Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 38

July 17, 1989 OK, about Joe Pesci. y. i ccv fun-loving twist Pesci was putting on the Leo Getz character' early in the filming, Warner Bros. began to inquire about Pesci wij- lingness to turn Leo into a- TV series. "Never," Pesci says.

"I care too much about acting." Now the movie has knocked, "Batman" off the top of the box-. office chart selling $20.4 mllion worth of tickets in its opening' weekend and people are starting to suggest to Pesci that he's playing a nerd in "Lethal Weapon He doesn't like that. "A nerd is someone who is really useless. I don't feel like I played a herd. He certainly wasn't Rambo h.

or Mel Gibson, but we can't all be like that. He's a guy who wants to be a hero. He wanted to be a good guy, not a bad guy." Pesci is so taken with Leo that if there's a "Lethal Weapon 3" and if he's asked he'll do the character again, although he might prefer another part. "I owe them," he says, grateful to the producers who revitalized his reputation as a commercial actor. "This changed my luck," says Pesci 46.

"Lethal" director Richard Don-ner summoned him to read for the part of accountant Leo Getz, the thrill-seeker protected by star cop buddies Mel; Gibson and Danny Glover. Pesci balked at reading. He had no idea how he would play the character of Leo, which had been written as a sleazy, effeminate guy. Hire me, Pesci said, but trust me to come up with something. On the first day of shooting, he went on the set not knowing what he was going to do.

Then it came to him: "Have you ever been to Disney- land? They have these young guides there, these incredibly good-looking people who even at the end of the day want to help you. They say, 'OK, OK, Fantasyland is over "Dick Donner started laughing. He said, 'Do that! Do That was when I knew I had something." The buzz from the set was so positive about the fast-talking, COURIER-POST, Monday, Entertainment New vigor for hit play of the '50s By ROBERT BAXTER Courier-Post Staff Craftsmanship is not a word you associate with many playwrights these days. The qualities that once distinguished stage works a well constructed plot and consistently drawn characters have all but disappeared from contemporary plays. The Foundation Theatre is bringing craftsmanship back to its audiences with a handsome revival of John van Druten's "Bell, Book and Candle." No one could argue this slight romantic comedy is a very probing or profound stage work.

But, unlike most plays that hit the boards these days, it has a tightly constructed plot and deftly drawn characters. Van Druten skims lightly over the surface of witchcraft in "Bell, Book and Candle." It takes place, after all, in 1950, a time when people even witches were just a bit more decorous and proper. Gillian Holroyd returns from Mexico to find she has a new tenant, a handsome publisher. Being a witch, she naturally casts a spell. Shep falls madly in love and ditches his fiancee for Gillian.

There's a problem. A witch can't be in love and retain her powers of witchcraft. And, of course, Shep doesn't know Gillian is a witch. The final two acts of this three-act play show the consequences. Is Shep's love genuine? Will Gillian give up her occult powers? These are hardly profound questions, but van Druten manipulates them skilfully.

He makes you care about his characters. What's Going On Art Exhibits Paintings of Nell Weinberg. Markeim Art Center, Lincoln Avenue at Walnut Street, Had-donfiekJ. through July 30. At the Shore Storytelling with Melissa Bunce.

Cape May Convention Hall, 10 a.m. Victorian Sampler Tour. The Brass Bed, 719 Columbia Cape May, 4 to 6 p.m. $10 adults; $5 children. Open House honoring the 20th Anniversary of the Coast Guard Station in Cape May in the air station's hanger from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m. An hour-long commemorative ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. Children's Film. The Incredible Journey." Long Beach Island Foundation, 120 Long Beach Boulevard, Loveladies, 7:30 p.m. riEstfc $3.50 Monday thru Saturday All Bhowa Baton 40 PM PENNSAUKEN MAAT 665-3322 LICENCE TO KILL (PG-13) ON TWO SCREENS, TOUR CHOICE OF TWE8: THE KARATE KID PART III (PG) DO THE RIGHT THING (R) Miana Jons and lh Last Crusads (PG-13) 6d By TOM GREEN Gannett News Service OK, OK, here's the story on Joe Pesci.

He's the one who plays the lovable double-crosser in the nation's No. 1 movie, "Lethal Weapon 2," the money launderer who wants to be a big shot and starts every sentence with "OK, OK." Pesci, pronounced PESH-ee, won an Oscar nomination playing prizefighter Jake LaMotta's brother in 1980's "Raging Bull." Then he pretty much disappeared. "Nobody came up with the right part," says the actor with a shrug. Two years ago he found his career stalled despite roles in little-seeri films like "I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can" and "Easy Money," and one quickly failed TV series, Nelson." Michael Jackson to the rescue. The rock superstar and his since-fired manager, Frank Dileo, cast Pesci as the vile drug lord Mr.

Big in Jackson's "Moonwalker" video, a part that had been written for Marlon Brando. Tit 1 Tonight at a PM Qat Tnaa To Nunaaoaal-Paopia Magazlna NUN8ENSE Ths Smash Hit Musical Comatty EVENINGS: TUESDAY THRU SAT. AT 8 PM-MATINEES: SATURDAY SUNDAY AT 3 PM Ticksta at Box Office, Tlcketron or TELEPHONb (Credit Cards) 215-823-02(0 ASK ABOUT DINNER A THEATRE SPECIAU Group Discounts 215-735-5505 SOCIETY HILL PLAYHOUSE 507 S. 8th Street 2 1 5 923-02 10 PUTTIN ON THE RITZ Present A Rogers and Hammerstein Musical Delight THE KINO AND I Books Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN Music by RICHARD ROGERS Based on' "Anna and the King of Siam" by MARGARET LANDON 2 WEEKS ONLY1 July 1 1-23 at 8 pm $10.00 July 16 ft 23 at 2 pm IS. 00 915 White Horse Pike.

Oaklyn. NJ 858-5230 2 NEW ADULT FEATURES 1 CONTINUOUS FROM 1 PM DAILY BOX OFFICE CLOSES 10 PM HYAPATIA LEE: The undiputed queen of pom, stsrs In a revealing story of bizsrre sexual conquest. The lusty and throbbing tales of women in power. Co starring TORY WELLS and KEISHA. UNIFORM SEXUAL BEHAVIOR xxx PLUS Arock hard and roll over sexual fantasy where everything is let loose.

Starring this year's new sex kitten TORRY WELLES with AERIAL KNIGHT. APRIL WEST and SASHA. TORRID WITHOUT A CAUSE XXX POSITIVELY ADULTS ONLYI General Cinema BARGAIN MATINEES ALL SHOWS BEFORE 6 PM DOLBY STEREO OPPOSITE SARS AUTO 84V8184 HOET I Wm THE KM IPS) jlMDUUU JONES (PS-ll) DEAD WET SOCIETY (Pfi) UTsUI OJ ICKLU (N-lll SOMMiRDAlt RO Not WHITE HOKSt PIKE 772-I77Y KDUUU mil IPO-II) I HOST I DON THE OA (PS) 12: DEAD POET SOCIETY (PG) I nam IT tool Pt-lfl a.H 'mniiaml4i-t- LTl I I 4 MSftKS (eg) a witch and Richard Topol her and Candle' at the Foundation transformation naturally. At first, this witch is a rather cold and sleek young woman. But as Gillian discovers her heart, Leonard's portrayal finds the depth of her character.

Greg Wood provides a convincing romantic foil. He displays some magic of his own when Shep, dialing his fiancee to sever their relationship, ties himself up in a phone cord. Wood somehow managing to wrap the cord around his legs and and loop it through his suspenders. Playing against these two fine performers are a trio of terrific character actors. Edward Gavin is a familiar face on local stages.

He's done nothing finer than his droll portrayal of Sidney Redlitch, the bumbling, alcoholic writer interested in magic. Carolyn O'Donnell leaves an indelible imprint on Gillian's madcap aunt. Looking like a 1950s Phyllis Diller, O'Donnell wears a succession of extravagant costumes designed by Gail Brassard. She savors her every appearance. ALL NUDE GO-GO DANCERS Continuous Show- II Girls on Sug.

No Co No Minimum Fsrrtssy In Flash Lounge 710 Blu Horn Pike UL EphrXm S31-M70 wuw! NICHOLSON KEATON (zkt PICTURES PMStNTS HOflEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS with TUMy TROUfilE THE WAl! OrSNEV COWPAN AMD AHUM MTERTMMfJT GENERAL CINEMA $3.50 Till 6 PM 5:10 uri-usin ItAI) AUIW 845-8184 GENERAL CINEMA ECHELON MAIL uuiuua tfOTHSIS 772-1779 $3.50 Till 6 PM 5:00 MON-THURS (4:45) 1 MON-THURS (4:30) ALBERT R. BROCCOU Prcssnlt TIMOTHY DALTON 01 lN RfMMG JAMES BOND 00Tr llCENCE ToIilLL El iPiflil 1 8:50 11:40 I 13 74-1 1 4j 1 i Bewitched: Valerie Leonard is unwitting admirer in 'Bell, Book Theater in Pemberton. Review 'Bell, Book and Candle' By John van Druten. Directed by Dennis Delaney. Scenic design by Bart Healy.

Costume design by Gail Brassard. Lighting design by Christopher Gorzelnik. Production stage manager Megan Miller-Shields. Produced by Foundation Theatre at Burlington County College. Performed through July 23.

THE CAST Gillian Holroyd Valerie Leonard Shepherd Henderson Greg Wood Miss Holroyd Carolyn O'Donnell Nicky Holroyd Richard Topol Sidney Redlitch Edward Gavin Pyewacket Oscar Foundation Theatre produces "Bell, Book and Candle" in wonderful style. Director Dennis Delaney has assembled a top-notch cast. His staging reveals the laughter but also the poignant romance in this deft comedy. Valerie Leonard charts Gillian's Especially for Kids Toddler Moming Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels. Pennypacker Park, Park Boulevard at Whitman Avenue, Cherry Hill, 1 0:30 a.m.

Animal Songs and Tales for children 5-8. Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th and the Parkway, Philadelphia, 10 to 1 1 a.m. Fairs Gibbsboro Anniversary Celebration, Cricket Field, Route 561 (Haddonfield-Berlin Road), Gibbsboro, through Saturday. Games, rides, music, food, etc. St nt (TWMJTE) SHOW OAILV Child Seniors At All Times No Passes Accepted This InsajcmcM 848-2400 LICENCE TO KILL (PG13) LETHAL WEAPON 2 (R) WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S pg.3 GREAT BALLS FIRE (PG13) KARATE KID III pg) DO THE RIGHT THING GHOSTBUSTERS II (PG) FIELD OF DREAMS (PG) 596-8288 Rout 73 In Grasnlras Squara PETER PAN (R) LETHAL WEAPON 2 (R) WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S (PG13) BATMAN (PG13) Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (pg GHOSTBUSTERS II (PC) MOM-THURS-1 STAR TREK (PG) DEAD POETS SOCIETY (PG) 764-1153 PETER PAN (G) MON-THURS-1 LETHAL WEAPON 2 (R) BATMAN (PG13) MON-THURS-1 1 :1 5-1 Honey I Shrunk the Kids pg With ROGER RABBIT In "Tummy Troutol" ISfOp'S CLASSIC THURSDAY (5:15) 9:15 MONDAY THURSDAY 59-82fi THUR.

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