- PAGE 12, WIfLTBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1989 E NTE ERAINMENT e ENTERTAINMENT *ENTERTAINMENT Shoestring Performers to present " The ShadowBo The cast of Durhiam Shoestring Performners' upcoming play 'The Shadow Boxe spent a recent weekend at a workshop with a professional play polisher. Richard Howard, an acter, director andi adjudicator wio lias worked at Stratford, on Broadway, in England and at the National Theatre of Western Australia, was invited te Oshawa by director Jeannine H. Butler, te hell th comanydevelop this 'The Sliadow Box,' by Mfichael Cristofer, is the stor of tliree terminaily iîl patients and the people who love thein. In the cast are Shiaron Walmsley as the blind and handicappeci Felicity, Ken Bond who plays Bilan the philosophià cal homoeexual, and AI Kingdon as Joe the factery-working, would-be farier. These patients live in tliree cottages on the grounds of a large hospital in California. Each of thein is accompanied or visited by .'oved ones: Felicity is catered te by lier daughter Agnes (Pat Rosnak), Bian lives with lis lover Mark (Robert Lane), and Joe awaits the arrivai of lis wife Maggie (Susan Lowery) and their 13-rear-old son Steve (Joali Gaipin). A surprise visit by Beverly (Nina Herman), Brian's former wife, and Jefi' Kellar as the HBospital's Interviewer round out the cast. 'The Shadow Box9' will -be presented at the arts resource centre in Osliawa's city hall complex on Friday and Saturda3 evenidngs at 8:00 on March 3, 4, 10 andi 11. Tickets are $4 (in advance), available at Information Oshiawa in city hall, and a new ticket outlet at Merle Norman Cosmetics in the Oshawa Centre. Any remaining tickets are $5 on performance dates. The company cautions patrons that some people could be offended by the language in this play or upset by the content. It is not considered suitable for young people. WHITBY artist Jay McCarten will hold an exhibition at Toronto's Gallery Hittite starting Feb. 24. McCar- ten's work wilI also be on exhibit this summer at thrý Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa. %rince Ohprcio-Frc Press photo Whitby arlist has exhibition in Toronto By TarnaR Downe" Witby artist Jay MCarten wilshow lis Most yreCen ollC- tion of modern/ abstract paint- ings at the Gallery Hittite in An artist for 12 years, McCar- enstudied at,.Durliam College and the Ontario College of Art. He has previously had three solo exhibitions and six group exhibitions at galleries including the Studio and The Evelyn Aimis Gallery. "It's basically ail geometry that y ou just can' deny,» lie says of his work, painted with acrylics. Rather than draw what lielias in mmd before applying color, McCarten does a thumbnail sketch." The works in lis latest collec- tion show shadows and images. T1he colors are "soft and sensuous but blenci nicely for contrast with the black and white," lie says. McCarten is also a part-turne lanciscape artist and lias dabbled in sculpture.. He describes himself as a "city- boy" who enjoys the peace and uiet of is rural area home in Witby McC rten likes "abstract expressionists" and pieces "that are really powerful." His exhibition of 15 painting at the Gallery Hittite begins Feb 24 and runs until Mardi 15. His works range in price froin $1,000 to $2,000. McCarten will also be liaving a solo exhibition at the ]Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa this summer. For more information caîl 962- 7057. Paris Black coming to Henry PAT ROSNAK (left) and Sharon Walmsley rehearse in preparation for the Durham Shoestring Performers' oncoming play 'The Shadow Box' to be presented March 3, 4, 10 and 11, 8 p.m., at the arts resource centre at city hall, Oshawa. Tickets are available at Merle Norman Cosmetics (Oshawa Centre), at Infor- mation Oshawa or at the door. vlnoe ohprocio- Froc Press photo Review Not -up to par By Debbie Luchuk "Noises Off," currently being presented by the Whitby Court- house Theatre, does not offer t he quahity performance one has corne to expect from the group. The farce,, a play-with in-a-play about rnembers of an inept drama group and their botched relationships off _stage, offered adequate opportunity for a delightful, light-hearted comedy - if provided with timing, touch and enthiusiasm. But on this night (Friday, Feb. 17) the presentation was lacking. Did the PI ay prove to be too arnbitious a production for the Courthouse players? That seems unlikely wh en one con- siders the previous accomplishments, some substantial, of Whitby's fine theatre group. The set changes took far too long, approxirnately an hour in total between two difficuit changes of elaborate flat changes and props. The audience could be heard complaining a bout the delay an d perhaps the changes could have been handled in a different, less cumbersome, fashion. In general, the actin g seemed fiat and off-target, which rendered few chuckles an d more yawns from the audience. However, notable performances were given by Carol Miller as Dotty Ottley who is playing Mrs. Clackett and by Ted Mcflwain as ZS on Mowbray, wvho is the burglar in the play. By Lorna MRer Who is Paris Black and wliat is lie doing in tewn? Paris Black is a young man witli a dream, a dream te become Canada's next star in the rock heaven firmament. He's in tewn te ttelbis fans at Henry Street Higli Scliool just liow liard it is to become a legend in one's own time. Black lias been ."paying bis dues" for the last eiglit years. To keep himself in the public e ye lie lias done Elvis and David Bowie impessonsfor voiceovers, played the clubslie Marilyn's as well as higli schools andi party gigs. He even performeci in store windows, doing impressions. Through it all Black neyer lost siglit of his goal or wavered in bis determination te succeeci. And lis dreamn is starting to corne true, with a little lielpfrom some influential friencis like Bob Parr. Parr is a film industry executive witli lis own company, Tifany Ryan Productions. He saw Black's potential and hired him. Pan' arranged a meeting of the mincis between Black and songwriter/producer Steve Sexton, founder of the group Red River. Black and' Sexton have collaborated on more than 300 songs, nine of whicli appear on the "Sulent Seduction" album. Parr went even further, lie founded Karrera Records te provide a venue for Black's talent. The biggest block to record producing is flnancing. It takes about $300,000 te produce an album and the accompanying video. I have te convince investors that byý investing in me they will get a gooci return on tlieir money," says the 22-year old si nger/songwriter as lie teok a few moments te, relax at Prisin Productions in Oshawa. So far lis track record lias been very good. He lias liad three singles on the charts. "Buried Alive," Better Get Ready" and bis newest "Lover" from the "Bilent Seduction" album. Black recently completeci a two-week promotional stint on Video Hits. This includeci a contest tliat would fiy two winners te the Carribean to, particpate in tlie "Lover" video that was filmed on location there. There were more than 4,000 entrants. What about tlie perks of rock stardom? I haven't experienced mucli of the glitz and glitter that goes witli the stardoni.FIn to busy. When I'm not recording or niaking a video, im writing or on tour," says Black witli a resigned "rýI don't have mucli time te, SEE PAGÈi 26