Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 12, 1978)
By BOB WEBB Emily Dickinson, 19th century recluse, nature lover and writer of over 1,700 poems, only around seven of which saw publication in her lifetime, and those anonym ously, will be brought to life this month. Beginning Friday night, George and Priscilla Lauris pres ent their production of The Belle of Amherst at Maude I. Kerns Art Center. Portlander William Luce wrote this play after reading all the ac counts he could find on Emily Dic kinson, and because of her reclu sive nature they are many and often highly diverse in their opin ions. It took him two years but, according to many theater-goers both in New York and here in Eugene, the effort was very much worth it. This production of The Belle of Amherst was first produced last November under the auspices of Melina Neal’s Entre Act Dinner Theatre at the Valley River Center. “Melina took quite a gamble by inviting us to perform there,” says actress Priscilla Lauris, who stars as Emily Dickinson. “It wasn’t the usual musical or light Neil Simon type comedy that she usually does there. But we think it paid off both financially and artistically.” The main problem with doing the show as dinner theater was the $11 ticket price. Although ac tually a very reasonable price for an entire evening of food and the ater, it was rather out of the range of many theater-goers. “None of our friends could afford it," says producer-director George Lauris. Nor could many students, but this was only one of the reasons for the move to Maude Kerns. Aside from the lower price and lo cation, thus making the produc tion more accessible to more peo ple, especially students, there was one other high priority reason for reviving the play. “This is our livelihood,” says George Lauris. Both Laurises quit their teaching jobs at Lane Com munity College two years ago be cause, “We wanted to have more control over our lives." Since then they have done numerous com mercials in Portland and a few in dustrial films. George has also participated in two films for the general public, Sasquatch and Buffalo Rider, the latter of which he served as acting director. Now, the husband-wife team is doing The Belle of Amherst. The one-woman show “is a play every actress would like to try,” according to Priscilla Lauris. “The play reflects the great feeling of joy in life that Dickinson had, also her very positive, witty views on living in nature. Dickinson was very much ahead of her time in her writing.” Every word spoken on stage is from either Dickinson’s letters or her poems. The play concerns Dickinson’s life from her early womanhood until shortly before her death in 1886. But time is not a major con cern of the play so author Luce uses it rather freely, jumping back and forth to different periods in Dickinson’s life in order to give weight to certain points and en hance certain juxtapositions. Al though other characters are in volved in the show, they are all seen through Emily Dickinson’s eyes and are related to from her point of view. The way the play is set up is very similar to Mark Twain Tonight or Give ‘Em Hell, Harry. The action of The Belle of Amherst takes place in Dickinson's bedroom and drawing room. The tiny Maude Kerns Lane Civic Center hosts Scott-Heron Perhaps best known for his storyteller-like portrayal of the traditions and history of the black experience, Gil Scott-Heron is not only a performer, but also a poet and a novelist. Scott-Heron brings his brand of poetry to the Lane County Civic Center tonight in two shows with musician/composer Brian Jack son and the Midnight Band. Open ing the 7:30 and 10 p.m. shows will be Eugene’s own Schwebke Brothers Band. Tickets are $6.50 and are avail able at the EMU Main Desk, the Sun Shop, Chrystalship and Everybody’s Records. TDA spon sors this production at the Center, 13th Avenue and Madison Street. f. Happy Hour 8-9 pm Paul Masson wines Miller on tap Open 9 am -11 pm daily 11 am - 4 pm Sat. Closed Sunday 1225 Alder v Hidden reflections of Dickinson emer on Kerns stage;, American poet Emily Dickinson comes to life at Maude Kerns art center beginning this Friday. The one-person production is brought to the former church by Priscilla Lauris, as Emily, and her director husband George Lauris. stage will be divided up by gauzy pieces of material hanging from the ceiling. This, according to di rector Lauris, will give things a very light and soft appearance. It should also enhance the quality of going back and forth in time. Actually, the intimacy of the small acting area and limited seat ing space will probably facilitate the production in that it will tend to draw the audience closer into Emily Dickinson’s world. Howard Raney, former techni cal director here at the University is designing the lighting for this production. "Actually, we originally con ceived of doing the show here at Maude Kerns," says director Lauris. "This church (the art center itself is a converted church), dates from about the same period as the play.’’ The Belle of Amherst plays Fri days and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m. through January 29. There will also be a performance Thursday, January 26 at 8:30. The house and the wine bar will open at 7:45,5:45 on Sundays. Tickets are $4 and, as the thea ter will only seat around 100 peo ple; it might be wise to purchase tickets in advance from Backstage Dancewear and Theatrical Sup ply, 878 Pearl St. Tickets will also be available at the door on per formance nights. For reservations call 686-2671. HAIR ICIiAl_ Downstairs in the EMU 561 E. 13th Ave. close to the recreation center Across from Max's 687-1347 485-4422 NATURAL HAIR DESIGNS FOR WOMEN & MEN! $6.00 Dry cut designed for your hair and you, for those on a tight schedule. $8.50 wet style designed for you and your hair for easy care and the air-waved style. A completed style- to go anywhere. $11.50 includes shampoo, rnoisterizing conditioner, blow dry and a hair cut designed for you. A completed easy care style. Remember: we carry the finest of professional hair care products for you to use. GIL SCOTT-HERON AND BRIAN JACKSON with The Midnight Band And Special Guests, THE SCHWEBKE BROTHERS BAND THURSDAY, JANUARY 12 lane county civic center, 13th & Madison TICKETS: $5.50 ADVANCE $6.50 DAY OF SHOW SHOW TIMES: 730 & 1030 EMU Main Desk, Everybody's Records, Sun Shop, Chrystaiship
