The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 48

ftSSTl EDITION www.pantagraph.com The Pantagraph Saturday, February 23, 2002 D5 ENTERTAINMENT REVIEW Bassett honors Rosa Parks Red Army Chorus thrills at Braden Feb. 22, 1978, the Soviet military presented its answer to Bob Hope 5 I "7 1 1 I ii if 'I il K( didn't possess a Ph.D. She didn't have the money of a (Bill) Gates," said Bassett. "She's who most of us really are, an everybody man or woman who should know right from wrong and who will do right when faced with the opportunity." The movie, which includes a cameo appearance by Dexter Scott King as his father, the Rev. Martin Luther King was filmed in Montgomery Julie Dash of the directed; Paris Qualles wrote the screenplay.

Bassett first was introduced to Parks in 1994, when both were honored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. They met again this month at an event celebrating Parks' 89th birthday. "The Rosa Parks Story" is touted by CBS as the first about Parks in which she has participated. It was the casting of Bassett, however, that cinched the deal. She also is the film's executive producer.

"CBS said they would go ahead with the project if I said yes. If I said no, they would not," the actress said. "I didn't know that at the time. I made my decision just on liking the script." The actress, an Academy Award nominee (and Golden Globe winner) for her portrayal of pop star Tina Turner in 1993's "What's Love Got to Do with It," would rather concentrate on being an artist, but says she can't ignore social realities. The fact that three black actors nominated for Oscars this year is seen as a "big deal" is she said, and even more disturbing is the hatred that still imperils black Americans, nearly five decades after Parks' brave stand.

Bassett cites the case of eight Montgomery police officers accused of planting evidence and beating blacks. "You're thankful that we've made the strides we have. But you realize you have to be vigilant? The fight still By Lynn Elber ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES Angela Bassett knows how to play strong and fiery. She has done it to perfection in "What's Love Got to Do with It" and "Waiting to Exhale." But her role in a new made-for-TV movie about civil rights hero Rosa Parks called for a very different kind of power. "There are individuals who are quiet, maybe don't say much, but you know you don't mess with them.

You can't run over them," Bassett said, recalling her impression of Parks in their first meeting. It's no surprise that the talented Bassett was up to the task when called on for "The Rosa Parks Story" (8 p.m. CST Sunday on CBS), in which she creates a glowing portrait of a remarkable woman. But the actress found herself tested in other ways. In the key scene in which Parks refuses to give her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955 Alabama, Bassett fought her own visceral response to the racism that was routinely endured by black Americans.

"It's very troubling and emotional, even in the re-creation of it. But, of course, you have to stay true to Rosa," Bassett said. "I get caught up in that moment and I might want to scream or be much more forceful but that's because of the freedoms we have today, the victories that she and those like her set in motion." Parks' simple act of lion was the catalyst for a city-wide bus boycott by Montgomery's black residents, the primary users of a system that relegated them to rear seats for the comfort of whites. As drawn in the film, Parks is at once an unlikely warrior and an unstoppable one. She is a-naive country girl who grows into a pretty, shy young woman.

It's only the determined wooing of her future husband, Raymond Parks (a touching Peter Francis James) that draws her sort of. Twenty-four years ago, the Red Star Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble presented its first concert to entertain Soviet troops of the Strategic Rocket Forces of the USSR. Last night, on the unacknowledged anniversary of their first concert, this ensemble continues to entertain, but under a new flag (Russian now, not Soviet) and to an expanded world audience including our own Midwestern ears and eyes. Normal is the fourth stop on the Red Star's American tour, which will include over 30 performances by mid-April, and the dancers and musicians performed to a supportive audience. The group was directed by its Artistic Director and Main Conductor, Colonel Anatoly Bazhalkin.

With a military band (including two accordions, a drum set and strings and high-pitched whistling, in addition to the expected brass and winds) as accompaniment, the chorus sang Russian and Ukrainian folk tunes in unfortunate looking, dusky-gray-green military uniforms. The harmonies didn't suffer, regardless, and the songs' pathos shone through the language barrier. "Meadowland" spoke of the pride and sacrifice of a soldier going off to war (a theme quite relevant now). The sweetly a cappella "Evening Bells" (with the sound of bells vocalized by the choir) was a tender bequest. And "Kalinka" (Little Snowball Tree) spoke clearly of a young man's infatuation with his love, even without the program notes.

Many other songs also were offered, including a touching domra solo (a balalaika-like 3-string in- David L.M. Preston strument, through round instead of triangular) which explored various Russian melodies. Interspersed throughout the evening were the vigorous and colorful dancers. Russian and Ukrainian folk traditions in dance are very athletic, full of jumps, twirls, hand-less cartwheels and more. Though caricatured in western culture, the true stuff is fascinating ta watch in its athleticism.

The colorful costumes of bright blue and orange, with the women's skirts twirling dizzy-ingly, make the spectacle that much more engaging. Examples include the "Cossack's Dance," which had the dance ensemble flinging around lances and mock battling with swords in rhythmic time, and later the "Ukrainian Hopak Dance," which contained large jumps (2 to 3 feet in the air possibly) by the men and the occasional enthusiastic trills from the women. It was exhausting and exhilarating to see. It was a nice evening of artistic exchange. Russian cultural arts, particularly poetry, music and dance, are infused into their popular culture at a level unfamiliar in U.S.

society. It was a treat to have that country's military share their roots and enrich our own Associated Press Angela Bassett portrays civil rights hero Rosa Parks in a made-for-TV movie aiding at 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS. into romance. Cicely Tyson plays her supportive mother, Leona McCauley Despite her timidity, Parks' belief in herself is etched indelibly in her spirit.

"You're as good as anybody else," young Rosa is advised by her grandfather in one scene. "Don't ever be afraid of what could happen to you if you're fighting for what's right." Working as a seamstress in Montgomery and trying without success to have children with Raymond, Parks is gradually but eagerly drawn into the burgeoning civil rights The movie sparely but deftly sketches the violent, oppressive world of the segregated South. In a beautifully framed vignette, we see Parks hanging a banner outside the local office of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: "A man was lynched today," it reads. As the furor over Parks and the boycott grows so does her vulnerability. But this soft-spoken woman with an indomitable core of courage refuses to turn back, even when it threatens her life and marriage.

"She wasn't very loud. She David Preston can be reached at (309) 829-9411 Ext. 229 or via e-mail at Totter' edges out 'Star Wars' at worldwide box office Dan Craft's Movie reviews next salvo, "Episode II Attack of the Clones," on May 16. Taking a page from "Potter," it will strike the world at a rapid pace instead of the usual pattern of a slow roll-out after the movie has played domestically. But will hit the world soon after when "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" lands in theaters Nov.

15. which earned domestically But the British boy wizard has finally hit his plateau, dwarfed by the aptly-named "Titanic." James Cameron's three-hour love story is No. 1 and will remain so for the foreseeable future with a monolithic $1,835 billion worldwide take. Not to be outdone, the "Star Wars" franchise will fire its territories, levitating its total to a whopping $612 million and selling nearly 120 million tickets. Add in the $314 million it has conjured in the United States, and J.K.

Rowling's kid phenom has grossed $926.1 million worldwide. "The Phantom Menace" falls to third place with a worldwide tally of $925.6 million, $431.1 million of KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS LOS ANGELES "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" has whizzed past "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" to become the second-highest grossing picture of all time worldwide. "Potter" pulled in an estimated $5 million from 49 overseas EVERY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY IN THE FOCUS SECTION PantagraphPuzzIe Sangamon Auditorium University of Illinois at Springfield Answer to Previous Puzzle theoriore bilcel MOP APE DUN vicirJTn JE jv JD NADA JNA TOZERL RANK ppmA I aac A MjP AuL oInoA A riLjA cTtTe Hsih it a Sponsored by Isringhausen Imports The World's Most Beloved Musical Fiddler is back on tour with a celebrated new production UAiDiPibiHnuniHi 37 Workable 40 Thorny blossoms 42 Go on the 43 Female principle 44 Earthquake 46 Frequently 49 Polynesian pendant '50 Electrical unit 52 Hired car 54 Efficient 55 Types 56 Scurry 57 my lips!" 58 LPs' successors 59 Flamenco dancer's 6hout starring the quintessential Tevye, Theodore Bikel Fri, Feb 22, 8 pm GJ A Sat, Feb 23, 2 8 pm RTIU RIAN DU TA KJ1A ID A L.ELSJ IyA JL El IGOO nr Ti TdUoirIe Sun, Feb 24, 2 7 pm FriSat 8 pm $49 43 40 25 Sat 2 pm, Sun 2 7 pm $46 40 37 23 ACROSS 1 Entreat 4 Travel option 7 People 11 carte 12 Des Moines' state 13 Screenwriter James 14 Atlantic Coast st. 15 Knotted 16 Food carrier 17 Mop up 19 Footfall 20 Deli order 21 Last letter 22 Fictional deer 25 "I'm (2 wds.) 28 Egg 9, to Ovid 29 Jaw part 31 33 Artificial hair 34 out (made do with) 36 Boise's st. Wake Up Your Taste Buds This Sunday! Start your day out right with our famous Sunday brunch.

Enjoy the eggs strada, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon and sausage. Treat yourself to carved-to-order baron of beef and baked ham. Try our specialty station, featuring omelettes and waffles. Indulge with our peel-and-eat shrimp or smoked salmon. And don't miss our chef's ever-changing features such as Seafood en Croute, Chicken Portabella and Pork Diane all served with vegetables and Potatoes du Chef.

Help yourself to the salad bar as well as the fruit and vegetable trays. But don't forget to leave a little room for our delicious desserts! 11225 Tickets 217.206.6160 or 800.207.6960 Mon-Fri, 10 am-5 pm www.SangamonAuditorium.org Ask about discounts Full services to patrons with disabilities Food Emporium Serving M-F until 8 pm, Sat until 7 pm. Sun until 6:30 pm, call 206-6150 to confirm hours Higher Ground Catle in lobby Free, $3 premium, and $5 valet parking available Pre-show Discussion Questions (PDQ), held 45 minutes prior to performance 7SC Stage Operating Surcharge added per ticket DOWN place 32 Owns 35 Snowbanks 38 Federated 39 Flying fox 41 Windsor's prov. 43 Egg middles 44 Agree 45 Ark. neighbor 47 Repeat 48 Join wood 49 Road goo 50 Dana or Damone 51 Vintage 53 Flower lover person 9 Bound 10 Islet 12 Slanted type 18 Subside 19 Television receiver 21 Area 22 Gift ribbon 23 Tel 24 Astrologers of yore 25 Winged Victory 26 Geishas' sashes 27 Play in the kiddie pool 30 Skipper's 3 Naughty Nov.

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JL 1 9 CITYLINE Instant Information 24 hours a day BLOOMINGTON Building on xtume tradition 1601 Jumer Drive Bloomington, Illinois 309-662-2525 Every Sunday from Reservations Welcome mm To learn about the history of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, enter category 9326. UM mm, hC. fri wiiii n77n i Urn .1 I'.