Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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Entertainment Making it simple In spite of the fact that inflation was rampant in 1982, students at Pitt- sburg State University still found plenty of ways to amuse themselves, and at a low cost. A wide variety of University hap- penings such as athletic events, Student Union Board movies, Cof- fehouse concerts and SUB-sponsored recreational events kept students entertained with no charge at all, or at a minimal cost. Skating, bowling and movies were also cheap forms of entertainment for many students, if they took ad- vantage of the specials offered. A large number of students attended the midnight skates on Friday nights which cost less than the regular skating sessions. Bowling was another popular form Fun for free of Friday entertainment in which students could bowl three games at a lower than regular fee. Students could still be found at- tending movies at the cinema, but they were more cost conscious and found admission to be cheaper during the afternoon showings. Television and Home Box Office were high among the ranks of cheap entertainment. “Watching HBO is about as cheap as I can get, and that's costing me $17 a month,” said Reuben Abies, Columbia, Miss., senior. His situation is somewhat different than most PSU students. As a member of the basketball team, he is a part of the entertainment available at the University. “We try to please the crowd and do our best to make them happy so they’ll come back,” he said. ‘I like to go to the basketball games because they’re entertaining, and I can get in on my activity ticket,” said Terri Marshall, Coffeyville senior. Charmagne Kyser, Joplin freshman, said “I have a lot of cheap en- tertainment since my fiance is out of a job.” “We stay home and watch TV, and it seems like we eat a lot of popcorn,” she laughed. “Sometimes we just go out and get a coke, instead of eating out.” DANCES AT THE TOWER BALLROOM sponsored by the University were one form of cheap entertainment for students on a tight budget, —photo by Buzz Palmer Cheap Entertainment

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Entertainment Concentration Grease” was the final Playhouse on Broadway production of the 1981 summer season, and it hit the stage with all the energy and excitement of the Broadway musical and box-office hit. An excellent repetory cast was directed by Terrance McKerrs of New York, who managed to find just the right combination of characters and staging for the popular 60s musical comedy-romance. “Grease captured the essence of the era with catchy songs, carried out with bounce and zeal by the cast and chorus. The Pink Ladies were very diverse characters, each actress giving her character a unique personality, but working together to create the necessary contrasts. Liz Burke gave a fine performance as Jan, who gorged every bite of food in sight. She has a fine sense of timing in executing her stage antics and milking them for all they were worth. Leah Maiseroulle, as Frenchy, displayed her talents when hula- hooping her way through a song, Maiseroulle has a strong voice, which didn't falter even through these exertions. The only character in the script who realty acknowledged the harsh realities of life was Rizzo, played by Tina Eberle. She played the role with sensitivity and feeling, giving one of the best musical performances of the show in the lament, “There Are Worse Things 1 Could Do.” The other Pink Ladies, played by Diane Martinous as Marty and Geri- Ellen Johnston as Geri. also gave fine supporting performances. Tony Cedeno. Pittsburg junior, as Doody, and Tony Munoz as Roger, were both comics on stage, playing their characters with obvious en- joyment. These and the other members of the Burger Palace Boys showed their dancing capabilities with energy. Bryon Sommerfield, Pittsburg graduate, played Kenickie, one of the gang leaders. He gave an excellent performance as Rizzos boyfriend, and proved his versatility in the role by being the tough guy in one scene, and a faithful friend or caring lover in BACKSTAGE PREPARING for the summer production of Grease ' Tina Eberle fixes her hair in a 60s style, appropriate for her role as one of the Pink Ladies, —photo by Bill Holtom another. These contrasts in the character were all integrated into his basic personality, and came across very well, making Kenickie a three- dimensional person for the audience. The two lead characters, Sandy, played by Pam Handshy, Pittsburg senior, and Danny, played by Kevin Mahoney, somehow didn't do as welt as might have been expected. Handshy, as usual, gave a fine acting performance, but her singing voice is somewhat weak, lacking the carrying capability required by duets such as “Summer Nights” and “All Choked Up.” Mahoney also gave a fine dramatic performance, although his voice detracted from the scenes. For some reason, he seems to have felt compelled to speak in a high, choked- sounding voice, out of character for the leader of the Burger Palace Boys. His singing voice also had carrying problems in the duets, so that the two performers often were not heard by audience members. Their solo vocals were much better. BEGINNING THE BLOCKING for O'Neill s A Moon for the Misbegotten, Dr. Joyce Kinkead and Brad Burnett practice putting actions to their words, —photo by Gareth Wattrip Another enjoyable performance was that given by Scott Allegrucci as Sonny. His hilarious antics and dancing abilities kept the audience in stitches. Mark Gideon, as Vince Fontaine and the Teen Angel, gave a fine vocal performance, although at times lacking projection. The other cast members, Joyce Medford, Todd Yearton, Kristi Mohler, Linda Jameson, Luis Car- bonell and Claude Cummings, all added their individual talents to make the production a success. McKerrs was lucky that the cast he worked with managed to add their own spark and individuality to their roles, but his directing talents for staging, and his understanding and workmanship gave the added little boost for the excellent results he wanted, and got. —by Olive Sullivan Theater 25

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“ You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun ’ said Charles Coggs, Kansas City junior, “I can have fun right at home with the one I love.” Simply being with people you enjoy seemed to be the most popular form of cheap entertainment. Jon Clough, Coffeyville senior, played host to his friends many a night during the school year. ‘I have a lot of card parties, and we play dominoes, he said. “Sometimes we get together and dance and mix a few daiquiris, he said. “No matter what you do, just being with friends is fun ' Some forms of cheap entertainment were seasonal. I like to ride cycles.” said Justin Beasley, Pittsburg fresh man. I can buy a gallon of gas for $1.35 and can ride about 100 miies on SOLITARY WALKS CAN be enjoyable when the weather permits. Sometimes just being alone can prove to be entertaining, —photo by Buzz Palmer that,” he said. Roy Edmonds, Blue Mound fresh- man, said that he likes to hunt and fish, depending on the season. ‘1 also like to take long, solitary walks down the railroad tracks, he said, “that’s pretty cheap.” —by Janet Stites Cheap Entertainment ---------------------27 X am a