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‘Fever 1793’

[MARCH 28, 2001]   ^“Fever 1793," by Laurie Halse Anderson. Simon and Schuster, August 2000, 251 pages.

Fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook lives with her widowed mother, who owns a coffeehouse in Philadelphia, the nation’s capital, and her grandfather, Captain William Farnsworth Cook, who fought with General Washington. A free black woman named Eliza is the coffeehouse’s cook, along with Mattie’s longtime friend Polly, a serving girl. Early in the story Polly dies suddenly, and that is the first mention of something wrong in the city. Within a week of Polly’s death 64 people are dead and no one is sure what killed them, but the death bells keep tolling. Many families begin to flee the city to escape being contaminated by the mysterious disease.

The Cooks decide to stay and keep their business running, until Mattie’s mother is stricken with the fever. She sends Mattie and her grandfather away to friends in the country, but they never make it because Mattie is already infected and turned back by the quarantine officers. Mattie falls ill and is taken to Bush Hill, a city hospital run by the celebrated French doctor Steven Girard. She survives the fever, probably due to the French treatment of rest, fresh air and lots of fluids versus the Dr. Benjamin Rush treatment of mercury and bleeding.

Mattie and her grandfather return to the coffeehouse only to find it in shambles from the many looters roaming the city. Her mother is not there, and they don’t know if she even survived. Mattie’s main job now is survival. She must care for her grandfather, whose heart is failing, scrounge for food, and protect themselves and the coffeehouse from constant looting. One evening during an attack from looters her grandfather dies and Mattie must dispose of his body at one of the many mass gravesites in the city.

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Mattie wanders the streets in deep despair, picking up an orphaned toddler she calls Nell. She is surprisingly reunited with Eliza, who takes Mattie and Nell home to live with her, her widowed brother and his twin sons. It is under Eliza’s care that Mattie begins the healing process. Also during this time she is introduced to the wonderful work of the Free African Society. Eventually Mattie’s entrepreneurial spirit gets the best of her and she offers Eliza part-ownership of the coffeehouse. They reopen for business.

In the fall of 1793, after a heavy frost, the threat of yellow fever is finally over and Mattie is reunited with an earlier love interest, Nathaniel Benson, a painting apprentice to the famous Peale family. General Washington finally returns, and Mattie finds out what happened to her mother.

Through Mattie’s eyes we are given an interesting look at the thriving and vibrant city of Philadelphia in the late 1700s. We also see the devastation that an epidemic of that proportion leaves on a city. Anderson did her research, and the story is rich with historical detail. She includes an appendix of additional information on several subjects.

Laurie Halse Anderson is also the author of "Speak," a National Book Award Finalist and ALA "Best Book for Young People."

This book is recommended for grade seven and up.

[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

Charlie Brown auditions set

[MARCH 29, 2001]  The first auditions of the summer are just around the corner. Lincoln Community Theatre’s 30th season kicks off in June with the fun-filled musical "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown." As the first production ever staged by LCT, "Charlie Brown" was chosen to begin this anniversary season also. Auditions for the six familiar "cartoon characters" will take place Friday, April 6, at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday, April 7, at 9 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 402 Pekin St. in Lincoln.

Those auditioning should have a song prepared and be ready to learn a few basic dance steps. Auditioners will also be required to do cold readings from the script.

For more information regarding auditions, call 732-4298.

Production dates are June 8-16.

The LCT season membership campaign continues. For more information regarding season tickets or the purchase of gift memberships, call 732-2640.

[LCT news release]

LCT scholarship applications available

[MARCH 23, 2001]  To foster local talent, Lincoln Community Theatre will award a $500 theater arts scholarship to a Logan County graduating high school senior who plans to attend Lincoln College.

Scholarship applications are available from area high school guidance counselors or by contacting Connie DiLillo, LCT scholarship chairman at 732-7859. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than April 27.

[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]

Theatre 7 chooses cast members

[MARCH 3, 2001]  Theatre 7 – Decatur’s Community Theatre has selected cast members for its production of the comedy "Dearly Departed." The show is about a colorful but dysfunctional Southern family coming together to hilarious results when its patriarch, "Bud," passes away.

"Dearly Departed" is being directed by Joe Straka, with Penny Williams as assistant director

Cast members and the characters they play are as follows: Nancy Jo Batman, Raynelle; Shawn Becker, RayBud; Lesa Andrick, Lucille; James Graham, Junior; Tish Duis, Suzanne; Pam Stinson, Marguerite; Tom Morrow, Royce; Carl Sebens, Reverend Hooker; Karen Becker, Veda; John Dunn, Norval/Clyde; Julie Lycan, Nadine; Heather Jewell, Juanita; and Penny Williams, Delightful.

Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Monday, March 5, at the Decatur Civic Center Box Office, 422-6161.

Performance dates for "Dearly Departed" at the Decatur Civic Center Theater will be March 30-31 and April 6-7 at 7:30 p.m. and April 1 and 8 at 2 p.m.

[Theatre 7 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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