Artists and / Or'. Entertainers by Bernie Russell "Artists" Became the Focus of Attention
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Ponfolio 1 May 1978 Retriever Page 11 Musical Performers Artists And / Or'. Entertainers By Bernie Russell "artists" became the focus of attention. , wild concerts to songs with oblique and Down the Mission," and "Your Song" Subdued acts like the Kingston Trio, obvious drug references and appeals to while seated relatively quietly at his Performers starting in the recording Peter, Paul, and Mary, Joan Baez, and anti-war and even revolutionary causes piano. In 1971, sensing a change in industry today are faced with a decision Bob Dylan performed songs designed to in casual, quiet shows. In short, the public taste, John switched from the that could either make or break their give food for thought while P?tting on Beatles went from ' 'entertainers' , to "artist" to the "entertainer" par careers-whether to be an "entertain "artists. " excellence, donning glitter, feathers, er" or an "artist." They cannot be both. and bizarre-shaped 'glasses while' sing~ Another act that moved with the An "entertainer" is a group or ing increasingly shallow music. The times, but in exactly the opposite individual who is tremendously popular, sales of John's records skyrocketed and who sings "light" music and who is direction of the Beatles was Elton John, ,every one' of his concerts became instant generally despised by the critics. a major musical figure in the first half of sell-outs. It was obvious that the public "Entertainers" make their concerts the Seventies. Unlike the Beatles, Elton was as delighted with Elton John "the flashy and theatrical. Examples of entertainer" as the critics were "entertainers" are Barry Manilow, John began as an "artist," , singing thoughtful tunes like "Levon," "Burn disgusted. Kiss, Abba, and K.C. and the Sunshine Band. Today, the "artists" appear to domin~te the recording industry with the "Artists" are performers whose Eagles, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt records sell badly to moderately well, and Fleetwood Mac topping the charts. who sing thought-provoking lyrics and Although the theatrics of Fleetwood are usually loved by the critics. In direct Mac's Stevie Nicks and the tremendous contrast to the "entertainers, " the popularity of Kiss, Barry M~ilow, and , 'artists' , put on concerts with a the disco music of the ,Bee Gees show minimum of theatrics, usually none at that the "entertainers" are more than ' all. Randy Newman, James Taylor, Joni holding their own. Mitchell, and Little Feat are " artists." An "artist" is an act that performs on Being a successful musical performer " Saturday Night Live. ' , An "enter requires more than just raw talent. tainer" is an act that is parodied on Popular musicians must be aware of public taste and be ready to move with it "Saturday Night Live." -, concerts-not shows-on bare stages. without sacrificing the artistic potential Since rock began in the Fifties, its The Beatles started out as "enter of their craft. They must also pick an leadership has switched between the tainers". in 1964, singing tunes like "I image that is both pleasing to the public "artists" and "entertainers" in periods Wanna Hold Your Hand" and "I Saw and satisfying to themselves. Most: of about three to six years. Rock started Her Standing There" in concerts that important of all, they must learn to deal with "ent~rtainers;" Little Richard, drove teen-aged girls to distraction. with the high highs and low lows that Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis put However, times changed a lot from 1964 come with the business they are in. on stage shows as wild and infamous as There is' nothing more fickle than the their music was silly. to 1969 and the Beatles changed with taste of the public and every musical In the late Fifties and early Sixties, the them, going fro~ tunes about dating in Barry Manilow. entertainer perform~r is at the mercy of that taste. Pippin ~ Bad History Good Fun By Sharon Adamitis Pippin. An exception to the general rule from the Leading Player, and somber hero, we have to realize that it's an that replacements are somehow inferior lighting highlighted by candles that impossible quest to achieve. But as long If you're looking for historical to the original, he has managed to keep suggests a gothic cathedral. as there are shows like ' 'Pippin" accuracy, better stay away from The intact that naive charm and splendid Like Pippin any theatre-goer worth his New Mechanic for the next two weeks. light barito:ne voice that brings to life the salt is always searching for perfection on around, perfection has to seem dull by But if you're looking for a nIght of pure cliche youth on a quest part of Pippin. the stage. It's just possible that like our comparison. enjoyment, dazzling entertainment and The Machiavellian creation of the lively performances, it;s the place you Leading Player, played to absolute from p"age 10 should definitely head for. perfection by Ben Vereen on Broadway, Uris Bob Fosse has taken Pepin, the second is handled well by Larry Riley, who is sOn of Charlemagne, and transformed scar of the holocaust. In effect we all carry author he is not immune from tragedy. relatively new to the part. He dances a concentration camp tatoo. " "Fame doesn't isolate you from tragedy. him into the heir, Prince Pippin, a youth with a certain grace if somewhat less who is seeking fulfillment, while Louis, His book Exodus deals with the Jewish If anything, it encouraged it, his daughter than the original conception. I seem to struggle to turn the deserts of Palestine in was stricken with polio but she recovered. the third son and eventual heir, becomes remember moments, especially during to a fertile homeland. Later Exodus was "Gifts are of a temporary nature. a narcisstic, brainless hunk who the number "Simple Joys," where more adapted to a movie. Humility is the greatest equalizer in th~ com spires with his mother Fastrada, for action was called for. When Uris spoke about how movies dif human race." Charlemagne's throne. Carole Schweid, as the scheming fer from the books they are taken from he Although Uris was on the Shriver Hall But facts are immaterial. What Fosse step-mother, Fastrada, handles her lines stated, "As Dorothy said, Toto, I have a stage he did not put himseH on a pedestal. has done with the bare skeleton of Roger and solo dance spot with real flair, and feeling we aren't in Kansas anymore." Before he had his first book published he O. Hirson's book and songs by Stephen Alexandra Borrie does just as well as the "Hollywood is a perennial boom town would spend about 16 hours at the Schwartz is nothing short of miraculous. equally s-cheming' widow, Catherine, with boom town mentality and boom town typewriter on his days off. He readily ad In· this show within a show we are searching for a husband. And Shamus greed." He said screen writers are like mitted, "I thought I would die if I had to guided, along with Pippin, through Barnes as the young boy Theo, was , court jesters whispering in an emperor's stay at my other job." scenes of war, sexual orgies, attempted properly lovable, along with his pet ear. Still, writing is not an unthinking simple revolution and hearth and home as the duck, Otto. ' Uris worked on the screen play for his desk job. "There are never enough seventh-century version of the sixties But as good as their performances, it book "Angry Hills" and the director told novelists to serve the world and plenty of flower child , s~arches for total fulfill is the direction of Bob Fosse, his him he failed to understand his own , room for all who can." ment. And he learns, as we all must, that choreography and the sets by Tony character. life is really only' possible if you Walton, that somehow seem to take All in all Uris had five books adapted to compromise, accept the dull so that the center stage. You are always aware of a the screen and he said four were changed good will seem that much better by spectacle, which is a little amazing . beyond recognition. He will not have his Retriever contrast. considering that the sets are not that works become movies anymore unless he can write the entire screenplay himseH. It's been.some time since I've seen the elaborate or cumbe~some. Rather there De.dllne. Although Uris is dissatisfied with the original Broadway version and I was are suggestions of settings - a stairway film industry his books were well received happy to see a few familiar faces on and some drapes to suggest a throne All storles/ artlclf\~ - stage onthis latest visit. Eric Berry, as once he finally got his first work published. room; a painted backdrop that puts you "If you will pardon the expression I was an ' Charlemagne, has been with the show Thurs. noon in the country on a summer evening; and overnight success," he grinned. since its beginning, and the ease with a swiveling bed which becomes a manor However, it is the second book that which he performs his part shows how Classified Aas house bedroom, or dining room when the 'counts. Display Ads - much it has become a plrrt of him. Jerry need arises. "The second novel separates the men Colker, too, is repeating his role of Louis And pieces of costumes change rather from the boys. You are only born with so • Wed. 3 pm which he performed on Broadway, than the whole. Smocks and robes go on many words and every writer is haunted although not an original, and" he has and off, pieces of armor and swords are by the fear of exhausting those words." :Bulletin Board given the part some new nuances.