Kansas Wesleyan University - Coyote Yearbook (Salina, KS)

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Visiting Bradleyville after many years, Billy Bob Wort- man talks with LuAnn and her invalid mother. Billy Bob is portrayed by Pete Schopen and the mother by Sherry Bruce. Photo by Kirsten Stanton An intimidated Milo Crawford, portrayed by Jim Dilling- ham, is subjected to a verbal beating by bar owner Red Grover. Grover is portrayed by Brendan Harris. Photo by Kirsten Stanton Returning home with groceries after a hard day at work, LuAnn breaks up a fight between her brother, Skip, and her daughter Charmaine. Skip is portrayed by Jerry Wise and Charmaine by Keri Roberts. Photo by Kirsten Stanton LuAnn Hampton Laverty Gberlander

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I was disap- pointed with the attitude that the language became more important than the content of the play... Bonnie Painter Revealing his false teeth to enhance a story, LuAnn, portrayed by Chally Matte, meets her soori-to-be-sec- ond husband, Corky Ober- lander, in Red Grover's Bar. Corky is portrayed by Jernard Burkes. Photo by Kirsten Stanton Language Contro ersy Some Find Pla Offensive Preston Jones' adult comedy, LuAnn Hampton Lav- erzy Oberlander is about a small dead West Texas Town in the middle of a big, dead WestTexas prairie. The drama's main character LuAnn is followed through three stages in her life. She is first seen as a fiesty high school cheerleader who dates the captain of the basketball team. She meets Dale Laverty, one of her older brother Skip's army buddies during her senior year and marries him soon after graduating. Later she is seen as a divorced mother and meets her second husband, Corky Oberlander, in the local bar. In the final stage, LuAnn has been widowed and serves as the caretaker for her sassy teenage daughter, alco- holic brother, and invalid mother. The play is the centerpiece ofa group of plays known as The Texas Trilogy and was the directing project of senior Bonnie Painter. lt was a tremendous challenge on my part and it was difficult to direct fellow stu- dents, Painter said. But it gave me a lot of confi- dence because I got a very good response from mostof the actors. The play became controversial because of its strong language and the college received several letters of complaint. Painter was defensive about the contro- versy. I was disappointed with the attitude that the language became more important than the content of the play. . .people can get caught up in details and miss the whole point. This was no different than any other contemporary medium, which is being taught in classes, Painter said. f'We are trying to keep up in theater just like athletics or computer science keeps up with the latest technology and theatre is usually on the cutting ed ge. The supervising professor for the project was first year drama professor, Dr. Eric Marshall. Marshall wants to present a variety of drama to the campus and community. I'm more concemed about doing aran ge of theatre. I don't feel that language is terribly impor- tant. . .9095 of twentieth century drama has strong language, language is a function of society ataparticu- lar moment. It is someone else's point of view - take it or leave it. The ethical structure of LuAnn is in line with Christian tenants. The playbill says that the playwright may have been suggesting something about the strength of women in Southem families. The language breaks down by character, the characters in the bar used the most foul language. They were less interested in family or taking care of other people. said Paintenw by Kirsten Stanton 20 LuAnn Hampton Laverty Gberlarider

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3 -1 2 1 1 Natural tendancies pay for Orin, the dentist portrayed by Jim Sweet, just as his mother had foretold during his sadistic childhood. Photo by Cindy Wunder l S I I Troubles with a sadistic boyfriend leave Audrey, portrayed by Kirsten Stanton, to dream of a better time and place, I Somewhere That's Green. Photo by Cindy Wunder On Skid Row, members of the cast sing of the cruel world and hard life of Downtown. Photo by Cindy Wunder X wg te-amd.. .s.s.ts...M swam K -s ..,. - , , I-t g ' 1 . . k.---. r . .0 -V . ---N w .K --s g --- -- if - .s q se X wg X 2 E I ' t r . , ...--. ---- -.-- . . ..,.... . .... . SWR- fi54mik.sNw? --'-- fi s .. - 22 Little Shop of Horrors X K1 NR KX X a