The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 30

Accent Sunday, December 8, 1998 TV sleuth returns as 'Mrs. Santa Glaus' 2C The Indax-Journal, Greenwood, S.C LOS ANGELES (AP) Television viewers who think of Angela Lansbury solely as a canny solver of murder mysteries may be surprised when she headlines in an original musical, "Mrs. Santa Claus." But there can be no doubt sang it. "This was really one of the loveliest career breakthroughs I had ever done. It acquainted me with a generation that I possibly wouldn't have contacted.

"To me, every song is a scene. would like you to strengthen the character of Mrs. Santa Caus. She is too easy, too soft, too what I call pin-cushiony. I needed to feel that she had some spine and some character and some interest." The restructuring took a long time, supervised by the show's Gallico story, 'arris Goes to New York." At 70, she reflects on the future: "I don't want to go hell-for-leather after a wildly busy career; anymore.

I want to do the things that I relish doing. There's no necessity for me to do anything I don't want to do." CBS is slowly, hopefully, finding its audience again. I think we- will help them witM 'Mrs. Santa dis' and perhaps with the 'Murder, She Wrote movies." Lansbury has other projects in mind, including a sequel to her successful "Mrs. arris Goes to Paris." This one is another Paul I about two years ago and said, 'I've got a project, and I feel you would be the only person I'd want to do Which was a very thing for him to --Lansbury-knowser way around a 50 YEARS: 'Wonderful Life' executive producer David-Shaw, the son of Lansbury and her husband, Peter Shaw.

CBS initiated the project, but as the budget mounted, Robert Halmi Sr. and Hallmark Entertainment helped with the financing. The final cost: $8 million. "Mrs. Santa Claus" is Lansbury's first major role since her 12 years as mystery writer Jessica Fletcher on "Murder, She Wrote." During that time, she also supplied the voice for Mrs.

Potts in the Disney hit "Beauty and the Beast." 'Beauty and the Beast' was really a break-through movie for me," she said. "You never saw me, but you heard my voice. My voice became so familiar to so many little children who loved the character of this little fat teapot and loved the song and the way she musical, having earned Tony awards for "Dear World," "Gypsy," "Mame" and "Sweeney Todd." Now, she stars in a CBS special being billed as the first original musical for TV since Rodgers and Hammerstein's in 1957. Jerry Herman Dolly!" wrote the score for the show, which airs tonight, costarring Charles Durning as Santa and Michael Jeter as head elf. The story tells how Mrs.

Claus, seeking a better route for her husband's annual trek, takes off with Donner, Blitzen Co. and crash-lands in 1910 on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Over midmorning tea in her Brentwood home, Lansbury told of her introduction to the production: "Jerry called me up one day ANGELA LANSBURY say." The songwriter said "Mrs. Santa Claus" had been brought to him by a talented writer, Mark Saltzman. Herman offered to play the music for her, she said, "and I recognized immediately that he was right back onTorm, going a mile a minute." "He was so entranced and so in love with this project, not only for me, but for himself.

He saw it as a wonderful way of really establishing his very particular kind of show music, which this country hasn't heard in a long time. And which some in this generation have never heard fresh, new, original. "I was rather tough about it. After reading the script, I said, 'I not a singerj)er se: I'm an actress who sings. I like to feel I can bring the human quality of the character to the songs.

And that's the kind of stuff that Jerry writes." Meanwhile, Jessica Fletcher has yet to solve her last mystery. Two-hour specials are in the works. "We can tell a better story in two hours," she said. "We can let Jessica have some fun for a change. We can spread me out, thicker, not quite so thin.

Not always the questions and answers, but some adventures." When CBS moved "Murder, She Wrote" from its ratings-winner Sunday slot to a death-knell in midweek, Lansbury railed at network management. Now, she is more mellow. "Twelve years is a heck of a long time to be with a show," she said. "I don't want to rehash it because it is all behind us now. in life Continued from page 1C 1 The movie's joyful conclusion, with a reborn Bailey in the arms of family and friends, is exceptional for a memorable film, said Howard Suber, Kuntz's colleague at UCLA.

In most enduring movies, such as "Gone With the Wind" or "Casablanca," the hero or heroine is left to cope with a crucial loss, such as love, Suber noted. But buoyant populist Capra, after forcing audiences through Bailey's nightmare of how lousy the world would have been without him, didn't abandon us. George would emerge content, darn it, and so would we. There art measures of the movie's impact beyond audience loyalty. There are the calendars and books spun off by actors in the film (sparking a legal battle with Republic Pictures, whiefi is reasserting its ownership rights).

Also noteworthy was an abortive attempt by Comedy Central to create a parody of the film, a plan that fell apart when sister division Republic both are under parent company Viacom objected. Heche learns resilence early a listen. Every time I try to go in a different direction. I listen for messages. I have a very strong connection to God-Goddess, but I don't believe in organized religion because I don't believe in rules.

Anne Heche, actress a different direction. I listen for messages. I have a very strong connection to God-Goddess, but I don't believe in organized religion because I don't believe in rules." She does believe in openness. "I put a very high premium on honesty," she said, which she said she learned when she was young and which in the long run makes for a happier life. Heche is unattached.

Men who cause a blip on her radar, she said, "like to laugh and aren't bogged down by what they've been conditioned to think." She said she had a knack for lifting the spirits of dour boyfriends. "People who want to stay negative, they can. But sometimes, by seeing a person like me who's free, they realize you don't have to be so heavy," Heche said, adding, "really, though, I have no set type of guy that I look for. I don't ever limit myself. And when I get rejected, I always believe it's for a reason, that there's something else I'm meant to be doing.

It's difficult not to take rejection personally, but nothing's ever depressed me for more Jhan a day." An AP Special Feature Anne Heche played a love scene with Johnny Depp in her first major motion picture and she called him a perfect gentleman. Heche's starring roles in the independent films "Walking and Talking" and "Pie in the Sky," Michael Kaplan wrote in Cosmopolitan, led to her part in the big-budget "Donnie Brasco," in which she plays the wife of Depp's title character. Heche, 27, learned resilience early. Born into an ultrareligious Baptist family, she later had to face the doctors' diagnosis that her father had AIDS. Even before that, the senior Heche, who'd devoted himself to founding churches, had run out of work.

His finances were in shambles. Three months after her father's death, her brother was killed in a car accident. While the other Heche kids pursued traditional teen-age jobs, Anne generated cash flow by acting in a dinner theater near home in Atlantic City, N.J. Having helped the family regain economic stability by the time she was in high school, Heche had no intention of pursuing an acting career. GRICE: 'Annie Warbucks' Continued from page 1C She does have some "crying" scenes which she carries off although, she said, "I haven't learned to cry on cue." Speaking of cues, Gricc is impressed with the "great ones" in this play.

"That makes it easy to remember," she said. Grice's favorite scene is when she sings, "Chances," at the point when Annie learns she has to have a mother or go back to the orphanage. Looking to the future, Grice doesn't know if she will pursue a career in performing. "Right now it's fun, like a hobby," she said. "It's something I love doing." Also iathe musical is Grice's sister, Emily, 7, playing an orphan.

They have a brother, Forrest, 4. Showtimes for "Annie Warbucks" will be at 8 p.m. Dec. 12-14 with matinees at 3 p.m. Dec.

14-15. Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and students and $6 for children 1 1 and under. For reservations, phone the theater box office at (864) 229-5704. A casting director from the soap opera "Another World," however, spotted her in a class play and tapped her for the recurring role of twin sisters. Then, as she was set to enter Parsons School of Design in New York City, Hollywood beckoned and she followed.

Heche has built up an enviable resume based on instinct. "I listen," she said. "Every time I try to go in Super Bowl activities tr Santa Says Check Out The Great Selection Of Christmas .17 BROOKS: To Continued from page 1C Parties!" will be held in New Orleans Jan. 23-26 and Green Bay Packer Robert Brooks will help NFL fans celebrate the Super Bowl in style. Brooks, a wide receiver, is one of six hosts for the four-day extravaganza at the Municipal Auditorium in the French Quarter.

He will join hundreds of other NFL stars, getting "up close and personal" with football fans by signing autographs, playing games and posing for photographs. The party will have nightly, national Tom Capra thinks his father would have been amused by a spoof. But that doesn't mean he didn't take "It's a Wonderful Life" very seriously. The filmmaker, who died in 1991 at tie age of 94, deemed the film his masterwork. "It was his favorite," Tom Capra said.

"He really thought that he just put everything into it." "All his films were about the worth of a single person, about how much one person can change the world," said the son. "He believed that. And why not? He was one of those people." Auditions set for 'Music Man' ABBEVILLE The Abbeville Opera House will be hosting auditions for the musical, "The Music Man." Auditions are Tuesday. Childrens' audition will start at 5 p.m. Adult auditions start at 6 p.m.

Experience is not necessary. For more information call the Opera House at (864) 459-2157. An1 nlo vjiiio 388-0006 CMG! Main 229-1220 line up includes: Building Construction Technology TRIO Programs Financial Aid Information Admissions Information please call 941-8376. ftUiwr, ET-lv Vsiisiiiuivj i ji uuys 811-A Montague Ave. Greenwood Children's Consignment without their helmets, said Brooks.

"Not only can we play football, but we can also throw a FANtastic party!" As a senior at Greenwood High School in Greenwood in 1987, Brooks was awarded all-area, all-region and all-state football honors. After completing a successful college career at the University of South Carolina in 1991, he joined the Green Bay Packers and became involved with philanthropies such as the United Way, and now, by playing party host to the Sega Sports NFL Players Party, which will benefit several Louisiana charitable and educational programs. In addition to his party skills, Brooks is also a talented musician. He has a No. 1 hit song called "Jump in the Stands," which he will perform live at the party.

The party is in its fifth year with last year's event taking Phoenix by storm. The Super Bowl will be held SANTA'S Shop. So 5Aote. "Skev" UPTOWN Qr Jan. 26 at the Louisiana Superdome, but this is the first year the party will be a part of the Super Bowl festivities in New Orleans.

The Sega Sports NFL Players Party is produced each year by PLAYERS the licensing and sports marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. Other party hosts are Tim Brown, wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders; Steve Bono, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs; Morten Anderson, kicker for the Atlanta Falcons; Tyrone Hughes, cornerback and kick returner for the New Orleans Saints and Tony Dorsett, Hall of Fame running back for the Dallas Cowboys. Tickets can be purchased by calling the toll-free number (888) 65-PARTYorat local TicketMaster outlets. Tickets are limited to a first-come, first-serve basis and advance purchase is encouraged. Low Price Guaranteed participate in entertainment and exciting skills drills and contests allowing fans the chance to win Super Bowl tickets and NFL merchandise.

Fans will even be able to challenge Brooks and other NFL stars to the latest, state-of-the-art Sega arcade games by Sega Sports. The four-day festival promises to be a highlight not only for Super Bowl attendees in search of a good time, but also for the thousands of fans who live in the exciting host city. "This party is a great way for fans to see players off the field and 19.95Month Unlimited Access Unlimited E-Mail No Annual Contract Free Tech Support 227-3283 Pharmacy LENTIS: In audio guide Continued from page 1C style of F. Scott Fitzgerald, has already garnered praise by members of the Atlanta Audio Society. Designed by the duo's older son, Joey Lenti, it features a dancing couple and moonlight reflecting off a distant lake, reminiscent of a scene from The Great Gatsby and contemporary with the 1942 debut of the title track.

The industry is totally compact disc-oriented. I think it's because most radio stations will only play CD's due to their superior sound quality, said Marianne Lenti. "We know folks who really like to use tapes in their cars, so there will be tapes available. Frankly, I'd just ask Santa for a CD player this year," she said. "My mom listens to Tony and me on her boom box, complete with disc player.

But she also uses it to teach ballroom dancing. She's an expert at the tango. The last time she visited, she learned to shag. 'Fox-trot on Valium' was her description." and IPTOWN OVLPMAIIV Where your lelectioiu are beautifully gift wrapped FREE 308 Insider Travel Secrets Come to our office for the "inside scoop" and unique Christmas gifts and meet our new travel team-Tiffany Melanie Alaska Monday, December 9 Disney Tuesday, December 10 CaribbeanMexico Wednesday, December 11 Hawaii Thursday, December 12 Europe Friday, December 13 Fmpmomt Andy Omundson hosts an exciting television show that introduces you to Piedmont Technical College. Airing Monday, December 9 beginning at 6 p.m.

on SCETV at our off-campus sites. PUIMAH 229-1292 712-A Montague Ave. mm Greenwood The Internet Provider of Choice Source Internet Services, NA Wingard's A I Our Experience Guarantees Your Experience Monday night's Career Planning Video and Tips Health Science Programs Engineering Graphics Technology JTPA Stride Rite. fy the SHOE STORE FOR CHILDREN IjL A 10 OFF ry Everything In The Store! YJ JvS jT During The Month of December Lfl, (When You Bring In This Ad!) fj (A FREE Crib Shoes for infants ages 3-9 months Vjr (with this ad) Child must be present for fittings. See Store for Details.

j( fr CREEK POINT CENTER 229-2777 'J (jp Tk 10am-7pm Sat. 10am-6pm ureenwooa iraamon Forest Faerie Candles Treasure Candles Precious treasures, including sterling silver rings, hidden inside each candle. A very special gift. Christmas Party Mints Happy Holiday Mulling Spice "I Can Bake" Christmas Cookies Tea Party Scone Mix Tea 143 North Main St. Free Wrap 223-6120 To view our program, go to one of our off-campus sites: Abbeville County Center Laurens County Center Highway 28 By Pass 905 East Main Street Edgefield County Center Newberry County Center 321 Bacon Streeet 540 Wilson Road Or you can watch the program on the Greenwood Campus.

Piedmont Technical College For more information, a.