1986_04 The Daily Collegian April 1986

              Page 2  The Daily Collegian
OPINION   April4,1986
Play blurs line dividing reality, fantasy
*jr Uo N. Hobar
fontributing Writer
. What starts out as an evening charades
to benefit a dying woman evolves
into a dangerous situation for a young
university student in CSUFs Experimental  Theater production  of  Ira   Levin's
Levin — best known for his novel
"Rosemary's Baby" and his successful
Broadway whodunit "Deathtrap" — continues to explore tales ol the macabre with
erly cc
s play, i
d by a
Once employed as gardener and maid
to the Brabissants, the Mackeys now
watch over Cissie, the Brabissants' only
surviving family member.
The Mackeys tell Susan Kerner, university coed, that Cissie somehow feels responsible for her sister Veronica's death.
The Mackeys suggest that Susan impersonate Veronica and console a now-dying
Susan rejects the arguments of her boyfriend, Larry Eastwood, and agrees to
play the part out of compassion. Larry
suggests that the Mackeys may have ulterior motives and may ask Susan to prod
certain information from Cissie.
"If they suggest I ask Cissie about some
hidden treasures or wealth," Susan tells
Larry, "I simply won't."
The illusion begins with Susan dressing
up as Veronica in clothes of the 1930s,
complete with garter belt and stockings.
Larry is taken downstairs and told to wait.
Susan then finds herself locked in Veronica's old room. The window is protected against break-in or escape with
wrought-iron bars. She begins to believe
that she may actually be Veronica as the
events of 1935 are recreated.
Has Susan become the victim in a diabolical prank or has she really become
Veronica? Therein lies the suspense and
drama of Levin's play. In this story,
nobody is who they appear to be and everyone conspires against Susan.
"Veronica's Room" features a four-
member student cast. As an Experimental
Theater Company offering, it is an all-
student production led by director Laura
Smith.
ETC's board is comprised of students
and one faculty member, lt selects a pro-
ductioneach semester. "Veronica's Room"
is ETC's Spring "86 production. It opened
last night and continues its run through
ifiMaotay.
Saa THEATER, page 3
Letters
to the editor
*Need more ethnic history
Editor:
When Congress denied Reagan's request
$27 million to aid the Contras fighting to
overthrow the Sandinista government last
spring, the Nicaraguan people felt relieved.
Finally, they thought, there would an end
to'lhe fighting. Peace would be given a
chance. Then, through the use of propaganda. Reagan succeeded in getting Congress to approve the $27 million in aid lo
the Contras. Subsequently, this caused
more deaths, misery and suffering for the
Nicaraguan people.
iragua shortly after
Congress approved these funds for the
Contras. 1 was unable to observe firsthand
the reactions and attitudes of the people
there. Now, in the face of further aggression, the people of Nicaragua are asking
the U.S. government to refrain from continuing the bloodshed of their countrymen by turning down Reagan's request of
SIOO million to the Contras.
The feelings and attitudes of the people
of Nicaragua have not changed.'they still
want peace. Following are excerpts from
letters, translated into English, to the U.S.
Congress from the people of a town in
No more U.S. contra aid
Editc
GSPP
bat; we want the money to be given to the
poor; we have faith that you have an open
heart and will not give the money to the
Contra. Thank you."
"I'm a subsistence farmer and I don't
want to see aid given to the Contra.
Rather, I want us to be left alone because
we want to increase our output of coffee
and other products."
"We young people want PEACE,
PEACE, PEACE, PEACE."
"...that is to say we are disposing to
square off against an invasion from wha-
super-power but we aren't going to
allow this bit of Earth to be trampled by
any fair-haired'
:an prevent this foreseeable dii
leaching of
black history in high school, as well as in
college. Sludents are missing out on learning about a history and culture that is very
interesting and important to learn about.
While 1 was a student at South Torrance High School, a suburb of Los
Angeles, there was little mention of blacks
in my history class, except for the generalized events and dates of slavery in America. But nothing was said about the African civilization which, it should be stated,
was rich in culture and even started before
the European civilization. This is a fact of
history that is ignored.
As I am nowa student at Fresno State, I
am currently enrolled in a black studies
class, which 1 find very valuable because
not only am 1 learning about black people
Saa LETTERS, paga 3
a^^nta^e Days
Grape Escape
5K & 10K Run
April 26, 1986
Applications Available CU 306
or most Sporting Goods Stores
Early Registration Deadline
April 13th
C^ee $8
Late & Day of Race $9
>
April 4, 1986 OPINION
Theater
Continued from paga 2
Smith-somehow managed to
bodies^he needed to'cast and c
The Daily Collegian    Page 3
soiic nccucu io casi ana crew vcr-
's Room, "although fouTolharXSUF
piuuuctions are in rehearsal. She managed more than finding just bodies, however. Her ensemble has put together a fine
production.
There is no lack of human resource in
ETC's production of "Veronica's Room."
The limitations which cripple ETC are
budgetary. Sets, costumes and a majority
of the props must be pulled from existing
stock or borrowed from the ensemble for
the play's run. ETC's budget is used primarily for publicity — the printing of flyers.
Smith's cast includes Juliana Bowman,
Danny Swartz. Karla Lopez and William
Westenberg.
Bowman portrays Susan, the coed trapped between her 1973 reality and her fantasy performance as Veronica in 1935.
Bowman's performance is rock-solid. The
emotions, the fear and the self-questioning, are easily read through Bowman's
body movements and cracking voice.
" Susan's boyfriend, Larry, is portrayed
by Swartz. Larry's complexities come to
life with Swartz' cynical but caring perform
in her performance as the elderly maid,
but never quite looks the part. Her hair,
and especially the wig she wears in the
second act, is unsightly. These are costume problems, but they hamper her otherwise fine performance.
Westenberg has little difficulty with the
Irish brogue as Mr. Mackey, but he tends
to physically stereotype his
which makes him appear older than he
should be. Westenberg's walk and gestures
make Mackey appear to be in his late 70s,
a little older than Levin intended.
VERONICAS ROOM
April 4 at 4 and 8 p.m.
April 5 at 8 p.m.
Performances will be held in CSUF'.
Lab School Theater.
TICKET IN FORMA TION~
Reservations can be made al the Uni
versliy Theater Box Office or by c
294-2216. Tickets will be available
door. Tickets are SI.SO for CSUFsludents
and S3 general.
Scenic designer Matt Mitchell had difficulties in working within ETC's budgetary limitations. Levin's script and 1935
setting suggests an elegance ETC simply
can't afford. But it appears Mitchell has
done the very best he could and the set is
atmosphere  and" Martha  Donaldson's intermission, the music appropriately
music seleations help create an atmos- changes to the hits of 1935.
phere missing elsewhere in the set, props. Realizing  the  budgetary  limitations
and costumes. placed on ETC productions, "Veronica's
Donaldson uses the late "60s and early R'oom"survivesandelectrifieswhhstrong
70s music ofjoni Mitchell, Bruce Spring- student contributions. It should not be
steen and others to set the opening 1973 missed by anyone who likes macabre tales
segment. As "Veronica's RoonTgoes into of mystery and suspense.
s a difficult Irish brogue
lould be.
The sound contributes t
Letters
Continued from page 2
's studies class for
I belies
e one understands his
orld and feels his struggles, for I think
but about the sociology of people as a ignorance breeds prejudice and separate-
whole. I can now KNOW how tragic the ncss between people. People need to face
time of slavery was and see how and why up to the realities of slavery and injustice
prejudice and inequality of all groups and and not be reluctant toconfront thecruel-
kinds of people finds its place in the world tics of yesterday and today,
today. I think it is an educator's responsibility
I fecf a black studies class should be    to teach the truth, which is not neglecting
mandatory' in college in order to widen a    the history of different sex and race.
i. As
1 thin
everyone should be requi
rely.
Come Get
All The Answers In
The Vintage Days Guide
Information on Deadlines and
Activities Including
Vintathlon, 5 & 10K Run,
Air Guitar and more.
Vintage Days Guide
Now Available in
CU 306 or call 294-4008
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THE DAIL Y COLLEGIAN OFFERS
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SERVICES AT REASONABLE RATES!
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Program Committi
Friday, April 4