Alive - Entertainment Section

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

Movies

Review: ‘Jeff’ a sweet, slight comic adventure Jason Segel plays the titular character, a 30year-old, potsmoking slacker who still lives in the basement of his childhood home. ■

CHRISTY LEMIRE

D12 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

Movies

AP Movie Critic

Mark Duplass has said that he and his brother, Jay, look to the veteran Belgian filmmaking brothers JeanPierre and Luc Dardenne for artistic inspiration, with their naturalistic, documentary-style approach to telling feature stories. That’s evident once again in “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” a sweet, slight tale told with simple intimacy and a deadpan tone to its absurd humor. Not much happens over a meandering day in suburban Baton Rouge, La., but it all builds to a climax that makes the journey worthwhile. And it reveals that between this and the 2010 comedy “Cyrus,” the Duplass brothers have figured out how to continue placing their signature, improvisational, indie stamp as writers and directors, even as they keep making bigger studio films with wellknown actors. Jason Segel plays the titular character, a 30-yearold, pot-smoking slacker who still lives in the basement of his childhood home. (A side note: New Orleans natives Jay and Mark Duplass moved back into their parents’ house with their own families while shooting on location.) But Jeff is a thinker

Above: In this film image released by Paramount Vantage, Jason Segel plays Jeff in a scene from “Jeff, Who Lives at Home.” (AP Photo/Paramount Vantage, Hilary Bronwyn Gayle) Right: Jason Segel and Ed Helms in a scene from “Jeff, Who Lives at Home.” Associated Press

and a dreamer. Inspired by the M. Night Shyamalan movie “Signs,” he believes there are no coincidences, that everything happens

for a reason if you’re willing to open your mind and pay attention to the daily details that can determine your fate.

And so a simple errand for his widowed, enabling mother (Susan Sarandon in a lovely, understated performance) to pick up some

wood glue at the hardware store turns into a weird and winding adventure involving pick-up basketball, amateur sleuthing and an

elusive man named Kevin who may hold the key to today’s true destination. The Duplasses create the sensation that we’re just following along wherever Jeff takes us, without judgment. Along the way, Jeff crosses paths with his older brother, Pat (Ed Helms), who’s his exact opposite in terms of values and temperament. He’s constantly trying too hard to impress both personally and professionally, and he’s desperately hoping to keep his marriage alive to the increasingly distant Linda (Judy Greer). All of these comic actors find different sorts of laughs — sadder, truer ones — by toning down some of their usual tendencies. They’re no less effective this way, but the shift does provide an unexpected tone. Still, for a frequently silly comedy, one of the funniest and most memorable elements is unabashedly romantic: Jeff and Pat’s mom, Sharon, has a secret admirer at work, and the way this enlivens her dreary, cubicle-dwelling doldrums is nothing short of magical. She seems willing to open herself to what the universe is trying to tell her, too, for the first time in a long time. In some ways this subplot could have been its own film. Still, Jeff’s mystical approach to life is inescapable, and everyone’s better for it — whether they’re paying attention to the signs or not. “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” a Paramount Vantage release, is rated R for language including sexual references and some drug use. Running time: 82 minutes. Three stars out of four.

A

ALIVE

Entertainment in the heart of the midstate

The Sentinel www.cumberlink.com

Section D March 15, 2012

INSIDE••• Local theatres offer variety of ‘can’t miss’ shows this month ••• D6-8

Texas Tenors Trio to hit Luhrs Center stage next week ••• D5

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

Special Events

Theater

Music

• “Green Buildings of York,” a downtown walking tour will be held at 2 p.m. April 21. The tour starts at Continental Square. For more information visit downtownyorkpa.com/walking-tours.

• Dickinson College to present a student performance of “The Arsonists,” at 8 p.m. March 30-31 and April 2-3 in the Mathers Theatre in the Holland Union Building. For more information, tickets call 245-1327. Tickets are $7.

• The Rumpke Mountain Boys will perform from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday, March 16 at Blondies on High Street, Carlisle. Cost is $5, must 21 or older.

• Ballroom dancing classes will be offered at the LeTort View Community Center on the Carlisle Barracks beginning April 17. The date of the remaining classes are: April 25, May 2, 7, 16, 23 and 29. Beginner class at 5:30 p.m. covers swing, tango, cha-cha and foxtrot. Advance class at 6:30 p.m. covers advance swing, waltz, rumba, mabo, two-step and hustle. Cost is $30 per person for the seven-week class. For more information contact Frank Hancock at 241-4483 or fhancock@comcast.net.

• “Pal Joey” will be shown at the Hershey Theatre at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18. Tickets are $7. For more information visit www.hersheytheatre. com. • The Susquehanna Story Tellers Guild presents “Tales for St. Patrick’s Day” at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 17, in the Centennial Barn at the Fort Hunter Mansion and Park, Harrisburg. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 and under. For more information call Spike Spilker at 737-8438. • Second Floor gallery in Mechanicsburg to host a wine and cheese reception 6-9 p.m. Saturday March 17. View hundreds of pieces of artwork while listening to live blues, folk and rock by guitarists Douglas Gibboney and Kevin Kline. This event is free. Visit www.2ndfloorgallery.com or call 697-0502 for more information. • Pat’s Singles Club will hold a dance from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday March 25 at the Wisehaven Ballroom, York. “Saxy” will provide the music. Cost is $10. • West Shore Recreation Commission presents “Smooth Dancing for Beginners” from 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays, March 26 through April 23 at the Ballroom Break in Lewisberry. And, “Latin Dancing for Beginners” 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays, March 26 through April 23, also at the Ballroom Break. Cost is $64 for residents and $77 for others. For more information visit www. wsrec.org.

• Rosemary Ellen Guiley will dicuss her book “The Vengeful Djinn” at 7 p.m. at the Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop. • “Let’s Dance!” will be held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Valencia Ballroom, York. Cost is $10. Dance lessons with Frank Hancock start at 6:15 p.m. and cover foxtrot and cha-cha. For more information visit letsdance4fun.org. • Metropolitan Area Dance Club will host a dance from 7 to 11 p.m. on March 17, 24 and 31 at the PA Dance Sport Ballroom in Hummelstown. For more information call 774-2171.

• The H. Ric Luhrs Center presents “Suessical” at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 17. For more information or to purchase tickets visit luhrscenter.com or call 477-SHOW. • The Hershey Theatre presents “Memphis” from Tuesday, April 10 through Sunday, April 15. Tickets are $25 to $80. For more information visit hersheytheatre.com or ticketmaster. com. • Harrisburg Shakespeare Company will be holding auditions for its upcoming performance of “Romeo and Juliet” from 7 to 9 p.m. April 4 and 6 and for actors out of the area auditions will be held from 11 to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7. To make an audition appointment call 238-4111. • The Court Street Cabaret will perform at March 16-17 at 8 p.m. in the Angino Family Theatre at Open Stage of Harrisburg. Tickets are $18. For more information call 232-OPEN or openstagehbg.com. • Adams County School of Musical Theatre will hold auditions for their upcoming musicals, ‘You’re a Good man Charlie Brown” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” at 2 p.m. March 17 and at 6 p.m. March 18. For more information visit www.acsmt.org or call 334-2692. • Chambersburg Ballet Theatre presents “Collaborations Sacred and Classical” April 3, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Call 709-1800. • The Lions Community Theater will present “Annie” March 29-31 at 7:30 p.m. and March 31 at 2 p.m. at Shaull Elementary School. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students. For more information or to order tickets call 582-2037. • The Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet presents “Giselle” at 1 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. For tickets or more information call 214-ARTS or whitakercenter.org. • Carlisle High School will present “Bye Bye Birdie” on March 15, 16 at 7:30 p.m. and March 17 and 18 at 3 p.m. at the McGowan Building’s Barr Auditorium, 723 W. Penn St. Reserved tickets for the Thursday and Friday shows are $10 for adults, $8 for students. General admission tickets for the Saturday and Sunday shows are $8 for adults and $6 for students. The box office is located in the McGowan Auditorium lobby.

• The Texas Tenors will perform at 8 p.m. on March 23 at the H. Ric Luhrs Center, Shippensburg. Tickets are $28 to $44. For tickets call 477-SHOW or go online, luhrscenter.com. • Members of the Wednesday Club will perform a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at the West Shore Baptist Church, Camp Hill. For more information visit wednesdayclub.org or call 234-4856. • George Winston will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 24 at the Whitaker Center’s Sunoco Performance Theater. Tickets are S35.50 and $39.50. For more information visit www.whitakercenter.org/sunoco-performance-theater. • Dickinson College faculty will present the works of Polish composer Karol Szymanowski at 7 p.m., March 31 at the Rubendall Recital Hall in the Weiss Center for the Arts. The event is free and open to the public. • The Gettysburg College Choir will present a free concert at 8 p.m. March 24 at the college’s Christ Chapel. • The Crimson Frog Coffeehouse presents Besty Barnicle, Irish fiddle music on March 16; Marie Smith on March 24; Poetic Perkolation on March 27; Open mic with Jonathan Frazier on March 28 and Herr Street on March 31. • Dickinson College faculty will present a recital, “Daniel Brye With espirit!” at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 25 at the Rubendall Recital Hall in the Weiss Center for the Arts. The event is free and open to the public. • The Kim Thompson Group featuring guitarist Mike Moreno will perform at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, on April 22. • Casting Crowns to perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 30 at the Giant Center, Hershey. Tickets are $21.50 to $75 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 534-3911. • Beck and Benedict Hardware Music Theatre presents Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band and Apsen Run Bluegrass Band at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 17 in Waynesboro. Cost is $13 and children under 12 are free. Call 762-4711 or visit www.beck-benedicthardware.com. • The Shippensburg University Community Orchestra will present “Favorites from the Stage and Screen” at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 22 at the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center. Visit www.luhrscenter.com or call 477-1638.

Event information can be submitted via email to frontdoor@cumberlink.com, by mail, 457 E. North St., Carlisle, PA 17013 or by fax at 243-3121. For more information, visit www.cumberlink.com/entertainment

21 Jump Street (R) Fri.-Thu. 11:10 a.m., 1:45, 4:15, 7, 9:35 Act of Valor (R) Thu. 11:30 a.m., 2, 4:40, 7:05, 9:40, Fri.-Thu. 12, 2:30, 4:55, 7:15, 9:35 The Artist (PG-13) Thu. 11:05 a.m., 1:25, 3:50, 6:30, 8:45, Fri.Thu. 11:05 a.m., 3:50, 6:30 Dr. Seuss The Lorax 2D (PG) Thu. 11 a.m., 1:10, 3:30, 5:40, 7:45, 9:45, Fri.Thu. 11 a.m., 1:10, 3:30, 5:40, 7:45, 9:40 Dr. Seuss The Lorax 3D (PG) Thu.-Thu. 11:50 a.m., 2:10, 4:30, 6:40, 8:45 Friends with Kids (R) Fri.-Thu. 11:05 a.m., 1:40, 4:20, 7:20, 9:50 Gone (PG-13) Thu. 1:50, 4:15 John Carter 2D (PG-13) Thu.-Thu. 3:45, 6:45 John Carter 3D (PG-13) Thu.-Thu. 12:30, 9:30 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D (PG) Thu. 12:20, 2:35, 5:05, Fri.-Thu. 11:40 a.m., 2, 4:20 Project X (R) Thu. 1:30, 3:40, 5:45, 7:50, 9:55, Fri.-Thu. 1:30, 3:40, 5:40, 7:45, 9:50 Safe House (R) Thu. 7, 9:40, Fri.-Thu. 7:05, 9:40 The Secret World of Arriety (G) Thu. 11:40 a.m., 2:05 Silent House (R) Thu. 1:20, 3:20, 5:30, 7:40, 9:55, Fri.-Thu. 1:20, 3:20, 5:30, 7:40, 9:45 This Means War (PG-13) Thu. 11:20 a.m., 4:05, 7:30, Fri.-Thu. 11:20 a.m., 1:40, 7:30 A Thousand Words (PG-13) Thu. 12:15, 2:40, 4:55, 7:20, 9:30, Fri.-Thu. 12:15, 2:40, 4:55, 7:10, 9:15 Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (PG-13) Thu. 11:15 a.m. The Vow (PG-13) Thu. 4:50, 7:15, 9:35, Fri.-Thu. 1:25, 8:45 Wanderlust (R) Thu. 1:40, 9:50 Woman in Black (PG-13) Thu. 7:25, 9:35, Fri.-Thu. 4:05, 9:45

Flagship Cinemas 4590 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg 21 Jump Street (R) Fri.-Thu. 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:55

Continued next column

Flagship continued

Great Escape continued

Act of Valor (R) Thu.-Thu. 11:50 a.m., 2:30, 4:55, 7:40, 10:05 Dr. Seuss The Lorax 2D (PG) Thu.-Thu. 11:40 a.m., 2, 6:40 Dr. Seuss The Lorax 3D (PG) Thu.-Thu. 4:20, 9 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 3D (PG-13) Thu. 2:50, 9:55 John Carter 3D (PG-13) Thu.-Thu. 12:40, 3:30, 7, 9:50 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D (PG) Thu. 12:30, 5:10, 7:30, Fri.-Thu. 12:10, 6:50 Project X (R) Thu.-Thu. 12:20, 2:40, 5, 7:50, 10:10 Silent House (R) Thu. 12, 2:20, 4:40, 7:10, 9:20, Fri.-Thu. 12, 2:20, 4:40, 7:10, 9:30 This Means War (PG-13) Thu.-Thu. 12:50, 3:20, 7:20, 10 The Vow (PG-13) Thu. 12:10, 3, 6:50, 9:30, Fri.-Thu. 3, 9:10

A Thousand Words (PG-13) Thu. 11:50 a.m., 2:05, 4:25, 7, 9:15, Fri.-Thu. 11:50 a.m., 2:05, 4:25, 6:50, 9:10 Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (PG-13) Thu. 12:15, 4, 6:45, 9:30, Fri.-Thu. 7:05, 9:40 The Vow (PG-13) Thu. 1:45, 6:50 Wanderlust (R) Thu. 9:25

Great Escape 3501 Paxton St. 21 Jump Street (R) Fri.-Thu. 11:25 a.m., 12:05, 2, 2:40, 4:40, 5:20, 6:30, 7:15, 8, 9:05, 9:55 Act of Valor (R) Thu. 11:20 a.m., 1:55, 4:30, 7:20, 10, Fri.-Thu. 11:20 a.m., 1:55, 4:30, 7:20, 10:05 Dr. Seuss The Lorax 2D (PG) Thu.-Thu. 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:40, 2:45, 3:50, 4:55, 6:40, 9 Dr. Seuss The Lorax 3D (PG) Thu.-Thu. 12, 2:10, 4:20, 7:30, 9:35 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 2D (PG-13) Thu. 11:20 a.m., 4:20, 9:20 Gone (PG-13) Thu. 7:05 John Carter 2D (PG-13) Thu. 11:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:15, 3:35, 5:15, 6:30, 9:30, Fri.-Thu. 11:45 a.m., 3:35, 6:30, 9:30 John Carter 3D (PG-13) Thu. 12:45, 4:15, 7:15, 8:15, 10:15, Fri.-Thu. 12:45, 4, 7, 8:10, 10 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 2D (PG) Thu. 7:25, 9:45, Fri.-Thu. 11:25 a.m., 1:45, 4:05 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D (PG) Thu.-Thu. 12:20, 2:40, 5:05 Project X (R) Thu.-Thu. 12:40, 2:50, 5, 7:40, 9:50 Safe House (R) Thu.-Thu. 11:40 a.m., 2:15, 4:50, 7:35, 10:10 Silent House (R) Thu.-Thu. 12:10, 2:30, 4:45, 7:50, 10

Continued next column

Regal Carlisle Commons 8 Noble Boulevard 21 Jump Street (R) Fri. 2:20, 5, 7:50, 10:30, Sat.-Sun. 11:45 a.m., 2:20, 5, 7:50, 10:30, Mon.-Thu. 2:20, 5, 7:50 Act of Valor (R) Thu. 2, 4:40, 7:50, Fri.-Sun. 1:25, 4, 7:10, 9:50, Mon.-Thu. 1:25, 4, 7:10 Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax 2D (PG) Thu. 2:10, 4:30, 6:50, Fri. 2:10, 4:30, 6:50, 9, Sat.-Sun. 12, 2:10, 4:30, 6:50, 9, Mon.-Thu. 2:10, 4:30, 6:50 Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax 3D (PG) Thu. 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, Fri. 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 10, Sat.-Sun. 12:40, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 10, Mon.-Thu. 2:50, 5:10, 7:30 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 3D (PG-13) Thu. 7:10 John Carter 2D (PG-13) Thu. 1:20, Fri.-Thu. 1:15 John Carter 3D (PG-13) Thu. 4:20, 7:20, Fri.-Sun. 4:20, 7:20, 10:20, Mon.-Thu. 4:20, 7:20 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D (PG) Thu. 2:20, 4:50 Project X (R) Thu. 2:30, 5, 7:40, Fri. 2:30, 4:40, 7:40, 10, Sat.-Sun. 12:10, 2:30, 4:40, 7:40, 10, Mon.-Thu. 2:30, 4:40, 7:40 Silent House (R) Thu. 2:40, 5:20, 8, Fri. 2:40, 4:50, 8, 10:10, Sat.-Sun. 12:20, 2:40, 4:50, 8, 10:10, Mon.-Thu. 2:40, 4:50, 8 The Vow (PG-13) Thu. 1:50, 4:10, 7, Fri.-Sun. 1:40, 4:10, 7, 9:30, Mon.-Thu. 1:40, 4:10, 7

Carlisle Theatre 44 W. High St. The Iron Lady (PG-13) Fri.-Sat. 7:30, Sun. 2, Wed.-Thu. 7:30 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (R) Thu. 7:30

Regal Harrisburg 14 1500 Caughey Drive 21 Jump Street (R) Fri.-Sun. 12:50, 1:50, 3:40, 4:40, 6:30, 7:30, 9:10, 10:10, Mon.-Thu. 1:50, 3:40, 4:40, 6:30, 7:30, 9:10, 10:10 Act of Valor (R) Thu. 1:50, 4:30, 7:10, 10, Fri. 1:10, 3:50, 6:50, 9:50, Sat.-Sun. 6:50, 9:50, Mon.-Thu. 3:50, 6:50, 9:50 The Artist (PG-13) Thu. 1:45, 6:45 TCM Presents Casablanca 70th Anniversary Event (NR) Wed. (March 21) 2, 7 Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax 2D (PG) Thu. 2, 4:10, 6:20, 8:30, Fri.-Thu. 1:40, 4, 6:10, 8:30 Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax 3D (PG) Thu. 3, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30, Fri.-Sun. 12:40, 2:50, 5, 7:10, 9:30, Mon.-Thu. 2:50, 5, 7:10, 9:30 Friends with Kids (R) Fri.-Thu. 2, 4:50, 7:40, 10:15 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 3D (PG-13) Thu. 6:10, 8:50, Fri.-Sun. 3:30, 9:15, Mon.-Thu. 3:30 Gone (PG-13) Thu. 2:20, 7:45 John Carter 2D (PG-13) Thu. 3:50, 6:50, Fri. 3:20, 6:20, Sat.-Thu. 3:20, 6:20 John Carter 3D (PG-13) Thu. 1:40, 4:40, 7:40, 9:50, Fri. 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, 9:20, 10:20, Sat.-Thu. 4:20, 7:20, 9:20 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D (PG) Thu. 3:40 LA Philharmonic: Gustavo Dudamel and Herbie Hancock Celebrate Gershwin (G) Sun. 2 Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake in 3D (PG-13) Tue. (March 20) 7:30 Project X (R) Thu. 3:20, 5:30, 8, 10:15, Fri.-Sun. 12:45, 3, 5:10, 7:50, 10, Mon.-Thu. 3, 5:10, 7:50, 10 Safe House (R) Thu. 4:20, 7, 9:40, Fri.-Sun. 1:15, 4:15, 7:05, 9:45, Mon.-Thu. 4:15, 7:05, 9:45 Silent House (R) Thu. 3:10, 5:20, 7:50, 10:20, Fri.-Sun. 1, 3:10, 5:20, 8, 10:25, Mon.-Thu. 3:10, 5:20, 8, 10:25 This Means War (PG-13) Thu. 4:15, 9:20 A Thousand Words (PG-13) Thu. 2:10, 4:50, 7:30, 10:10, Fri.-Thu. 2:10, 4:30, 7, 9:40 Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (PG-13) Thu. 3:30, 6:30, 9:10, Fri.-Sun. 12:55, 6:40, Wed.-Thu. 6:40 The Vow (PG-13) Thu. 4, 6:40, 9:25, Fri.-Sun. 1:30, 4:10, 6:45, 9:25, Mon.-Thu. 4:10, 6:45, 9:25 Wanderlust (R) Thu. 5, 10:30

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

• The York County Heritage Trust will present “homebrew workshops” March 31, April 14 and May 2. Cost is $70 call 848-1587 for more information.

• Oyster Mill Playhouse will hold auditions for its upcoming production of “Twelve Angry Jurors” at 7 p.m. March 25 and 26. For more information go to www.oystermill.com.

Cinema Center of Camp Hill 3431 Simpson Ferry Road

Movies

Out & About

• Pat’s Singles Club will hold a dance from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday April 1, at the Valencia Ballroom, York. DJ Ray Thomas will provide the dance music. Cost is $10.

D2 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

Now showing

D11 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

Out & About

Inside

A look at local nightlife

MUSIC |D5-4,9

The Texas Tenors bring their big sound and big hats to the Luhrs Center stage later in March. Music Notes: Early music education has lifelong benefits; classes offered locally. Also, iTunes’ top songs and album downloads.

BY DAVID GERMAIN AP Movie Writer

• York College of Pennsylvania will host its annual juried student exhibition from March 15 through April 3. Exhibition reception will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Thursday, March 15 at the Wolf Hall lobby. • The Art Association of Harrisburg will host a five-artist invitational exhibition featuring oil works, watercolors, mixed media works and photographs and will be on display from April 6 through May 10. For more information visit www.artassocofhbg. com. • Leslie Halaby-Moore, a chain maille jewlrey artist, will be the “artist in action” at the Village Artisans Gallery March 17 from 1-4 p.m. • Stephen Winn will present “‘IN’terior Design ‘OUT’ of the Box” as part of the CALC lecture series from 7 to 8 p.m. March 19 at CALC, 19 N. Hanover St. • Art work from former and current Camp Hill School District visual arts faculty will be on display through the month of March at the Grace Milliman Pollack Performing Arts Center lobby.

now, is a movie built on drivel. Murphy’s Jack is a jerk, but a run-of-the-mill jerk, making the filmmakers’ effort to build some sort of cosmic cautionary warning around him feel like overkill, like taking a Garden Weasel into the kitchen to toss a salad. Here’s where Jack’s at as the film opens: He’s the ace at his literary agency, not through sleaziness but just through rude, crude pushiness. He clearly loves his wife (Kerry Washington) and young son, but he’s not good at the family thing yet and needs to man up a bit. He’s got a mother (Ruby Dee) whose memory is slipping but is well-cared for at a lovely facility, where he visits her dutifully. He treats his assistant (Clark Duke) and

others in his circle like personal serfs, though he’s more neglectful than abusive about it. All in all, a thoughtless loudmouth, but certainly not a terrible man. When he tries to sign superstar self-help guru Sinja (Cliff Curtis) as a book client, he gets a few mild gibes about his lifestyle from the spiritual guide. Next thing you know, a bodhi tree from Sinja’s retreat transplants itself to Jack’s backyard, a leaf dropping for each word Jack utters or writes. Sinja guesstimates there are a thousand leaves left and that when the last one falls, Jack will croak. What? Umm, OK. It apparently made sense to Murphy and the filmmakers, including Robbins,

who previously directed him in “Norbit” and the flop “Meet Dave.” They strain to sow laughs out of this thin, pointless idea with dumb slapstick and pratfalls and a lot of wordless mugging by Murphy, who proves he can be just as insufferable when he’s not talking as when he is. Along the way, we get simple-minded moralizing about what’s important in life: family, humility, gen-

erosity, treating people with respect — all the stuff that Eddie Murphy stands for. Dee almost brings a few moments of grace to the movie, until you remember what movie she’s in, then you just feel sad she’s there at all. It’s equally sad to see Allison Janney wasting her presence as Jack’s boss. Jack’s a guy who’s not worth the universe’s extreme spiritual minis-

trations. His story’s not worth your time. And “A Thousand Words” is not worth any more dismissive words. It needs to make like a tree and leave. “A Thousand Words,” a DreamWorks film distributed by Paramount release, is rated PG-13 for sexual situations including dialogue, language and some drug related humor. Running time: 91 minutes. One and a half stars out of four.

Ratings Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions: G — General audiences. All ages admitted. PG — Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. PG-13 — Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children. R — Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. NC-17 — No one under 17 admitted.

• CASD Student Art Show will be at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center, March 26 through April 21. An opening reception will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 30. • Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters and Margaret Quintanar’s Pysanki Eggs will be on display from May 4 to June 2 at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center. Opening reception will be held May 4. • “Perry County Home” by Chris Lyter will be on display at the PCCA Gallery March 14-April 18. • Spring art classes are forming now at The Art Center School and Galleries in Mechanicsburg. For more information call 697-2072 or visit www.mechanicsburgartcenter.com. • The Council for the Arts of Chambersburg will present “Playing with Color” art class on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for home schooled students age 10 and older from March 13 to April 3 at the council’s Main Street site. For more information contact Laurie McKelvie at 477-2132 or lauriemckelvie@comcast.net. • The Perry County Council of the Arts will host “Drawing the Line” from March 16 through May 24 at Landis House, 67 N. Fourth St., Newport, www.perrrycountyarts.org. • Susan Courtney, Tom Svec, Jeffrey Tritt and Gordan Wenzel will display their art at the Art Association of Harrisburg, 21 N. Front St. through March 29.

10 N. Pitt St. Carlisle , 243-4151 alibispirits.com Thursday, March 15: Natty Boh specials Friday, March 16: Band night: “Not Guilty” at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 17: “St. Patty’s Day Celebration” open at noon, DJ at 10 p.m. Monday, March 19: Yuengs and Wings Tuesday, March 20: Team Trivia, 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 21: Open mic, 8 p.m.

NIGHTLIFE | D9

Find plenty of ideas for a traditionally festive St. Patrick’s Day this weekend and also some alternative, suds-free entertainment.

THEATRE | D6-8

Catch one of several shows opening this month: “Dial M For Murder” is guaranteed to thrill while “Extremities” will appeal to those not necessarily looking for lighthearted entertainment. Also, Allenberry inaugurates its black-box theater with a production of “Snoopy.”

Appalachian Brewing Company 50 N. Cameron St. Harrisburg, 221-1080 www.abcbrew.com Thursday, March 15: ZOSO - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, 8 p.m., $12 Friday, March 16: The Greatest Funeral Ever and Black Coffee, 9 p.m., no cover Saturday, March 17: Kegs and Eggs, 9-11 a.m./ Kilmaine Saints, $7. Sunday, March 18: The Oxymorons Improv Comedy Show, 7 p.m., $7 cover Monday, March 19: The Wood Brothers

BOOKS | D9

“A Story of Marriage” resonates with reviewer who recommends it as a ‘must read’ for those tying the knot.

MOVIES | D10-11

Gullifty’s Underground

See reviews of two blockbusters opening this month. Also, see what’s playing on the big screen at local movie theaters this weekend.

1104 Carlisle Road Camp Hill, 761-6692 www.gulliftys.net Friday, March 16: Tilt, 8 p.m. doors, 9:30 show, $7 Saturday, March 17: Alternative Education, 8 p.m. doors, 9 shows, $7

Holly Inn

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

Associated Press

• “Heaven” by Kate Stewart will be on display at the Gettysburg College Schmucker Art Gallery from March 28 through April 21. Artist’s talk will be at noon March 28 and the artist’s reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m., also on March 28.

Alibis Eatery & Spirits

Movies

Review: ‘Jeff’ a sweet, slight comic adventure Jason Segel plays the titular character, a 30year-old, potsmoking slacker who still lives in the basement of his childhood home. O

elusive man named Kevin who may hold the key to today’s true destination. The Duplasses create the sensation that we’re just following along wherever Jeff takes us, without judgment. Along the way, Jeff crosses paths with his older brother, Pat (Ed Helms), who’s his exact opposite in terms of values and temperament. He’s constantly trying too hard to impress both personally and professionally, and he’s desperately hoping to keep his marriage alive to the increasingly distant Linda (Judy Greer). All of these comic actors find different sorts of laughs — sadder, truer ones — by toning down some of their usual tendencies. They’re no less effective this way, but the shift does provide an unexpected tone. Still, for a frequently silly comedy, one of the funniest and most memorable elements is unabashedly romantic: Jeff and Pat’s mom, Sharon, has a secret admirer at work, and the way this enlivens her dreary, cubicle-dwelling doldrums is nothing short of magical. She seems willing to open herself to what the universe is trying to tell her, too, for the first time in a long time. In some ways this subplot could have been its own film. Still, Jeff’s mystical approach to life is inescapable, and everyone’s better for it — whether they’re paying attention to the signs or not. “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” a Paramount Vantage release, is rated R for for a reason if you’re willAnd so a simple errand wood glue at the hardware language including sexual ing to open your mind and for his widowed, enabling store turns into a weird and references and some drug pay attention to the daily mother (Susan Sarandon in winding adventure involv- use. Running time: 82 details that can determine a lovely, understated per- ing pick-up basketball, minutes. Three stars out your fate. formance) to pick up some amateur sleuthing and an of four.

31 S. Baltimore Ave. Mt. Holly Springs, 486-3823 www.hollyinn.com Friday, March 16: Blackhand, 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17: DJ Don, karoke and dancing, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday, March 18: Open mic with Roy Bennett and Friends, 6:30 p.m. CHRISTY LEMIRE AP Movie CritiC

Movies

In this film image released by Paramount Pictures, Eddie Murphy, left, and Cliff Curtis are shown in a scene from “A Thousand Words.”

Art

Mark Duplass has said that he and his brother, Jay, look to the veteran Belgian filmmaking brothers JeanPierre and Luc Dardenne for artistic inspiration, with their naturalistic, documentary-style approach to telling feature stories. That’s evident once again in “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” a sweet, slight tale told with simple intimacy and a deadpan tone to its absurd humor. Not much happens over a meAbove: In this film andering day in suburban Baton Rouge, La., but it image released by all builds to a climax that Paramount Vantage, makes the journey worthJason Segel plays Jeff while. And it reveals that in a scene from “Jeff, between this and the 2010 Who Lives at Home.” comedy “Cyrus,” the Du(AP Photo/Paramount plass brothers have figured out how to continue placVantage, Hilary Broning their signature, improwyn Gayle) visational, indie stamp as Right: Jason Segel and writers and directors, even Ed Helms in a scene as they keep making bigger studio films with well- from “Jeff, Who Lives at Home.” known actors. Jason Segel plays the titular character, a 30-yearAssociated Press old, pot-smoking slacker who still lives in the basement of his childhood home. (A side note: New Orleans natives Jay and Mark Duplass moved back and a dreamer. Inspired by into their parents’ house the M. Night Shyamalan with their own families movie “Signs,” he believes while shooting on loca- there are no coincidences, tion.) But Jeff is a thinker that everything happens

Market Cross Pub & Brewery

113 N. Hanover St. Carlisle, 258-1234 www.marketcrosspub.com Thursday, March 15: Thirsty Thursdays with Wade Yankey Celtic Duo, 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 16: Across the Pond, 10 p.m. Saturday, March 17: Kegs and eggs at 11 a.m.

AALIVE

EntErtainmEnt in thE hEart of thE midstatE

www.cumberlink.com

The Sentinel www.cumberlink.com

Section D March 15, 2012

INSIDE••• Local theatres offer variety of ‘can’t miss’ shows this month ••• D6-8

Texas Tenors Trio to hit Luhrs Center stage next week ••• D5

On the cover: The Texas Tenors will be performing at the Luhrs Center in Shippensburg next week.

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

In the opening sequence of “A Thousand Words,” Eddie Murphy starts with his back to the camera then turns abruptly to reveal a strip of duct tape over his mouth. A very good idea, if the once hip fast-talker of “Beverly Hills Cop” is going to continue using hollow, stumbling comedies such as this as his mouthpiece to the world. The notion of taking away motor-mouth Murphy’s ability to spew words sounds like a bizarre filmmaking choice until you encounter the obnoxious clown he plays here, boorish literary agent and inattentive family man Jack McCall. He’s so annoying you’ll be aching for the moment the action comes around to that opening image when the duct tape gets slapped over Jack’s mouth. That would be so he’ll hold his tongue after a bodhi tree magically appears in his backyard and begins losing leaves each time he utters a word, and he learns through a guru’s mystical guesswork that when the last leaf falls, he’ll die. Oh, yeah. About that plot. What left field did this senseless story from screenwriter Steve Koren (“Jack and Jill”) come out of? And why didn’t Murphy, director Brian Robbins and a team of producers including Nicolas Cage weed it out before it took root in theaters that would be better used showing retrospectives of Murphy’s “Nutty Professor” flicks or even his dreadful “Norbit.” “A Thousand Words,” which was made in 2008 yet sat on the shelf until

D12 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

Movies

The Scene

Out & About

D10 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

Review: Murphy’s ‘Thousand Words’ should shut up

A guide to area events

D3 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

Movies

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

Out & About

Top Songs 1. “We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monae),” Fun. 2. “Glad You Came,” The Wanted 3. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” Kelly Clarkson 4. “Starships,” Nicki Minaj 5. “Wild Ones (feat. Sia),” Flo Rida 6. “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye 7. “Part of Me,” Katy Perry 8. “Call Me Maybe,” Carly Rae Jepsen 9. “Set Fire to the Rain,” ADELE 10. “Drive By,” Train Top Albums 1. “Wrecking Ball,” Bruce Springsteen 2. “21,” ADELE 3.”Spring Break 4.... Suntan City,” Luke Bryan 4. “Project X (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack),” Various Artists 5. “Some Nights,” Fun. 6. “Making Mirrors,” Gotye 7. “Break It Yourself,” Andrew Bird 8. “Careless World - Rise of the Last King,” Tyga 9. “Up All Night,” One Direction 10. “Footloose (Music from the Motion Picture),” Various Artists

Top Paid iPad Apps: 1. iPhoto (Apple) 2. Draw Something by OMGPOP (OMGPOP) 3. Where’s My Water? (Disney) 4. Fancy Pants (Chillingo Ltd) 5. Coco Loco (Chillingo Ltd) 6. Zuma’s Revenge! HD (PopCap) 7. The Lorax — Dr. Seuss (Oceanhouse Media) 8. Pages (Apple) 9. GarageBand (Apple) 10. Angry Birds Seasons HD (Rovio Mobile Ltd.) Top Free iPad Apps 1. Draw Something Free (OMGPOP) 2. Plumber Crack (Fluik) 3. Temple Run (Imangi Studios, LLC) 4. iBooks (Apple) 5. Skype for iPad (Skype Software S.a.r.l) 6. Fancy Pants Lite (Chillingo Ltd) 7. Lowe’s Creative Ideas Magazine (Lowe’s Companies, Inc.) 8. Hidden Objects: Gardens of Time (Disney) 9. NCAA March Madness Live (NCAA Digital) 10. Angry Birds HD Free (Rovio Mobile Ltd.)

By Lisa Clarke

Sentinel Correspondent

Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will perform with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra this weekend.

St. Patrick’s Day may have started out as a religious celebration, but these days popular culture has broadened the event into a celebration of all things Irish. This year, warm weather, longer daylight hours, and a Saturday night date conspire to bring back that Celtic feeling in a grand way.

Submitted photo

Irish pubs The Harrisburg area may be thousands of miles away from the Emerald Isle, but there is no shortage of Irish pubs in the area. If you want to experience the St. Pat authenticstyle on the West Shore, try Coakley’s on Bridge Street in New Cumberland where the party has been going on all week long with special Irish fare as well as live Irish dancing. In downtown Harrisburg, McGrath’s, Molly Brannigan’s, and Ceolta’s start the day early and end late as Restaurant Row’s holiday headquarters. Just outside of town, T. Brendan O’Reilly’s, located in the Best Western at 800 East Park Drive in Harrisburg, offers special Irish menus, including a buffet on Saturday starting at 4 p.m. On Saturday night, the Tap Room features area favorites The Luv Gods providing musical entertainment. The area’s major music venues also get in the spirit of the season on Saturday. The Appalachian Brew-

ing Company’s Abbey Bar features Celtic rockers the Kilmaine Saints starting at 9 p.m., while the Harrisburg M idtown Arts Center’s Stage on Herr checks in with bluegrass band Colebrook Road and Friends presenting their “St. Paddy’s Day Special.” Tickets for the Kilmaine Saints are $7 in advance or $10 at the door at ABC, 50 N. Cameron St.,in Harrisburg. Doors open at 7:30 p.m, information is available at www.greenbeltevents.com. The Stage on Herr event opens at 7 p.m. at its 268 Herr St. location. For more information visit www.stageonherr.net.

Concert Looking for a suds-free way to celebrate? The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra has just the ticket as it joins forces with vocalist Ronan Tynan for “Irresistibly Irish.” The program is part of the Capital Blue

Cross-sponsored Pops series, and features Tynan, a founding member of the world famous “Irish Tenors” performing his signature blend of powerful music and Irish humor. Bo r n i n Jo h n s tow n , County Kilkenny in Ireland, Tynan is an awardwinning performer who has performed for dignitaries including U.S presidents and the Pope, as well as at several American sports venues. While he is best known for his voice in Europe, American audiences also know him as an in-demand motivational speaker. Dancers from the McGinley School of Irish Dance, the largest Irish dance school in Central Pennsylvania, will also perform. The school trains children from age 3 through adulthood and are sanctioned by Cumann Rince Naisiunta in Dublin, Ireland. They have partici-

pated in Feiseanna (Irish Dancing competitions) at the local, national and world level. For the pre-gamers, a V.I.P. Backstage Party is planned in the Forum’s Green Room, including a meet-and-greet with Maestro Stuart Malina and Lena McGinley-Crosier. The shows take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 17 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 18 at the Forum, located at 5th and Walnut streets in Harrisburg. Tickets are $10 to $58 for the performance. V.I.P. Backstage Party tickets are $15. For more information and tickets, visit www.harrisburgsymphony.org.

By Lauren McLane Sentinel Reporter lmclane@cumberlink.com

“I learned fairly early in my marriage that I did not have to confide everything on my mind to my husband; this would be putting on him burdens which I was supposed to carry myself.” So writes Madeleine L’Engle on page 73 of her autobiographical work, “Two-Part Invention: The Story of A Marriage.” The fourth and final part of a series called “The Crosswicks Journals,” the book is L’Engle’s reflections on her marriage to actor Hugh Franklin, her husband of 40 years, during the summer when he has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. The narrative opens with L’Engle reflecting on her and her husband’s vastly different upbringings in the post-Great War, pre-Depression Era worlds of socialite New York (her) and middle America Tulsa (him). Throughout the 232-page book, L’Engle weaves reflections on her life, name-dropping Broadway stars with whom Hugh acted or with whom they dined with humorous anecdotes about buying a decadesold house in need of massive re-

pairs that two actors were neither physically nor financially capable of managing.

Love story The book is the most articulate, well-written, poignant love story I have ever read. Over the years, I have bought more than a dozen copies of the book to give to friends as a wedding present. Married in 1946, L’Engle and Franklin were born and raised in an era that did not condone pre-marital co-habitation or sexual relations, and certainly didn’t condone

discussing them in public. “I go to my lonely bed, thinking of Hugh alone in his hospital room, grateful for the nurses who are so good to him. During the night I reach out with my foot through force of habit to touch his sleeping body. And he is not there. Nevertheless, we have been making love during this time in a profound way. He is making love with me in the pressure of his fingers. I am making love when I do simple little bodily services for him. How many times he has taken care of me! And that is intercourse as much as the more usual ways of expressing our sexuality,” L’Engle writes on page 184. It is for this passage that I so frequently buy this book and give it to my friends who are getting married. In their passion, I want to remind them that the fiery passions will fade, and there will come a time when making love is holding ice chips to your beloved’s lips rather than kissing them.

Raised an Episcopalian, she was, for a time, the librarian and writerin-residence at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. She writes throughout the book about the devotions she is reading, the strength she finds in Scriptures, the questions she lobs at God, the solace she takes in prayer and communion in a fellowship of believers. L’Engle’s seminal work, the Time series — “A Wrinkle In Time,” “A Wind in the Door,” “A Swiftly Tilting Planet,” “Many Waters,” and “An Acceptable Time” — were banned by bookstores for being both too Christian and not Christian enough. L’Engle, during her life, gave interviews on the subject, at one point saying, “Religion and science? One and the same. I don’t have any trouble with it. A lot of people do. They have to put one here and one there, and I think they’re much more like that, each one informing the other. Religion is less accepting than science. Science knows things move and change, and Faith religion doesn’t want that. So I am In the book, L’Engle takes us on more comfortable with science. At a journey with her — a journey of the same time, I am not throwing faith, of hope, of love, of death, God out the window.” of sadness, of grief, of mourning. Hope Written deep in every line of the book is L’Engle’s Christian faith. In “Two-Part Invention,” L’Engle

shows deeply and truly the source, the depth, the breadth, the fullness of her faith. “I look at my husband’s beloved body and I am very aware of the mystery of the Word made flesh, his flesh, the flesh of all of us, made potential when that first great Word was spoken that opened the tiny speck from which came all the galaxies, all the solar systems, all of us,” she writes on page 193. Throughout her narrative, L’Engle keeps alive her hope — and her readers’ hopes — that Hugh will rally and live, that he will survive the cancer and surgeries and infections and complications of his disease. He does not.

Love Per a conversation they had often, L’Engle has instructed the doctors not to take heroic actions, not to prolong death. She demands to be with him when he dies. She is. She writes, eloquently and movingly and tear-jerkingly of the culmination of their long-ago promised wedding vows: “wedded husband and wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”

Music Notes Decorate your home FREE! Our Hostess Benefits Program is the richest in the industry! Contact me for details.

Nancy Goss 717-319-2145 Bundest@aol.com www.athome.com/Nancygoss

Programs offered locally to start music education early Early childhood music education helps children achieve basic competence When most of us think about music education, we think about music in our K-12 schools and teaching older students how to play musical instruments or sing. What about early childhood music education? If you’re looking to create a supportive musical environment for your child in the home, there is a local program that can help you do just that.

Music Together is a internationally recognized program for babies through kindergarten age that is research based and developmentally appropriate. There are two local teachers, Carol

Henry and Janet Spahr who are both firmly committed to this program and its benefits for young children and their caregivers. I recently attended one of Carol Henry’s classes in Boiling Springs. The parents and caregivers stay involved with their children the entire class. There is never any pressure to make the children do something they don’t want to do. As Carol told me, the twofold purpose of the curriculum for children who go through the

program is to help them develop their rhythmic skills and be able to sing on pitch. Research has shown that the preschool years are the years to most easily learn these skills. As part of the class, parents are given a songbook with suggestions for their children to do at home and CDs. The goal is to make this music making a daily part of the child’s life. Carol Henry teaches in Boiling Springs, Shippensburg and Hershey, and you can contact her for more information at 243-7301. Janet Spahr teaches in Carlisle

and her number is 258-4934. A new semester of classes is starting soon. In case you missed the Carlisle performance by the Center Stage Opera last weekend, there will be two more performances of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci on Friday and Saturday evenings at Camp Hill United Methodist Church (417 S. 22nd St, Camp Hill). Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Please visit www.csopera. org for more information.

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

Top Paid iPhone Apps 1. Draw Something by OMGPOP (OMGPOP) 2. iPhoto (Apple) 3. Fancy Pants (Chillingo Ltd) 4. Where’s My Water? (Disney) 5. Angry Birds (Clickgamer. com) 6. Fruit Ninja (Halfbrick Studios) 7. WhatsApp Messenger (WhatsApp Inc.) 8. Zuma’s Revenge! (PopCap) 9. Camera+ (tap tap tap) 10. Bejeweled (PopCap)

Top Free iPhone Apps: 1. Draw Something Free (OMGPOP) 2. Jenga (NaturalMotion) 3. Plumber Crack (Fluik) 4. Facebook (Facebook, Inc.) 5. Camera Awesome (SmugMug) 6. Pocket Whip (App City) 7. Temple Run (Imangi Studios, LLC) 8. Hidden Objects: Gardens of Time (Disney) 9. Flashlight ? (iHandy Inc.) 10. USA TODAY for iPhone (USA TODAY)

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day right this year

Book captures picture of a marriage, after the passion

Books & Music

D4 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

Compiled by The Associated Press

Book Review

D9 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

iTunes Top 10

Nightlife

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

Theatre

Nature of rape, justice, explored in drama at LTM

Texas Tenors bring big sound - and hats - to Luhrs Center From staff reports

By Barbara Trainin Blank Sentinel correspondent frontdoor@cumberlink.com

Michael Bupp/The Sentinel

David Blenderman, left, and Carolyn Dorff, rehearse a scene from “Extremities” at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg. mone had with a woman who had been raped. Her attacker had been caught and tied, but she was psychologically terrified and finally left town. Before she did she shared with the playwright that there was one moment when the man had stopped in an attempt to get a cigarette, when she might have kicked him. But

she found herself unable to move — perhaps because it was so engrained that hurting someone was wrong. Her missed opportunity translates in the play to Marjorie’s rough handling of Raul, the would-be rapist. “She is a survivor, who does what she has to do,” says Carolyn Dorff, in the part.

Raul, played by David Blenderman, ends up being both perpetrator and victim. “The playwright presents him as a real person,” says the actor, who had done scenes from “Extremities” in college. “It’s intimated that he was abused as a child, but he has a sense of humor and can be charm-

back following the April 1 matinee performance. Both the director and lead actors agree this isn’t an easy show. “It’s so intense that people will almost think there was a rape,” says Blenderman. “It’s edge-ofyour-seat theater.” The intensity is physical as well. Thanks to fight choreographer Al Varano, says Janetta, the action is kept safe for the actors. It also helps to have trust in one’s director, says Dorff. Jim Speedy is the stage manager, and Marjorie Bicknell is the producer. Mike Delaney designed the lights.

In Focus Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg, 915 S. York St., presents “Extremities” from March 23 to April 8. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2:30 on Sundays. Audience members are requested to come a half-hour before curtain time. Tickets are $14, except for opening night, when there is a post-show reception and they are $16. For information and reservations, call 766-0535; www.ltmonline. net.

be our friend.

Cumberlink’s on Facebook

frontdoor@cumberlink.com

You’ve heard of the Irish tenors, with their largerthan-life voices. And everyone knows that Texas is famed for having big hats and hair. If you combine those two things, you get the Texas Tenors. Founded in 2009 by close friends Marcus Collins, J.C. Fisher and John Hagen, the group debuted on the reality TV show “America’s Got Talent.” Last year, fresh off their performance on the hit show, they were recommended to Leslie Folmer Clinton, the associate vice president for external affairs and director of the Luhrs Center at Shippensburg University. “When I made my annual trip a year ago,” to a conference for directors of performing arts centers, “they were a hot group that was being marketed to perform in performing arts centers,” Folmer said. “They were coming off ‘America’s Got Talent,’ they were wellknown, and I thought the audience in our area would enjoy and appreciate them. “We’ve had tenor groups before, but their appearance, being from Texas, is different than traditional tenor groups, like the Irish tenors. They can sing everything from classical-type music to country. It really runs the gamut. They don’t set up like a typical tenor group would, and that helps make them unqiue. A group like this, with their voices, would sound phenomenal in our acoustical facilities. “I’m just looking forward to having them here. Here’s an opporunity to hear three men — if you like country or classical or gospel or Broadway, you get it all in one show,” she added.

The Texas Tenors will perform on March 23 in Shippensburg. Tickets The show will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, March 23, in the Luhrs Center. Reserved tickets are $44, $39, $35 and $28 and are now on sale. A group discount is available for groups of 20 or more. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Luhrs Center Box Office at 477-SHOW (7469) or online at luhrscenter.com.

Bios The tenors are J.C. Fisher, John Hagen and Marcus Collins. Fisher has a bachelor’s degree in music and performed in various roles in college, including Rodolfo in “La Boheme,” Tamino in “The Magic Flute,” Ernesto in “Don Pasquale,” and Henrick in “A Little Night Music.” After college, he traveled to Lucca, Italy, where he sang in the Puccini festival under the direction of acclaimed Italian maestro Lorenzo Malfatti. Born and raised on a cattle ranch in Texas, he and his wife now live with their two sons in Kansas.

Hagen made his Lincoln Center debut in New York City in Teatro Grattacielo’s mounting of Mascagni’s “Gulglielmo Ratcliff.” He created three tenor roles in the world premiere of “The Lost Dauphane” for Pamiro Opera airing on PBS. He has performed a vast array of operatic roles ranging from Alfredo in “La Traviata” to the title role in “Otello” for Cleveland Opera on tour. He has taught voice at Wartburg College and at his alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa. He divides his time in Texas performing, spending time with family, and running a small art gallery in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Collins was born in a small town and began to sing at the age of four. He first learned how to sing by emulating his favorite radio artists like Garth Brooks and George Michael before training classically in college. He has performed in New York City with the cast of “Hairspray,” Off-Broadway’s “Altar Boyz,” “Joseph and the Amazing Tech-

nicolor Dreamcoat,” and as Jinx in “Forever Plaid.” Beyond music, he has worked extensively as an actor with appearances in over 100 episodes of network television, 25 films, and numerous commercials. His work includes “P.S. I Love You,” “Across The Universe,” “30 Rock,” “Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles,” “Sex and the City,” and recurring roles on “One Life To Live” and “As The World Turns.” Through their efforts with charities like “Homes For Our Troops” and “The Mission Project,” the Texas Tenors are bringing their message of “followSubmitted photo ing your dreams and hope for a brighter future” with them wherever they go.

Their debut album, “Country Roots-Classical Sound,” soared to No. 1 on both the classical and country charts in 2010. The Texas Tenors hope to continue this tradition with the 2012 release of their sophomore album, “You Should Dream,” devoted to the classical treatment of beloved country, Broadway and standard favorites. For more information about The Texas Tenors visit www.thetexastenors.com. For additional information about this performance or other performances within the 2011-2012 Luhrs Center series, call the Luhrs Center Box Office at 477-SHOW (7469) or visit the Luhrs Center website at luhrscenter.com.

Miller’s

Furniture & Carpet Outlet $

599

in MOCha

Reclining Sofa

Loveseat & Recliner at Similar Savings in Mocha.

Free Pad with any CarPet PurChase

220 N. York St., Mechanicsburg • 717.766.3369 Mon-Tues. 10-6 • Wed-Sat 10-5 • Thurs-Fri 10-8 • Sun 1-4

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

William Mastrosimone isn’t known for light topics. His plays include “Cat’s Paw,” about a terrorist motivated by water pollution, and “Bang, Bang You’re Dead,” about school violence. “Extremities,” next on stage at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg, concerns a young woman attacked in her home by a would-be rapist. After she manages to tie him up, her two roommates return — expressing different views about rape in society and what should be done with him. Heather Janetta saw the four-person play years ago, and ever since had wanted to direct it at LTM. Past boards had hesitated because of the language and content. “If people don’t know a show, they tend not to come,” Janetta agrees. “But I like to make people think. I think art should make people have a conscience. Nothing has changed since 1980. There are women in the military who are raped, and it’s swept under the rug.” One thing that has changed is that the legal definition of rape has been expanded. Another is that more and more, experts emphasize that rape is an act of violence and power — not sex. “Extremities” opened off-Broadwy in 1982, starring Susan Sarandon. Farrah Fawcett later took over the role, and a film version followed. The play was inspired by an encounter Mastrosi-

ing. He’s someone who might have been OK.” But he is also “twisted” — shut off from human feeling, a sociopath, the actor adds. Still, by the end, Marjorie breaks him down. “He is not beyond redemption,” Blenderman says. Marjorie is not only angry at what Raul has tried to do to her but practical: because no rape has actually occurred and she has no bruises, she would probably never be able to prove anything against him. In at least one of the roommates — they are played by Susan Wray Danowitz and Miranda Baldys — the playwright offers prototypes of women unsympathetic to other women. Defense attorneys of accused rapists prefer women on the jury, Janetta points out, because men tend to feel protective of rape victims — seeing in them their own mothers, sisters, wives or daughters. Female jurors, though, tend to distance themselves by seeing the rape as the victims’ fault, for walking alone or night or being provocative. “Her roommates tell her that she’s always dressing and posing for men,” says Dorff. “It bothers them that their boyfriends are more attracted to her.” Often women are their own worst enemies, she adds. To enhance the educational aspect of the play, representatives of the Harrisburg and Carlisle YWCAs will provide printed materials on the subject of rape and violence toward women and will be present at performances. They will also participate in a special talk

Out & About

D8 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

Local Scene

D5 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

Theatre

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

Theatre

Man may kill rich wife in mystery

Allenberry inaugurates black-box theater with ‘Snoopy’

By Barbara Trainin Blank Sentinel correspondent frontdoor@cumberlink.com

acter — Max — is self-delusional. He thinks he can just call Margot up one day and pick up where they left off, a year after what was probably an emotional affair, or to become a “part of her family,” Kukuk says. “Dial M for Murder” was written by English playwright Frederick Knott, also responsible for “Wait Until Dark.” It remains one of the most popular thrillers penned for the stage, having premiered in both London and New York in 1952. Two years later, Alfred Hitchcock made a filmed version, starring Ray Mil-

land and Grace Kelly. Knott wrote the screenplay for the movie, which doesn’t deviate much from the stage show. Martin, who has performed in and directed in dozens of shows over the years, says he is taking a “different,” if not entirely new, approach to this one. He has decided on an alleytheater layout —in which audience members are placed in two sections, facing each other. One end of the performing space represents the front door; the other, the French door. Both figure

ability to act is one reason the elegant Margot, whose “main goal is to be loved and wanted,” married him, says Tennis. “The way things look is more important than what really is. They look good together.” Tony is cold but exciting, and ultimately that’s not enough. So Margot pursues the love of a second man. It is one of the complexities of the play that the “purest” character is nonetheless one involved with a married woman. “I’m trying to find Max’s emotional core and stay true to it,” says Kuuk. Tennis bridles somewhat against her character’s passivity. “Margot is not a contemporary woman,” she says. “She asks permission a lot. She comes from money, and is insulated.” Still, Tennis admits, Margot shows an instinct for self-preservation. “She’s a survivor.” Delighted as he is to be doing theater in general and his first murder mystery, Vlach finds one thing

troubling, sort of: “I’m trying not to enjoy being so bad,” he laughs. “I’m liking it too much.” Rounding out the cast are Chris Fisher; Brandon Rubinic; and Kerry Mowery. Fischer is also stage m a n a ge r, wh i l e D i e dra Adamiak is production manager. Paul Foltz is costume designer, and July Stuller is in charge of props.

In Focus “Dial M for Murder” is presented March 23-April 1, with performances on March 23, 24, 30 and 31 at 8 p.m.; on March 28 and 29, at 7:30 p.m.; and March 25 and April 1 at 2. They take place at the Krevsky Production Center of Theatre Harrisburg, 513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg. Tickets are $25 each, except for the March 28 performance, when they are $15. For reservations and information, call 232-5501, or visit www.theatreharrisburg.com.

Spring Open HOuSe Fri. & Sat., March 23rd & 24th 10am-4pm

Saturday, March 24th

Create-Your-Own Bunny

Create your own personally designed gourd bunny anytime during our store hours. 4 sizes to choose from! No reservations needed.

25% Off Sale in Retail Store *Sale excludes raw gourds, Local Artists, food and crafting supplies.

Create-Your-Own Cat Class

10:30am-12:30pm & 1:30pm-3:30 pm

This class will give you the opportunity to make a special cat gourd. To register, please call 776-6029 x102 or email bethm@mbgourds.com.

Visit our Website: www.mbgourds.com for our Spring Open House Events 125 Potato Road - CaRlisle, Pa - 717-776-6029

just read them off the paper and not think about it.” For Coplen, there is one additional challenge. Although her love of theater makes all the hard work worthwhile, it’s tough to balance her time and energy between “Charlie Brown” and her high-school musical at Carlisle — ”Bye, Bye Birdie.” In that show she plays the spitfire Rosie. Eventually, Berlanga hopes, APTC will morph into a year-round conservatory for students to take classes in acting, dance and voice all in the same place — as “one-stop shop.” That’s the kind of school he had attended. And yes, he also played Snoopy.

By Barbara Trainin Blank Sentinel correspondent frontdoor@cumberlink.com

When the proverbial curtain opens on the Allenberry Playhouse’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” the production won’t, strictly speaking, be taking place at the playhouse. Rather, it will be at the Player’s Studio, once used for rehearsals only but now converted to a black-box theater. “For many years, other artistic directors before me wanted to set up a blackbox studio there, but it didn’t happen,” says Roque Berlanga, current artistic director. “My first year here, I painted the room black, but doing more was too ambitious then. Now we have the theater.” The studio will be used for small shows, such as Sam Shepard’s “True West” or Marsha Noman’s “’Night, Mother” —”edgier” than the ones usually done on the main stage. But “if a show takes off in the studio, perhaps the following year it could be moved to the main stage,” Berlanga says. “Charlie Brown” is a 1967 musical comedy with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner and a book by John Gordon based on the “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. Opening offBroadway, it then moved to Broadway in 1971, and was revived there in 1999. The musical will be performed by the Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory. If the black-box theater is a dream come true, so is APTC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth and de-

In Focus Photos submitted by Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory

Mariana King, left, who plays Snoopy, rehearses with Gwen Mahan, choreographer. velopment of young artists. Programming includes the Winter Session, a Children’s Show, and two Summer Sessions. Aimed for youngsters 817, APTC is now celebrating its fifth year at the Boiling Springs resort. “We started with 40 students and have now reached 300 alumni,” says Berlanga. “We started with one five-day camp session, and now are doing five weeks of camp. ‘Charlie Brown’ is our 17th production.” It is also the Winter Project slot for 2012. Anyone who enrolls in APTC is automatically guaranteed a part in the production. Mariana King, the 13year-old homeschooled

student playing Snoopy, has appeared in professional shows, including on Allenberry’s main stage, since the age of 9. Along the way she has learned a lot by doing. But, says King, till now she hasn’t had the opportunity to “be in a good [formal] learning environment — and that is exactly what APTC is. I have been so happy learning new ideas and techniques from the staff. I am someone who loves to learn new things to improve my craft.” The Lucy of the production, Michaela Coplen, wanted to gain more theater experience and education by performing in “Charlie Brown.” But, Coplen adds, she also wanted to do the

show because “APTC is a program that I believe in. It inspired me to continue my development as an artist and pursue a future career in theater.” One thing K ing has learned is that the part you get may not be the one you thought you wanted, but you can end up loving it nonetheless. “Snoopy has an interesting opinion on everything in life, and the fact that he is a dog makes everything even more interesting,” she says. “He also has many personalities (as any dog does), which I love about him.” Portraying Snoopy also brings a unique perspective. “I can play a human anytime I want,” King adds.

“But how often will I get to play a dog? For my future career, I would like to play the comical/fun/different/interesting characters in shows. They tend to fit me best.” Coplen, in contrast, went into auditions wanting the role of Lucy. “Her combination of vivacity and tactlessness has always been hilarious to me,” she says. “I remember my older sister at Lucy’s age possessing some of the same bossy ‘know-it-all’ traits, so I’m definitely channeling her in this role.” Human or animal, King says, the most challenging thing in theater is to say the lines as if you are the character — cause it’s “easy to

Black-box performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” are at 7:30 p.m. on March 22, 25 and 29 and April 1 and at 1 p.m. on March 24 and 31. There is also a main stage performance on Easter Sunday, April 8, at 6 p.m. All performances are at Allenberry, 1559 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs. Tickets are $12 for all Black Box tickets. For the Easter show, which includes a buffet, tickets are $39.95 for adults and $19.95 for children. Call the Box Office, 258-3211, or visit: www. allenberry.com.

food. movies. entertainment. sports. parenting.

Get all of your entertainment news online at www.cumberlink.com

Ashley Vlach and Kali Tennis have something in common besides being cast in Theatre Harrisburg’s “Dial M for Murder” as the ill-matched married couple, Tony and Margot Windice. Both are new in town. Vlach came here for a 13-week stint as a nurse at Hershey Medical Center. Tennis arrived recently with her husband, who is working in the governor’s office. One of the first things both of them did was to look up community-theater auditions. “I was excited to see I would be here for the entire run of the show,” says Vlach, who is from Oxford, Miss. Lamar Kukuk isn’t new in town, but he is performing at Theatre Harrisburg for the first time. “I like mysteries,” he says, having just completed another one — Oyster Mill Playhouse’s “Angel Street,” though in a non-speaking role. Here, as Max, the American writer in love with Margot, he has a lot more to say. “I love the mental process of people hiding things. It’s fun to play.” “Hiding things” is endemic to the play, in which “every character is living a lie,” says Nels Martin, the technical director of Theatre Harrisburg making his directorial debut. “The challenge as director is to take melodramatic material and make it completely real and honest.” Even the “purest” char-

prominently in the action. “Alley is often done in plays with two completely opposing points of view,” Martin says. “I’ve done it with ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘West Side Story.’ But it’s not common for the American public.” Although the original play is set in the 1950s, the Theatre Harrisburg production takes it into the present day. That required a few changes in dialogue. What hasn’t changed is the suspense. Even though we know from the outset who the villain is (actually, villain and accomplice), we don’t know if he will succeed, and if he’ll be caught. Playing Tony, the charming, former tennis star who isn’t above murder or blackmail, means being an actor playing an actor, according to Vlach. “Tony acts all the way through,” he says. “Rarely does the reality come out, other than the fact that he Submitted photo by Jadrian Klinger wants to kill his wife—for her money.” From left to right: Ashley Vlach, Kerry Mowery, Kali It’s probable, too, that Tennis rehearse a scene from “Dial M For Murder.” he never loved her. Tony’s

Theatre

D6 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012

Theatre

D7 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. Thursday, March 15, 2012