The Behrend Beacon
Criminal Hearts set to open at Behrend this week
by Ryan Flaherty
staff writer
The players of Criminal Hearts had
a chance lo show off their acting skills
in front of an audience at Wednesday
night’s dress rehearsal. This premier
viewing helped to smooth out any
rough edges and test the readiness of
the crew.
The story begins in Ata Windust’s
apartment. Ata is a very nervous and
problematic individual with several
bizarre habits. Whether she is in dan
ger or a normal situation, she can't
seem to keep quiet about her emo
tional problems for more than a
couple of seconds, making anyone
near her an unwilling psychiatrist. She
is mostly distraught over her ordeal
with her soon-to-be ex-husband Wib
Windust, a very prominent man who
seems to be responsible for Ata’s cur
rent state of mind.
Ata soon befriends 80, a lemale
burglar, who has broken into Ata s
apartment and is subjected to her
ramblings. Alter being told Ata s life
story in minimal time. Bo decides that
she wants lo help her out tor Ata s
American Beauty, grand
appearance at Oscars
by Kelly Walsh
staff writer
It is no surprise that American
Beauty left the Oscars with numerous
awards. While receiving Best Picture,
Directing (Sam Mendes), Actor in
Lead Role (Kevin Spacey), Original
l Screenplay (Alan Ball), and
Cinematography (Conrad L. Ball), it
was also nominated for Best Actress
in Lead, Film Editing, and Original
Score.
Producers Bruce Cohen and Dan
Jinks were thrilled. They agreed that
the cast, writer, and everyone
involved stepped up to make this film
glow. Mr. Cohen hit the nail on the
head in his acceptance speech.
Dear Jane,
My friends and 1 have been
fighting for weeks about what is and
what isn’t sex. Is oral-sex sex'? Is
anal-sex sex'? What is lesbian sex'?
Some of us agreed that penetration
is sex, but docs that include fingering
and other stuff like that? What if
there is penetration, like if a guy is
inside you for a second, and that’s
it? Please tell us what’s what.
Three girls in a funny conversation
That’s one hell of a discussion
group you've got. So, what is sex'?
In technical terms, sex is penetration
with the penis into the vagina. Isn’t
it boring when you say it that way?
But technically, that’s it. And get this,
technically it is only for procreation.
For once, I agree with the technical
definition (other than that
procreation part). Let's go through
your list in technical terms, shall we?
Is oral sex really sex? Nope. Some
people disagree with me (including
a friend of mine from Portland who
sake as well as for her own personal
profit. Along with Bo’s accomplice,
Rohbie, the three soon hatch a plan
for revenge
A unique aspect to this play is the
selection of music before and after
scenes. Each song that is played goes
in sync and carries the mood of what
just happened.
The cast playing their respective
roles fits their characters very well.
Jamie Lojewski does an excellent job
as the overstimulated and agorapho
bic Ata Windust. Jamie has a hilari
ous facial expression while doing
Ata's most soothing activity, sharp
ening pencils. Molly Means as Bo is
a good pick for the gruff voiced, foul
mouthed burglar. Even when substi
tuting a wool knit cap and Van Halen
t-shirl for a dress, she has a hard time
being “proper.” Bruce Waller plays
Robbie, a burglar also very much like
80. Robbie has the same “trust no
one” attitude that Bo carries, however,
he won't hesitate to pull one over on
his partner. Tara Campbell gives the
voice to the unseen Mrs. Carnahan,
the nosy neighbor of Ata. Last but cer
tainly not least is Wib Windust, played
by Ryan Widrig. Widrig captures the
“...Andrew Canava sent us a screen
play called American Beauty by Allen
Ball. It dealt with sex, drugs
blackmail, homophobia, and
suburban dysfunction.” I would also
add midlife crisis, marriage, love, and
beauty to the list. This film tears at
your emotions with every single one
of those subjects. They explore each
with such detail that it is chilling.
Kevin Spacey recieved Best Actor
in a Leading Role for playing Lester
Burnham. He is no stranger to the
field of acting having played in The
Negotiator (1998), L.A. Confidential
(1997), and A Time to Kill( 1996) to
name a few. He has also been on stage
once before, winning Best Actor in a
Supporting Role for The Usual
Suspects (1995). This time around,
MIK
and
Jane
holds her ground that kissing can be
sex if people are in a certain mental
state ), but oral sex involves
mouths, which are not technically
sexual organs. And chances are, if
someone asks you how many people
you have had sex with, you are less
likely to include that oral sex incident.
Is anal sex really sex? Nope. I think
you know what anuses are for
Lesbian sex? Most of the lesbians I
know consider lesbian sex a mix of
penetration with various non-penis
things, oral sex, and sexual closeness.
Technically, that’s not sex either. The
key words are “non-penis things.”
Is penetration by non-penis things
sex? Well, if a girl is masturbating, is
she having sex? There is
penetration but it’s not sex.
And last but not least, penetration,
with a penis for a second...yep, that’s
sex. And hopefully you know that
even that second can get you pregnant
or give you some unfriendly STD.
All this is in technical terms, but
people are rarely technical. They are
emotional and opinionated. You will
Features
self-centered, very smooth Wib with
great accuracy. Watching him walk
and move his hands about give him a
genuine look of Wib.
After Wednesday’s performance,
the crew was pleased with the way
things went. “We needed an audience
and that’s what we got,” commented
Tony Elliot (Director) after the pre
miere.
“I’m glad I’m doing it, I’ve been
obsessed with acting my whole life,”
remarked Waller.
Means also felt that doing this is “
A lot of fun."
Mr. Elliot also teaches Theatre 100
(Art of Theatre) and Theatre 102
(Fundamentals of Acting) at Behrend,
and has directed the school’s plays
for the last six years. “ I really hope
the campus comes out," stated Elliot,
hoping for the well-deserved success
of the play.
Criminal Hearts begins showing on
March 31st, with shows continuing
on April Ist, and 4th through Bth at
8:00 p.m. and April 2nd and 9th at
2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the
Reed Union Building Desk.
however, Spacey claimed during his
acceptance speech that some winners
forget to thank a person or two. He
on the other hand forgot to thank
everyone.
American Beauty is a great film
that teaches you to appreciate the
things around you. A neighbor of the
Burnhams says, “ Sometimes there
is so much beauty in the world l feel
like I can’t take it.” No one was in
question as to what he meant.
The only disappointment at the
awards was that Annette Benning
didn’t win for Best Actress in
Leading Role. Her performance
alongside of Spacey was truly
outstanding. She makes you
sympathize with her although you
hate how perfect she is.
find people, like Angel in Portland,
who think that kissing can be so
sexual that it is sex. And the line on
lesbian sex is drawn many different
ways. The fact is that sex is not just
for procreation any more. It has
evolved, per se. People use it as an
expression of affection & love, and
as recreation. So, it will inevitably
mean a lot of different things to
different people.
I would LOVE to hear your
opinions on what sex is. Guys, if she
went down on you, did you have sex
with her? Is anal sex considered sex
if it involves a man and a woman?
Eagerly awaiting your letters,
Jane
Have questions about sex or
relationships?? Write to Jane at
dickandjane@wildmail.com or
leave a letter marked “Jane” in the
Beacon mailbox, downstairs in the
Reed Union Building. All
correspondences are confidential.
March 31, 2000
lamie Lojewski (left), Bruce Waller, and Molly Means prepare for opening weekend
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Aries (March 21 -April 19). Don’t let the lost feel-
ings overtake you
Taurus (April 20-May 20). Surprises will come your
way soon
Gemini (May 21-June 21). Entertain your friends
They will need it.
Cancer (June 22-July 22). Heads up!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22). Doesn’t look good for you
this week.
O
s
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). With the sun aligned with
Aquarius...ummm...have fun I guess.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Okay you can relax now.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Blueberry. It should
bring a smile to your face.
c
o
p
E
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s a typical situa
tion in this typical world.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You are not following
directions.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb 18). Lay off the backlashes
this week.
Pisces (Feb 19 - March 20). Deep thought Have
you ever wondered why pink is feminine?
by
Bongo the three legged
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