The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 67

THE BOSTON GLOBE FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994 67 Backstage Sly, funny 'Four Weddings' keeps chaos on the boil 'Maggie's Riff' brings a Kerouac novel to the stage Frances West will perform "The Inner House," a one-woman show about Edith Wharton, April 8 and 9 at the Institute of Contemporary Art, 955 Boylston St. The mono-drama was conceived by Shakespeare Company's Dennis Kraus-nick, who will direct. tionist and wonderful revival of "My Fair Lady" at the Virginia Theatre in New York. Melissa Errico, who was ill during the Boston tryout, is to continue as Eliza Doolittle. (We had Errico's understudy, Meg lin.) "My Fair Lady," in one of the toughest winter seasons on Broadway, is doing business.

According to Variety's tabulation, it played to 88.2 percent capacity last week; "Tommy," for comparison, played to 75.9 percent. "The Phantom of the Opera" drew 100.1 percent, "Miss Saigon" 94.7, "Les Miserables" 78.5. ed by Spring Sirkin, has asked Norton to reconsider. Wednesday it was announced that the awards, which are now to be called the Boston Theater Awards, would continue with the understanding that Norton could "withdraw his name from the medal when ill health prevents him from being personally involved in the selection of the recipient." He has agreed. The selections are to be announced in late spring.

In addition to honors given those who have contributed to the local theater season through acting, designing or directing, there are two more categories, one "for outstanding production," one "for distinguished contribution to the theater." Goodspeed Opera House, the jewel-box musical revival house in East Haddam, has announced its 1994 springsummerfallearly winter season: "Kiss Me, Kate," April 6 to July "Shenandoah," July 6 to Sept. 30; "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," Oct 5-Dec. 18. "Shenandoah," by the way, is "a 20th-anniversary production." It tried out at Goodspeed in 1974, then ran on Broadway from Jan. 7, 1975 to Aug.

7, 1977, a total of 1,050 performances. Based on James Lee Barrett's screenplay about the Cjvil War, the stage adaptation by Barrett, Peter Udell and Philip Rose, has a vibrant antiwar score by Udell and Gary Geld. On April 8 Michael Moriarty will replace Richard Chamberlain as Professor Higgins in the deconstruc- nBoston Baroque Martin Pearlman-- Music Director PurccN Premier Comical History of Don Quixote Special guest narrator Robert Brustein Artistic Director of the A.H T. Monteverdi Favorite Madrigals of Love War Friday, March 25, 8pm Jordan HallNE Conservatory Tickets sUrt at S1 4.SO Sharon Baker, Jayne West, Frank Kelley, James Maddalena Li 53flStlin 466-1818 for Home Delivery dSlobe CRAZY FOR By Kevin Kelly GLOBE STAFF "Kerouac Park" in Lowell has been renamed "Maggie's Riff." If you're looking for a bosky glade north of Boston, don't. Both the old and the new title refer to an adaptation by Jon Lipsky of Jack Kerouac's novel "Maggie Cassidy," which is set in Lowell in 1939.

Under the direction of David Kent, the play runs at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre March 25 to April 16 on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule, with the exception of a Monday performance March 28 at 7:30 p.m. The play is part of Merrimack's so-called Lowell Trilogy dealing "with issues related to the evolution of the community." The first in the series was "The Survivor," subtitled "A Cambodian Odyssey." The final work has yet to be announced. It's to be developed from one of two prospects: a collaborative piece possibly with a rock score "about the rise and fall of industry in Lowell," with Wang as a major factor, or a play focusing on the city's "Latino infusion." The production is a possibility for next season. Elliot Norton announced Feb. 10 the cancellation of the annual awards given in his name, a statement that caught the members of his awards committee off guard.

Norton said that given his frail health (he's 90, legally blind, suffering from osteoarthritis of the spine), he found the situation upsetting because "every year there's been a glitch of some kind." Since then the committee, head The the Star of as FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL Directed by: Mike Neivell Screenplay by: Richard Curtis Starring: Hugh Grant, Andie MacDoweU, Kristin Scott Thomas, Simon Callow, James Fleet, John Hannah, Charhtter Coleman, David Bower, Corin Redgrave, Rotvan Atkinson Playing at: Copley Place, Harvard Square Rated: (language, some sexuality) reaching for the ring. It all plays out very satisfyingly, being predictable and yet not predictable as Charles starts feeling overwhelmed by the snowballing social pressure to marry, and screenwriter Richard Curtis finds ways to keep the delicate chaos on the boil. The idea of having all the climactic moments unfold at these ceremonies, where feelings run high, was an ingenious one, and Curtis is exhilaratingly resourceful in keeping things light, propulsive, smart, sweet, eccentric and gracefully detailed. And Newell brings deftness to his shaping of the characters and the moments, putting lots of screwball spin on the yearning that really is the film's motor. Grant shines as a light comedian, a master of stylish self-deprecation, funny because he wants so desperately to be cool, yet can't keep the lid on his distress.

MacDowell is a dream, a '30s song come to life rueful, experienced, yet still a romantic. The rest of the floating wedding party is right on target, too Simon Callow's expansive ham, Kristin Scott Thomas' rejected aristocrat maintaining her pride while chasing Charles, Charlotte Coleman's wistful little dandelion of a flatmate, James Fleet's affectionate ninny, Rowan Atkinson's maladroit priest and David Bower's heartfelt younger brother to Charles. "Four Weddings and a Funeral" is so full of elegant bounce that you aren't always aware of what a splendid balancing act it is. It's sly, libidinous, sunny, quick and altogether beguiling. 4 i mm iMiiMkli i-flTM TTM I CONNECTION I 1IUPI a I NO SERVICE CHARGES VALIDATED PARKING BOSTON'S DONAL DONNELLY Broadway's Dancing at Lughnasa George Bernard l)aw in internationally acclaimed show on life and wit of George Bernard Shaw.

"You want to stand up and cheer." Toronto Globe and Mail r-7 By Jay Can- GLOBE STAFF 'In Mike Newell's delightful ro-jhantic comedy, "Four Weddings rtyid a Funeral," Hugh Grant's Mnvip Charles is a diffi-: dent young Eng- KCVICW lishman who has I trouble commit- ting, but not because his environ-: ment isn't urging him to. As he hur-Stjjes unsettlingly past his 30th birth-Jday, his hitherto single friends begin framing wedding invitations down on Jjiirji like stones. As the film opens, fes so used to attending weddings he and his flatmate, Scarlett, '3jnow better than to make other plans. Waking up late and "stressed in their respective beds Jach weekend, they hurl themselves their finery and canter off to or that church, then have all can do to keep from sobbing '3nfo the champagne and smoked Salmon at the receptions afterward. i This lugubrious pattern is 'prpken when he spies a ravishing American, Andie MacDowell's Carrie, at one of the weddings and things go unbelievably well.

The next morning, she says she has to go, and he lets her. By the time he spots her at the next wedding, he's ready to make his move, but is crushed to learn she's engaged to a Scotsman much older than she is. Worse, his old girlfriends gang up on him and catalog his shortcomings at great 'length and intensity. He even suffers a further indignity when he takes refuge in a bedroom, jumps into a closet when the new bride and groom step inside for a quickie, and winds up making an embarrassing exit All the pivotal events take place at weddings and there really is a funeral, too, which forces Charles to do some stock-taking. Finally, it's Charles' turn when he decides to give in and marry one of his old girlfriends who still loves jhim.

Then he spies Carrie among the turnout in the church, alone, and his heart starts somersaulting as he's $5 off with I'll real knecslappett this ad! Jbmya Harding Expnaa tic ket call 628-9575 WEDNESW NIGHTS IN MARCH Dinner upstairs at Roberta's Cafe then see the show Only $24.95 (Show only also available) mapn CHARGE BY PHONE (617) 426-5225 IlKS-rKUlS; SAW 6:30 SlIU A 3 7:30 as JAMES WILLIAMS i-15 Bewi 13. jaw jKtan In SW. fttkart BeJ Man 321 ON STAGE CONCERT SERIES Tu. 322 FRANK WILKINS JAZZ VOCAL SHOWCASE 528 DAVID CROHAN "An Eveing piano Thu-523 ELIANE ELIAS -CANCELLED GLORIA LYNNE VsowSm Outlets or Res. call 931-2000 or 562-4111 Mi Fri -Sat 10:30 Partina S3 4.

1 Scullers Jtizz Club presents ith special (jiksI Mar Phil Perry David Benoit I the Rippingtons i (Sunday, April 17 7 PM I Berklee Performance Center Tkta. S22.SO. 20 SO Ijmtiol number dokkn Circle S2K SO iftQum duny by phunr 9.4I-2IMO RctUcc Bin Office. Mas. Ar.

Busum SZ Bank Of Boston This Sunday, 3 pm Symphony Hall 266-1492 Maurizio PoIIini Celebrated pianist in recital BEETHOVEN, Sonata no. 5, Op. 10, no. 1 MjIoW Sonata, Op. 53 Schumann, Kreisleriana CHOW, Bollode minor An Aaron and Ame Rxhrnond Piano ftec fcl Remaining Tickets: $32.

$28, $25, $20 Symphony Charge 266-1200; (Mon-Sot 10-6) it "irafh v. gsirnBlaug. mtim auger Cue.it Qmrttn Suit Hotel Mai. Ptha a Slotrow Pr. I 1 1 1.

11 Russ Freeman ot the Rinomutoas mImmmk TO YOU IT LOOKS LIKE A HALF-EATEN RED APPLE. "'CRAZY FOR YOU IS SO FULL OF EFFERVESCENCE, IT MAKES YOU DIZZY WITH GLEE! GREAT SCORE, FUNNY BOOK AND A KNOCK-OUT PRODUCTION!" -Kevin Kelly, Boston Globe "A POWERHOUSE OF ENTERTAINMENT, and a treat fOR THE KIDS AS WELL! IT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE, GUARANTEED!" -Iris Fanger, Boston herald "WHAT A SHOW! WHAT A CAST! NOT ONLY ARE YOU GOING TO BE CRAZY EOR 'CRAZY TOR YOU BUT YOU'RE GOING TO RAVE ABOUT IT TO EVERYONE!" -Frank Dolan, WHDH-AM "'CRAZY FOR YOU IS A CANT-MISS SENSATION! A FLAT-OUT BIG, OLD-FASHIONED MUSICAL THAT PUTS THE BUZZ' BACK IN BERKELEY! I AM JUST NUTS FOR I COULDN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING The Brandeis University Theater Arts Department presents In rotating repertory Tonight thru Sunday Spingold Theater Center CALL Our Ctmatry's Cud by Timberlake Wertenbaker A moving drama and true story of the first theatrical performance In Australia set In 1789. Ti Ktenitiaf Officer by George Farquhar A classic restoration comedy set In 736-3400 Shrewsbury In 1704. r-TTm; i Hi TICKETMASTERj TONIGHT AT 8PM ef "A UIICIrAI TRIUMPH!" 4S6-69IS -NY TIMES Group. 482-6574 Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St, Boston HT Productions Tfej Party Concerts present ONII AREA APPEARANCE! ANDREAS VOLLENWEIDER AND FRIENDS WED.

APRIL 13 I 7:30 PM SYMPHONY i HALL Tickets: $24.50. 21.50 iJ-" mmmmmmmmmk svmsairT Symphony Hall Box Office outfetiCkije by phone 931-2000 or Symphony charge- 266 1200 THE JOHN ABERCROMBIE TRIO HMnSildixr, S'4 lOom SU a Mir SM Sl2 S'2 THE GERI ALLENWALLACE R0NEY QUARTET 20 Mat Sue 3om-5 30pm Si 2 THE NEW BLACK EAGLE JAZZ BAND WITH BUTCH THOMPSON 22 Toe 8 30am S8 TRAVEUN' LIGHT WITH SAM PILAFIAN PETER ECKLUND FRANK VIGN0LA 23 8 30ot-12 jDam J10 1 30MH2 30ot li 25 to hi SI4''" S1 to iciiiJtS. lapa SiS $12. jen RUTH BfiOWN FRIENDS II 1 -Joyce mjinavvik, jmK WBZ-TV TO SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN THROUGH OUR EXHIBIT, IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS EATEN BETWEEN 6 AND 12 P.M. BY A MALE WITH A CHIPPED UPPER-RIGHT BICUSPID, AN EXTREME OVERBITE, AND A MISSING LOWER LEFT FIRST MOLAR THAT POSITIVELY CONFIRMS THE IDENTITY OF THE VICTIM IN YOUR FIRST MURDER CASE.

A robbery in a diner. A dead body in the alley. Whodunit? It's the new interactive exhibit where you hear the eye witnesses, gather the evidence, and use the science of forensics to crack the case. Investigation is now underway. This exhibit recommended for children nine years and older.

WHODUNIT? MUSEUM 07 SCIENCE SUN. 3 PM CmRVA Now thru I Ql APril i I Groups (20 or more): 1 -80O447-7400 (g) SMUBERT THEATRE 265 Tremont Sl. Boston Sana suan tovt Hms irbWcoFtosraN.