The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current, February 01, 2007, Page 18, Image 18

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    Entertainment
Return
J ohn C ampbell
Staff Reporter
Flashy sets, witty men
dressed in hideous jackets,
and Joe Everyman from
Anywhere, USA. Welcome to
the world of the game show.
Game shows have been
a popular fixture since the
invention of the television,
with millions of viewers
tuning in every night to
see if someone really can
win that million dollars.
However, in recent years the
game show has fallen to the
wayside, replaced by mind-
numbing reality programs
and extended serial dramas.
Many feared the game show
was dead; just a distant
memory of 70s eccentricity.
Then a savior came. That
savior was Howie Mandel.
Februars,
game show.
When "Deal or No Deal"
premiered in 2005, America
was hooked. Not just by
the hypnotic aura that is
Howie's shiny bald head, but
also by the show's rapid-
fire game play and high
stakes decisions. "Deal or No
Deal" has become a ratings
juggernaut. The game is
simple and yet utterly
thrilling.
There are 26 models,
each holding an identical
briefcase with a different
monetary value inside. The
contestant picks one case
and then opens the rest
one by one. Cash prizes
range from a penny to three
million dollars. There is also
a shadowy figure known
only as "The Banker," who
attempts to make contestants
leave with as little money as
possible. After each case is
opened, "The Banker" offers
the contestant a deal. The
contestant can either take
the deal (usually money)
and walk away, or they can
reject it and keep on playing.
To date, no one has won the
grand prize.
The huge success of
"Deal or No Deal" brought
one word other network
presidents' minds: "copy."
Now almost every network
has its own version of the
show.
NBC repeated its "Deal
or No Deal" success with "1
vs. 100," hosted by comedic
genius Bob Saget. The
show mixes the quiz show
format with the game of
chance element of "Deal or
No Deal." One contestant
answers trivia questions
against a group of 100
people from different walks
of life. For each question
answered, the monetary
value of the person you
outsmart increases all the
way to one million dollars.
The difference between "1 vs.
100" and "Deal or No Deal"
is the knowledge required of
contestants rather than the
dumb luck it takes to win
"Deal or No Deal."
What's the one thing
that can improve on the
inventive formula of "1 vs.
100?" The same ingredient
that improves anything:
William Shatner. This kind of
brilliant thinking was going
on at ABC when they created
"Show Me the Money." The
show is a mix of "Deal or
No Deal" and "1 vs. 100." In
this game contestants must
answer trivia questions
correctly before they ask a
model to "Show Them the
Money." The twist here is
that everyone, including
Shatner, the contestant, and
the models are constantly
dancing. Dancing gives a
lighthearted and fun tone to
a seemingly generic game.
Not to be outdone, FOX
answered with its own game
show, "The Rich List." The
difference between this and
the other shows mentioned
is that instead of answering
one question with one
answer you make a list.
Despite the original formula,
the show was cancelled after
only one episode.
New Gerding Theater provides unique experience, atmosphere
u S achie H opkins ____________
Staff Reporter
On NW 11th Ave. in
the Pearl District sits what
appears to be an old castle.
It is actually an ancient
building constructed in 1891
as an old military armory.
Portland Center Stage took
over the aging building and
transformed it into the new
home of many of their shows.
The theater was dubbed
the Bob and Diana Gerding
Theater, after the long time
arts enthusiasts. The building
features a famous history
which includes the previous
housing of events including
tennis, boxing, various
symphonies, roller derby,
dog shows, car shows, and
even performances from the
famous singer James Brown.
Now the building, after
sitting vacant for many years,
has become the new home
for Portland Center Stage,
a 599 seat, state-of-the-art
auditorium, with a 200 seat
black box studio. Also a
new feature, the theater has
been designated a green
building, and hopes to set an
example for the rest of the
Portland area. The building
is composed of recycled
materials, uses recycled
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Canterberry suggested
Pat Craig, nearby resi­
dent, whosehouse sits above
the skatepark, thinks the
West Linn kids seem to be
fíne, but the people com-
ing from out-of-town are a
bad influence and appear
to cause a majority of the
trouble.
Although Tanner Creek
Skatepark seems to m eet
the advanced skater's needs,
b o th M azzia and K ulp
would like to see the skate-
and making more bowls,
While these ideas would be
difficult to achieve without
a major expansion, Mazzia
said that a more realistic
goal might be to put lights
up around the park so that
it would be possible to skate
in darker conditions.
Tanner Creek Skatepark is-
located at 3456 Parker Road
and is open from 9 a.m. to 8
p m. or dusk.
Bring ad in for
500 off drinks
5 03 -6 5 0 -9 3 8 4
1980 W illam ette Falls Dr.
West Linn, Oregon, 97068
rainwater to flush the toilets,
and most offices are sky lit.
The theater has received
a Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design
(LEED) Platinum rating. The
Platinum rating is the highest
a building can receive,
followed by Gold, Silver and
Certified.
In 2002, it was suggested
that Portland Center Stage
move to a new home that
provided a unique location
and building. The suggestion
of using the old armory was
an instant hit. The theater
opened its doors on Oct.
1 with "West Side Story,"
which was held over until
Nov. 12. Currently playing
is Misalliance, in which in
one afternoon eight marriage
proposals are made, bringing
around the suspicions of
some misalliances. Beginning
Feb. 20, "The Pillowman" will
be showing through March
18. The new theater has
been surprisingly popular.
"Westside Story" sold out,
and tickets are going fast for
upcoming plays.
Free acting class engages students
m M ary S cofield _____________
Staff Reporter
Students have been given a
chance to perfect their acting
skills during a free class
with an instructor from the
Sojourn Theatre Company.
The company is based out
of downtown Portland
and specializes in creating
theatrical shows that explore
a topic and focus on the
movement of the performers.
"It is an unbelievable
opportunity for our students:
to take free, professional
theatre classes here at the
school, in conjunction with an
exciting, experimental theatre
company," Annie Kaiser,
English teacher, said.
This is the second year that
the Sojourn Company has
done a residency at WLHS and
it is hoped that they continue
this partnership for years to
come.
"This is not like a normal
acting class. It helps you find
what you are capable of,"
Spencer McCoy, sophomore,
said.
Hannah Treuhaft, a member
of the company, is teaching
the classes and she brings
excitement and fun to each
session according to Kaiser.
"Hannah is an exceptional
teacher and director. The actors
she worked with last year
had an incredible experience
with her, and with each
other, and grew enormously
as performers. It's fun and
surprising and stimulating and
challenging," Kaiser said.
At the end of second
semester, Sojourn will help
the students create their
own production. Auditions
for the play were to have
been held on Wed. Jan. 17
but were rescheduled due
to the snow. Students also
have the opportunity to earn
a proficiency-based credit
at the end of the workshop.
Sojourn has been meeting with
students since this fall, but did
not meet during December
because of the break. They
resumed classes in January.
Most students who attend
the workshops have little to no
acting experience. "It's more
of getting comfortable with
yourself and around other
people and finding your own
movement," Elizabeth Enderle,
freshman, said.
The final production will be
held the first week in May.
S op hom ores Troy Spivey and
Melissa Andre work on their acting
skills during the Sojourn Theatre
workshop earlier this school year.
Students auditioned on Jan. 24 for
a production that will be presented
the first week in May.
Photo su b m itt^ y
Andra Sturt™iht