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‘Because of Winn-Dixie’

[APRIL 25, 2001]   ^“Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo. Candlewick Press, 2000, 182 pages

India Opal Buloni is a 10-year-old girl who finds a big, ugly dog in the produce department of the Winn-Dixie grocery store in Naomi, Fla. By the looks of the produce department, she realizes that the dog is in big trouble and will end up in the pound unless someone steps in to help. Her daddy has always told her to help those less fortunate, and there can’t be anyone less fortunate at this time than the dog. At one point the dog skids to a stop in front of her and does something she has never seen a dog do before — he pulls back his lips, shows all of his teeth and smiles at her. She appropriately names the dog Winn-Dixie and claims him for her own.

India Opal, or Opal as her father calls her, has just moved to Naomi with her daddy so he could become the preacher of the Open Arms Baptist Church. Before she was born he was a missionary in India. That is how she got her first name, and her mother’s first name is Opal. She refers to her father as the preacher because he spends so much time preaching, thinking about preaching and getting ready to preach that she finds it difficult to think of him as anything else.

Opal’s mother left them when Opal was 3 years old, so she doesn’t remember her much. Since moving to Florida, she has been missing her mother more than usual, so she asks her father to tell her 10 things about her. She learns that they both have red hair, are fast runners and love stories. She decides to collect stories to share with her mother some day. She also learns that her mother had a drinking problem which caused her parents to fight a lot and that she did not like being a minister’s wife.

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As the summer progresses Opal meets and becomes close friends with a very unusual and interesting group of people. Her first friend is Miss Franny Block, who runs the Herman W. Block Memorial Library. When Opal tries to buy a collar for Winn-Dixie she meets Otis, who manages Gertrude’s Pets, has been in prison and plays his guitar only for the animals. Sweetie Pie is a friendly 5-year-old girl who invites Opal to her birthday party in September, would love to have a dog and thinks she should stop sucking on her knuckle once she is 6. At the Open Arms she meets three kids close to her age, Dunlap and Stevie Dewberry, who look like twins but aren’t, and Amanda Wilkinson, whose face is always pinched up like she has just smelled something bad.

The last but definitely not least character we are introduced to is Miss Gloria Dump, who Dunlap and Stevie say is a witch. She lives alone, is almost blind and only puts her teeth in when she wants to eat. Winn-Dixie takes to her right away and so does Opal. Gloria Dump is a wise and loving person and becomes a valuable mentor for Opal.

The book is well written, in a style that combines Southern charm and humor as well as poignancy. It was chosen as a Newberry Honor Book and is a first novel for Ms. DiCamillo. It is recommended for grades 4-6.

For more information, visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call (217) 732-8878. 

[Linda Harmon, Lincoln Public Library District]

Released on video Tuesday, March 6, 2001

Rated R     Approx 127 Minutes     DreamWorks Home Entertainment -2000

Written and directed by Rod Lurie

Starring:

Jeff Bridges

Christian Slater

Sam Elliot

Joan Allen

Gary Oldman (also the executive producer)

This movie uses graphic language to describe sexual scenes and presents some nudity.

[MARCH 10, 2001]  The box said “two thumbs up” and “Thriller!”

In recent years, the "two thumbs up" endorsement has meant that I probably was going to find the movie to be a loser. "Thriller" usually means I may endure it but I’m probably not going to be thrilled with it.

However, in the case of "The Contender," both my thumbs are up too, and I am indeed thrilled.

"The Contender" is a gritty movie, a political "action" film of sorts. It is a thriller because you don’t have a clear shot at the plot until it is finally revealed for you. At the end, you look back on the film and say, "Yeah, I should’ve seen that coming."

"The Contender" is gritty because it focuses on a dirty fight between political rivals to appoint a new vice president of the United States. The president (played very aptly by Jeff Bridges) selects a woman, Sen. Lane Hanson of Ohio (Joan Allen), for the job, against the advice of party officials and his own advisers. The previous vice president died somehow in office — but "The Contender" never tries to explain his passing.

The whole plot is wrapped up in the confirmation hearings and the process of bringing an appointee to office or sending ’em off packing.

Gary Oldman plays Sheldon Runyon, the Republican chairman of the selection committee. The highly respected, powerful senator seems bent on not only denying the president his day in the sun but also destroying the very career of Sen. Hanson.

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Two things about this movie made a good impression on me.

First, the acting was excellent. Oldman plays a perfect bad guy in this film (he seems to have the bad-guy act down pat). Jeff Bridges, who I thought incapable of playing a convincing president, stepped up to the plate and delivered. Christian Slater played the part of a freshman congressman who was seeking to do the right thing on principle, and was perfectly cast for the part. Finally, Joan Allen was wonderful in her portrayal of the contender under siege.

Second, the plot was dynamite. This movie seems to make you move away from certain characters and make certain assumptions, but you find yourself making a couple of 90 degree turns before it’s done. In the spirit of "The West Wing," it is full of political intrigue and the power of the Washington scene. "The Contender" is a film about respect and dignity and the rocky road to realizing those two values.

The first hour of the movie has a single weakness: The lack of actors on the set portraying political operatives, appointees, devotees and those holding office makes you believe the story less. They needed a fuller cast to make it seem like Washington and government.

This is not a partisan film about the usual struggle between Republicans and Democrats. Instead it is a story about the dynamics of power, accusation and truth.

So, I recommend this film to you if you enjoy a good thriller, if you enjoy stories about the political struggles of this nation and if you like a good fiction about how truth prevails.

I give it 3½ stars (out of five).

[midge]

midge@lincolndailynews.com

[APRIL 25, 2001]  Auditions for the Lincoln Community Theatre's children's play "Tom Sawyer" will be this weekend at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lincoln. Second through 12th graders may audition either Friday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m. or Saturday, April 28, at 9 a.m. The play has roles for approximately 12 girls and 12 boys.

"Tom Sawyer" is not a musical, so auditions will consist mainly of cold readings from the script. Copies of the script are available at the main desk of the Lincoln Public Library. Parents and children are welcome to read them at the library, but they may not be checked out.

Auditioners under the age of 18 will need a parent's signature to audition.

Actual performance dates for "Tom Sawyer" are June 28, 29 and 30, and July 1.

For more information regarding "Tom Sawyer" as well as the regular adult season, consult the LCT website at http://www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/.

[LCT news release]

[APRIL 23, 2001]  Lincoln Community Theatre’s cast for the first performance of the summer season, "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown," is set to begin rehearsals. This popular musical was the very first production ever staged by LCT in 1972 and will kick off Lincoln Community Theatre’s 30^th season.

Cast as the ever-suffering Charlie Brown is Sean Edward Hall of Springfield. Hall has directed several LCT productions, but this will mark his debut performance on the Lincoln stage.

Appearing as Linus will be Jeff Kindred of Atlanta, a familiar face on the local stage.

Two of the leading performers from last summer’s popular show "Annie" will also be appearing in "Charlie Brown." Jill Nessler of Sherman ("Annie’s" Miss Hannigan) and Carrie Schreiber of Lincoln ("Annie’s" Grace Farrell) will appear as Lucy and Patty.

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Rounding out the cast will be LCT newcomers Josh Twente of Lincoln as Schroeder and Tony Crawford of Clinton as Snoopy.

Season tickets for the entire season are still available by contacting LCT, Box 374, Lincoln 62656 or by calling (217) 732-2640.

Further information regarding season memberships, auditions and cast lists is available at the LCT website located at http://www.geocities.com/
lincolncommunitytheatre/.

[LCT news release]

LCT chooses summer production staff

[MARCH 12, 2001]  Lincoln Community Theatre has announced the 2001 summer production staff.

The first production, "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown," which runs from June 8 through 16, was selected in celebration of LCT’s 30th anniversary season. This musical was the first performance offered by Lincoln Community Theatre during the organization’s first season in 1971.

The 2001 production will be directed by Sean-Edward Hall of Springfield. Wayne Mara of Lincoln has been hired as technical director, with Jason Yarcho, also of Lincoln, as accompanist and orchestra director. Lights and sound will be managed by Stuart Wyneken of Lincoln.

The July 13 through 21 comedy, "Moon Over Buffalo," will be directed by Jerry Dellinger of Lincoln. He will also serve as lighting director. Technical director will be Max Levendel of Bloomington.

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LCT’s final production, "The Wiz," will be directed by Tracy Tiritilli of Bloomington, with husband Mark Tiritilli serving as technical director. The show will run Aug. 3 through 11. Yarcho will again serve as musical accompanist, and Wyneken will handle lighting and sound.

LCT also plans a children’s play this summer. Performances will be June 28 through July 1.

For more information see the LCT website, www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre. 

[LCT news release]

Lincoln Community Theatre’s (LCT) website is up and available. The site serves a number of functions, from providing information on becoming a season ticket holder to showing what new productions are being planned for next season. It lists everything one wants to know about LCT — except the scripts. The top of the page lists those already involved in the theatre and announces any paid or unpaid positions, which are still available. Audition dates are also listed for prospective actors.

The site also links to Gus Gordon Productions and Grand Ball Costumes. Gus Gordon produces plays all over central Illinois, and the site lists the upcoming plays. Grand Ball Costumes rents costumes here in central Illinois for plays, Halloween, weddings, birthdays or any other occasion.

A little farther down, the site offers information on upcoming plays, admission prices and season ticket prices. Presently, LCT’s website is displaying pictures of recent performances: "Annie" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

If you are interested in joining a performance or just going to see one, visit LCT’s website at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/index.html, e-mail LCT at lincolncommunitytheatre@yahoo.com, or write to Lincoln Community Theatre, P.O. Box 374, Lincoln, IL  62656.

[LDN]

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