,” features plenty of drama and lots of costumes.

ON CAMPUS

Thursday, May 21st CPB Free Movie Night The Soloist A.ngels and Demons Star Trek State of Play Obsessed Terminator Salvation N-Men Origins: Wolverine Hollywood Theatre 9 p.m.

Friday, May 22nd Farmer’s Market Campus Center 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

IN COLUMBUS______Friday, May 22 Third Eye Blind SINGING HIS praises: Females Lifestyles Community fawn over the dreamy director Pavilhon Fedirico Fellini in the complex 6:30 p.m. musical “Nine." Saturday & Sunday, May 23 & 24 Asian Festival Franklin Park 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun.

Saturday, May 23 Kenny Chesney’s Sun City- Stadium Carnival Columbus Crew Stadium 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 27 Columbus Crew vs. San Jose Earthquakes Columbus Crew Stadium 7:30 p.m.

IN THEATERS MAY 22

Dance Flick

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Terminator Salvation

ON DVD MAY 26

New in Town

Killshot

Powder Blue

ON CD MAY 26

PHOTOS BY GREG BEERS Veckatimest By Kelsey Sommers of music Dennis Davenport “The show itself is confusing as beautiful as the music and Grizzly Bear Staff Writer and choreography by dance because it is based off of a acting. coordinator Stella Kane. movie with ideas instead of The latest musical to hit Kyle Mclntire, a freshman White Lies for Dark Times Otterbein students plots,” King said. She would costume assistant with the Marilyn Manson Otterbein’s campus, “Nine,” a participating in the production advise viewers to listen and pay production, praised costume play by Maury Yes ton, will be feel as though it is a labor attention carefully. shop supervisor Mari Hain’s Amanda Leigh premiering May 21 at 7:30 p.m. of love. “The play was done Though the play is a musical. costume design. “She created in Fritsch Theater. Yeston’s really organically and every King and Fox both feel as a nice visual that parmers with Mandy Moore musical is based on Arthur cast member was challenged to though it is more of a drama the pictures Chris Kirk creates,” Kopit’s book depicting the find their own interpretation,” that just happens to have music. Mclntire said. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix life of film director Federico freshman Leah Fox said, who “People can’t come into this King expects Otterbein to be Phoenix Fellini and the horde of women will be performing as a Venetian thing thinldng its ‘Oldahoma,’” receptive after a successful show influencing not only his love life gondolier. said Fox. The plot may be hard given for high school students Information compiled ly but also his career. Sophomore Sara King plays to follow, but King said “1 think and senior citi2ens. “It really is The play is directed by one of FeUini’s many loves, but they’ll enjoy it whether they beautiful. The sets and lights and Thomas Lindsay Otterbein theatre professor more specifically his muse. King Itnow what’s going on or not.” costumes are beautiful and the Information from wmv.imdb.com, Chris Kirk with musical said that this is one of the most Many involved in the actors have really put their hearts ivwiv.CD101.com, ivwiv.amaspn.com direction by associate professor difficult plays that Otterbein’s production feel as though the into it,” Kang said. and ivivw.otterbein.edu theatre program has produced. aestlietics of “Nine” wiU be just t&C +

Movies i> Cinevent to put vintage films on big screen | 6

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