Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 1, 1991 TAG: 9102010664
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Donna Alvis
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Master Harold . . . and the Boys," Athol Fugard's razor-sharp drama, cuts into the heart of human relationships. Based on the playwright's memories of his childhood, it's an insightful and poignant look at the true meaning of kinship.
Asolo Theatre Company of Florida will bring the production to Blacksburg Wednesday for one performance at 7:30 p.m. in Burruss Hall. Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Union, the touring company's show is part of the university's Lively Arts Entertainment Series.
Set in South Africa in 1950, "Master Harold . . . and the Boys" deals with the relationship between Hally, a white South African youth, and the two black waiters who work for his parents. Sam, one of the servants, is more of a father to Hally than the boy's real father, a crippled alcoholic who is hospitalized when the play opens.
Hally's conflict emerges when he learns that his father is coming home from the hospital. Knowing his father's return means certain upheaval in his life, Hally throws misguided blows at Sam. In his resentment and his anger, he humiliates the person who cares most for him.
The drama is both painful and exhilarating with a conclusion that will make you draw a deep breath.
Tickets, on sale at the box office in University Bookstore, are $14 for the public, $11 for Virginia Tech faculty and staff and $4 for Tech students. For reservations or information, call the box office weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at 231-5615.
\ ATTACHED TO A FEW STRINGS: Clyde Shaw, Doris Lederer, David Ehrlich and David Salness - better known collectively as the Audubon Quartet - will perform in concert with guest pianist Jon Kimura Parker Saturday evening at 8 in Virginia Tech's Donaldson B rown Auditorium.
Parker, a Canadian native, has performed with the best, including the Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin, the Korea Philharmonic and the National Symphony at Wolf Trap. Of course, as both local and international chamber music lovers know, the Audubon Quartet ranks at the top of the list, too.
Since winning first prize in Great Britain's Leeds International Piano Competition in 1984, Parker has won the attention of critics for his polished technique and artistic talent. The Washington Post praised him as a pianist who is " . . . keen to a kind of magic and poetry others of his generation can't discover."
In Saturday's concert, Parker and the Audubon Quartet will perform Schumann's "Quintet in E-flat Major." Schubert's "Quartetsatz" and Bartok's "Quartet No. 5" complete the program.
Admission is $5 for adults or $3 for students and senior citizens. To reserve tickets, call the Arts at Virginia Tech box office at 231-5615 today.
\ RADFORD TODAY, HOLLYWOOD TOMORROW: The Radford Chamber of Commerce is putting on its annual dinner, dance and auction Saturday, starting at 6 p.m., in the Norwood Room. The big item up for grabs is a trip for two to Los Angeles with visits to Hollywood and Disneyland.
Other items on the auction block include a diamond bracelet, two tickets to a Charlotte Hornet's game, a sweat shirt autographed by the Washington Redskins, a golfing getaway to Panama City, Fla., a weekend stay at Mountain Lake Hotel and original paintings by some fine local artists.
Diane Whitehead is offering her catering talents for an "at-home dinner for four," and one lucky winner will even get a taste of Charlie Whitescarver's famous Thai Won Own chili.
Dozens of businesses and individuals have donated gifts, services and prizes for the event, and auctioneer Ken Farmer will keep them moving throughout the evening.
For information, call the chamber office at 639-2202.
\ HONORING MOZART: 1991 marks the 200th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's death. The great composer's music, certainly, will live forever.
Musicians from Radford University's faculty are commemorating this bicentennial year with a concert featuring Mozart's chamber music Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Preston Auditorium.
Performers from Radford's music department include Caryl Conger on piano, Margo Easter on oboe and vocalist David Castonguay, baritone. Guest artists are David Widder, clarinet, and Wallace Easter, horn, from Virginia Tech's music faculty. Richard Turner of Roanoke will play bassoon.
Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children. Radford students will be admitted free with identification.
by CNB