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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1988)
□ ENTERTAINMENT Slow pace flaws 'True West' By David Bates Emerald Contributor One of Sam Shepard's most popular plays, "True West." is playing at the University's Arena Theatre, and as a whole, it is annoyingly average. Ideally. Shepard's modern rendition of the story of Cain and Abel should be a theatrical fastball thrown with a slight curve. Director An drew DeRycke has thrown a nice curve, but his arm is weak. “True West" recounts the story of two brothers who are as sincere about getting to know each other as they are afraid to do so. Austin (Trev Broudy) is a screenwriter whose work on a script is interrupted by his brother Lee (Barry Shaw), a drifter. The conflict arises when Lee threatens Austin s deal with Hollywood producer Saul Kimmer (Bill Douglas), who abandons Austin's “simple romance" story to produce Lee's "realistic" story about the West. The play can be enjoyed on several levels. Thematically. Shepard explores myth and reality and makes distinctions between the two. The play is rich in symbolism, with recurring motifs like crickets, car keys, and pit bulls. In a more comic mode, Saul the producer is a bitter com mentary on the dependence of artists on Hollywood's aristocracy. But as pure entertainment, "True West” drags its feet. The slow pace is sometimes helped by Shaw’s standout performance as the violent Lee, but even he lingers over too many of his lines. Shaw is agile in a difficult role, and his false charm, which is almost more convincing than his anger, easily matches Saul's charisma. Douglas' Saul is enigmatic and refreshing. Wearing a black pinstripe suit and a tantalizing smile, Saul resembles a cross between a mafia hood and a conservative pimp, Broudy's disappointing performance often slows "True West” to a near halt Obviously a lesser actor than his male counterparts. Broody is rarely satisfying as the civilized Austin; he spends most of his time trying to catch up with Shaw and Douglas. This doesn't mean “True West” isn’t fun. While it’s often too slow it isn't boring. The pace quickens in a few scenes that have Austin and l.ee arguing about what constitutes realism as they write Lee’s inane story about "two lame-brains chasing each other across the desert.” For l.ee, realism is expressed best in a B grade western about a man who dies for the love of his horse. Austin's reality is "driving the freeway, watching color TV', and shopping in Safeway.” By the play's end, Shepard has trashed the American Dream as thoroughly as the brothers trash their mother's house. The ending may irritate some, but that’s Shepard at his best. However, it’s only mediocre University Theatre. Dance '88 Pictured above, from left to right, are Jodi Milleson, Tim Ryan and Wendy Ruble, three of more than 30 students who will be featured in the Department of Dance's winter concert tonight at 8 p.m. as well as Friday and Saturday. Dance ’88 also will be staged Jan. 28-30 at 8 p.m. with a 2:30 p.m. matinee Jan. 30. Tickets are $5.50 for general admission and $3.50 for University students. The concert includes six works choreographed by University dance faculty members and guest choreographer Fred Strickler. The concert has been described by artistic director Janet Descutner as "innovative visual feasts of kinetic energy. " Photo by Bill Haines DIM SUM Every Sunday 11 a.m. 3 OUR QUICK SERVICE AND TO GO LUNCHES Curry Chicken with Rice, Dim Sum Special, and others ALL UNDER CHINA BLUE Restaurant - rf I 879 E. 13th 343-2832 Next to the l 'O Bookstore, upstairs .omu. Tasty Soup for Only $1.20 Choose from hot chili to clam chowder to vegetable (varies every day) Fountain Court Cafe Open Daily 11-2:30 pm M-F THURSDAY 6:00 AM • The Morning Stretch 6:30 AM - Cartoons • 1 h Hrs. (T eddy ftukpm MeHhctW Bfvffty Hih Iwm) 10:00 AM • Movie "Trouble Comes to Town" 7:00 PM - Bustin' Loose 7:30 PM • Small Wonder 8:00 PM • Movie "Hard Legs" _ THURSDAY. JAN, 21st Eugene, OR WILLAMETTE PASS EXPRESS Sign up now at Berg’s for the Willamette ski bus Downhill or Cross Countiy! Intimate Candlelight Dining ^ & Live jazz January's Music Calendar S«U«N»D»A»Y»S Mark Alan (Acoustic Guitar & Vocals) M»0»N*D»A»Y»S Kevin Joyce (Piano Solo) « s « D » a « y » s Kevin Joyce (Piano Solo) W»i:«D«N»t »S»D«A«Y»S Barbara Dzuro and Barry Deister (Piano & Saxophone) T»H«U»R»S»D«A»Y»S Emmett Williams Trio Jazz Jam Session F«R»I«S»&»S»A»T• S Jazz Trios no cover charge i.ui (isi/i.u 259 E 51 h • 343-8488 Oregon West FITNESS ACT NOW! For great savings, for a great tan, ask about $2-a-session tanning packages. AM tanning 6 - noon. PM tanning 8-11. membership not required BEST HOURS • BEST PRICES ■■ 6am*11pm 1475 Franklin Blvd. 7 days a week 1624 Across from campus
