by Jennifer Pierre

There really isn’t any other way to describe it but by its title. This brief but beautiful musical delivered everything it said it would: stunning vocals, a mind-twisting meta theme, refreshingly genuine characters, and even a splash of sex appeal. The show, which ran this past Friday through Saturday, was unique in a number of ways. From its title to its on stage execution, a variety of creative choices were made to make this musical unlike any other.

For those already familiar with the show (of which there were many), it was clear that there were already several of aspects of originality. [title of show] follows the story of Jeff and Hunter, best friends and composer and writer respectively, and their struggles with writing a musical and making it to the big time. The set consists of four chairs and a keyboard, a far cry from the typical over-the-top glammed up sets featured in most musicals. Similarly, the four-person cast spent the entire production in street clothing, with one outfit per person the entire time as well. Not surprisingly, the musical numbers also followed a simpler route, which made for impressive but straightforward four-part harmonies that enabled the audience to hear each voice weaving together in musical magic.

Alex Quilty ’15, Danny Bernstein ’14, Amanda Martin ’13 and Tori Dahl ’14 were the show’s main stars, and each of them brought the stage to life through their believable onstage chemistry, strong vocal talent, and uncensored unabashed quirks and banter that solicited a continual stream of laughter from the audience. It was clear that the four of them were not only comfortable performing with each other but were fully aware of each others’ mannerisms and personalities, a truth that helped in establishing a connection between the audience and the characters. Bernstein and Quilty were a hilarious duo, each embodying their respective characters wholeheartedly. Dahl delivered a well-appreciated dose of slapstick comedy for the night, while Martin mesmerized the crowd with a spunky attitude and soulful sound.

Director Michael Doliner ’13 made an unanticipated choice of using whiteboards as a main theme throughout the show, adding yet another element of audience engagement with the characters. As the story unfolded and the show came together, the characters brainstormed ideas and told stories on several standing and magnetized white boards that ultimately fit together like a puzzle by the show’s end. Short vignettes were also sprinkled throughout, giving each performer the chance to let their own specific type of humor shine through and add dimension to the overall production.

In the midst of so many musicals, plays, and a capella concerts going up in this short span of weeks, [title of show] offered exactly what this campus needs: something fresh, something genuine, and something exciting. In briefer words, Flexible Theatre Company’s production of [title of show] was, as writer and composer Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell would’ve wanted it to be, an original musical.

I recently had the opportunity to sit and chat with Dave Forman ’13 and Gabrielle Fernandez ’13, the Marketing Co-chairs and respective Director of Outreach and Treasurer of Cornell’s chapter of Autism Speaks U. We discussed the organization, its role on campus, and its really cool upcoming event: the Dance Now for Autism Speaks U Dance-a-thon!

Autism Speaks is the largest autism advocacy non-profit in the world. Founded in 2005, the organization strives to increase autism awareness and outreach and to raise funds for research on the various forms of autism. Cynthia Vella ’13, who is currently serving as the club’s president, founded the Cornell Chapter of Autism Speaks U in January of this year, making Cornell the only Ivy League institution that houses a chapter of this organization.

Cornell’s chapter of Autism Speaks U will be holding a very fun and creative fundraising event this Saturday, October 22nd called Dance Now for Autism Speaks U. Inspired by the hugely successful yearly fundraiser at Penn State called THON (which raises money to combat childhood cancer), the group decided that a dance-a-thon would be a great way to get people engaged in the mission of Autism Speaks. Aside from raising money to support the cause, the organization hopes that this event will help them become known on campus, increase membership, and increase support from other on-campus clubs, as well as the Ithaca community.

Vella was said to have started Autism Speaks U on campus because a family member of hers has a form of autism. The issue also hits close to home for Dave Forman, whose brother is autistic, as well. Forman and Fernandez stated that a large part of why Autism Speaks is an important and worthwhile cause is because it touches so many people’s lives. Autism is a disorder that affects tens of millions of people worldwide and nearly 2 million people in the U.S., alone. In its six years of existence, Autism Speaks has raised millions of dollars toward autism research and providing financial assistance to families affected by autism.

So, if you love dancing and would like to help support a worthwhile cause while getting your groove on, I suggest participating in the Dance Now for Autism Speaks U Dance-a-thon! It will be taking place this Saturday night, October 22nd, at Noyse Recreational Center on West Campus from 6pm-12am. Tickets go for $10 and can be bought HERE.

For more information on autism and Autism Speaks, please visit the Autism Speaks website: www.autismspeaks.org

Casablanca, 1942

By Arielle Lewen

Quotes from poster: “Here’s looking at you kid” “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” “Play it, Sam, Play ‘As Time Goes By.’ ” “Round up the usual suspects.” “We’ll always have Paris.” “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into   mine.” Important Cast: Humphrey Bogart- Rick Blaine Ingrid Bermann- Ilsa Lund Paul Henreid- Victor Laszlo Claude Rains- Captain Louis Renault Peter Lorre- Signor Ugarte Dooley Wilson- Sam Other notable quotes: Berger: “We read five times that you were killed, in five different places” Victor Laszlo: “As you can see, it was true every single time” “You know, Rick, I have many a friend in Casablanca, but somehow, just because you despise me, you are the only one I trust.” –Signor Ugarte “I remember every detail. The Germans wore gray, you wore blue.” –Rick “You know how you sound, Mr. Blaine? Like a man who’s trying to convince himself of something he doesn’t believe in his heart.” –Victor Laszlo “I wish I didn’t love you so much.” –Ilse “I stick my neck out for nobody!” -Rick “I’m the only ‘cause’ I’m interested in.” -Rick So, what’s this movie about? Boy meets girl in Paris. Boy and girl plan to run away together when the Nazis invade France. Boy gets to the train to find a note and no girl. Years later in Casablanca, Rick (boy) is working at his bar and Ilse (girl) walks in with her husband, the revolutionary Victor Laszlo. They need Rick’s help to flee the country. My reaction: I can safely say that this is my favorite movie of all time. I watch it and I become entranced by the beauty of the story along with the powerful emotional sacrifices that are made in the name of love. This movie has everything in it that makes a film great: war, gambling, love, deception, mystery, betrayal, and a tragic brooding protagonist that finally sees the love of his life years later, married to another man. I cannot watch this movie enough and find myself thinking about the plot often. Without giving anything away, I will say that I both laugh and cry throughout the film and I admire the performance on the part of the actors tremendously. This movie one the academy award for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Written Screenplay. It can be heartbreaking at times, but the overall effect of the movie makes it worth watching over and over. Next week’s film: Forrest Gump

This Saturday night Risley Residential College will be host to one of the wildest dance parties of the year, the 16th annual Masquerave. For one night only, each of the rooms on this north campus dorm’s main floor will be transformed into other worldly creations, including a fractals room, astrology room, and a magical forest. A total of 5 DJs will be providing house/electro, dubstep, techno and breakbeat sets as the musical backing for the night, spread throughout Risley’s Central Living Room, Tammany (Risley’s coffeehouse) and the main stage in the Great Hall (normally known as the Risley Dining Hall!). Tickets will be sold for just $5.00 to this 10pm to 2am dance party/visually enhancing experience, and costumes are a must. Last year the event had a record number of nearly 1,000 attendees, so make sure to nab your spot in line before the doors open at 9:30pm. Think you can handle the ultimate rave experience? Come ready to rage on the dance floor this Saturday and we’ll find out. RSVP on the event page here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=291217544237542

Gone with the Wind, 1939

By Arielle Lewen

Quotes from poster: “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” “As God as my witness, I’ll never be hungry again!” “After all, tomorrow is another day!” Important Cast: Vivian Leigh- Scarlett O’Hara Clark Gable- Rhett Butler Leslie Howard  - Ashley Wilkes Olivia de Havilland- Melanie Hamilton Thomas Mitchell- Gerald O’Hara Barbara O’Neil- Ellen O’Hara Evelyn Keys- Suellen O’Hara Ann Rutherford- Careen O’Hara Hattie McDaniel- Mammy Butterfly McQueen-Prissy Other notable quotes: “Fiddledee dee” –Scarlett O’Hara “Take a good look my dear. It's an historic moment you can tell your grandchildren about - how you watched the Old South fall one night.” –Rhett Butler You're like the thief who isn't the least bit sorry he stole, but is terribly, terribly sorry he's going to jail. –Rhett Butler “Tara! Home. I'll go home. And I'll think of some way to get him back. After all... tomorrow is another day. –Scarlett O’Hara “Lawzy, we got to have a doctor. I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' babies. -Prissy So, what’s this movie about? It is 238 min of a southern belle’s life directly before, during, and after the Civil War. My reaction: After years of hearing what a seminal classic Gone with the Wind was and how it was at the top of every greatest movie list, I knew it was time to watch it. I don’t know if it was my high expectations for it or if I just didn’t get it, but I have to say I did not enjoy it. Maybe I just can’t relate to the self-absorbed southern bell that uses men as her playthings but really loves the only one she can’t have, but I found her actions desperate and cruel. Scarlett was actually my biggest problem with the movie. You would think after she had to finally take care of herself during the hardships following the war that she would grow up, but she still remained as selfish and ungrateful as ever. I did enjoy some of the minor characters like mammy and of course Prissy was great sense of comic relief, but that didn’t stop me from continuously checking the movie cover to see how much longer I had left to endure. I can appreciate the cinematography of such a piece and it is obvious how much work and time went into the production with a beautiful set and a talented cast and crew. I just can’t say I understood what makes it the movie to see. Next week’s film: Casablanca

The Godfather, 1972

By Arielle Lewen

Quote from poster: “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse” Important Cast: Marlon Brando- Vito Corleone Al Pacino- Michael Corleone James Caan- Sonny Corleone Richard Castellano- Peter Clemenza Robert Duvall- Tom Hagen Diane Keaton- Kay Adams-Corleone John Cazale- Fredo Corleone Other notable quotes: “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli” –Peter Clemenza “It’s a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.” –Peter Clemenza You talk about vengeance. Is vengeance going to bring your son back to you? Or my boy to me? –Don Corleone “Be my friend…Godfather.” –Bonsasera “What are you worried about? If I wanted to kill you you’d be dead already. Get in.” -Sollozzo So, what’s this movie about? Mobsters. Any other description would incite confusion. My reaction: This movie was a whirlwind of emotion, betrayal, and murderers making light of murder. The mob community feels like an entirely different world. I was constantly on edge while watching the film because you never quite know when an unexpected hit is going to happen. I really feel for Michael throughout, especially since he never planned to be a part of the “family business.” They all wanted more for him, but when the overwhelming desire for vengeance consumes him, it is too late. Michael becomes the next in line as leader and takes over as the ruthless, unforgiving assassin. This shift in him is unfortunate to watch, but after I slowly witnessed everything he loved become threatened or taken away, I considered what I would feel in his place and understood. I would never resort to murder, but if I was in his place, who knows what I would consider. There is definitely a lot to think about and I kept putting myself in the characters shoes to consider what I would do. This brought up a lot of issues of morality as well as possessive feelings towards those I love. This film is a classic and leaves the viewer with a sense of heightened curiosity for what the next two movies will contain. There are humorous scenes and heartbreaking ones. It has a tendency to leave people emotionally drained, but it is an experience no one should miss. Next week’s film: Gone With The Wind

I have always been a fan of pop culture and I pride myself on knowing a bunch of absolute random facts from television and movies. In order to add to my psychosis, I have taken on the challenge of the classics. After several years of having my “101 Greatest Movie Quotes” poster in my room, I figured it was time that I actually knew the movies that I was constantly referencing. With the recent acquiring of my brother’s Netflix information, I should have no problem fulfilling this goal. I cannot wait to become substantially more cultured and obnoxiously knowledgeable on more random facts. Here I go!

All About Eve, 1950

Quote from poster: “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.” Important Cast: Bette Davis- Margo Channing Anne Baxer- Eve Harrington George Sanders- Addison DeWitt Celeste Holm- Karen Richards Gary Merrill- Bill Sampson Hugh Marlow- Lloyd Richards Other notable quotes: “It’s about time the piano realized it has not written the concerto!” –Lloyd Richards Lloyd Richards: “I shall never understand the weird process by which a body with a voice suddenly fancies itself as a mind. Just when exactly does an actress decide they’re HER words she’s speaking and HER thoughts she’s expressing?” Margo Channing: “Usually at the point where she has to rewrite and rethink them, to keep the audience from leaving the theatre!” “Don’t cry. Just score it as an incomplete forward pass.” -Bill Sampson So, uh, what’s this movie about?: All About Eve is the epitome of deception and would be confused for a modern day soap, if the voice overs ended with “xoxo Gossip Girl.” This movie brings us into the world of theater and demonstrates what a cut throat business it can be. Eve Harrington, a seemingly innocent and pathetic fan of the great actress Margo Channing is the basis for the story. Eve meets Margo when the playwright’s wife, Karen Richards, sees her outside the stage door every night, and Karen takes pity on her. Eve becomes Margo’s apprentice and eventually gives acting a shot when she is asked to fill in for Margo. Eve is incredible and blows everyone away. She is also able to play roles that Margo, at forty, is too old to portray.  Eve uses Margo and when she tries to steal Margo’s boyfriend, Bill Sampson Margo becomes suspicious. Margo is hurt by Eve and tries to get everyone to see who she really is, but her friends just ignore her and accuse her of being jealous. After betraying everyone with threats and blackmail, Eve continues to do what she has to in order to get ahead. The movie begins and ends with her accepting an award for being a enormous star before she heads off to Hollywood. It is at the end of the film that we learn that Eve could not fool everyone and her current “agent” Addison DeWitt has incriminating information about her past that could destroy her. She is forced to do everything he asks, as he now “owns her.” The last scene involves Eve allowing an innocent aspiring actress who idolizes her assist her in packing. The cycle has begun again.

Rebecca Plotkin

Nearly five years ago, the American Film Institute (AFI) celebrated the tenth anniversary of its “100 Years... 100 Movies” list, a list of the top one-hundred movies in America’s film history. These movies were selected by “film artists, critics and historians,” according to the website, marking the diversity with which they were critiqued. In honor of this momentous point in film history, I have decided to watch all one-hundred of the movies on this list. Note: I am not a movie expert. I do not assume that my opinion of each of these works will be identical to that of every viewer.  I embark on this quest because I not only want to see which movies have made this list of outstanding films, but also know the origins of the effects on our society that these works have had. I want to understand the context of lines such as, “I coulda been a contender,” and, “You talking to me?” I want to immediately know the meaning of television spoofs that refer to horses’ heads or older women seducing college-age men. These scenes and quotes are not souvenirs of cinema’s past, but rather have become ingrained in our modern everyday world. So here it goes, the movie-marathon any fan would envy. And it begins with: Dr. Strangelove.

#53: Dr. Strangelove

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb was made in 1964. This film focuses on the chaos and anxiety surrounding the United States   and its conflict with the USSR during the Cold War. When a military general goes haywire and orders a series of B-52 planes carrying nuclear bombs to fly into a Soviet-designated area, all hell breaks loose. The movie shows the various responses to this action and the war it will create. Here the viewer sees clearly the war-weary versus the war-hungry; the president makes earnest attempts to avoid war and contact the Soviet leader, all the while with one of his generals at his side telling him that this situation is the perfect way to gain a military advantage over the “Ruskies.” The film also shows the men in one of the B-52s, the only one that eventually does not get its orders overrun by the president, preparing to follow the orders for what they know will inevitably create a war. The abrupt ending of the film shows the aircraft commander, who had been trying to fix bomb-carrying doors of the plane to let the nuclear device drop, fall with the bomb while sitting on top of it, waving a cowboy hat in his hand. What follows is a series of images of nuclear explosions coupled with Vera Lynn singing “We’ll Meet Again” in the background.

If the movie sounds a little crazy and scattered, it’s because it is. It shows clearly the hype and uncertainty during the Cold War, as well as a commentary from the film-makers about the apparent lack of confidence in their political leaders. There are many subplots in the movie, all relating to the main impending-war crisis, but it is difficult to keep track of all the characters (especially as actor Peter Sellers plays multiple main roles). I definitely recommend watching this film, but I’d advise watching it twice; the first time, the structure and ending may take you aback and distract you from the rest of the movie. After having seen the film once, it is easier to pay attention to the work’s meaning and why the filmmakers made the creative choices they did. If you haven’t yet, be sure to watch this staple about a tumultuous time in America’s recent past.

Broadway Stars Shine On African School-building

By Jennifer Pierre

There are certainly a lot of things to appreciate about the town of Ithaca, from its quirky residents to its local shops to the beautiful spring and summer weather starting to settle in for the season. As Cornell students we are lucky enough to live in a town bustling with excitement and activity despite the fact that it’s not a big name city. While there is much to appreciate, there are a few things Ithaca will never have in comparison with the lands of twenty story buildings and constant bright lights like New York City. One of these main differences to me is the absence of Broadway.  Sad as it is, there just isn’t a way to bring the magic of Broadway to Ithaca. Or at least, that’s what I thought until now! This Monday May 9th from 8 to 10:30pm, start off your study week with the incredible experience of watching Broadway right in our beloved Ithaca. Cornell University students Jeremy Flynn and Helene Beauchemin have brought together a number of Broadway stars and students from both Cornell and Ithaca Colllege to perform Elton John and Tim Rice’s rock-musical Aida in Bailey Hall.

The show will be musically directed by Cornell sophomore Jeff Cox, and will feature principals from the hit Broadway shows Wicked and Mama Mia, as well as members of the Ithaca College musical theatre program and performances by various Cornell on-campus dance troupes. It promises to be a night filled with music, dancing, and a room brimming with amazing talent from all over the New York area. As if that wasn’t enough incentive to come, the performance leaders have also collaborated with Cornell University Sustainable design (often referred to as CUSD for short) to donate all of the proceeds to their project of building schools in South Africa! The group is specifically working on building a sustainable pre-school this summer for Ugandan children, a worthy and fitting cause for such a once in a lifetime experience. There will also be an art display preceding the show starting at 4pm on Ho Plaza.

Please don’t miss out on what promises to be one of the greatest performances of the season. For only $15 in advance or $17 at the door, you can experience the excitement of Broadway and musical theatre at a building only 10 minutes away from your dorm, support your favorite on campus dance troupes, and help fund a project that could change the lives a lot of needy Ugandan children. Reserve your ticket at www.bailey.com today!

A few weeks ago, I purchased the first season of the HBO show, “The Wire” on iTunes. Despite the fact that this particular week I had a prelim, a paper to write, and tons of reading for various classes, I became glued to my computer screen and watched thirteen hours of the show in only three days. I was immersed in a fictionalized Baltimore drug operation, setting aside the rest of my life and what should have been my priorities. Though I am yearning to find out what happens in season two, I am terrified of purchasing the next season because I know I will forget about all of my real responsibilities. My situation is certainly not an anomaly on the Cornell campus. According to a recent survey with a random sample of Cornell students, 70% admitted that they prefer to watch television online in multiple-episode sittings as opposed to one episode live on a week-to-week basis. While the medium of television was originally designed for people to watch in the manner of the latter case, the popularity of DVD’s, Hulu, iTunes, and for those illegal-users, Megavideo, has changed the way we watch television. Many students admitted to watching up to ten episodes in one sitting. This, in comparison to the average 1-2 hours of live television Cornell students watch in a week, is astonishing. “Last finals week, I watched about twenty episodes of “Lost,” Rachel Medin ’14 said. “I know that I had so much work to do, but I just couldn’t stop. It was hard because it’s so addicting and it was all in front of me, so I would just watch episode after episode and not study.” Despite the fact that watching blocks of television can help us to escape our daily lives , some TV critics and even students here at Cornell argue that watching multiple episodes at a time takes away from the television-watching experience. “I definitely enjoy watching an episode per week,” said Alyssa Leventhal ’14. “I have a “Gossip Girl” column for The Cornell Daily Sun and there is certainly an advantage of absorbing only one episode at a time. You need the break, sometimes.” Though it might be convenient for us to have everything right in front of us, television writers tailor the stories so that the viewer can reflect each week between shows. I watched “Lost” on live television every week. Yes, it was annoying to wait those long days to find out the answers to those extremely tense cliffhangers, but part of the fun of watching it live was that everyone else was watching it live, too. I would go to school the next day and have great discussions and arguments about what the hell was happening on that damn island. The writers of “Lost” and other shows like it definitely take the communal aspects of television-viewing quite seriously when they are creating the storylines. The ability to watch TV whenever you want and however you want takes away from the watercooler element of the medium. As the semester comes to an end and the work starts piling up once again, what should we do about our television-watching habits? I have taken a vow to watch only one episode a week of each show. Though this might result in up to three to five hours of online-watching, it is a lot better than my usual habits of watching seven hours of “Arrested Development” straight. So let’s put away our DVD’s of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and actually experience some sun for the first time in months. And lastly, we only have a few more weeks. Jack Bauer, Liz Lemon, and Mr. Schuester aren’t going anywhere. So let’s focus on our schoolwork, and save our ten-hour blocks of “South Park” for May 21st.