The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada • 38

THE GAZETTE, MONTREAL, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8. 1997 ENTERTAINMENT Dancer still packs a punch a 12 PETRONIO Continued from PageB7 Tomorrow, Petronio performs the solo 3. It was choreographed in 1986 as a study inspired by photographic images of public figures including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Ronald Reagan. And although it's been updated over the years, the central theme remains the same use body as a vocal instrument without using the voice. The Stephen Petronio Company is at Theatre Maisonneuve tomorrow at Tickets range from $26 to $45.

Tickets for students and seniors cost $20. For more information, call 521-1212. TODAY'S SCHEDULE Dance Company Leine and Roebana, with choreogaphets Andrea Leine and Harijono Roebana, at 7 p.m. at Agora de la Danse, 840 Cherrier St EJickets cost $27; students, seniors, $20. ManteroValenciano, with fera Martteto (Portugal) and Monica Valencia no (Spain), at 5:30 p.m.

at Agora de la Danse, 840 Chenier St ETctets cost $27; students and seniofs, $20. Off-festhai Lynda Gaudmau Compagnie de Brune presents an open dress rehearsal of Still Life No. 1, at 3 and 9 p.m. at La Chapelle du Historique du Bon-Pasteur, 100 Sherbrooke St E. Free admission.

840-9202. Benoit Lachambre presentsThe Water Fait Mai. at 3 and 8:30 p.m. at 3 p.m. at Maison de la Culture Plateau Mont Royal, 465 Mont Royal Ave.

E. 872-2266. Les Ephemeres 1997, choreographic installations by Jean-Pierre Perreaultfrom 5 to 10 p.m. at Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault, 2022 Sherbrooke St E. Admission: $8.50.

525-2464. The result is the abstract piece Lareigne, also on the Montreal program. Petronio actively courted a more contemplative state of mind to mark a significant anniversary However, this does not mean the edge has dulled. His choreographies continue to pack a punch. Deborah Jowitt of the Village Voice recently wrote: "Stephen Petronio's table boasts everything the millennial appetite appears to crave: risk, physical prowess, sensuality, excess, and kinky chic." Petronio began dancing when he was 18 years old a late start for someone with an eye on a professional career in dance.

He was the first male dancer to join the Trisha Brown Company, where he danced for seven years. After forming his own company, he won the first American Choreographers award in 1987 and a Bessie in 1996. He has choreographed for ballet and contemporary companies of considerable import, including William Forsyth's Frankfurt Ballet and the Deutsche Oper in Berlin. And, at 41, he continues to juggle performance, choreographic and directing responsibilities, describing the combination of pressures as "a horror." KUMON helps students of oil ages to succeed in school or to stay at the head of the class. Your local Kumon Centre offers convenient and affordable after-school learning programs for: better math and reading skills; stronger concentration and study habits; and improved self-confidence.

There are Kumon Centres located throughout the Montreal area, for more information call 514-875-1033 or: 1-800-ABC-MATH. E3KUMON' MATH READING CENTRES visit an the web at: www kumon.com Learning How To Learn Beauty and the Maple Leaf Disney Animation Canada unveils its first film First at the Bay, the new fragrance from Clinique. clinique happy fA JOHN MCKAY Canadian Press TORONTO Like proud papas and mamas, the 220 employees of Walt Disney Animation Canada are about to show off their brand new baby. It's a direct-to-video sequel called Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, set for release on Nov. 11.

"There's certainly enthusiasm in the studio," said Lenora Hume, the Walt Disney senior vice-president for international production. "I mean, they are really looking forward to the world seeing this product." The 72-minute video, 19 months in production in Disney's new Toronto and Vancouver facilities, expands on the BERNARD WEIL, CP Belle and the Beast pose at Toronto Disney studio. Meet die new Jxagrance for women clinique happy. a hint of citrus a wealth of flowers a mix of emotions wear it and be happy. clinique happy.

50 mL perfume spray 47.50 100 mL perfume spray $65 romance between Belle and the Beast in the enchanted castle. The original voices return, including Robby Benson as the Beast, Paige O'Hara as Belle and Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts. Tim Curry signed up to voice the film's new villain, a malevolent pipe organ called Forte And there are a handful of new songs, too. Hume said the production had an immovable completion date since it was targeted to the coming holiday season, and was finished on time.

She said the artists involved saw the final product only a few days ago and pronounced it "terrific," although Disney provided the media with only a few preview snippets. It's been just three years since the direct-to-video market took off for Disney with the surprisingly successful release of the Aladdin sequel The Return of Jafar, which sold 16 million copies worldwide. So it was decided to create a sister division to Disney's Hollywood feature factory and to locate it in Canada expressly to churn out more modestly budgeted TV and video fare such as the Beauty and the Beast sequel. The studio is now turning its attention to Pocahontas Two and a Lion King spinoff. Plans call for the combined Vancouver-Toronto facility to release two to three films a year for TV and video.

Hume vigorously denies any creative corners are cut with direct-to-home productions and insists savings are largely invisible to the average viewer. With image details, a TV monitor tends to be a bit more forgiving than a giant theatrical screen, she said. "When you're looking at it you might say if this is going to be projected 35 feet across, we would go in and finesse it a little further." The Canadian studio isn't starting from scratch either It's given a completed script from head office in Burbank and many of the original elements, from storyboard design to the choice of actors' voices, are handed down from the earlier theatrical feature. But officials are vague on the financial advantages of skipping the usual theatrical distribution step. As for why Disney chose Canada, Hume credits the traditional support for the arts here and the flow of fctlent through the educational system.

"Such a good flow that a lot of them have left the country in search of the kind of work they would like to do." By building animation studios here, she said, Disney gives those Canadians an opportunity to stay at home. She said 80 per cent of the staff comes from Toronto's Sheridan College, which enjoys a reputation for producing world-class animators and artists. CLINIQUE com www the Bringing The Best To You Families, let's talk. Ancl we are. e.re.

to listen ust give us a call. MORDECAI RICHLER is completely reasonable in his own outrageous way. Now you can read this best-selling author's views every Sunday, in The Gazette's MAGAZINE. Montreal region (514) 342-AUO (2556) Outside Montreal 18S3 257-ALLU (2556) Social workers and marriage and family therapists will be giving fret consultations. ml Wednesday, October 8,1997, 9 a.m.

to 9 p.m..