www.gmtoday.com Spark The Daily News, Saturday, February 11, 2017 A3 MOVIE BUZZ

MOVIES Opening Friday “The Great Wall” (PG-13): The great Zhang Yimou directs Matt Damon in this epic-scale adventure about mercenaries defending the Great Wall of China from monsters. “A Cure for Wellness” (R): Director Gore Verbinski takes a break from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise with this thriller about a man (Dane DeHaan) being treated at a strange health spa in the Swiss Alps. “Fist Fight” (R): Charlie Day plays a teacher challenged to an after-school fight by a former col- league (Ice Cube) he accidentally got fired. ❑ ❑ ❑ HOME VIDEO In stores Tuesday “Billy Lynn’s Long Half- time Walk” (DVD/Blu-ray/ 4K): Ang Lee directs newcomer Joe Alwyn in this drama about an Iraq war veteran being cele- brated during a Super Bowl game in 2004 Dallas. “Arrival” (DVD/Blu-ray/ 4K): Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner are the scientists trying to communicate with aliens that have touched down on Earth in this Oscar-nominated sci-fi adventure. “Almost Christmas” (DVD/ Blu-ray): Gabrielle Union, Omar Epps and Danny Glover are among the members of a dys- functional family trying to sur- vive the holidays while living under the same roof. Submitted photo “The Edge of Seventeen” Derek Evans tours the U.S. portraying former president Theodore Roosevelt. His tour stops in Hartford on Friday. (DVD/Blu-ray): A teenage girl (Hailee Steinfeld) navigates the treacherous waters of adoles- cence in this affectionate hom- age to the 1980s high school comedies by John Hughes. “Bleed for This” (DVD/ Blu-ray): Miles Teller stars as Vinnie Pazienza in this biopic based on the life of the world champion boxer. “King Cobra” (DVD/Blu- ray): Christian Slater is the Man performs as nation’s 26th president online porn impresario mur- dered by ambitious rivals (including James Franco) in By NICHOLAS DETTMANN it work. of what it means to be an American.” this fact-based drama. [email protected] “This agent got me to read some The first book Evans read about — Tribune News Service 262-306-5043 books,” he said. “That was about 15 Roosevelt was Henry Pringle’s 1931 biog- years ago. raphy about Roosevelt, which won the To Derek Evans, Theodore Roosevelt is large- “I discovered I was in the presence of 1932 Pulitzer Prize for biography and INBRIEF ly underrated as a president and a neglected a man who was a walking miracle.” autobiography. American hero. Evans said the closest person he “He’s got a wonderful scene in this Today, he tours the country playing the role of thought in his mind who had that kind book where Roosevelt, who was at the Former Heisman Trophy the former president, telling stories of his life of effect on the world was Winston Evans time the youngest man ever elected to the winner coming to and doing so dressed just like him, mustache, Churchill. New York Assembly, (Pringle) describes glasses and all. “At age 55, he was learning Portuguese,” Roosevelt’s first day as a New York state legisla- Milwaukee for ‘Chicago’ Evans brings his national tour to Hartford for Evans said. “He was a writer. He wrote 36 books. tor and described an avalanche of questions,” Eddie George, who played nine one show at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Schauer Arts He had a posthumous best-seller. He was an Evans said. “He wanted to know everything. He years in the NFL after winning and Activities Center, 147 N. Rural St., Hartford, extraordinary man.” wanted to know about procedures, personal his- the Heisman Trophy in 1995, for “The Man in the Arena.” Roosevelt took office in 1901 after the assassi- tories of the other legislators. ... It just grabbed will make his touring debut in “We don’t study him the same way in school nation of President William McKinley, six me.” the Tony Award- that we do George Washington and Abraham months into McKinley’s second term. Roosevelt Evans, a professional actor for more than 30 winning show, Lincoln,” Evans said of Roosevelt. “This was a was the vice president. years, coupled that expertise with his newfound “Chicago,” April guy who did everything in real life that John He was president until March 1909. He died knowledge of Roosevelt into a show that has led 25-30 at the Mar- Wayne did in the movies.” Jan. 6, 1919, at the age of 60. him to venues around the country. cus Center in However, at one point, he was guilty of over- Evans joked he’s too old to play Roosevelt at In the nearly 20 years of his act as Roosevelt, Milwaukee. looking the United States’ 26th president. 73. But he is honored to portray a man he he’s performed in more than 500 shows, includ- George will About 15 years ago, he knew of Roosevelt, but admired and calls a hero. ing Oshkosh’s The Grand Opera House and the play the role that’s where his knowledge of him ended. Then, Roosevelt served in the Army and the New White House Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. of Billy Flynn. he saw the 1944 film, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” York National Guard, he was a state legislator On average, Evans performs about 50 times Tickets went on starring Cary Grant. and the governor of New York. per year. sale Friday. George In that film, there is a character who believes He was also the founder of the U.S. Forest The show’s title, Evans said, comes from a In 2012, George he is Teddy Roosevelt. Evans was never the Service. He signed the Pure Food and Drug Act speech Roosevelt made in Paris in 1910. created the theatrical troupe, same. in 1906 — what ultimately became the Food In his lifetime, Roosevelt wrote hundreds of Actors by George. “I was astonished with how extraordinary he Safety and Inspection Service. He was instru- letters — a quarter-million to be exact, Evans “Chicago” won six Tony was,” he said. “He suffered so grievously from mental in getting the Panama Canal built. He said. Evans will read some of those letters and Awards in 1997, including Best asthma that his parents thought he was going to won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906. talk about Roosevelt, talking like Roosevelt, look- Musical Revival and also won the die, they kept a casket for him.” According to the Nobel Prize’s website, ing like Roosevelt. Grammy Award for Best Musical A short time later, an agent approached him Roosevelt got the award for “successful media- “I’ve found (the feedback) is fascinating” Cast Recording. about an idea to tour the country posing as tion to end the Russo-Japanese war and for his Evans said. “I do questions after the show and For more information, visit Roosevelt. The agent told him there was a belief interest in arbitration, having provided the people will stay for hours. He was an attractive www.chicagothemusical.com. “we could make some money going around Hague arbitration court with its very first case.” character.” dressed like Teddy Roosevelt.” “He was a freak of nature,” Evans said. “In “We’re living out his legacy whether we know First Stage Young Evans thought he was joking. No way would many ways, he exemplified what I see as the core it or not,” he added. Company to premiere ‘TXT U L8R’ First Stage Young Company, a Zevon’s ‘’ shows an artist at work training program for advanced high school actors and actresses, will present “TXT U L8R” from I celebrated a birthday recent- of her bones. All The way I always ’80s, he was back in form with March 10-19 at the Milwaukee ly (Yay! I’m older!) and a gift from this and a doo-wop do. / But how was I the release of “Sentimental Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut my sister- and brother-in-law chorus — it sounds to know? / She was Hygiene,” then collaborated with St., Milwaukee. made me smile. It was a simple macabre, but it’s a with the Russians the guitarist, bassist and drum- According to a news release, gray T-shirt bearing three words: rocker. too.” mer from R.E.M. on a project they “Set in a high school, the story “Lawyers, Guns & Money.” And “Roland the KEN Then his plight called “Hindu Love Gods,” with explores communication in the dig- I can’t believe Headless Thomp- becomes clearer: an of the same name in ital age and questions what hap- has been gone more than 14 years. son Gunner,” MERRILL “I was gambling 1990. pens when our reliance on texting He died Sept. 3, 2003, with a form which Zevon wrote in Havana / I took He put out an album every cou- and the ease of non face-to-face of cancer affecting the lungs. He after meeting a MUSIC FOR GROWNUPS a little risk. / Send ple of years through the ’90s and communication is put to the test.” was 56. mercenary who lawyers, guns and early 2000s — “Mr. Bad Example,” The cast includes Hubertus’ Zevon was born in Chicago, fought in Africa. money / Dad get “Life’ll Kill Ya” and My Ride’s Grace Becker and Germantown’s raised in California, and by his Zevon’s Roland is a me out of this.” Here” stand out. Hope Riesterer. late teens had quit high school fighter betrayed by And in case you Then he got sick. For more information or to get and moved to New York to be a a fellow mercenary, didn’t get the He was a frequent guest on tickets, visit www.firststage.org musician. He toured as the Everly who blows off his absurdity of it all, David Letterman’s late-night or call 414-267-2961. Brothers’ keyboard player in the head. Roland, now the inner sleeve of show and filled in for bandleader early 1970s, but by mid-decade headless, gets his the album — or on Paul Shaffer 20 times. Zevon once Milwaukee theater to was back in Los Angeles, hanging revenge — again the little booklet said Letterman was the best with a clique of singer-songwrit- and again — in that comes with friend his music ever had. In an host veterans-themed ers on the cusp of stardom — conflicts around the CD — features especially poignant telecast, showcase , , the world. The bad a Smith & Wesson Letterman devoted a whole show the Eagles, Bonnie Raitt, and guys “heard the .44 revolver lying to Zevon on Oct. 2, 2002, 11 months Several military veteran ’s burst of Roland’s across a plate of before his death. performers and artists will show- and John McVie. Thompson gun and home cooking. He played some music and case their skill at Veterans Light But Zevon’s music was darker. bought it.” Zevon’s dead seri- sounded great — Letterman Up the Arts on March 2 at Instead of the Eagles’ sunny “,” off ous — with a wink. He’s trench- requested “Roland” and it’s beauti- the Milwaukee County War cheerfulness (“Take It Easy”) and the same album, was a pop hit ant and sardonic but clever and ful. Both men knew Zevon was Memorial Center. Fleetwood Mac’s bouncy pop with more dark humor and an funny, too. Oh, and he rocks like dying but that didn’t blunt their In addition, the Milwaukee (“Don’t Stop”), Zevon wrote bru- opening line BBC2 listeners rated mad. honesty. Letterman asked Zevon if Repertory Theater presents tally honest songs about misfits, “best ever”: “I saw a werewolf I read the biography written by he’d learned anything about life “Grounded,” by George Brant sociopaths and tough guys. with a Chinese menu in his hand his ex-wife, Crystal Zevon, “I’ll and death, given his condition. from Feb. 22-April 2. Where much of L.A. rock in the / Walking through the streets of Sleep When I’m Dead: The Dirty “Enjoy every sandwich” was According to a news release, in ’70s could be charitably described Soho in the rain.” And later, “I Life and Times of Warren Zevon’s simple reply. “Grounded,” an ace fighter pilot as “soft,” Zevon had an edge. A saw a werewolf drinking a pina Zevon,” and it’s not a pretty pic- Would you pay to sit in finds herself grounded when an witty edge. colada at Trader Vic’s / His hair ture. Dropped by his record com- Picasso’s studio and watch him unexpected pregnancy puts her He became a rock and roll star was perfect.” pany in the early ’80s, he became paint? Would you want to look career on hold. When she returns with the release of his third The album has the song that is an alcoholic and druggie. And he over Walt Whitman’s shoulder to the pilot’s seat, she finds that album, “Excitable Boy,” in 1978. the source for the lines on my was an ugly drunk — abusing while he writes “Leaves of she’s now part of the “chair The album is filled with dark T-shirt, too. those closest to him in mean, Grass”? Of course you would. force,” flying drones over humor — the “boy” of the title Is the singer in “Lawyers, nasty ways. I’ve seen the YouTube Track down a copy of “Excitable Afghanistan from the comfort of track rapes and kills his prom Guns & Money” paranoid or are clips, too — Zevon so drunk in Boy.” It’s an artist at work. a trailer in Nevada. date, then 10 years later, after they really out to get him? In the concert that he has to be carried For more information or “they let him out of the home,” he opening verse, we can’t tell: from the stage in a stupor. Reach Ken Merrill at 262-306- tickets call 414-224-9490 or visit digs her up and builds a cage out “I went home with a waitress / But he sobered up. By the late 5040 or kmerrill @conleynet.com. www.MilwaukeeRep.com.