Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 70

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1999 HW.L J.UHJL pBMPisy Best board books contain fsiriiple, colorful contents LQXKll SJt i A i "lf I CHILDREN'S CORff EH Authorartist team Janet and Allan Ahlberg have combined learning with fun in their four-book board book series culled from their picture book "The Baby's Catalogue" (Little Brown, $5.95 each). The Ahlbergs combine straightforward text with witty illustrations. For example, in "Blue Buggy," the Ahlbergs illustrate the phrase "pink overalls" with a preschooler whose pink overalls have a wet spot left by a leaky diaper that she is holding up rather gingerly. Other books in the series are: "Baby Sleeps," "See the Rabbit" and "Doll and Teddy." (Ages 6 months-3 years) Authorartist Kate Duke capitalizes on the cuddliness of guinea pigs in "Bedtime" and "What (Dutton, $5.99) First published in 1986, these books have been re-issued. Young readers will delight in the antics of a baby guinea pig, who mirrors their own energy and curiosity as she tests the contents of the fridge to see which items will bounce or thwarts her parents' effort to get her ready for bed.

Duke also draws guinea pigs that are cute without being smarmy. (Ages 6 months-3 years) Rod Campbell's classic lift-the-flap book, "Dear Zoo" (Little SimonSimon Schuster, is finally available in a board book. 'Phantom' going great but is that good enough? The Associated Press LOS ANGELES The long-awaited return of the "Star Wars" space opera grossed $61.8 million its first weekend, falling far short of the record $72.1 million debut of "The Lost World: Jurassic Park." Since its release Wednesday, the "Phantom Menace" amassed $102.8 million, a spectacular number for any other film, but short of some expectations. Still, while it settled for the No. 2 all-time record for a Friday-to-Sunday opening weekend, "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" shattered other records.

It had the highest single-day and opening-day grosses $28.5 million on Wednesday and became the movie to reach $100 million fastest. "The Phantom Menace" set these marks, which are not adjusted for inflation, even though it didn't open on a holiday weekend, as event pictures usually do. "Lost for instance, set the three-day opening weekend record over the Memorial Day holiday in 1997. Tom Sherak, distribution head for 20th Century Fox, said the strategy was to release "Menace" in midweek to accommodate hardcore fans who would watch it any time and then make room for regular movie-goers over the weekend or the Memorial Day holiday. Expectations were so high, said Paul Dergarabedian, of Exhibitor Relations Co, that "The Phantom Menace" could never meet them all.

"These are terrific numbers," he said. "But the bar has been raised. At one time these numbers would be considered just unbelievable or not even imaginable." BOX OFFICE: Top-grossing movies last weekend (estimated, in millions): 1 Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace $61.8 2. The Mummy $13.1 3. Entrapment $5.8 4.

The Matrix $2.7 5. The Love Letter $2.6 6. A Midsummer Night's Dream $2.5 7. Never Been Kissed $1 .55 8. Black Mask and Life (tie) $1.5 10.

Election and Trippln' $1.4 tures "Scratch and Sniff" books. The other series is titled "Touch and Feel." Books in both series cost $6.95 each. (Ages 6 months-3) Finally, DK's Funfax division has C' lished two large-sized board ks that come with tabs on the side to help young readers zero into the area in which they're most interested. One of the volumes is titled simply "My Big Book," and the other is titled "My Big Machine Book." (Ages 1-4, $9.95 each) Miela Ford uses photographs of a young polar bear to reflect the energy of toddlers in her new board book, "On My Own" (Greenwillow, In Ford's photographs, the polar bear climbs, wiggles, stretches and then finally heads back to Mom. It is a familiar routine fpr human toddlers and their parents, which is what makes this book such fun.

(Ages 6 months-3 years) Pickle is the unlikely name for a bright-eyed, bald baby whose adventures are detailed in four board books by authorillustrator Lynn Breeze. Like most babies and toddlers, Pickle is curious about the world and knows no bounds and no caution in "Pickle and the Ball" and "Pickle and the Blocks." These books are the very definition of simple, but they're just right for the youngest set. The other two books the series, published by Kingfisher, are: "Pickle and the Blanket" and "Pickle and the Box." (ages 6 months-3, $4.95 each.) ZJq 'SHAKESPEARE INLOVE(R) 7:15,9:45 1 mV. MVHI KiM immmm.mmnm an ill) tfWb I0t CINEMA SHOWCASE WEST RobntonTap (412)787-6788 CARMIKE CINEMAS SOUTHLAND 9 Rl.S16outii4i2 866-0000 CINEMAGIC SQUIRREL HILL ForwMAw (412)421-7800 CINEMA WATERWORKS The story concerns a zoo trying to help a child find the perfect pet. (Ages 6 months-3 years) Two other good new lift-the-flap books star the irrepressible Maisy, the mouse created by authorartist Lucy Cousins.

The two books are titled "Where Is Maisy?" and "Where is Maisy's Panda?" (Candlewick Press, (Ages 6 months-3 years) Simon Schuster has reissued in bright new covers four classic board books by authorartist Helen Oxenbury: "All Fall Down," "Clap Hands," "Tickle, Tickle" and "Say (w)dnight." ($6.99 each) With their spare, sing-song text and oversized illustrations, Oxen-bury's books are models of what good board books are all about. I spent many bedtimes reading these books aloud to my two children, and we all remember them fondly. (Ages 6 months-3 years) Leave it to DK publishers to find a way to spice up the board book field. DK has done just that to other aspects of children's publishing with its trademark style of eyecatching photographs surrounded by lots of white space. DK uses that style to good effect in new books including "My First Word Bath Book" This may be the first book of photographs that has been imprinted on vinyl suitable for the bath.

(Ages 6 months-3) DK offers two other new board book series. One of the series fea TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY! MH ENTRAPMENT (PG-13) TT I NEVER BEEN KISSED (PG-13) 2 DOUG'S FIRST MOVIE (Gi MY FAVORITE MARTIAN (PG) 3 THE MUMMY (PG-13) VIRUS (R) NOW SHOWING CARMIKE CINEMAS CARMIKE 10 700CuuCfiR0 l4t3)BK-770Q CARMIKE CINEMAS CRANBERRY 8 CraiMfry 724 771-3111 CINEMA HARUAR FnwoflRxi (4t2)a1M0 CINEMA SHOWCASE EAST WNUHAknoMM (412) AM-44M CfNFMA SHOWCASE NORTH UtXtghtRd 724935-56M By'Karen MacPherson 1 Post-Gazette Staff Writer Board" books books printed Dn stiff, thick cardboard abound in the bookstores these days, but pot all of them are worth buying for your baby or toddler. you search the shelves for tiiese sturdy volumes, keep in mind that the best board books have simple, colorful pictures (although 'I black and white illustrations are great for infants), plus an extremely elementary text Anna Grossnickle Hines is a Pennsylvanian who has written some of the most underrated children's classics, including "Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti5' and "All By Myself." Now Hines turns her talent to board books, proving once again that she is a keen observer and scribe of the world of the very young. In a new series of four board books focused on weather, Hines uses clear yet musical language to describe the intoxication of playing in the rain, wind, sun or snow. The pictures were done by Thea who marvelously captures the energy of the texts.

"What Can You Do In the "What Can You Do In the "What Can You Do in the Sun?" and "What Can You Do In the Snow?" are published by Greenwillow and cost $5.95 each. (Ages 1-3) ft $4. SO-ALL SHOWS BEFORE 6 BM. A MIDSUMMERS NIGHT DRUM (MM 10:00 EHT8APMERT (PB-13) .5:35, 7:35, 9:35 LOVE LETTER (Pfi-13) 5:40,740, 9:40 S4.50-ALL SHOWS BEFORE 6 RM. ELECTIOM R) 140, 340, S40, 745, 9:51 THE MUMMY (PG-13): ON 2 SCREENS SCREEN 1 1:30, 4:20, 7:20, 9:30 SCREEN 2 2:00, 5:15, 7:35,9:50 THE CASTLE (R) 1:20, 3:05, 5:20, 7:15, 7:25, 9:30 STM WARS (ft): THE PHMOM MEHAMCE ON 2 SCREENS SCREEN I 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 10:10 SCREEN 2 1:00,4:00,7:15,940 Komu shows man bm, mm tubs, ui snow hm $4 COOKIES FORTUNE (PG-13) 5:20, MJ WAKING NED DEVIRE () T'ffl MMDS ON A HARD BOOT (ft) 5:30, M5, SH30 A WALK ON THE NOON (R) 5:18, 7 JO, Ml LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (Pfi-13) 5:25,7:35,949 EVERY WEO.ALL SHOWS tl.00 A 60CDBYE LOVER 7:00 9:00 I in una i TRUE CRIME (R), hiiSi nCIi.

HOti OH MCMT TOUTS Of (Ml ttUl FUNKS FEATURE TIMES FOR TOOY ONLY 5TADSUM iSTUMK EPISODE 1IKIH4 11l4tlS 1 ML til ML ML MS NTRE(KIESTt)'H mum ipw im ta, ml yuFEnn'M HKVfH BEEN KIS5EB ru-13) mEBM 1:45, MO, 7:15, 10 TKWGS I HATE ABOUT YOU IPS-131 tXWB 2:00, 7:11 tut uimiv rat mi THE MATRIX fit) KB M. 7:08,9:551 .1:15. 145. 7fl0. 30 1 ROUTE 19 MT.

LEBANON LOYILETTiaS (PG13M 110, UK, 579 A ITffitlMMENS NKn DREAM Rt-13)E3IB 1:11, tfl, 7 14 til 749 THE(KH4Y(P8-13) EIS 14(47494 HMLWW3IED (2 HWMUMO StUKESPEAfK IK tOVE (HI BH MLtiLMLM KOU I i NORTH STAR WARS: EPISODE 1 (PS) CB (On 2 Scram) 1fc, T1r38. 1:30, 2:15, 4:15, 5:00, 7:00, 7:45, 9:45, 1M0 3ABY (ENIUSESIPC) 1:15, 120, 5:20, 72), 9:40 ThMBMHTP6-13T3 1:30, 4:15, 7, 9:30 ENTRAPMENT (PG-13) ED 121, 420, 7:00, 941 1:30,4:10,7:30,9:55 NEVER BEEN KISSED (PG-13) 1:10, 4:15, 7:05, 9:30 THE MATRIX RI 1:05. 4:05, 7:00. 9:45 HI. 61 PLEASANT HILLS simmiimmtmJ 0i2Scnm TK tUMff (FUJI HI 130, 4:15, 74 94 ENTRAPMENT (Ft-13) C3 ......143474935 IOiWJ(llU.

143:15,5:15,749:40 UKfom 14 115, 7:10, 140 mBEENUSSEDPt13 EB THWSJ I NATE ABOUT WO P6-1!) 1:25, 44, 74, 94 TK MM lira 14(474945 CEIVyUKY SQUARE PLAZA JPATMCNIfQ 14ttl)4t ALL IHOWt 92.00 AT ALL TIMES sctwnLman', THE UK U0 1 Sftm RNTEXTtQKS (R) 14 0, 74 MS 3474 THE OTHER SISTER ,14 MS, 74 930 tVlWKHmmTmmMf ttn im Alt IH FIBtt (I IT IB) HIHMIIlllMri WMI HMT tmm' 1434749. WFACULTTPr 1444749a! SAVM PRIVATE RTAa (I? ETB 1444 14 BLAST FROM THE PAST (P6-13S 120, (4 74 1(4 TOT! GOT HID W' 14 94 74 9 iff If ROBERT CROAT! Maria Stader is gone but not forgotten A lthough I never heard her sing "live," I would not f- hesitate to list Swiss so-J. JLprano Maria Stader among my favorite singers. I grew up with her recordings of the Mozart Operas, magnificent LP sets conducted by Ferenc Fric-say on the Deutsche Grammophon label. Some have been reissued on CD in DG's valuable Originals series, but they may be hard to find.

Stader died April 27 at age 87, but her bright, silvery sound as Constanza in "The Abduction from the Seraglio," the Countess in "The Marriage of Figaro," Donna Elvira in "Don Giovanni" and Pam-ina in "The Magic Flute" remains in my ears even though I no longer have those records. Her phrasing and articulation were exemplary, her diction Italian, German, Latin amazingly clear with undistorted vowels even at the extremes of her range. Born in Budapest, Stader was adopted by a Swiss fisherman, Hans Stader, after being orphaned at the age of 11. She studied in Switzerland before making an international career, which brought her to Pittsburgh only once: February 1961 in Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" with the Pittsburgh Symphony under William Steinberg.

I was not living here at the time and so did not hear her, but I have been told that while her voice was not a large one, she used it with consummate technical skill and high expression. Stader retired in 1969, still singing beautifully. She said she preferred to leave the stage before she began reading that her voice was not what it had been. 1 LIST FOR THE MILLENNIUM: The June issue of Chamber Music contains "The Century List" by writer-composer Frank Oteri. It's an excellent list of 100 20th-century pieces suggested to classical radio programmers as an aid for designing their playlists.

Anyone who listens to our own WQED-FM knows that such a list is sorely needed. That station doesn't even follow its own motto, "All classical, all day." Too often when I turn on the radio I get non-classical music (Garrison Keillor) or short segments of a popular symphony, and they're becoming much more careless about announcing the artists in full, even about repeating the title of a work that's just been played. Late 18th-century and big romantic works dominate what classical music there is. Oteri to the rescue. He lists 25 recordings each by living Americans, living non-Americans, dead Americans and dead non-Americans and everything fits within an hour's programming module.

He also gives some basic information about each composer, making the list also useful as an educational tool and a guide for record collectors looking for somethingoff the beaten track. The Symphony also might doT, well to peruse the list, if for nothr' ing other than the names most of whom have never been seen on a Heinz Hall 'i program. It's a mouth-watering roster Paul Bowles, Lou Harrison Jttfni dith Lang Zaimont among liymg Americans. Frank Martin, Ger-main Tailleferre, George Antheil among those of the not-very-distant past Pittsburgher Reza Vali makes the list (as a non-American, although he lives here much pf the time). But is anybody listening? iifl-jru JUST SEXufi Opera Delaware promoted its May 1-8 production of Mozart's "Doa.

Giovanni" with ads saying, "Doof miss the incredible Don Giovanni shower scene!" and an updated synopsis with subheadings including, "A litany of vices," "Attempted rape; murder," "Abandoning a woman at the altar," "Seducing a woman on her wedding day" and 5 "General philandering." Next season's brochure is clotlv-ing-oriented, with quotes such "Why don't you remember thai a new dress doesn't get you any- where? It's the life you live in. the' dress" (Diana Vreelahd) and "Clothes make the man. Naketf people have little or no on society" (Mark Twain). mm 1 BijjiMiiwwwiwFi jumam ITuevjay, May 25 For info: 4Vi-ftH2-4111 BiSMLSIiliiyiii'F Metroland (Great Britain) Tues-Thurs Dancemaker Pau Taybr) Tues-Thurs 7:30 www.notional-amttsements.com BARGAIN PERFORMANCE ALL SHOWS STARTING BEFORE 6PM LIMITED TO CAPACITY NO PASSES 824-442H 271-9000 WARS: EPISODE 1 THE PHANTOM MENACE NO PASSES OR PRESTIGE TICKETS ACCEPTED (ON 2 SCREENS) 1000 1030 100 130400430 700 730 1000 1030 wmu po THE LOVE LETTER 1 1 20 1 20 320 520 720 920 PO-13 THE MUMMY (ON 2 SCREENS) 73094(M010 PO-11 BLACK MASK 1250 310 530 745 955 TRIPPIN' 100 300 500 710 925 ENTRAPMENT 115415715 90 pa-1 ELECTION 1245 255510 720 930 THE MATRIX 110410 700 945 PARKWAY WEST 4 RTE. 60 787-5788 923-2760 STAR WARS: EPISODE 1 THE PHANTOM MENACE NO PASSES OR PRESTIOE TICKETS ACCEPTED (On 2SCHCCN5) 1000 1030 (00 130400430700730 1000 1030lmira THE LOVE LETTER 1 120 120 320 520 720 920 Pa-13 TREKKIES 1 145 145 345 545 746 1005 Ml THE MUMMY (ON 3 SCREENS) lOl51045 Pa-It BLACK MASK 1200 200400 615 1020 A MIDSUMMER NIOHT'8 DREAM 1 100 120 420 720 950 PO-11 TRIPPIN' 100 300 500 710 925 ELECTION 1 245 255 510 740 955 ENTRAPMENT1I5415715940 PO-11 THE MATRIX 110410700945 MCKNIGHT RD McCANDLESS 412 93M870724.g35-5tti STAR WARS: EPISODE 1 THE PHANTOM MENACE NO PASSES OR PRESTIOE TICKETS ACCEPTED 1000 1030 100 130 400430700 730 1000 1030 omrll THE LOVE LETTER 1120 120320 520 720 920 pa.1t TREKKIES 1145 145 345 545 745 1005 po THE MUMMY (ON 2 SCREENS) 1015 1045110 140410440700 730 9401010 PO-11 BLACK MASK 1215 215 955 A MIDSUMMER NMHT'S DREAM 1 100 120 420 720 950 PS.11 TRIPPIN'415615600 ELECTION 1245 255510740 955 ENTRAPMENT 115415715940 pa.il THE MATRIX 110410 700 945 ft NORTHWAY MALI 3eMv93 SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE 41 5 700 920 DOUG'S FIRST MOVIE 420 610 LIFE 520 720 920 GOODBYE LOVER 716915 THE KINO AND I 430615 WAKINQ NED DEVINE 510 710 910 THE OUT-OP-TOWNERS 746 946 TRUE CRIME 445 705 935 BABY GENIUSES 515 FORCES OF NATURE 530 730 930 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU 600 1000 tw ta ML Ctmk out out website tit M0V1ESC00P.COM STAR WARS EPISODE 1 THE PHANTOM MENACE (PG) SHOWIN60N IHItt SLMtNS 4Y ItOlOYtK 10:00 10:20 10:40 1:00 1:20 1:40 4:00 4:20 4:40 7:00 7:20 7:40 10:00 10:20 10:40 1 IHt LUVt LtllER IP3-13) 2:26 4:50 7:10 :30 DIGITAL THE MUMMY PQ-3) mrmt CM I SCRfENSI OIOITAJ.

SCREEN 2:30 4:45 7:15 9:46 SCREEN 2 2:30 8:00 7:30 10:10 12:10 5:05 7:25 9:60 DIGITAL 4 MnCIIUULD ycut nut a ENTRAPMENT IKJ3I DIGITAL 11:65 2:05 4:25 7:05 9:15 ELECT ON IK) 12:20 2:46 4:65 7:36 9-40 DIGITAL THE MA IRK (R) 12:30 4:00 7:00 9:36 DIGITAL tNIWHMtNl (Hi-13) 9.vo DIGITAL NEVER BEEN KISSED (P0-1 3) DIGITAL 6:20 7:30 9:45 STADIUM SFATTNO COOKE'S FORTUNE (HO -131 4:40 7:10 9:35 DIGITAL I HE MA IRK (R) 4:00 7:00 9:40 DIGITAL STADIUM SCATING WAKW6 NED OEVHE (PJ-13) 5:15 7:20 9:30 DIGITAL A WALK ON THE MOON (R) 5:10 7:25 9:60 DIGITAL STADIUM SFA1TNO Sony, we arc nrt allowed to accept Prt a Hiscmint cniixmi for thffle films "i 2'4 TL STAR WARS EPISODE 1 THE PHANTOM MENACE (PG) SHVWmti Off I WO SLMtNS in oowr tx ft 1000 11:25 1:00 2:20 4:00 5 1 5 If 7QO 1 15 1000 THE MUMMY (PG-13) DIGITAL 4:15 7:05 9:40 ANALYZE THIS (R) DIGITAL -H 12:20 2:40 5:00 7:25 9:50 LIFE (R) DIGITAL jf 9:40 11:50 THE OUT OF TOWNERS (PG-1 3) mixta, 1:00 3:05 5:15 7:40 unuiAL. 0 SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (R) vrnvvn TUES. IS MATRIX 7dHM NEVER BEEN KISSED mm 70130 OCTOBER SKY mi ANALYZE THIS 7s CIIIEHATROFOUSD I si $3-50' "Will 1.00, 3:00, 5 00. 7:00. 9:00 1.15 3 30.7.00 9 15 5:00.

7:00 9 00 1:15,3:30,7:00,9:15 wBiaiTmn-a 'MurBimn) iwnsHuiiiiiMign ft 1:00.3:00 1 A -WIMTSlMulSIPt-U) 7:15,9:00 7:00. 9-15 nKBRMTiMm-rji TAKE UVAMTAGE Of 081 JflT MXKEI HICK! CONTEST $3 Stay Posted. STOMP CONTEST OFFICIAL RULES 1. HERE'S HOW TO ENTER: No purchase necessary. On a separate sheet of paper select several household objects and describe how you could make a sound with the specific object.

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One entry'per envelope. Entries must be received by noon on Friday, 52899. You may enter as many times as you like; however, no photocopiedor mechanically reproduced entry forms accepted. 2. PRIZE: Five (5) randomly drawn winners will each receive a pair (2) of tickets to the Tuesday, June 1 5 Heinz Hall performance of Stomp at 8:00 p.m.

3. Complete contest rules ore available by sending a serf-addressed stamp envelope to Pittsburgh Post Goiette's Stomp contest" 34 Boulevard of the Allies, fittsburah, PA 1 5222 or in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazettes lobby at 34 Boulevard of the Allies or by colling PG link's Contest line at 261-1234 (x8020). For the dinners' names, please send separate, sell-addressed stomp envelope to: PG's Stomp Winners, 34 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. 4. GENERAL RULES: Employees of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, STOMP or their employees, franchises, licensees, parent company or subsidiaries, their participating sponsors, advertising and promotion agencies and the immediate famfc members of each are not eligible.

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