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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 1999)
attalion GGIELIFE ^Page^S^^Tuesda^^arcl^B^lW^ S Musical . | Wpntinued from Page 3 blgins in 1815 with the fall of Napoleon. The nj>vel itself covers the first forty years of the , Ifth century in France and is a broad sweep » /ifpcf oja time of political and industrial revolution. ' France experienced a turbulent 19th cen- turv that included three revolutions and two constitutions, and Hugo touches on many of these issues of pre-revolutionary France. I Bouton said the musical is a simplified ver sion of Hugo’s novel. I “What is striking about the musical is that tne writers were very careful to stick to Hugo’s main plot and intent and did good job o# it,” she said. “The most important charac- ters in the novel are featured in the musical arad the characterizations are faithful to the mbvel.” 422 Lighting Instruments, 1,095 Costume Pieces and a Rotating Stage I In 12 years of existence, “Les Miserables” is the fourth longest-running show in Broad- | Hay history, passing shows such as “Okla homa!” and “My Fair Lady.” I “Les Miserables” won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In the United States alone, more than 20 million people have seen this show. I The world’s most popular musical does not pack lightly as this company travels the country. I The production is made up of 36 'cast members, 40 crew and staff members and a 14-piece orchestra. ■ The production company travels with eight 18-wheeled trucks full of wigs, tools, cos tumes and sound equipment. I It takes two full days to install the rotating stage, props and costumes into a theater. K Evan Ensign, production stage manager for “Les Miserables” said the “load-in” work is quicker than most would think. I “The bulk of the first day is spent setting the lights and scrims, putting up the raked stage and setting up the 34-feet-wide rotating smge,” Ensign said. “The second day is filled wiih mainly focusing on lights and finishing up smaller odds and ends. The show has been out long enough to where the crew can real ly work around each other during load-in and everyone stays fairly busy.” The famous turntable stage used to change scenes and move the action around revolves 63 times during each performance. In each i . r] j l , s show 54 wigs are worn and 500 pounds of dry ^ m ice are used. hen I whs & Ensign said “Les Miserables” really leads 'W'tthboKftof 16 P at h f° r musicals of the future. [oomiostoteij ‘“Les Miserables’ set the ground work for lot noted by * ows like ‘Phantom of the Opera,’” he said, nd i^ipstuderThe technology that is used on the stage lentRecieaboBbring the performance made future shows )r s for some (r : hpppen.” d go play bail The Audience Reacts Mow there m 1 A musical of this size and caliber coming offernutnt to the Bryan-College Station area has drawn a ■rs to assist- variety of reactions from both the the Univer- ion. sity and Bryan-College Station communities, lence of k Robbie Thomas, chair of the OPAS student oed improve! then, 1 can I’m eatine ter full-sia sre food o| and rice, i even have isaid she at' icks, but nrj small meals. Mychael Danna 8mm Soundtrack Compass III Records One of the few redeeming qualities of the film 8mm is the haunting soundtrack. The music was composed by Mychael Dan na, who also wrote the soundtracks to The Sweet Hereafter and The Ice Storm. Danna creates the haunting element by experimenting with international styles of music, from Indian to Moroccan and with drum machines and a string ensemble. The soundtrack shows Danna’s versatili ty in the realm of music ranging from soft piano to vocals and instruments of several cultures to dark industrial. Almost none of the tracks sound the same, but all portray the seductively dark element of the film in a new, inventive way. The CD is a unique experience of exper imental, musical style for film scoring. Danna’s soundtrack is a far cry from the contrived pop soundtracks and weakly or chestrated scores found in many of today’s movies. (Grade: B +) Eminem Slim Shady LP CD courtesy of Interscope Records When Dr. Dre picks a new rapper and spends the money and time to produce him, the kid must have some serious skills. Em inem definitely has the verbal ability to stay in the rap game for the long haul. Skill alone, however, does not make a great album. Eminem frequently falls into the trap countless hordes of newbie, hardcore rappers before him have fallen prey to — he tries too hard to show how hard he is. The result is half an album neglecting substance in favor of sub stance abuse and name-calling in favor of nar rative. The album has several bright spots that shine through the muck. Eminem is at his best when he doesn’t take himself too seriously (My Name Is), on a point-counterpoint with Dre debating robbery, rape and murder (Guilty Conscience) and on a piece illustrating the down side of thug life (Role Model). Dr. Dre’s seamless West Coast producing, halfway be tween Wu-Tang’s minimalism and Puffy’s Ve- gas-ism, makes the rest of the album worth a listen. (Grade B-) — Kyle Whitacre — Stephen Wells committee and a senior mechanical engineer ing major, said the community’s response to ward “Les Miserables” has been exceptional. “People are calling everyday to ask if the shows are sold out and wanting to know where and if they can still get tickets,” Thomas said. “These are the types of reac tions you would expect with ‘Les Miser ables.’ ” The eight performances have not been sold out. Thomas said ticket sales for the shows have been good, but there are a lot of seats left at each performance. “There are many seats left on the periph ery of the auditorium and some good seats are still available, but those are going quick ly,” he said. “Ticket sales should burst this week with last minute buyers and because of word of mouth when people’s reactions get around about the show.” Tom Moreau, a senior finance and ac counting major, said he saw the production when he was younger and, from what he re members, he really enjoyed it. “I saw the show years ago in Dallas with my family, and it was pretty cool,” Moreau said. “There is a lot of action, and that is what I really got into.” Moreau said “Les Miserables” is not your typical musical. “The music fits into the action of the sto ry, so you do not think you are watching a musical,” he said. For more information on “Les Miserables,” call the MSG Box Office at 845-1234. a health kie rton said. | id moved oc 1 eat pretty! I PET PARADISE 1 Ti/e Science ‘Diet ■■ HilPs 1104 C Harvey Rd. College Station 693-4575 1873 Briarcrest Bryan 774-PETS 3rd ! PET PfiRfiDISE i 15 % Off P * Not valid on dog or cat food, | aquariums, & sale items • Expires April 30, 1999 PET PARADISE I Science Diet $2 Off I Expires April 30, 1999 AN AGGIE TRADITION FOR FIFTEEN YEARS Do you love to country and western dance? Would you like to perform for others? Would you like,to represent Texas A&M in Texas, across the nation, as well as internationally? Then we would like to invite you to... TRYOUTS! INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS: » Wednesday, March 24, Rudder 410, 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. • Thursday, March 25, Rudder 308, 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. ATTENDANCE TO ONE OF THESE MEETINGS IS MANDATORY! TRYOUTS ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR MAY 2ND. -COME EVEN IF YOU’RE JUST THINKING ABOUT TRYING OUT!- www.tamu.edu/aggie wranglers The Texas A&M University Student Publications Board is accepting applications for .en Hou* April l<>‘ h | . i p.m. v Hea*lq' ljr «er - HoUS>« ! and goevC .reunablet» ; d: Editor The Battalion — Including radio and online editions — Summer 1999 (The summer editor will serve from May 24 through Aug. 6, 1999.) Qualifications for editor in chief of The Battalion are: • Be a Texas A&M student in good standing with the University and enrolled i | during the term of office; Editor The Battalion — Including radio and online editions — Fall 1999 (The fall editor will serve from Aug. 16 through Dec. 10, 1999.) at least six credit hours (unless fewer credits are required to graduate) Have at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point ratio and at least a 2.00 grade point ratio in the semester immediately orior to the appointment, the semester of appointment and semester(s) (all summer course work is considered summer semester) during the term of office. 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Editor Agcieland 1999 Qualifications for editor in chief of the Aggieland yearbook are: • Be a Texas A&M student in good standing with the University and enrolled in at least six credit hours (unless fewer credits are required to graduate) during the term of office; • Have at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point ratio and at least a 2.00 grade point ratio in the semester immediately prior to the appointment, the semester of appointment and semester(s) (all summer course work is considered summer semester) during the term of office. In order for summer school grades to qualify as previous semester grades, a minimum of six hours must be taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s); • Have completed or be registered in JOUR 210 (Graphics) and JOUR 301 (Mass Comm Law), or equivalent; • Have demonstrated ability in writing through university coursework or equivalent experience; • Have at least one year experience in a responsible position on the Aggieland or comparable college yearbook. iplication forms should be picked up and returned to Francia Cagle in the Student Publications office, room 012 Reed McDonald Building. Deadline for submitting application: 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, 1999. Application forms should be picked up and returned to trancia Lagle in the Student Publications ofhce, room UI / Keed McDonald Building. Deadline tor submil Applicants will be interviewed during the Student Publications Boara Meeting beginning at 4 p.m. Monday, April 5, 1999, in room 221F Reed McDonald Building An Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer. Committed to Diversity. Graduating Seniors Texas A&M Graduation Announcements • Aggieland Printing can get you ready to mail announcements in less than one week • We have our own unique design Licensed by A&M Don't miss it ■ see them on the web www.aggielandprinting.com We sell • Graduation Announcements • Graduation Remembrance Displays • Thank You Notes • Personalized Graduate Notepads Call or come see us: www.aggielandprinting.com Aggieland Printing • 1801 Holleman • College Station 693-8621 M-F 8:30-5:30 Reload Your Wardrobe Texas 4 'Class 71’ zood New Class of 2000 Merchandise On sale this week in the MSC • T-Shirts • Hats • Mugs • Koozies Visit the Website at http://class00.tamu.edu SSRS, Inc. is looking for motivated individuals to be a part of their Leasing and Office Staff. All applicants can pick up an application at the front desk of University Tower, 410 South Texas Avenue, College Station. Full and Part Time positions available for Summer and Fall. 4 FOR MORI INFORMATION CALL 846-4242 Find a thousand or so pages a trifle daunting? MSC OPAS and MSC Literary Ajrts present LES MISERABLES: THE CLIFF’S NOTES® EDITION Before you see the musical, learn about the * novel that started it all! Dr. Cynthia Bouton, professor of history, will set the stage of Victor Hugo’s literary masterpiece. The power of the musical will moye you, but the power of the novel will change you! Admission is FREE Tuesday, March 23 5:30 p.m. Rudder 301 For ticket information on Les Miserables, call 845-1234