EntErtainmEntPagE 10Omaha Bryan high SchOOl

thE OratOrSeptemBer 26, 2014

gala music revue to showcase 50 years of theater performances

the giver gives audiences fresh perspective

The Giver reaches a new and existential level, going beyond preceding dystopian films, like Divergent and The Hunger Games. Taking place in the distant future, Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) lives in a community of sameness. In a society void of color, emotion and crisis, citizens follow strict rules and never think twice about it. Every day, the community takes government issued injections to alleviate any chance of disrupting the order. Soon, Jonas is chosen to become the Receiver of Memories. The Giver (Jeff Bridges) takes him in as a protégé to pass on the community’s long forgotten memories. For the first time, Jonas experiences the good and the bad qualities that make up true humanity. After being in the dark about love and war for so long, he decides it’s time to end it. He revolts and does everything he can to return the endearing and sometimes malevolent nature that once existed. The film has such a compelling story line that no flashy special effects are

needed. The steady change from black and white to all color is a contemporary effect that isn’t seen a whole lot. There are a few other effects that you would expect from a sci-fi movie, but nothing overly extravagant. One thing that makes The Giver stand out is that the plot doesn’t revolve around a theatrically unnecessary romance. While Jonas does have a love interest, Fiona (Odeya Rush), the movie isn’t centered around it. Their relationship is one that won’t make people cringe. The Giver is a nice change of pace from recent movies. Instead of being melodramatically fast, it moves at a relatively steady pace. While it might

take a bit for some viewers to become completely absorbed, it’s thrilling, nevertheless. While Bridges is already an Oscar winner and has starred in other movies like The Big Lebowski and 2010s True Grit, Thwaites and Rush could soon follow. They’ve only started acting in the last couple of years, but could easily be just as successful after The Giver. The movie is worthy of being remembered because it has people thinking long after it’s over. It leaves you with an ultimatum: Is it better to permanently wear rose colored glasses and always be unaware, or experience all aspects that make up humanity?

Death Cab for Cutie picks up where grunge left off

Indie rock is here, and it’s here to stay. Since the 1980s, indie culture has only become more popular. The genre bloomed in the UK and quickly made its way to the U.S. Bands like Joy Division, Sonic Youth and The Smiths pioneered modern indie into what it is today; emotional and meaningful with lyrics that will make your soul ache with feeling.

The term indie rock is taken from the word independent. It describes the laid back, do-it-yourself attitude the bands and fans all seem to possess. Throughout the indie movement, the artists’ styles and influences grew to be diverse, hence the many small subgenres. Genres such as punk, grunge, indie pop and indie alternative all sprouted out of this one music movement.

Seattle’s Death Cab for Cutie (DCFC) is the closest thing America has to an authentic, dependable indie rock band. Yes, they did eventually sign over to a major record company, but only after producing four spectacular indie-grunge albums and building a fan base larger than Seattle itself. True, their music hit the U.S. No. 1. spot, but with heartfelt songs about obsessive fascination, diminishing love and emotional inertia.

Top hits “I Will Follow You into the Dark” and “Soul Meets Body” are both genius creations by lead singer Ben Gibbard (guitar, piano). In his song, “Lack of Color”, from the album Transatlanticism, Gibbard sings of abstract love and pursuing the idea of realism. The band’s voice and lyrical expertise will instantly woo any teenage angst.

Death Cab for Cuties music always makes me want to fall asleep, but I mean this in the most positive way. I could just melt into every song. In their newest album that’s been released, Codes and Keys, DCFC managed to reinvent their album in a way that still makes them a

beloved band. DCFC has

produced seven studio albums and is currently putting the finishing touches on their eighth. Their still untitled LP will be released in early 2015. Each one of the bands previous albums is magnificently produced and every track has something worth hearing. The band also consists of soon to be ex–guitarist Chris Walla, Nick Harmer (bass) and Jason McGerr (drums). After being a quarter of the band for 17 years (since the beginning) Walla announced his decision to separate from the band. But before leaving, Death Cab for Cutie and Walla completed their eighth studio album together.

Sitting in the Giver’s ( Jeff Bridges) library, Jonas (Brandon Thwaites) experiences one of his first forgotten memories.

Jasmin JimenezReporterEmily Pemble

Features Editor

Photo courtesy of : deathcabforcutie.com

The thespian soci-ety has performed various musicals throughout the years. But this year’s show is special. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the school, vocal music instruc-tor Colin Brown is organiz-ing a gala musical revue, on Sat., Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. This will include songs and monologues from past musicals that will be per-formed by current students, jazz band and alumni in the auditorium. Brown has invited alumni to come perform. The alums and students will be performing a total of 32 songs from previous musical endeavors. The eldest alum performing will be from the class of 1989, Karen Wills. A Graduate from the class of 1999, Lacy Merica, will be performing

Hey There from the musical Pajama Game and Samantha Mashek, a graduate from last year, will be performing I Get a Kick Out of You from the musical Anything Goes. Current seniors Yazmin Ramos and Kirsten Wenninghoff will be per-forming a duet of Favorite Things from the musical The Sound of Music. Ramos says she is excited for the gala revue because she thinks it’s different and interesting. Ramos and Wen-ninghoff have been practic-ing endlessly, for about two months. Although this is a different type of show, both girls are comfortable be-cause of their past perform-ing at the school. “I’m really excited to have present day students perform with alumni to see the legacy of the theater department,” Brown said. The oldest mono-logue and song being performed is If I Were a

Karla CastrejonReporter

Photo courtesy of: galleryhip.com

Photo by: Abbie Boiko

Bell from the musical Guys & Dolls, which will be performed by junior Teri Rivero. Instead of having costumes and make up, the performers will be dressed semi formally. Students are already rehearsing their songs to give an extravagant performance. The cast is very dedicated and is work-ing hard for this revue. General admission will be $5 for students and $10 for adults. Brown also wants to raise money for next year’s show. The attendance of the audience depends on whether the music and drama departments are able to produce a production for next year. Last year the theatre department had a hard time balancing the budget and fund-raising for the budget, with the depart-ment carrying a tremendous amount of debt.

Seniors Kirsten Wenninghoff and Yazmin Ramos practice for the show. They will perform the song “Favorite Things” from the musical The Sound of Music.