Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Saturday, February 12, 1977, page 13 (of 23)
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times/guide entertainment
14 TIMES/GUIDE Weekend of February 12/13, 1977 times/guide entertainment
Gospel songs pair new music, old message
Hope of Glory Pair a Dave Mason type sound with a Biblical message and you emerge with a style of music comparatively new to the South Florida area, contemporary gospel music. According to Louis Wommer, who writes and produces gospel and progressive music from his Coral Gables studio, "Music is simply a vehicle to carry a message. In gospel music, the message is the same, but the music has changed with the times." The message comes straight out of the Bible. Gospel songwriters are generally Fundamentalists, meaning that they take the message of the Bible literally, and the gospel lyrics reflect this religious orientation. The music is generally soft rock, with a contemporary five-piece band format: electric and acoustic guitars, bass, keyboards and synthesizer. "Just as fashions change, so does the music," explained Wommer. "Good taste, however, is important, and the mature groups can relate to the message, which is never clouded over by the music." Contemporary gospel music has started to gain acceptance in South Florida only in the last two or three years, according to Wommer. Many metropolitan cities have six to eight gospel concerts per week, but last year marked the first time a nationally-recognized contemporary gospel group has appeared in concert in the Miami area. On the local scene, several gospel groups have appeared, including the rock gospel group Agape. In addition, Rick Edwards, a local gospel songwriter and guitarist, promotes the music and the message at Harvest House, a coffee house sponsored by Southwest Community Church. Wommer, himself, produces and records gospel music under the Sound of the Everglades label. He is music director at radio station WGLY, the first and only commercial gospel station in South Florida. Rick Edwards and His Friends, a composite group from various gospel performers in the Miami area including two Agape members, will perform in concert this Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Little Havana Community Center, 900 SW 1st St., in a concert headlined by the nationally-recognized gospel group, Hope of Glory. Tickets are $3. CLAIRE ORTALDA
Players Rep to continue season; merger with Asolo contemplated
By CLAIRE ORTALDA Entertainment Writer The staff and members of the board of directors of Players' Repertory Theater, 3280 S. Miami Ave., reversed a Jan. 21 decision to close their doors and, in a phone interview Thursday, said they would finish out the 1976-77 season with three more plays. Anne Jennings, general manager, cited $46,000 in special pledges received since the closure announcement and the possibility of a merger next year with Asolo, Florida's state theater, as reasons for continuation of the season. In addition, the completion of the season will wipe out a $65,000 liability to subscribers. Production of a new American play this season, possibly "Boardwalk with Two Houses," will net Player's another $17,500 from a Ford Foundation Grant. Continuation of the season was contingent on raising $50,000, utilizing a smaller staff, and selecting plays with small casts, said Ms. Jennings. The $46,000 in special pledges, received mainly from large donors within the community and from foundation grants, approaches the $50,000 goal and Player's annual spring Rummage Romp and a benefit at the Coconut Grove Playhouse on Mar. 14 should net additional funds. "I was amazed and proud and pleased at the way the community has responded to our needs," commented Ms. Jennings in reference to the pledges and planned benefits. "There was a general feeling that we cannot let this theater die." According to Ms. Jennings, negotiations with Asolo began prior to the Jan. 21 announcement. The merger with Asolo would make Players' eligible for state funds. Currently, the local theater Council. "If we merged with Asolo, we would remain our own producing facility with our own board of directors and our own fiscal responsibility," she said. Players must establish fiscal integrity as one of the conditions of the proposed merger with Asolo, said Jennings. "We expect to go into next fiscal year with our deficit cut in half." Another condition of the merger is Players' relocation to a more suitable facility. The auditorium at the Museum of Science, which is Players' present home, does not have dressing rooms, a back stage area or flag or wing space. Present plans are for a "prime location" in South Dade, South Miami or Coral Gables. "I don't think there's an existing structure in this area which we could use," said Ms. Jennings. "We're looking for any kind of a building that could be adapted to our needs." The third major condition set by Asolo is completion of Players' 1976-77 season. Players' plans to re-open production on March 3 with "Clarence Darrow," a one-character play by Irving Stone. On March 31, a two-character play, "Two for the Seesaw" will open, followed by a world premiere of an American play on April 28.
Suspenseful film has all-star cast
By NICK SPANOS Correspondent Three terrorists break into the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva to plant a bomb. Intercepted by guards, they enter a quarantine room where a highly contagious, quick-acting pneumonic plague bacillus is being developed. Only one terrorist escapes, unknowingly carrying the uncontrollable disease. He boards the international express from Geneva to Stockholm along with 1,000 unsuspecting passengers. No one arrives in Stockholm or, for that matter, any other city. They are all heading for "The Cassandra Crossing." This new, slick all-star extravaganza has an exciting premise very craftily maintained for its 128-minute running time. The suspense builds solidly as the train hurtles across Europe to a dilapidated World War II bridge incapable of bearing any great stress and weight. "The Cassandra Crossing" also marks the second screen production from Sir Lew Grade's British Associated General Films. The first, the marathon "Voyage of the Damned" (running 158 minutes), also boasts a multi-million dollar cost, extravagant production values, and a cast not likely to be equalled until Joseph Levine's "A Bridge Too Far" premieres this June (with Redford, Caine, Caan, and Oliver among others). Sophia Loren and Richard Harris head this all-star cast in "Cassandra." They portray a divorced couple, he a world reknown neurosurgeon, she a profiteering novelist. Their steadfast professionalism makes their roles believable and the flawed story credible. Burt Lancaster portrays the antagonist, a U.S. Army intelligence officer attached to the W. H. O., who decides to detour the train to its ultimately tragic fate. Giving adequate support to Loren, Harris and Lancaster is Ava Gardner, as a stylish wife of a German arms billionaire; Martin Sheen, as her deceptive gigolo lover; O.J. Simpson, as a supposed priest (undercover agent); Ingrid Thulin, as the W.H.O. doctor desperately trying to find a cure; and Lee Strasberg, as a persecuted Jew unwilling to return to a Communist country. Over-rated R, maybe for its submachine bursts, certainly not for any language or nudity problems, "The Cassandra Crossing" plunges ahead at the Riviera, Cutler Ridge, and Westchester Twin Theaters for four exclusive first-run weeks. It's enough to make you want to take the bus!