ENTERTAINMENTpage 21 Technique • Friday, November 30, 2001 • 21 Verbal challenges ahead Magic and humor ahead See how well you can do on Kit The world-famous Penn and Teller are ENTERTAINMENT FitzSimons’ latest Onward and returning to the Robert Ferst Center Crossword creation, entitled for the Arts, and are always a favorite Technique • Friday, November 30, 2001 ‘Impossible Dictionary Pages.’ Page 25 on the Tech campus. Page 23 Holiday happenings ‘Doctor’ diagnosis is positive abound all over In the latest offering by DramaTech at the Dean Dull Theater at the Ferst campus, Atlanta Center, Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor” is the medicine for laughter and fun. By Andrew Santelli By Bryan Basamanowicz old wooden podium on the left Entertainment Editor Contributing Writer far side of the stage, four wood- en chairs on a wide platform Though a traditional holiday season typ- The four dollar student ad- ramp in center stage, and what ically includes snow and cold weather, At- missions fee, and a walk to the appears to be an analyst’s couch lanta can hold its own in terms of festivities, Ferst Center are well worth Dra- on the right near side of the stage. a great number of which take place on or ma Tech’s latest production, Shortly after the first act takes near the Tech campus. Midtown Atlanta “The Good Doctor”. “The Good motion, the cast decorates the is a hotbed of activity, especially at this Doctor”, is a comedy written by set with enough energy to con- time of year, and activities abound within Neil Simon inspired by the short vey an upbeat rendition of clas- walking distance. stories and plays of Russian writer, sical comedy. On campus, the Georgia Tech Music Anton Chekhov. The casting in the play is well Department and the Robert Ferst Center The play is a collection of on target. From the antics of an for the Arts have collaborated for two events five comedic vignettes strung to- overzealous theatre patron, celebrating the holidays. The first was last gether by the engaging and Cherdyakov (Will Wright) to night’s performance of Handel’s Messiah “charming” the devil- by the Georgia Tech Chorale, Chamber narration of an ishly Choir, and Orchestra. Complementing the overly intro- smooth op- Messiah performance is a program entitled spective writ- erations of Music of the Season. This show features er (Femi “The Good Doctor” lonely the Chorale and Orchestra as well as the Sowemimo). promises to prescribe bachelor, Jazz Ensemble and the Symphonic Band, It is not overt, Peter Se- along with guest conductor Maestro Ful- but implied, a healthy dose of myon vio Creux of the Italian Army Band. The that this “writ- weekend relaxation. (Ganesh program, at the Ferst Center, is only $5 for er” as listed in Kuma- student tickets and begins at 8:00 p.m. the cast cred- raswamy), Walking down Techwood/Centennial its, is in fact the cast Olympic Park Drive, one can find a verita- Anton Chekhov and it is Chek- conveys both solid believability ble winter wonderland of sorts as Centen- hov’s frustrations and revelations and no holds barred animation. nial Park is decorated in holiday finery. that we are witnessing. Some of The well planned and attentive Arches span Andrew Young International the stories told in the vignettes direction and the efforts of a Boulevard, lighted reindeer figures dot the seem to be moral parables with- talented acting troop, make “The By Ian Clark / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS lawns, and a large tree is illuminated in the in a comedic backdrop. Others Good Doctor” a winner for Dra- Fewi Sowemino is the Writer and Will Wright is the Policeman, center of the Great Lawn. The centerpiece are nothing more than just out- ma Tech. who are both on a hunt for the Sailor, played by Ganesh of festivities at Centennial can be found in rageous and funny. Greg Abbot, DramaTech’s Kumaraswamy (foreground), in DramaTech’s The Good Doctor. the ampitheater space near CNN Center. The visual aspects of the pro- artistic director, passed the di- Here, in the middle of Atlanta, a skating duction are rustically simplistic recting job for this production without having to worry about highly attentive directing, and rink has been built. Yes, that’s right, a yet adequate and efficient. The to a team of ten Tech students disrupting the production’s con- the efforts of a talented acting skating rink. Regardless of the tempera- costuming is authentic late 19th, enrolled in his fundamentals of tinuity. Furthermore, the split troop “The Good Doctor” is a ture, the rink opens at night for skating, early 20th century garb, repre- directing course. Such an arrange- direction seems to accommodate winner for Drama Tech. With and though it’s no Rockefeller Center, for sentative of the time period within ment was a success due to the the jagged and haphazard char- the shadow of finals looming a moment you can imagine it is and have which Chekhov’s stories were play’s highly differentiable se- acter that compliments the play’s close, “The Good Doctor” prom- your own “white Christmas.” Admission is written. The opening set con- quences. The directing troop script. ises to prescribe a healthy dose $5, with skate rental running $2. (The tains not much more than an could easily split the up the work Through the team of ten’s of weekend relaxation. Technique advises renting skates even if you own some, because the ice is not of the highest quality.) Near Centennial Park is the Georgia Brit Craig David Born to thrill audiences World Congress Center, which will be host- By Bryan Basamanowicz hall underground. ing the Festival of trees, where visitors can Contributing Writer At 14, David won a national stroll through 150,000 square feet of deco- songwriting competition. His rated trees, wreaths and vignettes created Artist : Craig David award winning composition was by Atlanta’s top artists and designers. One Album: Born to Do It soon thereafter recorded by then- can also find gingerbread houses and spe- Genre: R&B Soul popular British soul operation cialty shops. The festival also features a Label: Atlantic Records “Damage”, and rose to #3 on main stage with continuous live entertain- Rating: yyy 1/2 the charts. ment attracting all ages. This Atlanta tradi- David spent the bulk of his tion raises funds for Children’s Healthcare The transition road from Eu- mid-teens working clubs and par- of Atlanta to provide higher quality servic- ropean to American superstar ties as a performance deejay and es in improved facilities. The festival is has frequently claimed the aspi- MC. After building a formida- open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. rations of performance musicians. ble name for himself, his song to 9:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon to Most attempts at transatlantic writing and charismatic perform- 6:00 p.m. track transfer sink before im- ing talents brought him the at- Away from campus in another direc- pacting the American coast. Yet tention of producer Mark Hill. tion, the Fabulous Fox Theatre is again the cross-continental bridge of It wasn’t long before a little ef- hosting the holiday classic, Atlanta Ballet’s England’s progressive R&B soul fort towards significant publici- The Nutcracker. Atlanta Ballet’s Artistic sensation, Craig David, seems ty turned Craig David into a Director John McFall has choreographed to be indestructible. smashing success. this favorite for all ages. Opening night is Growing up in the small, poor, Born To Do It, already a multi- Friday, December 7, and the show runs and “un-hip” British town of platinum success in the UK, made until December 30. Tickets start at $20, Southampton, David took an a decent hit in the states, enter- and information including show schedules early interest in deejaying and ing the Billboard album chart at can be found at www.atlantaballet.com. song writing. His father, who #11 and respectfully settling in These are just a few of the many holiday played bass in a local reggae band, the high thirties. It’s the singles celebrations and performances available in introduced him to reggae’s vari- off the album, however, that are the local vicinity this December. For more ous styles and methods. His more indicative of the success of information on how to find Christmas cheer, mother in the meantime exposed David’s American crusade. His Hanukkah happiness, or just general De- him to the provocative allure of first single “Fill Me In” was quick cember delight, the Web will be your best classic soul. David developed his to break through in both Top resource. Check www.accessatlanta.com interests with determination, 40 and R&B radio with its top- for an updated schedule of events, more regularly sneaking into dance 15 showing on the Billboard Hot performance times, and have some fun this By Andy Earle / ATLANTIC RECORDS clubs, learning from the work- 100. David’s current single “7 holiday season. Pioneer of the musical style called “two-step,” Britain’s Craig ing deejays and attentively ab- David is bringing his talents to Atlanta for a free show Tuesday. sorbing the character of the dance See David, page 27 22 • Friday, November 30, 2001 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT ...10101010101010101010101010101010101010101... ...Two Bits The TwoBits Man is not im- for other things). I am talking about 288 ketchups from a fast food res- be forced to eat with the Utensil fork swipers; this is what you’ll have mune to criticism. In fact, it has huge monetary losses caused at the taurant, but that’s fine, because you’re from Hell.