Word: scenes
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...Schwartz is most endearing as the sotted-out relation to the Great Catherine. Everyone is "a darkbg" in Patiomkn's eyes, and Shwartz plays the part to the hilt, lavishing his fellow character with Leo Buscaglian hugs and kisses. When the English Captain Edstaston (Orion Ross) arrives on the scene to arrange an audience with the Great Catherine, Patiomkin dutifully obliges, throwing the Englishman on his back and literally dropping him off at the Empress's private suite...
...might imagine, there are plenty of funny scenes in this play. One of the more hysterical ones is the musical number led by Merlin (Richard Claflin), who is the father of Thumb. Claflin leads the audience in a rowdy rendition of "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" while simultaneously leading the cast in a chorus kick-line. Equally ridiculous is the light saber battle scene between Thumb and rival Lord Grizzle (Carl Bj Fox). Also garnering a high reading on the laughmeter is the cameo appearance of the ghost of Gaffer Thumb (Eric Olsen), who surfaces...
Weintrob's effective staging is evident in a pivotal scene where, to Austin's dismay, Lee barges in on his negotiations with Sol, (John Byrd) the effete producer. Austin's worst fears are confirmed, as Lee quickly wins Sol's friendship with good-natured masculine bombast. By the end of the scene, the brothers' mutual jealously has surfaced, and Weintrob has hidden Austin in the background, where his consternation is initially barely noticeable but soon becomes a focus of attention. Lee, however, has established himself as the "man of the house...
...When the scene switches to Ida's university at Castle Adamant, however, the show begins to lag. In playing the princess, Beth Ellen Salm has a most difficult job, which may explain why she falls so flat. As written, the would-be feminist princess sounds like a selfsatisfied prig, and Salm's portrayal reinforces that impression. When her assistant Lady Blanche (Linda Bielski) mocks Ida behind her back, the audience sympathizes. Lady Blanche, at least, keeps the audience awake by putting the orchestra to sleep with a song/philosophy lecture. Bielski, a professional actress, is easily the show's best female...
...Duke committee selects speakers who have "something to say in the contemporary scene" and "who can say it well," Wilder said. Gould, who will receive an honorary doctor of science degree from Duke, will be the second honoree in 20 years whose background lies in science, Wilder said...