The Berkshire Eagle from Pittsfield, Massachusetts • 22

The Eagle Entertainment C6 Wednesday, December 15, 1993 Billy Wilder sings Webber's praises rf 'I hope he makes lots and lots of Billy Wilder By Meg Sullivan Los Angeles Daily News LOS ANGELES Andrew Lloyd Webber, the creator of popular but not universally acclaimed musicals including "Cats," "Evita" and "The Phantom of the Opera." may have his detractors, but Billy Wilder isn't one of them. Wilder, who wrote and directed the 1950 cinematic classic "Sunset Blvd." on which the musical is based, said in an interview Monday that he wishes the English director well during the play's Los Angeles run. "I hope he makes lots and lots of money," Wilder said in his characteristic pull-no-punches I L. gend" American New conductor makes Concert Choir debut -Perfect 1 Simmon 'una zero," he said. "I just talked to them like a normal theatergoer.

Maybe they took one or two suggestions. I don't know." Wilder praised Glenn Close, who stars as the faded silent film star Norma Desmond. "She was sensational," he said of the actress, who is new to the production. Patti LuPone, formerly Evita on Broadway and recently star of ABC's drama series "Life Goes On," played the dangerously deluded actress in London. "Her voice is an opera voice," Wilder said of Close.

"Everything is clean and clear." He also expressed nostalgia for the other casting coups that have been credited for the movie's success. "We were lucky to have the silent-movie director Erich von Stroheim, director Cecil DeMille, silent-screen actors Buster Keaton and H.B. Warner," he said. "But it's all gone now." Musketeers" 9.0 n'" ValiieS style. Wilder, who saw "Sunset Boulevard" when it debuted in London, offered only praise for the Los Angeles production, which opened last week at the Shubert Theatre in Century City, Calif.

"It's gotten better and better," said Wilder, who attended opening night and a charity preview by multimillionaire Marvin Davis and his wife, Barbara. Wilder, who acknowledges having given pointers to the play's producers, after seeing the London production, refused to take credit for any improvements or elaborate on any of the suggestions. "My contribution was close to Classical Review Family1 I a Wayne, Garth replace nanny By John Horn Associated Press LOS ANGELES "Wayne's World 2" hurled into first place at the box office in its opening weekend. The "Wayne's World" return of Mike Myers as Wayne and Dana Carvey as Garth made $13:5 million, dropping "Mrs. Doubtfire," starring Robin Williams, into second place with $10.2 million, Exhibitor Relations Co.

said Monday. Whoopi Goldberg's "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" opened at No. 3 with only $7.6 million less than the estimated $8 million the Walt Disney Co. paid Miss Goldberg to play a singing nun. "Geronimo: An American Legend" starring Wes Studi and Gene Haekman made $4 million for fourth place its premiere weekend Here are the weekend's top 10 films, according to Exhibitor Relations Co.

1. "Wayne's World 2" (Paramount). $13.5 million. 2.400 locations, $5,632 per location. $13.5 million, one week 2.

"Mrs. Doubtfire" (20th Century Fox). $10.2 million, 1,959 locations, $5,185 per location, $60.6 million, three weeks. 3. "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" (Disney).

$7.6 million. 2.132 locations, $3,550 per location. ST 6 million, one week. 4. "Geronimo: An American Legend" (Columbia).

$4 million. 1,605 locations, $2,504 per location, $4 million, one week. 5. "A Perfect World" (Warner $2.8 million, 1,964 locations, $1,433 per location, $22.9 million, three weeks. 6.

"The Three Musketeers" (Disney). $2 million, 1,951 loca- $1.34 million "The Pian" $1.28 million I'lfl i "My Ltff 1U $11 million the choir and its sub-group, the Berkshire Chamber Singers. With frequently taxing tessituras, intonation was not always perfect Neither was enunciation, but the singers exuded spirit and drive. Ponder, who earned his' doctorate in music from Indiana University, is a professor at North Adams State College. His conducting has clarity.

The choir, the six accompanying instrumentalists and organist Elizabeth Hagenah found it easy to follow his suggestions of dynamics and tempos. AP Movie Schedules (PG13) 7 My Life (PG13) 7 Addams Family Values (PG13) 7:15 4 Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) 7:15 4 Wayne's World II (PG13) 7:15 4 9:15. North Adams Cinemas: We're Back (G) A Perfect World (PG13) Mrs. Doubtfire (PG13) 6:45 4 Sister Act II (PG) 6:45 4 Geronimo (PG13) 6:45 4 The Three Musketeers (PG) My Lite (PG13) Wayne's World II (PG13) 7 4 9:15. Mahafwe Theatre (Great Barrlngton:) Mrs.

Doubtfire (PG13) 7:30. By Elsbet Wayne Berkshire Eagle Stafr LENOX Last weekend, Lenox was the center of holiday musical offerings from pop to music theater to more serious offerings. The Berkshire Concert Choir capped the weekend off with a well-executed program of the latter kind. Staged at Trinity Church Sunday night, the concert was a repeat performance of the one heard at St. Stephen's Church in Pittsfield on Saturday.

Headed by its new music director, Samuel Ponder, the choir has turned a corner in terms of performing selections in a logical sequence. Its program, "From the Baroque to the Romantic," concentrated on German literature in an attempt to show how composers like Brahms and Mend-elsson were inspired by predecessors Schutz, Buxtehude and Bach. Scholarliness aside, with soloists Ann Marie Fisher, soprano; Rodelinda Albrecht Handler, alto; tenor Charles Lindsey and bass Paul Nixon, the flow and sonority of the chorus was exemplary, especially for an ensemble of basically non-professional singers. Young and enthusiastic, the Arkansas-born Ponder extracted some fine ensemble sound from Berkshire Mall Cinema 10 (Lanesboro): Sister Act II (PG) 12:50, 7:10 Wayne's World (PG13) 1, 7 Geronimo (PG13) 12:40, 6:55 4 Mrs, Doubtfire (PG13) 12:35, 6:50 Perfect World (PG13) 12:45, 6:30 The Three Musketeers (PG) 1 :05, 7:05 4 Addams Family Values (PG13) 12:25, 6:45 Carlito's Way (P.) 12:30, 6:25 4 Dazed and Confused (R) 12:55, 6:35 We're Back (G) My Ufa (PG13) 6:30 4 10. Pittsfield Cinema Center: Perfect World (PG13) 6:45 4 Mrs.

Doubtfire (PG13) 6:45 Carlito's Way (R) 6:45 The Three Musketeers (PG) 7 4 9:15: Sister Act II (PG) 7 Geronimo tions, $1,012 per location, $41.1 million, five weeks. 7. "Addams Family Valued" (Paramount). $1.9 million, 2,001 locations, $945 per location, $39 million, four weeks. 8.

"Carlito's Way" (Universal). $1.34 million, 1,266 locations, $1,060 per location, $31.1 million, five weeks. 9. "The Piano" (Miramax). $1.28 million, 274 locations, $4,703 per location, $9.2 million, five weeks.

10. "My Life" (Columbia). $1.1 million, 1,130 locations, $975 per location, $24 million, five weeks. The Wedding Images Cinema (Wllliamstown): Banquet (P.) 7 4 9. BARGAIN MATINEES DAILY ALL SHOWS BEFORE 6:00 TIMES FOR TODAY ONLY In his quest for authenticity, Ponder added the unexpected timbre of a cornetto, which he played to Buxtehude's "Ihr lieben Christen freut euch nun (Dear Christians now rejoice)." The instrument, an ancestor of the cornet but similar in sound to the oboe, is a half-moon-shaped wooden tube with finger holes and comes in a variety of ranges.

The evening's serious offerings were topped with several of the "Joys of Christmas," this time sung in English. It was a delightful and animated contrast to the chorister's intense concentration. Arts grants being offered also added another joy the WMOOPIE SISTER ACT 2 (PG) OOUMBTC 12:50 7:10 8:45 DAM WAYNE'S WORLD 2 (PG13) CAWET 1:00 7:00 8:40 jason GERONIMO (PG-13) FAT8IC 12:40 6:55 8:50 ROSM MRS. DOUBTFIRE (PG-13) "nmAKS 12:35 6:50 9:30 OWN A PERFECT WORLD (PG-13) COSTNPI 12:45 6:30 8:25 CHAflUf THE THREE MUSKETEERS (PG-13) SHCEk 1 7.05 9:20 ANOEUCA ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES (PG 13) HUSTON 12:25 6:48 CARLITO'S WAY (R) MONO 12:30 6:25 9:30 MELD DAZED AND CONFUSED OYE 12:55 6:35 9:55 WE'RE BACK: A DINOSAUR'S STORY G) 12:20 a MICHAEL MY UFE (PG-13) KEATON 6:30 10:00 oy of listening. their finished work or work in progress to the public.

"We are committed to raising support and public awareness of artists' contributions to the commonwealth's communities and quality of life," said Rose Austin, executive director. The application deadline is Friday, Jan. 14. For an application or more information one may call the council's Boston office at (800) 232-0960, or the Springfield office at 1-784-1089. Written requests may be addressed to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, 80 Boylston Boston, 02116-4802.

BOSTON Grants of up to $5,000 each are now available to artists in the categories of choreography, fiction and poetry from the new Artists Grants Program of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The program provides direct support to artists in recognition of exceptional work Categories of support will rotate over a two-year cycle. In order to increase awareness of artists in Massachusetts, the council will work with grant recipients to document or present Lee High plans holiday concert LEE The Lee High School concert band and jazz ensemble will hold a holiday concert on at 2 at the school. The program, conducted by band director Charles DiNunzio, will include seasonal music. Also featured will be vocal solos by Sarah Fix, Stephanie Roosa and Harmony Shaw.

Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public. Get 15 Off Your Total Dinner Check! Present this coupon upon arrival Order from our regular menu. Offer valid with this coupon only. Coupon must be presented upon arrival.

Offer does not include specials. One coupon good for party of 2 to 6. Offer is good any Tuesday through Friday until 12-23-93. Family Appetizer, Salad, Entree, Dessert, and Coffee! $16.95 Complete Dinner Special Tuesday Friday Chef 's choices Holiday Tradition is a are Find SUPER TUESDAY ALL SEATS $3.00 PERFECT WORLD po-13 MS. DOUBTFIRE pg-13 CARLITO'S WAY SISTER ACT II pg GERONIMO pg-13 I 3 MUSKETEERS pg MY LIFE pg-13 WAYNE'S WORLD llro-u l'tl WE'RE BACK (ffJv ADDAMS FAMILY fM VALUES PG-13 NIGHTMARE BEFORE 7:15 CHRISTMAS PG ls 71 Walker Street, Lenox 637-2532 Call for reservations.

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