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Home , Eileen Atkins, Emily Watson, Helen Mirren, Kelly Macdonald, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith

page B2 VARIETY March 1, 2002 MANITOU MESSENGER

H>C ritics Conner Midseason hopefuls Take a walk through this 'Park' enter the TV ring Balaban), a self-proclaimed vegetarian who sexy at the same time. By Jonathan Teigland Variety Editor sports a fur coat and goes out for the hunt. He Upstairs, is a delight as New shows include "The Court," "The is joined by his valet (Ryan Phillipe), who Constance. She provides welcome comic "I am the perfect servant. I have no life." seems to annoy everyone, especially when he relief, as evidenced by her interactions with American Embassy" and "Watching Ellie This statement is uttered by Mrs. Wilson, goes after the women. Novello. When he hesitates revealing the plot By Jonathan Teigland Even in a crowded arena that Things are just as hectic below stairs, where of his new movie, she assures him, "Oh, but the head housekeeper in "." Variety Editor includes shows like "Judging Amy," While I believe what she says, I also think her the servants scramble to make everything none of us will see it." contains the "Law & Order" franchise and Can lounge singers be funny? character, and her life, proves to be the most perfect for the guests. They're headed by Mrs. many other memorable performances as well, the Supreme Court-themed "First especially as the maid and Ryan NBC is hoping the answer is yes, interesting in the entire film. That's saying at Wilson (), who seems to have a Monday," ABC apparently thinks as the new nightclub-based Julia lot, considering that there is a mammoth-sized chip on her shoulder, especially when she's Phillipe as a young man who is different from we need to see another one. what he initially seems. Louis-Dreyfus vehicle "Watching cast portraying both servants and guests at around the cook, Mrs. Croft (). And it has something the other Ellie" premieres this week. But The Countess' maid, Mary (), And then there are characters I haven't even networks don't: . Fresh that's not the only new show to is a timid new arrival who can't help but be mentioned. If I have any complaints, it's that from her Emmy-winning turn on garner attention this spring. Here's attracted to the mysterious Robert Parks there are almost too many characters and "ER" last year, Field plays Kate "Gosford Park" a look at a few of the more (). Mary is befriended by Elsie storylines. But that hardly detracts from the Nolan, the freshest face on the promising newcomers. -kiririr (out of four) (Emily Watson) the maid who is having an and complexity portrayed so beautifully Supreme Court. The show Starring: Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith, affair with Sir William. by everyone involved. It's a treat to go to a chronicles her tough transition into , Ryan Phillipe, Kristin By the time the murder occurs, well over an movie that fancies itself as old-fashioned - "Watching Ellie" the new job. The other cast Scott Thomas hour into the film, we already have a good especially when it's like nothing I've ever seen (Tuesdays, NBC, 7:30 p.m. starting includes Diahann Carroll, Pat Written by grasp on most of the characters. When the before. this week) Hingle, Chris Sarandon and Craig Directed by inspector () shows up, we have a Is there really a "" curse? Bierko. better idea whom he should suspect than he If you ask me, the reason the does. sitcoms starring Michael Richards "The American Embassy" Not that it really matters. "Gosford Park" and Jason Alexander failed is that Gosford Park, an English estate. isn't about murder or mystery. It's about they were lousy. Let's face it: (Mondays, Fox, 8 p.m. starting These characters unite for Robert Altman's people. More specifically, it's a believable Alexander shows more panache in March 11) take on a 1930s murder mystery. "Gosford depiction of what happens when the high and those annoying KFC commercials. Ally McBeal turns British in this Park" is an ornate mesh of "Upstairs low classes clash, and when people within Julia Louis-Dreyfus hopes to new Fox drama. Emma Brody, Downstairs," "Mystery" and "The Love Boat," those classes butt heads. Altman and defy all odds with the new played by Arija Bareikis, leaves and that's what makes it distinctive. On the screenwriter Julian Fellowes do a credible job "Watching Ellie." She plays a Ohio to work at the American surface, it's a typical novel, of creating equally interesting characters from lounge singer named Ellie Riggs Embassy in . She also calls but in the end, no one really cares "." both sections of the house. (yes, that's Ellie, not Elaine - duh) off her engagement, and once she's The story kicks off with the arrival of There are some standouts, though. It!s who must overcome lots of strange across the Atlantic, is torn over two Constance, Countess of Trentham (Maggie worth seeing this movie twice just to see how obstacles in her single L.A. life. new men - a member of the Royal Smith), the snobbish aunt of Lady Sylvia Family and a CIA agent. layered Helen Mirren's performance is. Her The most promising aspect of the McCordle (), who is The show apparently has Mrs. Wilson appears icy at first, but her show is that it takes place in real throwing a shooting party with her husband, changed in tone, from light subtleties ultimately reveal a complex and time - each episode takes place William (Michael Gambon). romantic comedy to more serious tortured woman. And Kelly MacDonald has over a period of 22 minutes. Other guests include Ivor Novello (Jeremy www.yahoo.com drama, before the premiere. It also one of the hardest parts. She portrays Mary as Unfortunately, the previews leave Northam), a well-known American actor, and Kelly MacDonald and Maggie Smith in 'Park.' dropped its original title, "Emma shy and introverted, yet believably brave and something to be desired, and it's American producer Mr. Weissman (Bob Brody," after the similarly-themed not encouraging that Louis- "Ally McBeal" started tanking in the Dreyfus' real-life husband, Brad ratings this season. The show also Hall, is the show's creator. In case stars Jonathan Cake, Jonathan you forgot, he headed "The Single Adams, David Cubitt and Helen Guy" a few years back (and you Carey. Ain't no big thang for Liz Woodrow probably did forget, because the show stank). "Ellie" does feature an impressive "Andy Richter Controls Senior basketball player's positive outlook admired by many cast, though, including Lauren the Universe" Bowles, Louis-Dreyfus' real sister, But Woodrow is more than a anything more." that day I learned the importance (Tuesdays, Fox, 7:30 p.m. starting By Sara Erickson along with Peter Stormare, Don good athlete; she is also a leader Basketball hasn't been the only of children's fitness" Woodrow March 19) Contributing Writer Lake and Steve Carrell. and a friend to many. She was a contributing factor to Woodrow's related. If you think "Conan O'Brien" has Chances are if you don't two-year captain. busy senior year. During January Woodrow was also busy at never been the same since Richter recognize the name Liz Woodrow First-year teammate Molly she interned with Ole alum Dan work on her senior project "Leap of Faith" split, check out his new offering. you haven't made it to many Ole Simon states, "Woody is a role Halvorsen, an exercise throughout this school year. She (Thursdays, NBC, 7:30 p.m. starting This wild, single-camera comedy women's basketball games in the model for everyone...she's just a physiologist at the Children's measured leg power in her this week) (in the vein of "Scrubs") features past four years. spectacular person. She's going to Hospital-St. Paul. She assisted teammates by facilitating the When was the last time a show Richter as a narrator who shares everything with , from This senior, otherwise known as make a difference in people's him with fitness testing on wingate anaerobic test. "We had in the post-"Friends" timeslot didn't his life story to fantasies. "Woody", has proven to be an lives, 1 guarantee it." children and inventing programs to pedal for 20 seconds as fast as die a horrible and embarrassing integral part of the basketball For Woodrow, basketball has to help them improve their fitness we could with resistance. It was death? It's been a while, but "Leap It already has decent buzz, program as well as the whole St. been the best part of every year level. "This internship was an really hard, but we'd walk of Faith" could be the show to which is never a bad sign. Richter Olaf community. Her light- here at St. Olaf. "It was great to invaluable experience for me. through fire for that girl" reverse the unfortunate trend. is joined by Padget Brewster, hearted laughter ripples through finish off my career with a One day we had to try and lift a teammate Mayme Cupkie plays Faith Jonathan Slavin, and Irene Malloy. campus, her infectious smile grabs winning season and making it to 300 lb third grader onto an remarked. Wardell, a single city-woman who your attention, and her motto playoffs, I couldn't have asked for exercise bike. Needless to say, In her sparse free time she plays is set to marry someone she doesn't "Ain't no big thang" symbolizes raquetball, watches "Friends" (her love. It doesn't help her philosophy on life. favorite character is Phoebe that she has a crush on "I try to look at the positive because "she's a nut"), and loves another man (Brad things in life and focus on those, to mow a good lawn. She would Rowe). Sounds like a keeping a relaxed and upbeat like to see her mom's lasagna good attitude is important to me," make it into the Stav Hall meal movie, but can this Woodrow said. menu before she graduates, but survive as a series? During her sophomore year, acknowledges that this isn't very "Faith" is the product Woodrow was sidelined during likely. of "Sex and the City" much of the basketball season for After school gets out, Woodrow scribe Jenny Bricks, and a stress fracture in her foot. will spend two weeks in Thailand the cast features Tim Woody chose to look at this with the basketball team and then Meadows, Regina "obstacle" as a positive be in her roommate Nicole King, opportunity, and after healing, Trnka's wedding in July. and Ken Marino. finished off her career with two In the future Woodrow would successful seasons. Her physical like to be a nurse, but she will "The Court" ability is apparent when she take some time off next year to (ABC, starting in April) plays. explore her hidden ambitions. "I Like we need "What that girl can do is jump really want to try rock-climbing another courtroom and I don't mean just hop around, and snowboarding. I'd also like to drama. I've seen more she literally soars," fellow Submitted Photo learn how to play the piano." black robes in the last www.nbc.com teammate Sophomore Heather Liz Woodrow's personal motto, "ain't no big thang" summarizes her Woody tickling the ivories? year than Harry Potter Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars in NBC's new Wayne points out. carefree and positive approach to life. Ain't no big thang! can shake a stick at. comedy "Watching Ellie." World-class architect takes Guthrie Theater to new heights

By Sarah Goldthwait world, Nouvel's credits include L'lnstitute abandoned industrial buildings for bridge and walkway over the water. training programs, improving audience Sports Editor du Monde Arab in Paris, the Lyon Opera inspiration. What he came up with is The bridge is destined to become the amenities and public access, and House, the Cartier Foundation in Paris, the essentially two large box shapes, a metallic focal point of the building, and the developing an international touring After many months of debate over Galeries Lafayette in Berlin, and a concert silo, and a bridge. The boxes, one of which architect has said he plans to open it to the program to increase the volume of funding and location, the Guthrie Theater Hall in Lucerne, Switzerland. He has also will house a 700-ft proscenium stage and public even during off-hours. The bridge presentations and productions. will soon have a new home on the been the recipient of many of the most the other a 200-seat theater, will be will afford visitors views of the famous The 225,000 square-foot theater comes Mississippi Riverfront in downtown coveted architectural awards, including the stucco and yellow metallic siding, Stone Arch Bridge, St. Anthony Falls, and with the hefty price tag of $125 million. Minneapolis. 2000 Golden Lion and the 2001 Royal Gold respectively, to add a splash of color to the the old grain mills. The Guthrie plans on raising $75 million The new design, the brainchild of French Medal of the Royal Institute of British now-dreary area. The new Guthrie will mean a through its own campaign, $57.1 million of architect Jean Nouvel, has the Minneapolis- Architects. Many argue that the new plans are far consolidation of the theater's operations. which it has already accrued. Funds from area community talking because of its Nouvel is the first to admit that the new less charming than the Guthrie's current Currently, the theater has ventures in five the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota innovative design. theater is not a picture of beauty. "It's no Vineland Place location. They worry that locations around the city, including the State Legislature are also going toward the sweet flower," Nouvel said as he explained construction materials are too harsh and Guthrie Lab, the production shop, the new theater. The Guthrie plans to finance Meet the architect his new design to the media. Instead, the industrial and are altogether too modern costume warehouse and rental facility, the remaining money in order to complete As one of the leaders in the architectural theater will be distinctive and for the historic area. prop storage, and the Theater's construction by 2005. sensitive to its river Hoping to prove this theory wrong and development office. The riverfront site will Although the public complaints are not surroundings. instead marry the dated riverfront also have four classrooms for workshops falling on d?af ears, Guthrie Artistic John Cowles Jr., Guthrie buildings with his colorful new design, the and instruction, something the current Director Joe Dowling couldn't be happier board member and architect said, "Today as yesterday, history Guthrie lacks. with the new design and the prospect of architectural search and modernity are friends, and the Nouvel has proposed building an area taking the already thriving theater to new committee member is quick Guthrie, amidst mills and bridges, on top of an existing parking lot across heights. to come to Nouvel's defense. discovers its ambition to become a dear from the new structure to house a set "Jean Nouvel has successfully conveyed "We weren't asking Nouvel historic marker of the vitality and design shop. Sets would then be the needs of a decidedly complex program to build a piece of sculpture. inventiveness of theatrical culture in transported aboveground using a cable and delivered to the people of Minnesota a We hired him to be sensitive Minneapolis in the year 2002." system. No final decision has been made design that will stand as one of the world's to the site." yet, but vociferous opponents say that a set great theater centers. The design shop does not need to be housed in a "When completed, the new Guthrie section of such high real estate. Theater will not only continue to attract the Making the plan As soon as theatergoers enter the lobby world's greatest theater artists, but many In keeping with the the site of the Mississippi River will greet thousands of visitors who will celebrate search committee's desire, them. One will then take a 36-foot New goals Minnesota as a cultural destination," www.guthrietheater.org Nouvel looked to thfe escalator to the fourth floor lobby, which Project goals include expanding Dowling said. The design for part of Nouvel's vision of the Guthrie. neighboring grain silos and plays host to a 140-foot long cantilevered community outreach programs, and actor-