The Berkshire Eagle from Pittsfield, Massachusetts • 33

By Lynn Elber Associated LOS ANGELES The reis- "Star Wars" prevailed over special-effects rival "Dante's to remain the top at the box office with a take of $24.3 million. "Dante's Peak," starring Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton, earned a healthy $18.5 million over the weekend to finish in second place. The Universal Pictures vol'cano epic bested the $18.1 million earned by "Wayne's World" the 119.92 four-day President's DaY: oliday. But "Dante's Peak" failed to open as spectacularly as another disaster movie, "Twister," which grossed $41 million in its debut last May a more traditional time of year for big-budget action films. The film features Brosnan as a scientist and Hamilton as the mayor of a small town threatened by a volcano.

It got to the screen ahead of the upcoming "Volcano," starring Tommy Lee Jones and set in Los Angeles. The movie, which reportedly cost $100 million-plus, is the latest in a string of simpleminded thrill rides that some critics blame the success of "Star Wars" for making fashionable. But big-budget action films have been a mixed bag lately. While last year's "Twister" and "Independence Day" were By Michael Kuchwara Associated Press NEW YORK Is it curtains for "Whistle Down the Wind," the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that was to have opened on Broadway in June? The Really Useful Company, Lloyd Webber's production arm, said this week that the show, already postponed from April to June, will not arrive on Broadway in 1997. A new opening date in New York was not announced.

"No one is talking," said John Barlow, a spokesman for the musical, but he said the cast had been released from their contracts and the sets most likely would be stored. The show, which closed Sunday in Washington after a nine-week tryout run, was to have opened June 15 at Broadway's Martin Beck Theater, where the marquee already was in place. The theater now is looking for a new tenant. "Whistle Down the Wind," based on a 1961 British film, was directed by Harold Prince, one of Broadway's most successful directors of musicals. Lloyd Webber and his creative team transplanted the musical, about a group of children who think an escaped convict is Jesus, to 1950s Louisiana.

"1 believe, possibly because it was originally conceived for the cinema, Whistle' has not found its stage voice yet," Lloyd Webber said in a statement. "1 agree with those who feel that it needs time for its creative team TheFo prevails at box office; 'reissue outgrosses 'Dante's Peak' 1aZEIil 4 Top nekend MOVI3cb Weekend of Feb.7-9, 1997 miff AI done figures in mgons Groos io tiMs, waits In WoAnd seism rumba cd wows I pan Star. Wato $24.3 1701, two weeks, Z104 sos Danto's Pak sits sl BS, one weak 2,57 mem lbs Beaudelan and the Boot $41 melt, 1 ROI won Any Harks $3.58 01212, nine weeks, 1,904 smears Scream $3.56 SUS, otht maim, 1,750 cream bits $3 INVOrl LOC saws Metro us $213.4, lout weeks, 1.7213 Meng Source: Relations Ca, Int On Stage blockbusters, Sylvester Stall-one's "Daylight" had disappointing grosses. The appeal of the 20-year-old "Star Wars" is unmistakable: with a total take of $393.5 million, it's poised to pass "EN. The Extra-Terrestrial" ($399.8 to stand back from it.

It is far, far too good a musical to open on Broadway until it's truly ready." 'Whistle's" demise comes a week after Really Useful disclosed the double closings of The appeal of 'Star. Wars' is alive. million) as the all-time domestic box-office champion. Twentieth Century Fox is sticking to its plan to re-release filmmaker George Lucas' trilogy in quick succession and is confident the films all will thrive, said studio executive Tom Sherak "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" come out Feb. 21 and March 7, respectively.

I "We believe the marketplace will take care of the movies. Every exhibitor wants to play movies that work," Sherak said Monday. Packing the audiences are parents who loved "Star Wars" when it first opened in 1977 and now are taking their children to see it, Sherak said. "There's something about the movie that touches you," he said. "They want their kids to see it because they've gotten something from it." The release of "Star Wars" and "Dante's Peak" are further proof that the old Hollywood system of seasonal releases "event" films in summer and smaller, more thoughtful films in the winter doldrums is over.

Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard," which will end March 22 in New York and April 5 in London. Both productions will finish their runs without recouping their entire production costs. Proctor's slates 'Rain' SCHENECTADY, N.Y. The national touring companies of the acclaimed revival of "Carousel" and the stage version of the 1952 Oscar-winning MGM musical, "Singin' in the Rain," will be at Proctor's Theatre this month. "Singin' in the Rain" plays this weekend with performances Saturday afternoon and evening at 2 and 8.

"Carousel" will be at Proctor's Feb. 28 through March 2 with performances Friday evening at 8, Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. Ticket information is available through the Proctor's box office (518) 346-6204 and all Ticketmaster outlets. 'Colored Museum' due at Hartford Stage HARTFORD, Conn.

George C. Wolfe's hard-hitting satire, "The Colored Museum," begins performances tomorrow evening at 8 at Hartford Stage. The show is scheduled to run through March 22. Press opening is Feb. 21.

Performances are Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday evenings at 7:30, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8, Sunday afternoons at 2:30 and Wednesday afternoons at 2. Associate artist Reggie Montgomery is directing this biting comedy that consists of 11 "exhibits," each one focusing on a different piece of African American heritage. Ticket information is available through the Hartford Stage box office (860) 527-5151. Pet Patrol Advertise lost and found pets in the Classifieds. Call (413)442- 2000 or 1-800-234-7404.

Monday Thursday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. WI Irtot Entertainment The Gilardi sisters, Lenox Courtney, (right) BCC Biological Science 1995, will graduate from Mount Holyoke in May. She has been accepted to the University of Melbourne Medical School in Australia, where she did a summer internship. Danielle, (left) BCC Selected Studies 1996, is now a junior at 1 the UMass School of Management. Both sisters participated in BCC's dual enrollment program while still attending Lenox High School.

in The Berkshire Eagle, Thursday, February 13, 1997 D5 we The Rocheleau family, r- Richmond Jennifer, 41 tk, :44: hBCerCfalt9h9e0r, Valedictorian, 'I; s' .41 l- Selected Studies, with ts z. -7, i Liberal Studies 1969, Ilito "'s r'''''ed UMass 1971. Jennifer 4' 7.aN I 1 (University of Denver 4' 1, 1992) is a state trooper in fft i Casa Grande, Arizona, and ,0,,,,, 'P'''I'''''' e'''' is completing a master's in '4' I' education at the University ,,,,.1 i of Arizona. Her father is an internationally known V. o.

photographer with many 1 -I'' books to his credit. A. (photo insert) Jennifer's brother, Joseph, and his wife Kimberly (Rennie), now living in Atlanta, both went to BCC in the 80s, completed bachelor's degrees (Siena College and NASC), and are working on their MBAs. Joseph is securities analyst at Sun Trust Securities; Kimberly is vice president of marketing and sales for the Wachovia Corporation. Berkshire Community College Pittsfield Great Barrington Are you a BCC family? We'd like to hear from you.

Call Public Relations, 499-4660, ext. 259. The Lynch family, Lanesboro Donna spent 1981-82 at BCC, completed her bachelor's degree at Fairfield, and is now chief financial officer at North Shore Hospital in Salem. Brian (kneel-mg) did his first two years at Hartford, took a year's worth of courses at BCC and NASC in 1987, then completed his degree at Hartford. Today he is assistant vice president at Fleet Bank in Hartford.

Kevin, (seated) BCC Liberal Arts 1993, transferred to Brown, and now works in the accounting department at Cranwell. The three Lynch children are shown with their parents, Jim and Marie. '1 ij tE 10 cr -TT Entertainment The Berkshire Eagle, Thursday, February 13, 1997 D5 'iv The Force prevalis at box office 9 reissue outgrosses 6 Dante 9 s- Peak 1 0 By Lynn Elber BOX The app 111111110 Associated MI eal of 'Star 1 0 I LOS ANGELES The reis- TR nekend "Star Wars" prevailed over ov 1 3 Wars' is alive oltr FA(( I special-effects rival "Dante's to remain the top attrac- weekend oueb.7.,3, 1997 at the box offi ce with a take Ite All donar ggures in in!" nullion) the all-time domestic 0 of $24.3 million. Grow is sew esh saw box-office champion. Dante's Peak," starring 4 wens mew aware 1 'rwentieth Centur3r Fox gt 197 Pierce Brosnan and Linda CAI St" Wye $243 sticldng to its plan to re-release I I 1 a Hamilton, earned a healthy Z104 $18.5 million over the weekend 110 ri filmmalter George Lucas' trilogy ts in quid( succession and is con- lfr to finish in second place.

lot Ag, $1--. fident the films all will tluive, to 1 The Universal Pictures vol- Et said studio executive Tom She- 'eano epic bested the $18.1 mil- 3 The Bleuddm MI the Bent S4.1 0 lion earned eks1 904 mews by "Wayne's World" mers the 992 four-day rak. i4 pres Lugo Fr A jiffy "The Empire Strikes Back" IC, sue I ki ent's Day', holiday. opt) $121.3 am and "Return of the Jedi" come tc, we, 1 But "Dante's Peak" failed to out Feb. 21 and March 7, re- I pi 9 open as spectacularly as another CO $335 spectively.

1 i i iii uos i VS, Os mo disaster movie, "'rwister," which Ps "'We believe the marketplace a I a I grossed $41 million in its debut ,.15, At $3 will take care of the movies. it 0 4t ft --eil 4-: I last May a more traditional Ig 'IT Every exhibitor wants to play 4 i ,4 7 1,1 di i LA. time of year for big-budget ac- movies that work," Sherak said fl tion films. Sae, lots weeks, 1.72e Meng Monday. il I II 211l' 41 ''''''''SI English 1 1 a scientist and Hamilton as the parents who loved "Star Wars" i The film features Brosnan as it Packing the audiences are re) ir; 4 The Patient 22 I 'it 'f lo $42,13 1,042 mayor of a small town threat- tf when it first opened in 1977 and i I I te I ened by a vokano.

It got to the el Beverly Hille Mille $2 now are taldng their children to 1- ti I screen ahead of the upcoming 04' tat turnstile. mere see it, Sherak said. its, 4 ,4 I "Volcano," starring Tommy Lee rift Michael $tg "There's something about the Jones and set in Los Angeles. Id, Selloswen weeks WO mewl movie that touches you," he i 1 The movie, which reportedly .2 said. "They want their kids to cost $100 million-plus, is the guutce:" "6.

AP see it because they've gotten latest in a string of simple- something from it." The Rocheleau family, ''''''1011 0 minded thrill rides that some blockbusters, Sylvester Stall- The release of "Star Wars" Richmond ennifer A critics blame the success of ones "Daylight" had disap- and "Dantes Peak" are further t''' 'i i' i BCC 1990 Valedictorian, "Star Wars" for making fash- pointing grosses. proof that the old Hollywood 4 4 ionable. The appeal of the 20-year-old system of seasonal releases 1 -1 1 Selected Studies, with But big budget action films "Star Ware is unmistakable: "event" films in summer and toi og 8 her father Paul, BCC have been a mixed bag lately. with a total take of $393.5 mil- smaller, more thoughtful films 411, While last year's "Twister" and lion, it's poised. to pass "KT.

in the winter doldrums is Liberal Studies 1969, id "Independence Day" were The Extra-Terrestrial" ($399.8 over. $1, 'V UMass 1971 Jennifer rn 40 4, 1 If i (University of Denver 'Whistle' comes to a stop Webber Whi 1992) is a state trooper in 7 Casa By Michael Kuchwara to stand back from it. It is far, Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boule- l''-, -10'- et Grande, Arizona, and 51, Associated Press far too good a musical to open yard," which will end March 22 t. i I is completing a master in orr oft NEW YORK Is it curtains 1, on Broadway until it's truly in New York and April 5 in 1 ,,..,4 education at the University for "Whistle Down the Wind," ready London Both productions will 1. qt Arizona o.

Her father is the new Andrew Lloyd Webber 'Whistle ig demise comes a finish week after Really Useful di counish their runs without rein their entire production 4, an internationally known ld the double costs eus- pg eire proucion 4.,,,, 0,. t- musical that was to have i. cosee oe cosings o. I 1' opened on Broadway in June? -0-- A photographer with many The Really Useful Company, books to his credit. I II Lloyd Webber's production arm, c.1,-10,' photo insert) Jennifer's said this week that the show, On Stage brother, Joseph, and his wife 'n already postponed from April to June, will not arrive on Broad- 1Z' Kimberly (Rennie), now li'sdng in Atlanta, way in 1997.

A new opening both went to BCC in the 80s, completed bachelor's degrees (Siena date in New York was not an- Proctor's slates 'Carousel 9 'Rain 9 flounced. "No one is talking College and NASC), and are working on their MBAs. Joseph is securities said John SCHENECI1ADY, N.Y. The national touring companies of the acclaimed revival of "Carousel" and the stage version of the 1952 analyst at Sun Trust Securities; Kimberly is vice president of marketing and Barlow, a spokesman for the Oscar-winning MGM musical, "Singin' in the Rain," will be at sales for the Wachovia Corporation. musical, but he said the cast had been released from their Proctor's Theatre this month.

contracts and the sets most "Singin' in the Rain" plays this weekend with performances likely would be stored. Saturday afternoon and evening at 2 and 8. The show, which closed Sun- "Carousel" will be at Proctor's Feb. 28 through March 2 with per day in Washington after a nine- formances Friday evening at 8, Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sun- week tryout run, was to have day at 2 and 7 p.m.

1 opened June 15 at Broadway's Ticket information is available through the Proctor's box office Martin Beck Theater, where the (518) 346-6204 and all Ticketmaster outlets. marquee already was in place. tek The theater now is looking for a 6,., BCC Biological Science 1995, will graduate :1, The Gilardi sisters, Lenox Courtney, (right) A 4.,,,, new tenant. ind Colored Museum' due at Hartford Stage ie Am, based on a 1961 I Whistle Down the HAR'rFORD, Conn George C. Wolfe's hard-hitting satire, "The from Mount Holyoke in May.

She has been 4, British film, 1 red Museum," bgins performances at 8 at accepted to the University of Melbourne was directed by Harold Prince, tomorrow evening 2. or Afeek Hartford Stage. The show is scheduled to run through March 2 i 1 1 a one of Broadway's most suc- cessful directors of musicals. Press opening is Feb. 21.

Medical School in Australia, where she did a 1 1 ,4 I Lloyd Webber and his creative Performances are Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday eve- summer internship. Danielle, (left) BCC team transplanted the musical, nings at 7:30, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8, Sunday after- i 0'1 1 about a group of children who noons at 2:30 and Wednesday afternoons at 2. Selected Studies 1996, is now a junior at think an escaped convict is Associate artist Reggie Montgomery is directing this biting corn- the UMass School of 4 Management. Both Jesus, to 1950s Louisiana. edy that consists of 11 "exhibits," each one focusing on a different iers pariipated in BCC's dual enroll- 1 "I believe, possibly because it piece of African American heritage.

sst tc was originally conceived for the Ticket information is available through the Hartford Stage box ment program while still attending Lenox cinema, Whistle' has not found office (860) 527-5151. Hig School. i its stage voice yet," Lloyd Web- ber said in a statement. "I agree Pet Patrol Advertise lost and found pets in the Classifieds. Call i with those who feel that it (4f3)442- 2000 or 1-800-234-7404.

Monday Thursday 9 a.m.-6 iv. )114 needs time for its creative team p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. iT ,4 'l 4 to 1 Kagrtg4KM 1 997 .01 7.7---i00-17117.--as 1011 1 k-tsi, The Lynch family, Lanesboro 10 i 4 i Donna spent 1981-82 at BCC '44 c. 4 4 ,4444,4 .1. 4 tip iv lbau 11 I completed her bachelor's degree it Ivo swift It oft ID VYt "4, V.

i at Fairfield, and is now chief moor 1 lig A -arr 1 rr i financial officer at North Shore i Hospital in Salem. Brian (kneel- ing) did his first two years at iUtot it illi OP PO '14 Hartford, took a year's worth of kilt Ic 14 I It III INct der- 4, I 44' .444 '1044 4 courses at BCC and NASC in IA 1 ----) 1987, then degree at Hartcompleted his 1 ii 1 fh. N. I 4, fod r. Today he is V-, I Ors 7 'it assistant vice president at f.1.0 el 1 El -R Fleet Bank in Hartford.

Kevin, cSC! i de (seated) BCC Liberal Arts el' 1993, transferred to Brown, iii 4, 6 0 17 1 At and now works in the .4 4 accounting department at a. 1 MI Ir A 1 elo 4, .1 Cranwell. The three Lynch r-- I 4 Cli; Ah I 1 0001.,. children are shown with WO U'd'1 4 ,4 a o'le-. 4' i their parents, Jim and Marie.

1 AT Valt" 4b- 0 11411 i 5 ''t4r 13 013 '''c) I XJ oe' i 1 l' a ID v4gt i doel Jo (N0) 1,., 1 1 11 01' I Are you a BCC family? We'd like to hear from you. A 0 Call Public Relations, 499-4660, ext. 259. 1. Itsilh' t.

I gr II 1 1 'Amok 'S Ao, 0 1 I It Ber ire I Mova en Community College ----1N --4tr The Pittsfield Great Barrington 1 T7 -e ta NI rdagle I.