ON THE SPOT WITH IMPROV TROUPE - - - --

staff writer

Not many people would consider putting the words theater and sport in the same sentence. However, that is exactly what Cabrini's On The Spot Improvisational Troupe does.

On The Spot is a student-run and-operated group that plays comedy games. Jessica Snow, a senior on the Troupe, said that they play games in the style of Keith Johnston, who formulated theater sports. These are "games for actors to play based on suggestions from the audience," Snow said.

Like "Who's Line Is It Anyway," the Improv Troupe plays games based solely n audience suggestion, for the audience.

"We usually don't play against teams. Sometimes we split our troupe, but the points don't matter," Snow said.

Photo retrieved from www.cdnow.com

Marvin Gaye's soothing voice fills people with a sense of hope.

It can be refreshing, especially in these troubled times, to be able to put on an album that will fill us with peace and give us a sense of hope. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", does just that. Although it was written 30 years ago in re• sponse to proplems that were plaguing the world then, its message has the same meaning now. In songs like "Mercy Mercy Me" and the title track, Gaye illustrates a world of pollu• tion and war and J?Ointsout that, "things ain't what they used to be."

'Throughout ''What's Going On", a message of peace and love for your fellow brothers and sisters is conveyed. In the first song, Gaye exclaims, "You see, war is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate." It just goes to show that good music is truly timeless.

This is a beautiful album that is truly timeless and only gets better with age, because time enables you to realize how smart and powerful the message is. It's clear and simple. Love will conquer hate. Therefore, it is important in these troubled times to remember the importance of loving one another and holding peace as the ultimate goal. Using "What's Going On" as bis platfonn, Marvin Gaye, shows us the way.

Allmmreview;UnifiedTheory."UnifiedTheory"

In the aftermath of the alternative explosion that took over the early to mid 90's we are left with few bands that embody the true spirit of wli.atit meansto be alternative. There is a small group of bands today that still demonstrate that sort o integrity in their music. Unified Theory is a part of that group.

With their self-titled debut, Unified Theory reassures us that there is still a conscious effort to create art that is new and innovative. The album starts off with a bang, hitting you with the first song, "Cessna", and never looking back. Lead singer Chris Shinn's vocals and high-pitched howls are distinguishable immediately, and are a perfect fit for the album's recurrent groove.

As the album g_oesooand rips through songs such as-"AM Radio" and "Full Flavor; it gives off the impression that these guys have been there before. That's because they have. Both guitarist, C~opher Thorn and the bassist, Brad Smith were members of the hishly successful Blind Melon, while drummer Dave Krusen played the skins on Peap Jam's debut album, ''Ten."

Their new dlwB wasrecordedin Seattle (the alternative capitol of the world), and has a very coastal feel too it (i.e. songs about the oeean and waves etc.). It is a powerful blend of music that gives bope to fans that are tired of being Jet wn by band&who are slaves of the music industry. This al.bum is all we have, though, as we wait patientlyfor more.

Neal Newman, the faculty adviser for the troupe, tells them that they are "one of the top 10 in the country;• Snow said~ Every year on the second week in February, Cabrini's Improv Troupe travels to the National College Comedy Festival at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. At this festival, they meet with other colleges, the best on the East Coast, and do workshops. Last year, Kevin MacDonald, from "Kids in the Hall," ran one of the workshops to help the colleges to improve their improv.

The Improv Troupe performs every Monday night at 10 p.m. in the Widener Lecture Hall. Admission to this event is free.

Auditions are being held for On The Spot on Sunday, Oct.14, at 10 p.m. in Grace Hall. For more information, check out the website at http://on_the_spot_improv.tripod.com. For questions, email the Improv Troupe at onthespotimprov@hotmail.com.