Page 18 HIGH GEAR

Entertainment

Good acting brings it off

Beguiling "Same Time, Next Year"

by R. Woodward The production of "Same Time, Next Year" playing at the You are Cabaret Dinner Theatre in North Royalton through October 28 provides an interesting example of how a script can play much better than it reads. Doris and George, each married to someone else, meet one day in February of 1951 and spend a memorable night together. Each is happily married and plans to stay that way, but neither can stand to never see the other one again.

They decide to meet each other for 24 hours once every year on the same date.

They can manage these yearly meetings because every year at this time George, a Certified Public Accountant, is in town to do the books of a friend, and because every year at this time

Doris goes on a religious retreat while her husband and children visit her mother-in-law who hates

her.

The play shows six of their gettogethers over a period of 25 years, and gives some idea of how they and the relationship change in response to various changes on the American scene.

The play has only two roles. If only read, "Same Time, Next Year" seems like a glib play that deals in a patronizing manner with two rather superficial people. But when performed (at least by the cast of this production) it comes off as being three dimensional and very beguiling.

Some scripts, the playgoer is playing Doris makes or breaks reminded, were never meant to stand by themselves and exist mainly to provide opportunities for actors and directors to dis-

play their skills and insights.

Thanks to the acting of Frank Lucas and Mary Lucas, George and Doris seem like living, breathing human beings, and the viewer gets some idea of what they see in one another.

George is an edgy individual who keeps saying how guilty he feels abut cheating--and who freely admits that he has no intention of stopping. The feeling of guilt seems to be part of his sense of fun.

Quirky, given to spurts of enthusiasm, he is probably the sort of person whose company someone like Doris would find rewarding once in a while --like once a year. Being the object of an occasional spurt of enthusiasm does no harm to one's sense of self-esteem.

Frank Lucas manages very well the feat of making George excessive without making him

obnoxious

A few times on opening night Lucas's projection seemed a bit over-emphatic, even for George, but this was probably normal stage projection as seen by someone sitting very close to the players.

Some of the down front seats at You Are Cabaret are so close to the acting that there are sev-, eral moments in any production during which some playgoer could reach over and scratch a cast member's back.

"American Film" This closeness is not necessarat Play House

The Cleveland Play House will be opening its regular season on October 12 with "A History of the American Film" a comedy musical with book and lyrics by Christopher Durang and a musical score by Mel Marvin.

This play is a take off of American films from "Orphans of the Storm" to the "Exorcist." It contains parodies of various Hollywood genres -tearjerkers, gangster films, and musicals -with "contract players" turning into famous film stars.

The publicity from the Play House claims that it is hilarious. "A History of the American Film" will play at the Drury Theatre for six weeks from October 12 through November 17.

ily any disadvantage. It can make for a great sense of intimacy, can enhance a playgoer's sense of involvement.

It goes very well with the unaffected, very genuine seeming Doris given by Judy Lucas. This is a performance that the playgoer wants to be close to. One of the chief delights of this production is watching Doris think.

Towards the beginning of the play Doris is very inexperienced, but Judy Lucas keeps the audience from feeling patronizing towards her. Doris at first seems to be naive but the playgoers soon begin to realize that what is being depicted is a certain type of receptiveness. Doris absorbs from what is around her, is shown learning and developing.

With "Same Time, Next Year" the believability of the actress

the production, and the believability of Judy Lucas definitely makes it here.

Tom Asad, the director keeps the production fast-paced and lively throughout. Productions at You Are Cabaret never seem to have any dull stretches.

For reservations and information you can call (216) 237-3220.

Gaite Parisienne is ballet opener

Gaite Parisienne, which depicts cafe society high life in late 19th Century Paris, is the featured season opener for Cleveland Ballet this fall. Choreographed by Leonide Massine and set to the music of Jacques Offenbach, Gaite opens October 19, and plays through October 28, at the Hanna Theatre.

A tale of flirtation, jealousy, and romantic intrigue, this ballet's characters include denizens of Tortoni, a noted cafe of the time, and a rich Peruvian, who stops off in Paris on a worldwide Grand Tour.

Cleveland Ballet's production of Gaite Parisienne will feature Lynn Brennan as the Lady in Red, Frederic Hood as the Duke, Leigh Hercher as the Lady in Green, Clark Tippet as the Baron, John Lucas as the Officer, Pamela Pribisco as the Flower

Girl, Ellen Costanza as the Glove Seller, lan Horvath as the Peruvian, And Dennis Nahat as Tortoni.

Massine, who died in March of this year, had planned to stage Cleveland Ballet's production.

Susi Della Pietra, a student and former colleague of Massine,

came from Italy to Cleveland to set the piece for the company.

Also on the schedule is Swan Lake (Act II) with Cynthia Graham as the Swan Queen, and the lyrical Brahms Quintet. These two ballets will be presented with Gaite Parisienne October 19, 20, and 21.

Galte Parisienne will be performed wih George Balanchine's Concerto Barocco, Agne de Mille's comic ballet Three Virgin's and a Devil and Dennis Nahat's modern ballet Ontogeny October 23 through October 25.

On October 26 the repertory will change to Gaite Parisienne, Concerto Barocco, and Swan Lake (Act II) and these three will play together through October 28.

This year Cleveland Ballet is making available Tuesday evening performances (8:00PM curtain times) and Wednesday matinees (2:00 PM) throughout the series schedule.

Tickets priced at $16, $14, $12, $10, $8, and $5 are available now by phone (using Master Charge or VISA cards). The number for the box office is 216-621-3634.

Oven presents Izquierda

Oven Productions will present the Izquierda Ensemble in concert Friday, October 5th, at 8:30 PM. The concert will be held at the Unitarian Society of Cleveland, 2728 Lancashire Road, Cleveland Heights. Admission is $5.00, under 12 and over 60 $1.00. Free childcare is available by calling 216-321-1587 by September 30th.

In June of 1978, this group performed a benefit concert for the Goldflower Defense Committee. Since that time, June Adams, formerly a Cleveland resident, has joined the group. She was a founder of the Women's Music Support Group, the Cleveland Women's Choir, worked with Oven Productions, and composed much original music. She now shares her vocal and piano

talents with the group, as well as composing and arranging.

The Izquierda Ensemble is composed of four women from Portland, Oregon. Their music is a blend of intricate vocal harmonies with piano, guitar, flute and percussion. It combines folk, Latin, and jazz influences.

Naomi Littlebear a Chicano woman, gives several compositions in Spanish.

The group has toured in over one hundred cities, including several appearances at the National Women's Music Festival, the Michigan Women's Music Festival, and the Northwest Music Festival.

The Izquierda Ensemble is also pleased to announce the release of their first album, "Quiet Thunder". on the Riverbear

Ohio City's Newest

Music label. The album will be available at the concert.

As part of sharing their music with the Cleveland women's community, Izquierda will perform with the Cleveland

Women's Choir. Since the first early rehearsals with June Adarns, the choir has performed at the Hessler Street Fair, the Coventry Street Fair, and the Cleveland Women Take Back the Night Celebration.

-Advance tickets may be purchased at WomanSpace, Rape Crisis Center, Tish's Shoe Emporium, Food Communities, Coventry Books, or by mail from: Oven Productions, P.O. Box 18175, Cleveland, OH 44118.

CROWN CAFE

4153 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland

Dinner: Monday-Thursday 5:00-9:00 P.M.

Reservations-216-631-9771

Business Persons' Lunches: 11:30-2:00 P.M.

Friday-Saturday 5:00-11:00 P.M.

Full Bar Service

Your Hosts: Donn and Vincent

Extensive Wine List

Master Charge

Clam or Lobster Bake

Wednesdays October 10, 17 and 24

Reservations Required

VISA