PAGE 10 HIGH GEAR ⚫JUNE 1980

ENTERTAINMENT

'Chorus Line' actor interviewed

By Tom McRoberts Frustration, success, failure and triumph set amid the world of dance and the Broadway stage -are elements involved in the phenomenal musical A CHORUS LINE, which recently enjoyed a record-breaking return to the Hanna Theatre. The story, in case you've been living with your head in the sand for the past four years, tells of seventeen men and women vying for eight roles in the chorus of a new Broadway musical. The director asks each of them to tell something about their pasts and together they wind up describing the human condition. The stories told by the alumni of this show prove to be equally interesting.

A case in point is the story told by Ron Kurowski, who portrays Robert Charles Joseph Henry Mills III (Bobby), who tells of the frustration of growing up as the "oddball" member of a well-to-do family (a condition well understood by many of us), but very creatively explains his growing pains in the form of a very enjoyable comedy monologue. Ron says he feels very close to this character as far as background goes, but if he were asked to tell his own story in the context of

was MY LIFE they were showing up there. I didn't think it could ever be a hit because so much of it related to me personally. I kept going back to see it."

Early in 1976, when Bennett was putting together touring companies and hiring, replace-

ments for the original cast, Ron landed the role of Bobby for the International Company. They opened in Toronto, then went to London, where they played for 6 months before being replaced by an all-British cast. The produc-

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O

Photo By Bill Gerard

Marcella, Miss Gay Cleveland, 1980

"Quicklime" at Kennedy's

Top laugh getters also top singers

By R. Woodward "All Fowled Up." the latest show of the comedy group Quicklime, was originally scheduled to close on May 24 but has been held over for another month.

Those who have not seen this group owe it to themselves to check out what is probably the most accomplished group of comedy players in the Cleveland

area.

Part of the fun right now is trying to guess where the group is heading. The team has shown enough talents in different directions that it could develop along any one of a number of different lines.

Quicklime's previous show "Drumschticks" knocked the audience out with a selection of comedy turns designed to highlight the individual comedy styles of its different members. Maggie Kole and John Weil showed that they excelled as comedy actors, as players who can develop comedy characterizations at length. Both showed that they were top supporting players, and Kole showed such great timing that other comedy players must regard her as being a dream to work with.

Larry Bucklin, a master of many voices, showed that he could do all sorts of different quick characterizations without ever seeming to strain after an effect.

Gerry Keating and Helene Weinberg showed that such a wealth of manic energy dwelled in their expressive bodies that they were on the way to becoming a couple of the most ravishing comedy players ever seen live.

The writing for the current show "All Fowled Up" is something of a disappointment

CHORUS LINE, would probably Film about gay couple debuts

take a more serious "Bobby has his head together a lot better than I do." Ron says. Ron began his dance training at an early age in his native Philadelphia, which he attributes to extreme hyperactivity. While attending Temple University. Ron spent his summers appear ing in summer stock, notably number of shows with the Kenley Players. It was through John Kenley that Ron got his "Big

Break" in 1974. "Michael Bennett was looking for a replacement for Tommy Tune in the Touring Company of SEESAW. Kenley called him up and said, "I've got someone BETTER than Tommy Tune.' He sent me to New York to audition and Michael hired me on the spot," Ron says, "I didn't know that Kenley recommended me so highly until much later."

by Bob Roehm

like to see it work for a long time." "Sure, I'd like to see it last--I'd David and Ted have been talking movie audience. The film ends as about their relationship to a the camera moves in to show their hands together on the couch. Credits appear on the screen as music swells in the. background.

David & Ted, a documentary ship, premiered in Columbus about a homosexual relationApril 30. Ben Barshay, a Columbus filmmaker, produced, directed and edited the film. Barshay was present at the premiere, answering questions from the

audience.

aware of what the media has pushed on them."

of David and Ted resembles that In many ways, the relationship of a monogamous heterosexual couple. Much time is spent discussing the down-to-earth prac-

break stereotypes, and put a more positive light on the subject of homosexuality."

with the different members of ti group not being given opportur ties as good for showing the comedy talents as those they hi in the previous show.

Those who saw "Drun schticks" are bound to t especially disappointed th Gerry Keating has no come material like the role of t psychiatrist in the parody "Equus" to deliver as anoth annihilating comedy aria.

Larry Bucklin comes off best i this show because of an ability t instantly get inside a characte he is given. Playing a klutz singer trying to show off b improving a song based of audience suggestions, Buckli hits the target so well that one i momentarily blinded by tears o laughter.

Rather than hurting the group the less effective comedy writing for this show may turn out to have been greatly to its advantage. The musical aspect of the show are so outstanding that one's critical sensibilitie can feast on them.

Scott Martin, the group's composer, piano player, and musical director, has done sc well in arranging for presentation the vocal talents of the group. that one is left with the impression that Quicklime could be a major singing group if the group's members would care to develop along such lines.

The second half of the show consists of a presentation called "WGAR's Open House." a depiction of a complete live radio musical program from the 1940s. with the audience treated like alive radio audience, and the group puts across the songs so effectively that members of some top established musical group-Manhattan Transfer for example-

might very well be terrified at the thought of the possible competition.

Keating, it turns out, is a top quality ballad vocalist. Not giving him a comedy "aria" in the first half of the show is more than forgiven, Whoever thought to have him sing the Duke Ellington song "In a Sentimental Mood" is biggest musical turn-ons responsible for one of the currently available in the Cleveland area.

The next Columbus showing of David & Ted will be August 15, 1980, at ARTREACH, 613 N. High of the film, scheduled during Gay St. A possible earlier screening Pride Week, is being coordinated OSU/Columbus Gay Alliance. For information about distribuMaggie Kole and Helene 4lon, sales, or rental of David & Weinberg make gorgeous Ted, contact Ben Barshay c/o sounds as a duo, and Kole. Rico Long, Haskett Hall, 156 W., Weinberg, Keating, Bucklin, and 19th. Ave., Columbus, OH 43210. Weil together make up an ensemble that is both smooth and smart.

ticalities of sharing a house. The security of a stable relationship as well as the trust they have indby each other, are both portrayed Barshay's goal in making the film was to portray the image of sta bility. He explained, "I wanted to

Rivera returns

in show business today, Broad-paced romp through the bst Acclaimed as the best club act energetic young men in a fast way superstar Chita Rivera will known of her Broadway bits.

return to the Palace Theatre with 8, with the Baja Marimba Band. an all new show June 3 through

Chita Rivera has been des-

Barshay explained that he wasn't pleased with the media After successfully touring in portrayals of Gay people in the SEESAW with Lucie Arnaz, Ron past, so he made the film to "edumoved to New York (he never did cate straight people. My get back to Temple U) and it was intended audience is the straight.cribed by columinst Rex Reed as during this time Bennett opened community," explained Barshay. a"cross between a MGM musical CHORUS LINE Ron saw the "Gay people are aware, of Gay, and a rocket launching" Singing and dancing with the energy Whew.adv.io.iterun. ŸMx whole...relationships and how they work, vitality known to low others, life changed just seeing it. That but straight people are only Chita is joined in her act by two

Appearing with Chita will be Julius Wechter and the Baja Marimba Band.

Chita Rivera and the Baja Marimba Band runs from Tuestay. June 3 throug Sunday, June 8. (Tues. through Fr.. 8:00 P.m.,Sat. 7:00 & 10:30 pm, Sund. 4:00 & 8:00 pm.) Call 623-1765 for ticket informatione (see coupon on adjoining page)

Martin writes for Quicklime Original "old" songs that Scott

blend seemlessly into the repertoire.

What started out as musical parody ends up as a series of definitive renditions.

Quicklime is now performing Fridays and Saturdays at Kennedy's (located in the lower level of the State Theatre lobby in Playhouse Square. Cleveland, For reservations and more information. coll.(236) 566-9999.