RETRIEVER Highlights

FEBRUARY 9, 1993 PAGE 7 Alumna dances her way into UMBC's heart to explore the world of dance. 1989, uses whole wheat dough The source for a'l of these Scott Forbes This freedom has allowed her to and fluffy white dough as the dances is McMahon's imagina- Retriever Staff Writer continue to develop new ideas in symbols for the kneading which tion. "All of my works come dance—the ideas she will bring takes place between two worlds, directly from what's going on in Imagination is the essential with her to the UMBC stage People's interpretations of this my personal life," she admits, component needed to under- tomorrow night. piece are very diverse, according adding that she hopes to trans- stand Karen McMahon's style of After graduating from UMBC, to McMahon. Some people see late these personal experiences dance. So tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., McMahon moved to Philadelphia it as representing a contest into universal experiences that bring your imagination to the to enroll in Temple University's between the working class and audiences can identify with. To UMBC Theatre, where McMahon Master's of Fine Arts Program, the non-working class, while help interpret that active imagi- will continue the 1993 Progres- While in Philadelphia, she disco- others see it as dealing with the nation, two other dancers will sions series with a solo dance vered that the area gives financial problems of rape. Karen hopes perform with her on a couple of concert. support to many artists' projects, that the dance speaks like a numbers. "I'm excited to come back to This discovery gave her the poem, without causing an urge Judging from her long, impres- the theatre," McMahon said, after means to complete her Master's to strangle meaning out of every sive resume, many people and explaining that her former Degree at Temple. Now, she gesture. "Just take what you organizations have already iden- instructor, Professor Liz Walton, instructs children's dance work- can," she says, stating the main tified Karen McMahon as an invited her to perform in this shops that concentrate on crea- aspect of performance art. outstanding artist. In 1992, she series. tive movement. Another of was chosen as one of six Phila- Professor Walton instructed This s le of McManon delphia artists to be promoted McMahon when the dancer was danceM will.!l be ,theh "Vm not doingo formance 'sart p«-pie- nationally in the city's Project STRETCH. The Community Edu- tember 1982-May 1986. "Karen '"> "" " ■•■'«'■«' "Early Snow," cation Center awarded her with was one of the best students we theatre. McMa- Vtf\\\) hjnh T prill anc* tne exPe" a third year performance grant, ever had," Professor Walton hon spoke of the how"t/rv highMg'i *I Clf#!can rience is akin to as part of the Center's Intimate recalled. She also shared her differences npf rn\J lt>0 " watching an Space Grant for 1990-92. enthusiasm about McMahon's between her per- Sget my'*%7 leg."'*'£>• abstract film, Another gift came in 1991, when success as a Philadelphia-based formances and "You watch the she was awarded a one-year independent artist. the many traditional styles of images and take what you want fellowship for the development of McMahon is equally enthusias- dance you see in productions like without figuring out what it all new work from the Pennsylvania tic about her alma mater. "The the musical 42ndSheet. Her work means," she said. The piece is Council on the Arts Fellowship. great thing about UMBC," she focuses on states of energy. about relationships and vulnera- exclaimed, "is that the dance "It's like looking at a modern bility, and was conceived last So that viewers can understand department is small, but the painting. You get used to seeing year. "Between Blue Rock," McMahon's style and personality facilities are beautiful." Many of it and being open to it," she crafted in 1991, deals with frus- more thoroughly, an informal the dance departments instruc- explained. McMahon hopes that trations and the way a person question and answer period will tors were big influences on her, people will come with an open may try too hard to achieve in a occur immediately following the and she remembers being able to mind, without any expectations certain field. Finally, the person concert. Following it will be a y work comfortably alongside as to what may or may not occur, gives up and releases his anxie- reception where audience other artists in the Fine Arts "See if you like it," is her response ties into another space. Balti- members can speak with Karen Building. For example, while to people who do not understand more film maker and former McMahon and her associates. choreographing a few pieces, what she's doing on stage. UMBC instructor Boots Shelton. Tickets for the Dance Concert she sought the assistance of "My work also has natural who has worked with director campus musicians, and found pedestrian gestures. I'm not John Waters, collaborated with are $15 and $10 for students and them eager to help her. The doing tricks, it's not how high I McMahon on yet another piece, senior citizens. Because seating dance department, she said, can get my leg. (My work) is not a 1988 creation called "Frames of is limited, reservations are photo credited to PATENTED PHOTOS PATENTED PHOTOS 215-238-9192 encouraged her, as well as all of spectacle," she said. One piece, Mind." Boots also filmed Karen's strongly recommended. For Karen Mahon performs "No Wonder We Knead," one of her its students, to experiment and "No Wonder We Knead" from version of this dance. more information call 455-2476. many original dance creations. In the face of fiscal disaster, Hollywood puts excellence Theatre Dept. shoots for the stars more expletives of course!) when I more on the thespians, the audience first with heard the term. gets more "into" the plot instead of A "studio production" is a play being distracted by superfluous that stresses less of a demand on scenery. Pete Fitzpatrick the technical aspects of theatre and Retriever Staff Writer concentrates more on the actors. King Lear This type of production doesn't The second feature of the semes- Jack Sommersby has returned demand a large budget, which will ter, a William Shakespeare classic, to Vine Hill. sooth the fat cats at this institution will be a mainstage production, After five years of fighting the known as UMS. Hey Frank which in a nutshell means that it long and bloody Civil War, and Perdue! will receive the full treatment. "King being held in the horrid conditions One of the positive aspects of a of a military prison, he has come studio production is with the focus (see PREVIEW, page 8) back to his wife, Laurel, and a son he hardly knows. His plantation has been ransacked by Union Brian Lehrer soldiers, and his fields left fallow Retriever Staff Writer Community Calendar because all the slaves have been Coming off a brilliant and trying Off-Campus Activities set free. first semester, UMBC's theatre The town is elated over the department is catapulting into the return of their favorite son. Mrs. new year with high hopes that the Feb. 10 — "Will Intellectuals Go by Enoch Pratt Free Library. For! Sommersby is not quite as happy. spring will be as successful as the the Way of the Dinosaurs?". A more information call 396-5494. j When she last saw her husband, fall. Last semester is a hard act to lecture with Benjamin Solomon he was a drunkard who was cruel follow, considering that the depart- Carson, the director of Pediatric Feb 13 — The Baltimore Museum and often abusive toward her. ment's production of The Tutor has Neurosurgery at the Johns Hop- of Art Honors Black History! Believing her husband dead, she received national recognition and kins University and Hospital. At Month with a gallery talk about i had begun to make plans to marry three of its actors competed indi- the Johns Hopkins University artist Alma Thomas. 1 p.m. at the] Orin, a man who has been helping vidually in the Irene Ryan Compe- Homewood Campus, in the Gar- Baltimore Museum of Art. Onj her tend the farm. tition. rett Room of the Eisenhower Feb. 14, there will be a second! It soon becomes apparent that The Theatre department is also Library. For more information gallery talk about African Art,] Jack is not the man he once was. facing what may prove t,o be an even call 516-7157. also at 1 p.m. For more informa- The townspeople attribute his bigger challenge than putting on tion call 396-6300. change to the war. After all, one of its excellent productions. At Feb. 12 - Exhibits of African and almost everyone lost someone or the end of last semester, the UMS African-American Culture. Day- Feb 13 — Origins of Women's! was somehow affected by the war Board of Regents slated the theatre long event in the Glass Pavilion Oppression and the Family as af — why should Jack be an excep- major as one of many to be cut from of the Homewood Campus of Pillar of Class Rule, a seminar! tion? And much to her surprise, UMBC, stating that it was a dupli- Johns Hopkins University. For hosted by the Socialist Worker's! Laurel begins to fall in love with cate department (to those offered more information call 516-7160. Party. 2905 Greenmount Avenue.! the man she once resented bitterly. at Towson State and College Park) For more information contact! She sees the new Jack as a man and not part of the university's Feb. 12 — The Wood's Tea 235-0013. who loves her and, more impor- intended mission. The Theatre Company, a Vermont-based trio tantly, as a kind and.gentle person. Department must now prove itself of folk musicians, perform at the Sommersby gets the town back Carriage House of Johns Hopkins Feb 13 - "Heroes Just Like You'V to be an essential component of the Three African-Americans talk! on its feet by getting everyone to UMBC community, and would University, located on 4545 N. invest in the growing of tobacco Charles St. in Baltimore. Show- about opportunities, choices and] photo COPYRIGHT © 1993 hope to do so by continuing to obstacles. 1:15 p.m. in the Court- on his plantation. In exchange, demonstrate the top-notch quality time 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. For they receive half the crop and the V.O.F. AND LE STUDIO CANAL + (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED). I more information call 516-7157. yard Exhibition Center. Reserva- and give riveting performances as Jack of its work. So here's what's up at tions are recommended. For morel chance to buy the land once the the UMBC Theatre this Spring: mortgage is paid off. Sommersby and Laurel Sommersby, a couple who must reconcile their Feb. 12-13 — Live Classical Music information call 396-5494. also battles challenges with nature differences after he returns home from war. Sinders at After Hours at IMAX at the and the . All the Maryland Science Center. An Feb 13 — "The Clinton Presid- A studio production of Janusz ency — Challenges Facing Youth | while, subtle clues quietly begin to The cast is astounding. she is equally awesome. The role Glowacki's "Sinders" will be run- I IMAX film double feature, "Sea- fall into place, forcing the towns- Richard Gere (Final Analysis, is a challenging one. Her character I sons," and "The First Emperor of and Trade Unionists." Sara Lob- ning Wednesday March 10 through man discusses why the new admin- people to ask themselves: is this Pretty Woman) is cast in the title falls in love with a man she only Saturday March 13. Veteran direc- 1 China," with classical music per- the real Jack Sommersby? role. He gives a stunningly pas- knew as a brutal and uncaring | formed by the Baltimore-based istration plans to raise taxes and| tor Alan Kriezenbeck holds the cut "entitlement programs." Path- Sommersby is the latest offering sionate performance as the man husband. This, coming on top of reigns of this skewed rendering of | Concord Ensemble before the first from British director . who may or may not be Jack uncertainty about her lover's 1 film and during intermission. finder Bookstore, 2905 Green- "Cinderella," which is set at a girl's mount Avenue. 7:30 p.m. A $3,001 Set in the years immediately Sommersby. He masters the role, identity, creates quite a challenge. reform school in Warsaw, Poland. 1 Located at the Inner Harbor. following the Civil War, it is a becoming equally endearing and Foster handles it beautifully. I Tickets are $5. For more informa- donation is requested. For more| The author describes the play as "an information call 235-0014. beautiful story of intrigue, recon- suspicious at the same time. I have There are scenes that will quite allegory of the contemporary total- | tion call 685-5225. struction, and love. There is only to admit, I never really liked his simply grab hold of you and won't itarian state." Hmmmn . . . sounds s one thing that I can say about this previous work, but in Sommersby let go. I look forward to seeing cerebral. . . I Feb. 12-13 — "Ophelia". The Feb 14 — Recital, the African- picture. he shines. more of this very talented actress All roles for the play have been National Theatre of the Deaf American students of the Peabody See it. As actresses go, I've always both on and off screen, since she cast. According to Dr. William T. presents an all new Hamlet as seen Conservatory. 3 p.m. at the Eubie This movie is a serious winner. admired Oscar-winner Jodie Fos- not too long ago made her direc- Brown, Associate Professor and I through the eyes of Ophelia. 8 Blake National Museum and The story (based on the movie: ter (Silence of the Lambs, The torial debut with Little Man Tate. Chairman of the Theatre Depart- I p.m. at the Smith Theatre of Cultural Center. For more infor- The Return of ) is Accused). I can't think of any Bill Pullman (Newsies) gives the ment for 23 years, the roles are all Howard Community College. For mation call 396-1300. brilliant. You will find yourself other child actress who I can audience someone to hate with his relatively equal in importance. more information call 964-4900. sure of Sommersby's identity one honestly say I'm glad to see make portrayal of the jilted Orin Mee- The question about to cross your Feb 14 — Valentine's Day at Cider minute and completely uncertain it as an adult. Her roles in Silence cham. And lips now may be "What in the name Feb. 13 — Book and Author Mill Farm. Noon to 4 p.m. Free the next. The ending is equally of the Lambs and The Accused (Sneakers, Patriot Games) pro- of all that's good and pure is a Luncheon with Clifton Taulbert. cider and apple cookies to couples. brilliant, but to give it away would were astonishing. Cast here as studio production?!" Well, that's 12:30 p.m. at the Radisson Plaza For more information call Tom be a crime. Jack Sommersby's wife, Laurel, (see SOMMERSBY, page 8) what I said to myself (with a few Lord Baltimore Hotel. Sponsored Owen at 788-9595.