Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 10, 1995 TAG: 9511100046
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS BANKS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Step right up and see the greatest show on earth!
Of course, you've been to the circus...but have you been to the Russian circus?
That's where you'll find yourself this weekend if you're planning to take in the latest production by Virginia Tech's Theatre Arts-University Theatre.
"He Who Gets Slapped," a play by early 20th century playwright Leonid Andreyev, continues tonight and Saturday at 8 in Squires Studio Theatre.
The play - Andreyev's most successful on the American stage - is about a literature professor who bows out of the academic scene and becomes a circus clown. The clown, known simply as "He," makes the circus crowd howl with laughter. The wiser he speaks, the more ridiculous he sounds, and the more ridiculous he sounds, the more he gets slapped!
In 1922, "He Who Gets Slapped" ran for 300 performances at New York's Garrick and Fulton Theatre. In 1924, the play was made into a silent film with Lon Chaney and Norma Shearer playing the leading roles.
This weekend's production at Virginia Tech stars Charles Linton Lattimer and Michelle Krusiec. Graduate student Andrew Belser is the director. The production also features an original musical score by guest composer John Nuhn.
The show features all the color and energy of the traditional Russian circus - the musicians, bareback riders and (most importantly!) the clown.
Clowns played first fiddle in the Eastern European circus. Their names were the largest on the posted bills and they were the "barkers" who lured the masses to the show. The clowns also bellowed out stories and sang songs about current events.
Tickets for "He Who Gets Slapped" are on sale now at the box office in Squires Student Center. Admission is $8 for adults or $6 for students and senior citizens. For reservations, call 231-5615.
DISCOVERY: Musical groups the world over are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Paul Hindemith's birth this year with concerts featuring the composer's operas, symphonies and chamber works. You're likely to hear lots of Hindemith's best known compositions before the ball drops in Times Square.
Here's one you might get a chance to hear only once, though.
"Rondo," Hindemith's sole work for guitar, is the main item on the program Monday when the Radford University Guitar Ensemble performs in concert. This is the first time the piece has been performed in the New River Valley.
The nine guitarists, directed by Robert Trent, also will perform a classical music cross section of composers ranging from Italy's Antonio Vivaldi to Cuba's Leo Brouwer.
Monday's concert starts at 8 p.m. in Preston Auditorium. Tickets, available at the door, are $3 for adults or $1 for children. Admission with a Radford University ID is free.
SHOW OFF: Ok, all you closet artists, poets, filmmakers, dancers, actors and singers - it's time to go public!
Virginia Tech's Contemporary Dance Ensemble is looking for talented folks for its coffeehouse show this Sunday at Pedro's. The show is a benefit to help the dancers raise money for their spring production.
The event starts at 8 Sunday evening, but doors open at 7 so artists may set up their displays then.
If you're planning to perform, you can sign up for a specific time by calling Laura Sullivan at 961-9333. You may also register at the door Sunday night.
Sound equipment, a stage, a projector for 8 mm films and space for displaying artwork will be provided.
If you don't have a talent you want to flaunt, come anyway. It should be a fun time.
Admission is $2 if you're over 21 or $3 if you're under 21. Performers and exhibitors, as well as spectators, have to pay up.
Pedro's is at 211-B Draper Road in Blacksburg.
SHHHH! It's a silent auction but that doesn't mean we have to keep it hush-hush.
The Blacksburg Newcomers Club's annual silent auction really is something to talk about.
"We have some exciting things to auction off this year," said Sally Linares, one of the organizers of the event.
Sarah Brubaker, club president, is spending her days sewing jewelry bags and holiday napkins and place mats. Elfriede Hartmann is making pine cone wreaths and topiaries, and Betty Spicer is baking holiday cookies.
You'll find a paper angel made by Barbara Weimerskirch and a silk sari donated by Eleanor Scheik. There's even a hand-painted kitchen bar stool up for grabs.
All proceeds from the silent auction benefit the Montgomery County Christmas Store. Last year's auction raised over $1,000 for the cause.
The Newcomers have been putting on the auction every year since 1983, one year after the Christmas Store was organized. Over the past 12 years, the club has raised nearly $8,000 for this project.
The event starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Prices Fork and Toms Creek Road, in Blacksburg. Bidding runs from 7:30 to 8 p.m.
If you would like to donate something (store bought or homemade) for the auction, call 951-2288.
RAP IT UP: If you saw "Dangerous Minds" you're probably still rapping with Coolio.
Coolio performed the sound track for the hit movie.
The Virginia Tech Union and the Black Student Alliance will bring the popular hip-hop rap group to Burruss Hall Saturday for one show at 8 p.m.
You can save some cash by getting your tickets today at the box office in Squires Student Center. Advance tickets are $7 for Virginia Tech students or $10 for the public. Admission at the door is $2 more.
Visa and MasterCard orders are accepted. Call 231-5615.
JAZZ IT UP: The 18 musicians in the Radford University Jazz Ensemble will feed us tried-and-true jazz tunes at its fall concert Tuesday.
Contemporary classics are on the menu. You'll hear Duke Ellington's "Caravan," Stan Kenton's "Intermission Riff" and George Gershwin's "Summertime" during the course of the evening.
The concert starts at 8 p.m. in Preston Auditorium. Adult admission is $3, kids are $1 and Radford University faculty and students are free.
by CNB