Philadelphia Daily News from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 36

THE PHttADa'PHIA'D'AILY'NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1995 PAGE 36 TWLV A5AR5 Presents fair lady Dinner Show from $20.95 4200 Citv Line Phila. f215 879-0851 'Panther' lacks much -needed emotion The ambitious movie is a father-son project for Melvin (who writes) and Mario Van Peebles (who directs). The former is known for the legendary "Sweet Sweetback's Badassss Song," the latter shot up the 'hood in "New Jack City." Both seem to hope for an epic like Spike Lee's "Malcolm but the material fails them. Of course, the Panther story is a serious downer. The leaders never became icons like Malcolm or Martin Luther King Jr.

Some members are still jailed and few care. It could also be a visceral reaction. While the Black Muslims of were as finely choreo-See PANTHER Page 41 narrative film based on fact. And as such it is sluggish, uninspired. While the Vietnam War rages on television, the membership meetings that fill the screen are not compelling.

The political speeches are not electrifying. The years drag on even for cinematic time. The year 1967, for example, lasts for more than an hour. What's troubling is that the overdue story of the Black Panthers long the stepchildren of the civil-rights movement because of their aggressive, gun-waving style is an emotionally vibrant one. It brims with police brutality, bloody murder, racial tension and this film has all of tn- Anderson Jones Daily News Staff Writer Throughout "Panther" I kept waiting for a singular moment.

Maybe even a few that would define this film and crystallize the Black Panther Party it presumes to pay homage to. I was hoping for a connection to this scrappy band of 1960s revolutionaries based in Oakland, many of whom were martyred, imprisoned and beaten for daring to push back when pushed. And that moment those moments never came. The film is, in fact, more a fictionalized documentary than a GUIDE TO THE LIVELY ARTS 31 Vt Group Rates Free Parking iw NORTH AMERICAN MOTOR INN 4444 City Line Avenue, PA 19131 DAYRATE $29.50 WITH THIS AD 878-3100 ALL SPECTRUM EVENTS ALL PHILLIES SUM MB. 5, 22-23-24-3 CffiCUS 531 Tt I'll WKiHwmssiu TWPfTTTI, ERK OAPTON 13 1 14 4CADEMY OF WJSC VALLEY F0SG MUSIC FAIf ALL PHILA Y.

THEATRES SPORTS GLASSMAN'S $. IJl St. tai Ucast St.) GRAND OPENING Discount prints and posters an C'Keee Bea'den. Goodmcnt. Rivera Turner.

Bv-d. 3rtt. Marrise. Vvatson FRL 11 6 pm PHILLY ART 7140 Germantown Ave. African-American Art Starving Black Artist Sale Wtecnescav ir-ru auoay Nocn to SkM Orginais from $10.00 Prints from S3.00 Free Print wtfi the ad The Art Auction 3809 Lancaster Ave (University City) 387-4520 Toptgfrt at 8 o.m.

American Music Theater Festival oresents Not to 06 missec vaneiy Claiborne Cary staring tn "From Gesnwin to Sondheim" April 2t-29 arc May 3-6 Wee! Turs at Dom. Frt Sat 7:30 10cm Tcers S16.50 $22. AMTF Memoers $12 AMTF Cabaret At Hotel Atop The BeMevue Broad ft Walnut St. Caft Upstages Box Offica 21583-1145 PHILADELPHIA'S ORIGINAL MURDER MYSTERY MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER G'H Certificates Avao Hors'dcuves Dinner Sto Fri Sat Fn HaaepfHa's Onoir-al Murde1 Mystery MYSTERY CAFE AT BISTRO ROMANO 120 Lombard St 215-238-1313 Twelve Caesars Musical Theater presents MY FAIR LADY A Musical Comedy Masterpiece LAVISH FULL COURSE DINNER SERVED BUFFET STYLE FROM 420.95 FREE PARKING For more information caH TWELVE CAESARS MUSICAL THEATER 4200 CITY LINE AVE. (215) 879-0851 rra wires MEDICINE, SCIENCE AND JUDAISM: SOME HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES A Lecture by Professor David Ruderman Director.

0 of Center for Judaic Studies Wednesday. May 3. 5:30 p.m. FREE TO THE COMMUNfTY Get-sh man YM YWHA Branch Jewish Community Centers Broad and Ptne Sta, (215) 545-4400 that, but no emotional core. How could that be? Perhaps because the focus of "Panther" shifts from Judge (Ka-deem Hardison), the reluctant revolutionary who narrates the story; to Bobby Seale (Courtney B.

Vance), the movement's leader; to Huey Newton (Marcus Chong), its soul; to drugs in the ghetto. Neither Hardison, late of TV's "A Different World," or stage actor Chong manage to hold the screen, and Hardison in particular never manages to commit to the Party. His blank face makes you wonder Does the movement bore Judge, or does Hardison hate his job? iliMAii Venture Tneatre presents Terrence McNally FRANKIE AND JOHNNY THE CLAIR de LUNE A magical blend of romance, drama and comedy April 29 May 20 Tkts Reduced rates lor Students and Seniors Discount Parking Group Rates Venture Theatre 215-923-2766 Stage Three 1619 Walnut Street CaH Upstage 893-1145 Inter Act Theatre Company presents GOD'S COUNTRY by Steven Dietz Dynamic. Disturbing, Unbelievable. And true.

A riveting courtroom drama about trie wtiite supremacist movement and the assassination of Jewish radio talk show host Aian Berg. A fnghtenirvgiy real and timely Diayt May 4 -21 Tickets $8- 16 The Annenberg Center 3680 Walnut Street CaH UpStage at (215) 893-1145 Final Performance on Saturday. May 6tn! Bertolt Brectit's fanciful fable THE GOOD WOMAN OF SETZUAN a treat for tne ear ana evocative ecno of Chinese operatic muse neard through a SchoenbefQ pnsrn Eiizaoerh Finkier, WELCOMAT Tburs Sat at 8 pm Trx $15: Discounts for seniors, students, groups Minutes from Center City; Near SeDta R3 HEDGEROW THEATRE Rose Valley, Pa. 610-565-4211 it eafss tne exoamatron point." Phtt. Inq.

427 95 rugh Grease! is a eicrrtul srow." Courier Post TONIGHT THPOUGH SUNDAY! Showtime 8PM through Friday GREASE THE OFFICIAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION Featuring, Sally Strutters, Flex Smith, and Micky Dolenz Tickets now at Box Office or call Charge-By-Phone 215-336-2000 609-665-2500 MERRIAM THEATER 250 South Broad SL PEOPLE'S LIGHT THEATRE THE THIRD ANNUAL SHORT STUFF FESTIVAL Featuring plays from Arthur Miiier. J.M. Barne. John Mitlington Synge. David tves arid Peter Barnes Half An Hour By J.M.

Barne In The Shadow Of The Glen dy John Millington Synge -April 19-June 11. 1995 Wed Sat 0 Bom, Sun 2pm 7pm. Tickets The People's Light 4 Theatre Company RL 401 (Btw. Rte 30 ft 202) Malvern Groups (610)647-1900 Box Office (610)644-3500 A DUEL OF TWO GREAT LEGAL MINDS INHERIT THE WIND by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee May 4, 5.

6. 7 (Matl 10. 11, 12. 13- 17. 18, 19.

20 CURTAIN 8 PM EVES 2 PM MATS. ADULTS $12 Under 21 $6 We Accept Drama Guild Exchanges PLAYERS CLUB OF SWARTHMORE Fairview Rd just off Rt 320 (Chastar Rd), Swarthmora Information (610) 32M271 OPENING SOON! Low-price previews May 4-6 "One of the five best snows on Broadway or New York Magazine The American Music Theater Festival presents JELLY ROLLI THE MUSIC AND THE MAIM Starring Oboa Babatunde Mav 4 -May 21 ay 21 Tickets: May $10- Plays A Players Theatre 1714 Delancey Place, Phila. CaH Upstages Box Office (215) 643-1145 a OPENS TONIGHT. 7 PM AMERICAN PREMIERE OF BRITAIN'S HIT MUSICAL COMEDY LUST By THE HEATHER BROTHERS Now through JUNE 11 POST-SHOW DISCUSSION following matinees on MAY 4 and MAY 7 Tickers $10 $39 WALNUT STREEET THEATRE 9th Walnut Sts 215-574-3550, ext 4 The Perfect Family Show Kids' Tix 50 Off show Price OKLAHOMA! Directed by Jesse Cline Thru May 21 2pm 8pm Performances Show Only Show with Dining Subscriber GroupSeniorStudent Discounts Reservations (610) 566-4020 or Charge by phone show-only TeketMaster (215) 336-2000 MEDIA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS State ft Monroe Streets, Media DRAMA GUILD TICKET EXCHANGE PARTICIPANT TODAY AT 2 8 PM NOW EXTENDED thru JULY 15th! THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Tickets Now at Box Office or Call TeleCharge: 1-800-447-7400 FORREST THEATRE 1114 Walnut St Info only: 215-923-1515 PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC THEATRE PRESENTS PUUTZEB PRIZE AND TONY AAARD w.NNING PLAY THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON STARRING THE AUTHOR JASON MILLER "Jason Miller stars in the Pulitzer Prize Winner Inquirer (Mature Content and Language. Parental discretion advised) Weekends through May 27 TICKETS ON SALE NOW Limited Engagement! at the Ethical Society RlttenhouM Square Call: 215-333-9170 Starts tonight at 730! Direct from Off-Broadway! The Intrrritabie Charles Busch in his Phila.

debut! The Wilma Theater YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY written by and starring Charles Busch directed by Kenneth Elliott "An utterly winning new comedy!" N.Y. Times "A Cinderella story with beHy laugns A smasfi N.Y. Qtreerver Tickets 12-32 Special May 6 matinee to benefit MANNA The Wllma Theater 2030 Sanson. Street, Philadelphia (215) 963-0345 for tickets and information ami 2 Pennsytvania Pro Musca offers Handel's SAMSON 3 00 PM. SUNDAY, MAY 7 Phone orders: Upstages 2 1 5-893-1 145: or -Go in person to John Wanamaker: 3G Market Juniper CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY 19th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia SOFT PARADE A Tribute to the DOORS Thursday.

May 4. 1995 at 9:00 p.m. Middle East 126 Chestnut Phila. (215) 922-1003 lor more information THE CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA SEAN DBBLEH. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR VERDI REQUIEM Karen Williams.

Soorano CfauCine Carlson. Mezzo-soprano Vahan Khanzaatan. Tenor Richara Zeiier. Baritone May 7 3:00 PM Tickets: S10-S30 Followed by a Reception and Sifent Auction at the Pyramid Club. 1735 Market Street (Mellon Bank Center) Tickets: $55 ($10 tax deductible); reservations required Academy of Music 215-545-8634 or 215-693-1999 WMt The Waft Whitman Center Presents Renowned Beat Poet ALLEN GINSBERG With Poet Joe Weil "Beat Buddhas: Howling Down The Century" Sundav.

May 7. 1995 2.30 PM relecectionBbok Signing To Follow Reading Sl5Adults $BKids 12 Under Tickets Can Be Charged VISA or MasterCard Walt Whitman Cultural Art Center 2nd Cooper Sts Camden, NJ For Information Call 609964-8300 laaaaiaJaaUM Opens Tonight thru May 21 36 by: Norman Lessmg A co-prorjuetior Theatre Ane recteS Decoraf Baer Mess Tckets S17-S2i 5c -ales tor StuOeris. Srs. Groups ftdO-Sat at 8 PM Wed. Uay 1C i 17 at 2 PU, 3tn.

2 pM 'asc Ma 7 at 7 PMi NO fUDAi CERrCHMANCES CHELTENHAM CENTER FOR THE ARTS Bernard H. Berger Theattr 439 Ashbourne Rd Cheltenham Tfcketr M5-37M027 or UpStagec 21S493-1145 BRISTOL RIVERSIDE THEATRE presents Chicago set gangsteriand Chicago of the 1920's by Bod Fosse. John Kanoer and Fred Ebb April 25 May 14. Tickets $19 $22 Call lor Tickets Todayt (215) 785-0100 Bristol Riverside Theatre 120 Redcttrfe Street, Bristol, PA 19007 Now Playing. Three Weeks Only! THE FANTASTICKS AMERICA'S FAVORITE FAMILY MUSICAL Fri Sat 8 00 P.M.

Sunday 3:00 P.M. Ask ADOut Our Dinner Packages SOCIETY HILL PLAYHOUSE 507 8. 8th Street Phlta. (215) 923-0210 Thrs Saturday Ontv! Giassboro Center tor trie Arts THE CANADIAN BRASS Back Dy Popuiaf Demand Special Benefit Performance Friday. May 5.

8 00p m. Tickets S20.00-$37 50 20 mils, from Watt Whitman Bndoe via NJ 55 (Exit 50A) Wilson Concert Hall Rowan College 609256-4545 or call UpStagea at 215893-1145 THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA Directed by Larry O'Brien MAY 5, 8:00 PM. S21. At Box Office or 24-Hr. Phone-Charoe 572-7650 KESWICK THEATRE Eastern Road Keswick Avenue Glenside.

572-7650 WOGL Presents THIS SATURDAY AT 7 PM Harvey Holiday's ACAPELLAFEST Starnr-c A Perfect btend Regency Frank ie The Fashions Reunion Special Guest. Willie Winfield Ail Seating Reserved Theatre of Living Arts 334 South Street, Phila. 215-922-1011 The Muscat Fund Society and ChamDer Waste Society present Pianist RUTH LAREDO in a Concert with Commentary Fenormtng Speaking on woms oy Bacn, Beethoven. Rachmaninoff and more Wednesday. May 10 1995.

8:00 P.M. Tickets only $10 Each Curtis Institute of Music Ticketsticket-charge: (215) 569-8587 ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY! Ali Star Forum Concerts NADJA SALERNO-SONNENBERG, violinist appearing as guest witn MONTE CARLO PHILHARMONIC JAMES DEPRIEST, Music Director rogar features oir Zcrcen arc Sravneti 5 Frewti Sate incs. Ml. a I Ta I Academy of MusicBroad A Locust Sts. Call AcademyCharge at 215-893-1999 The Philadelphia Boys Choir Chorale hosts its 27tr.

Annual opnng Concert Series FRIDAY, Mav 12. at 8:00 p.m. Concerts feature seiectcrs from Arencar fo arrd pafrotc songs B-'cacwav. eerDts from the Doouiar "lxjh King" as weii as cftr-os from Sacred and Gcsoe Admtss'on $15 For tickets caii: NJ: 609-429-5080 PA: 215-222-3500 Haddonfield United Methodist Church 29 Warwick Road, Haddonfield, NJ The Philadelphia Boys Choir Chorale hosts its 27tn Annual Spring Concert Sertes SATURDAY. May t3.

1996 at 8 00 p.m. Concent feature setectioos from American to and pafotc soncJ 3rDaaway exerpts trotr tne DOpuiar "Lion King" as eJi as otfer-ngs fron tre SacreC anrj GcsceiScintuai Aarmsson $15 For nckets caii: 215-222-3500 University of the Arts, Great Hall Broad a Pine Stmts, Phila-, PA The Philadelphia Boys Choir Chorale hosts its Annual Spring Concert Series SUNDAY. May 14, 1995 at 3 00 p.m. Concerts feature selections from American folk and patriotic songs. Broadway exercts from tne ooooar "ben King" as weu as ttermas trorr tne Sacred aw Spiritual Admission $15 For tickets call: 215-222-3500 Paoll Presbyterian Church 22S South VaUay, PaoM, PA.