Friday, April 28, 2005
Dr. Archie Loss explains the meaning of a cultural classic
By Tiffany Mak
staff writer
October 7, 2005
Archie Loss, professor of English and
American Studies at Behrend, gave a
talk about the song "American Pie" to
the freshmen in Senat Hall on October 4
from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Loss was
successful in explaining the American
culture and music of the '6os and ;70s
to the attending students via the song
"American Pie."
In order to give the students an awe
some opening, Loss played the song
"American Pie," which is sung by Don
McLean. This song has long been the
hallmark of the fusion of rock n' roll
music and folk music in the countercul
ture era. It achieved the number one sta
tus on the charts in the U.S. in 1972, but
the album containing this song was not
released until later.
The reason that "American Pie" is so
popular among Americans even today is
not because of the popularity of McLean,
"Heaven Can Wait" delivers a one-two punch
By Annie Sevin
editor in chief
November 11, 2005
Penn State Erie's Studio Theatre is
presenting Harry Segall's "Heaven Can
Wait" for the fall production. Under
the direction of Dr. Christine
Mangone, the acting company generat
ed a passionate, warm performance.
The company of performers included
(in alphabetical order), Prema
Bangera, Casey Brown, Matt
Davidson, Donte Hart, Jared Kaiser,
Amanda Kinross, Julie Kosin, Njomza
Latifi, Jose M. Rosas and James E.
Salyers.
"Heaven Can Wait" begins slowly
with actors arranged throughout the
audience as they await their names to
be called so they can proceed into
Heaven. Joe Pendleton (Davidson), a
1930 s world-class boxer, enters and
contests that he was prematurely taken
to Heaven by a messenger (Kinross)
and he adamantly tells Heaven it can
wait for him. Pendleton is returned to
earth to gain a new body, but he quick
ly finds himself in a sticky situation.
He takes Mr. Farnsworth's body and
has to take on Farnsworth's life,
including his wife (Brown).
Relationships and plots unfold as
Joe tries to convince people, including
his boxing manager, that he is not
dead. He also finds love with Miss
Bette Logan (Latifi) and refuses to let
her go; attempting to win her remains
his main drive to stay on earth.
It's emotionally entertaining to watch
Joe change his goals. He goes from
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but because of the lyrics and the time
when the song came out.
"It was only the '7os when the people
started to look hack of their fifties and
their complexity," said Loss. "After the
Broadway [musical] came out in the
sev
enties, people investigated beneath the
surface to get what the song is really
about."
The entire song was McLean's tribute
to three prominent rock stars, Buddy
Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big
Bopper, who died in the same plane
crash in February of 1959. The plane,
"Miss American Pie - which took the
lives of the rock stars at the time.
February 3. 1959, signified "the day the
music died-.
Since rhythm and blues began to
intrude into American music culture in
the '6os, the counter culture era was hard
for rock n' roll music. While lamenting
the death of the three rock stars "he
admired the most", McLean also lament
ed the swift death of the rock music "that
used to make him smile".
caring only about boxing and training
his body to be beautifully showcased
"in the pink" to basing his earthly
existence on loving Bette. He accom
plished falling in love with Bette
while still technically married to Mrs.
Farnsworth.
Davidson's performance engages
the audience into the 1930 s era. His
dialogue is chock-full of nostalgic
1930 s speech which adds grace to his
"nice-guy" character. He is extremely
energetic and passionate throughout
the entire play. His portrayal of Joe
the boxer is intimidating and at times
comical due to the fact that no one but
his manager believes who he really is.
Brown's performance added much
hostility and animosity to the cast.
She pulled off her character with ele
gance and grace, much like the head
messenger from Heaven, Miss Jordan
(Bangera). Bangera was confident,
steady and well-poised as she guided
Joe through his new state of life.
This performance could be con
strued as a slow story, but Davidson's
energy drives the plot and his growing
yet innocent passion for Bette helps
the audience to sympathize with his
plight.
Show times will be Nov. 11, 12, 16,
17, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. There will also
be two matinee performances Nov. 13
and 20 at 2 p.m. All performances
will be held at Behrend's Studio
Theatre. Reservations can be made at
the RUB Desk in the Reed Union
Building. Admission is $3 for stu
dents and $5 for non-students.
Other than his view on music,
McLean also included his religious
and political views in his song.
However. some interpretations of his
lyrics are still unclear. such as the
vague image of "rollin' stone - and
"queen in a coat...
Most of the audience thought that
"America❑ Pie" was an interesting
song. and Dr. Loss focused well on
the details.
"We are going to enroll [in) his
American Studies class next semes
ter.- said Pat Sharhaugh, a first
semester chemestry student, and
Ryan Mocniak. who is in his first
semester in the Department of
Undergraduate Studies.
It is meaninvful to learn about the
American culture and Dr. Loss did a
pretty good jot). - said Chad Bosko, CE
01, another audience.
Grant Reschenthaler, the Student
Academic Leader, expressed his satis
faction towards the program. He was
happy to see that "American Pie'' inter
The cast of "Heaven Can Wait" takes audiences onto a majestic ride hack to the 1930 s through the death and life of a hoxei
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"We hope we can organize a program
which is not that academic. but at the
same time the students can learn some
thing from it," said Reschenthaler.
Biology, 03. "It works really well."
Reschenthaler expects a similar talk
unity!!
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