Page 499 - Demo

Park Sets Stage For Theater Company's 'Homecoming'l i l W %u25a0 ! ________________________________A scene from '%u2018H om ecom ing%u201d perform ed at the Prospect Park Bandshell August 23BY LUCY RECTORQuality theater and quality sunshine mixed together in Prospect Park August 24 as Theater for a New City presented %u201cHomecoming,%u201d a new play about a Vietnam vet named Ernie who overcomes his feelings of guilt and alienation through activism in his community.The play, though serious in its theme and subject matter, nevertheless gave the large audience a fair amount of laughter, frolic and upbeat music, as they sat before the bandshell in the park. In fact the structure of %u201cHomecoming%u201d exemplified many of the positive aspects of current day street theater. The show enlivened the audience through its over-exaggerated movements and dialogue yet allowed for a welldeveloped plot to wind its way toward a happy ending.This idea of combining a good time with a good lesson was probably best displayed through the lyrics and music of %u201cHomecoming.\finds out he has been drafted he bursts out in a lively song that still manages to convey his deep fear about going into battle: %u201cI don%u2019t know, it%u2019s so scary%u201d he sings then says, %u201cbut when Uncle Sam calls you, you know you gotta answer.%u201dBut Ernie%u2019s fear does not end when he returns home from the battlefield. Faced with the terrible cost of living in New York City and the onslaught of political curruption, he, along with his vet friends, is left feeling alienated and afraid. Even Ernie%u2019s landlord has no mercy for his tenant as he throws Ernie out into the street while the chorus sings %u201ctomorrow, tomorrow, the world will be ours.%u201dIt is this intense hope, that somehow things will get better that eventually keeps Ernie from continuing his life in despair and hopelessness. Through the help of his other comrades, who also have experienced the disillusionment of coming home after the war, Ernie gains back his %u201cfight%u201d and turns it toward political protest against the nuclear threats, high rents, apartheid, and the overall alienation he has come home to.What enables %u201cHomecoming%u201d to carry on with all this serious stuff is also shown in the lightheartedness of the actors, who dance despite their despair and let the audience boogie down with them even thoughthey%u2019ve been kicked out of their apartments. Optimism as the key to happiness is felt throughout the performance.And this same optimism is felt by the cast once the show is over. According to Crystal Field, the director for %u201cHomecoming%u201d and founder of Theater for the New City which started 10 years ago in Manhattan, %u201cstreet theater is the best way to have a true relationship with the audience.%u201dThe star of %u201cHomecoming,%u201d Mark Marcante, agrees that Theater for a New City brings %u201cwhat we feel is going on in the government to the people so they have real chance to see it.%u201d%u201cWorking people have a greater understanding of art and theater than we give them credit for,%u201d says Field who believes the informality of summer shows such as %u201cHomecoming%u201d may well be the answer to bridging the gap between the performer and his audience.And as %u201cHomecoming%u201d proved on Sunday, the gap can be closed with a good time, a good day of sun, and a good lesson.Homecoming will next travel to Manhattan%u2019s Charas on 9th St. and Ave. C on September 6. For information call (212) 254-1109. Performances are free.The Clancys Celebrate Brooklyn And Ireland In A Rousing Music BashBY TRACY GARRITYSome may consider it just a coincidence, but I prefer to believe that the torrential downpour that held off until the last strains of Clancy Brother harmony faded into the night, was the luck of the Irish. A few rain clouds threatened this last weekend of Celebrate Brooklyn%u2019s musical fare, but a well-placed point of a shillegleh turned a torrent into a drizzle until the Clancys finished their set.It is likely, however, that even if the skies had opened, the thousands who turned out to hear their favorite Irish tunes sung by the premiere Irish singers, would have stayed put%u2014enthralled by the music and the blarney that strung the songs together. The event, which coupled the talents of singer Ray Collins with the Clancy Brothers, wasmore of a party than a concert. And the audience came prepared. Coolers and picnic baskets supplemented the hotdogs and soda for sale at the bandshell, and the audience spilled over onto the lawn and lined the aisles of the theater.%u201cYou know these songs,%u201d said John Clancy. %u201cSo just sing along if you want to. If the person in front of you doesn%u2019t seem to like it, well, just belt him one.%u201d So the audience sang, and clapped, and finally cheered for more as the Clancys left the stage, an hour later.As with any party, the singing was the focus, but not really the main event. No Irishman worth his cabbage would go to a party without a story or two%u2014and the Clancys came prepared. There were stories of love, and of drink, and of the working life.and of Ireland in general. But of all the pokes at their own lifestyle, both the Clancy Brothers and Ray Collins had greater fun taking some shots at the Brits. While Collins%u2019 songs were blatantly political, the Clancys tempered theirs with wit. One in particular was about a Protestant couple. The husband slits his wife%u2019s throat with a razor blade; assumes she%u2019s dead; feels guilty; and takes his own life by hanging himself with the bedsheets. (Cussing the Pope in his dying breath to add insult to injury.) As the song goes, the husband is quite dead, but the wife%u2019s %u201calive and sinnin%u2019 because the razor blade was English-made, but the sheets were Irish linen.%u201dThat particular song had the audience jumping to their feet, just as Whistling Gypsy had them singing, and songs from theClancy Brothers Irish childhood had them tapping their feet, and jumping up to do jigs in the aisles. It%u2019s no secret that the Irish know how to have a good time, and the Clancys provided just the forum for it August 23.But it was not just the Irish who enjoyed the concert Saturday night. A Hispanic family attended with their pet rabb'ts.While most of the rabbits hopped among the audience, one sat placidly atop his m aster%u2019s shoulder. %u201cThis one likes the music,%u201d he said. %u201cHe likes the classics, and he really seems to like this.%u201d Another woman with pink-tinged hair leapt to her feet calling for an encore, soon joined by most of the audience. The Clancys returned with one more song to soothe the audience%u2014 and to hold off the rain for a few minutes longer.Labor Day Special at D . Scotto WinesD. Scotto WinesImported & DomesticFine Wines and LiquorsFREE LOCAL DEI IVERYCain Cellars (Napa Valley)1982 Cabernet Sauvignon Reg. 10.99 1983 Sauvignon Blanc Reg. 9.99 We%u2019ll give you $2.00 back on every bottle you purchase just for trying the wine! See if you agree with the wine critics who awarded the cabernet a gold medal for exceptional quality... (We feature the largest assortment o fCalifornia Wines in the city!)PETIT CHATEAU EXTRAVAGANZALaRose Du Pin, Rebeymont, Bellevue, du Tertre, Leosec, La Peyruche, Rayne Sec, Yon Figeac, etc. etc...Save up to *3.00 a bottleMix and Match a Case and Also GET A SPECIAL CASE DISCOUNT!(one o f the largest collections o f petit chateausunder one roof!)Come in to check out our several other unadvertised s318 Court Street TR5-5530hAugust 28, 1986, THE PHO ENIX, Page 27