Small budget makes 'Boulevard' bumpy

by Chris Vesci staff writer

"Sunset Boulevard," which wrapped up a two weeJ.srun at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia on Sunday, took Broadway by storm in 1994 with its imposing sets, remarkable scene transformations and celebrated star Glenn Close. Unsurprisingly, interest in the show faded when Close left the role.

Now, the glamorous "Sunset," based on the classic Billy Wilder film, has been revamped for a 46-city tour and stars wellknown singer Petula Clark.

Unfortunately, the loss of grand spectacle for the sake of a tidy budget drains much from the show's overall effect. However, there is still much to like in this production.

"Sunset Boulevard" the film, voted one of the American Film Institute's top 100 movies of all time, tells the tale of forgotten silent film star Norma Desmond, who desperately tries to jump back in the spotlight through her obsession with script writer Joe Gillis. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, winner of seven Tony awards, is true to the screenplay. Hollywood constructs great idols only to spit them out, as it does to Norma. Her glamour and money cannot buy love. Also, Sunset Boulevard itself is a symbol of the corruption and heartbreak those with sunny California dreams encounter.

The problem lies in the fact that this "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" was enhanced on Broadway with gaudy, enormous sets that are missing from this production. Ideally, such lavish sets contribute to the musical's theme and almost act as characters themselves. Some sets and effects in this production are even laughable when compared to the original show's magnificence. The dance is minuscule and unremarkable, while the lighting is effective. However, with a heated plot full of twists, witty lyrics by Christopher Hampton and Don Black, and beautiful, if not excellent music by Lloyd Webber, "Sunset Boulevard" is still certainly watchable. The music may not be vintage Lloyd Webber, but it does provide several show stoppers, such as "With One Look" and "As if We Never Said Goodbye."

As deranged recluse Norma Desmond,

Petula Clark is exceptional. It took me two big numbers to become comfortable with Clark, but she plays Norma with an expert blend of dark humor and dementia. She knows Norma is not realistic, but allows us to sympathize with her anyway. Joe Gillis, played by Lewis Cleale, sings well enough and gives a stunning performance during the unforgettable climax. Sarah Uriarte Berry, who is Betty Shaffer, Joe's friend and then love interest, sings fine but acts a bit too stem and cold. It is hard for the audience to warm up to her and relate to her final heartbreak. She does not develop enough chemistry with Joe to. realistically fall in love with him. Allen Fitzpatrick as Max von Meyerling, Norma's butler, has a superb voice and looming, enigmatic presence.

Toned down and stripped of spectacle, "Sunset Boulevard" is still worth seeing. Though nothing could equal the original with Glenn Close, this touring production deserves some merit.

The improv troupe Cavalier Attitudes will be performing in the Xavier Hall great room on Tuesday, February 9 at 10 p.m.

The band Brothers Past, which features sophomore Joe D' Amico, will be playing with Deep Banana Blackout at the Trocadero Theatre, located at 1003 Arch Street in Philadelphia, on Wednesday, February 10. The show starts at 9 p.m. and is open to 18+. Tickets cost $5.

The following shows will be held at the Theater of Living Arts, located at 334 South Street in Philadelphia:

• Strangefolk on Thursday, February 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $12 the day of the show.

• Warren Zevon with Amy Rigby on Friday, February 5 at 9.p.m. Tickets cost $16.50 and $18.50 day of the show.

• Fuel with Local H and the Mayfield Four on Saturday, February 6 at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $11.50 and $13.50 day of the show.

• The Plys on Tuesday, February 9 at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $5.

• Call the TLA at (215) 922-1011 for more information.

An installation of the works of painter Georgia O'Keefe and her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz, will be on exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from February 7 to May 23.

TbaEdga. 81.1

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Sports ~e (Monday, 6-8 p.m.): Hosts Paul Moser, Ron D'Orazio, Nick Burcf\_,.anfGavin Mirigliani discuss the Flyers' chances of winning the Stanley Cup, qff.e(predictions for the NBA, and report on happenings in Cabrini sports. Speaking Out with Amanda Huth (Wednesday, 6-7 p.m.): Amanda Huth and her panel of guests challenge listeners to share their opinions on her controversial topics of interest to college students.

Psychologically Speaking (Wednesday, 7-7:30 p.m.): Steve Murray and Andrew King, director of the counseling center, explore issues surrounding or concerning college communities and students. This week's (Feb. 10) show will continue the discussion of Gary Chapman's book The Five Languages of Love.

On-air coverage of Cabrini basketball games

Men's Cabrini vs. Alvernia

Women's Cabrini vs. Alvemia

Cabrini vs. Wesley

Saturday, Feb. 13, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13, 5 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. check us out on tire web at www.cabrini.edu/~•}ybf

Tatoos and piercings used to be associated with sailors and the military, but today they are becoming more mainstream. They are considered less and less taboo. Instead, they are turning into a unique art form.

by Bridget Egan staff writer

The human body has long been a source of artistic inspiration. The intricate muscle structure, voluptuous curves and variations of shape and size have inspired many, from sculptors to poets. Tattoo artists and body piercers, though, have turned the human skin into their own form of canvas.

There isn't just one group of people that enjoy tattooing. It's lure reaches from young to old, students to professionals. On Cabrini's campus there are many who have chosen to permanently immortalize a personal symbol or memory on their flesh.

Nancy Hutchison, director of co-operative education and career services, is one who gave into the lure of body art. Hutchison decided three years ago on Mother's Day that she wanted a tattoo, much against her family's wishes.

She always liked the way tattoos looked on other people, so she decided that it was a good time for her to get one. She picked out a mermaid-type figure from a pattern already designed and bad it done on her upper right arm.

Hutchison says with a laugh that it looks like a butterfly, though. The figure has no personal meaning or special significance. She just liked the way it looked.

"I wanted something attractive, feminine and delicate," she says. "And I also wanted something I could easily hide."

Though her husband wasn't in favor, and her daughter cried every time she saw it for the next few weeks, Hutchison has no regrets. She says that her son then went out and got a tattoo because, "You did it, Mom!"

Tattooing is an ancient tradition started in the pre-Christian era. Tribes like the Scots, Teutons and Brits injected pigments under their skin to display their religion, identity, loyalty and morality. When Christianity spread across Europe, tattooing stopped, because in the Bible (Lev. 19:28) it is forbidden.

According to Dr. Leonard Norman Primiano, associate professor of religious studies, in the late 1700s European sailors who traveled to distant seas came back with tattoos of their journeys. Not just the sailors were interested in tattoos, though. Many men who fought in battle tattooed themselves with patriotic symbols, such as the Union and Confederate armies. Jared Schierbaum. a senior, and his army friends went together to get tattoos. They all had their initials tattooed on their chests. Though it wasn't an initiation, it was a lasting bond of friendship.

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Primiano claims that tattooing has come full circle from ancient times. After World War II, tattooing was very unfashionable and usually reserved for sailors. However, with the l960s

Karin came not just social revolution, but artistic revolution. Those involved in the peace movement had tattoos of their astrological signs, peace signs and even marijuana leaves tattooed on their bodies.

Musical icons like Janis Joplin made a cultural state- has had for two years. She says that particular piercing hurt more than all of the other ones by far. ment by flaunting their tattoos, and their fans followed suit. It was also at this time that the center of tattooing switched from Eastern port cities like New York to the West Coast.

In the 1970s, tattooing once again went through a revolution, according to Primiano.

"Before that, [those with tattoos] wanted to be related to a group," says Primiano. "Since the mid '70s, unaffiliated individuals will get tattoos for themselves."

In the 1980s, tattooing started to be known as body art. Now, in the present decade, many who have body art done follow the ancients and have tribal symbols, Japanese script and custom-designed symbols inscribed.

Schierbaum has another tattoo in addition to his initials, a skeleton holding a soccer ball. This is indeed a personal statement, since he loves the game of soccer. He also plans to have a Celtic cross done on his leg, once again supporting the ancient theory of displaying personal beliefs on the body.

Schierbaum claims that the adage made by many that tattooing is an addiction is true.

"You're never satisfied with just one," Schierbaum says. "You always want another one."

This tattoo junkie has diversified body art by also getting his belly button pierced. Piercing has become a very popular practice in the '90s. It may have started with ears, but now there are opportunities to have everything from a tongue to genitalia pierced.

Sophomore Azeen Keramati recently joined the ranks of the pierced with a tongue bar. She was inspired by her brother, who just had a tattoo done. Kerarnati claims that it wasn't a very painful process.

"It was good pain," Keramati says. "Pleasurable."

Now with seemingly every orifice and inch of skin available for body art or piercing, the question ariseswhat next?

The latest innovations are Teflon implants on one's forehead made to resemble horns. Steve Hayworth, the pioneer of this art form, has performed the surgery on only a select group. One such person is the Enigma, the completely tattooed member of Jim Rose's traveling circus.

The Enigma is having a second set inserted, only this time with a type of coral used in reconstructive surgeries. Hayworth and the Enigma both hope that eventually the coral will fuse to the bone and actually become part of the bone structure. Medical experts say that is very unlikely, and warn against infection.

It is doubtful that horned Cabrini students will soon traverse the campus, but in a few years anything may be possible. Whatever the latest trend and whatever type of body art one partakes in, the best advice comes from the mouth of Nancy Hutchinson.

"For people who do it," she said, "Be careful where they go and how it's done."

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Tipson Hygienefornewpiercings

• Your new piercing will cause discomfort for the iirst two weeks and will take at least six weeks to heal.

• Do not remove your Jewelryduring the healing period or soon after. Even after skin heals, It stlllneeds to tighten before you can remove jewelry without worry.

• Thoroughlyclean your new piercing at least twice a day using a mild soap.

• Handle new piercings withclean hands. Wash fingertips and fingernails carefully.

• If you think your water supply may have traces of pollutants, rinseout tap water with bottled or dlstllled water.

• Cleaning should continue at least twice a day for the six-weekhealing period.

• Be gentle when cleaning. Excessive cleaning can cause problems.It can damage delicate tissuetrying to heal and cause chapping and drying of the skin.

• Avoidusing products such as alcohol and peroxidebecause tney harassthe fr~ cells around the piercing.

• Forpleidngs of the tongue. Upor cheek, rtneewelwfltlOriginal Formula (Yellow) 1Js.. terlne~ after eating or dt1nkk}g anythfng-except water-for the first1wo weeks. Rfnaeafter smoking also, or refrain for th&1nt1wo weeks of healing.

• Clean bald-up on Jewelry dallyto pre-vent lnllietfoA.

• UseCOUllorlwhen swimming during 1he healing PQCea. Hgh bacteria presence In the water can cause Infection.

• If lnfeelonpaqlSts, contact a physician. A metd •• could be 1he culprit, or a more serfal.=.~ could occur.

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Jared Schierl:>aumhas a tattoo on his lower back of a skeleton holding a soccer ball, with the words "Till Death Do Us Part" inscribed underneath (far left). He says the part that hurt the most was when they went over the bone. According to Schierbaum, tattooing is an addiction. "You always want another one,"he says. He has another tattoo on his upper chest. Schierbaum also has his belly button pierced (left).