Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 9, 1993 TAG: 9304080047
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Donna Alvis-Banks
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
LAINIE KAZAN FEATURED IN `ROSE TATTOO'
The lady has rubbed elbows with Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Francis Ford Coppola, Peter O'Toole, John Houseman, Barbara Hershey, Lee Marvin and Bette Davis.You've seen her on your favorite bygone TV shows ("St. Elsewhere," "Paper Chase," "Hotel") and in your favorite movies ("Beaches," "Harry and the Hendersons," "The Adventures of Natty Gann.").
This week, you'll get the chance to see her on stage at Radford University's Porterfield Theatre.
Lainie Kazan is the star of Radford's annual guest artist production. This year's play is Tennessee Williams' tender and compassionate "The Rose Tattoo." Kazan plays Serafina della Rosa, a grieving Sicilian widow whose loneliness leads her into a passionate new romance.
James Hawes, chairman of the university's theater department, is directing the play. He said students have had a wonderful learning experience in their work with Kazan.
"It's rare to find someone as talented and successful as Lainie Kazan willing to work with student actors," he noted.
Kazan's latest film appearance is in "The Cemetary Club." Her other motion picture credits include "My Favorite Year," "One From the Heart" and "Delta Force."
Her work in television has earned her both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
"The Rose Tattoo" opens Monday and runs through April 18. Curtain time is at 8 each evening in Porterfield Theatre.
Public admission is $5. Tickets are $4 for Radford University faculty and staff members, free for Radford University students.
For ticket information, call the Heth Hall information desk, 831-5289.
\ APRIL IN APPALACHIA: Events celebrating the arts of Appalachia continue at Virginia Tech.
Chi Delta Alpha is offering tours of Solitude, the historic house at the Virginia Tech Duck Pond, each Saturday through April 24. Tours are at 11 a.m. and at noon. Admission is free.
You're also invited to bring your instrument (or just yourself) to jam sessions with the Virginia Tech Bluegrass Association every Monday in April at Gillie's on College Avenue. The musicians get together from 8 to 10 p.m. to play the best old-time mountain music around.
The Old-Time Fiddlers will have jam sessions each Tuesday from 9 p.m. to midnight at Roni's in Blacksburg. The restaurant is at 108 N. Main St.
Special events include storytelling by Jim Costa Thursday at the Baptist Student Center. Costa will begin spinning yarns at 7:30 p.m. This is a freebie, too.
The grand finale of this year's April in Appalachia celebration is an old-fashioned square dance April 22 at the Wesley Student Center. The Bow Shakers will play from 8 to 11 p.m. A $4 donation for Solitude gets you in.
Appalachian Way, a Virginia Tech student organization, and the university's Appalachian Studies Program are sponsoring this month's events. For more information, call Elizabeth Fine at 231-5327.
\ MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Radford University's Theater of Dance gives us "Dance Visions" this weekend. It's a program of contemporary dance that includes modern, ballet, jazz and ballroom styles.
Curtain time is at 8 p.m. today and Saturday in Preston Auditorium.
Two Radford University dance instructors, Pegeen Albig and Mary Pat Balkus, have choreographed the dances. The Radford University Chamber Orchestra, directed by Eugene Fellin, will provide accompaniment.
Highlights of the program include "In Excelsis," a dance celebrating life performed to the music of Haydn, and "Pas de Six," a dance set into three movements of Prokofiev's Sonata No. 2 in D Major for Violin and Piano. Caryl Conger of Radford University and Linda Plaut of Virginia Tech are the musical guests on this number.
"Footnotes," choreographed by Albig, is a collage of innovative vocal music, European rock, "golden oldies" and African drumming.
"Echoes of Brazil," choreographed by Balkus, has the Brazilian flavor of Antonio Carlos Joabim's music. Balkus' "Four Tangos" is done to the music of James Reese Europe, Angel Villoldo and Astor Piazzolla.
There's also a guest performance by the Contemporary Dance Ensemble of Virginia Tech featuring "L'Attente," a piece choreographed by Tech's Billy Lepczyk.
Admission is $3 for adults, $1.50 for children and free for Radford University students and staff.
\ EVERYONE LOVES A CIRCUS: The Christiansburg Lions Club is bringing the Galaxy of Stars Circus to the Christiansburg National Guard Armory today for two performances at 5:30 and 7:45 p.m.
The show features Prince Chi Chi, a Seneca Indian who calls himself the world's fastest and most accurate knife thrower. Chi Chi, who traveled many years with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, has published several books on his unusual art.
Also appearing is Sir Harry James, a seventh-generation circus performer who does one-arm handstands on billiard sticks, canes and rings. He also balances his entire weight on just one finger!
Leopards, panthers, trained dogs, jugglers, clowns, magicians and acrobats will be on parade, too.
A specialty act the kids won't want to miss is "Ninja versus Monsters." This Ninja works with giant snakes.
Admission is $6 for adults. Free tickets for children are available from local merchants.
\ GUITARZAN: Peter Golladay, an instructor in Radford University's music department, will entertain with a classical guitar concert Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Preston Auditorium.
Golladay will play "Fantasia" by Alonso de Mudarra, "Dance of the Miller" by Manuel de Falla and "Mountain Songs" by Robert Beaser.
Admission is free for Radford University students and staff. Public admission is $3 for adults or $1 for children.