Don’t wait to see ‘Wait Until Dark’

Villain Harry Roat (Bill Levasseur) threatens Susy Hendrix (Adelaide Hopkins), who has stashed his heroin-filled doll.

Left A relieved Susy Hendrix (Adelaide Hopkins) embraces her husband Sam (Tyler Hagan) after her traumatic encounter with Harry Roat and his henchmen.

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. — 20 Cent Fiction, UMass Dartmouth’s offbeat Production Company, produces a spring and fall production in addition to an annual production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. This year, 20 Cent Fiction will be performing Fredrick Knott’s chilling thriller “Wait Until Dark” on the UMass Dartmouth stage.

In Knott’s play, housewife Susy Hendrix is left alone in her basement apartment after her husband is called out on a photo shoot. Unknown to her, she is also in possession of a doll which is filled with heroine. Mr. Harry Roat, the doll’s owner, with the help of two hired henchmen, attempts to con Susy into handing over the doll. When their attempts fail, Roat is driven to more extreme measures to acquire the doll.

Director Chris Donovan has acted, been a stage manager, and is currently president of the organization. “Wait Until Dark” marks his first time attempting directing. He says, “It’s been an interesting and completely unique experience, the cast has been nothing but dedicated and wonderful, and we’ve put together a great show as a result.”

Donovan also mentioned his excitement for the final scene of the show. He explains, “Without giving too much away, the audience will get an idea of what it’s like to be Susy.” Adelaide Hopkins, who plays Susy expresses, “It’s going to be really intense. I want the audience to feel Susy’s frustration and fear.”

The cast, comprised entirely of UMass Dartmouth students, includes Adelaide Hopkins as Susy Hendrix, Bill Levasseur as Harry Roat, Evan DeMarzo as Mike Talman, David Jackson as Sergeant Carlino, Noelle Parker as Gloria, Tyler Hagan as Sam Hendrix, and Liz Horner and Hope Middleton as the patrolwomen.

Wait Until Dark” will be presented in the UMass Dartmouth Main Auditorium, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA, 02747. The show will open on Thursday May 8, and close Sunday May 11. Performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be at 8 p.m. The Sunday performance will be at 2 p.m. Tickets will be $5 for students, $7 for seniors, and $10 for general admission.

Running time is approximately 2 hours with a 10-minute intermission. Tickets will be sold the nights of the show, a half hour before the doors open. For more information please e-mail 20CentWaitUntilDark@Gmail.com

For more information about 20 Cent Fiction, please visit their website at www.20CentFiction.org.

Sergeant Carlino (David Jackson) and Mike Talman (Evan DeMarzo) attempt to subdue Harry Roat after he pulls a knife on them.

Senior Graphic Design Show: 35?One

By Shara Sarnelli

The UMass Dartmouth’s senior Graphic Design class organizes and presents a multi dimensional multimedia display of their final projects of 2008. The gallery exhibition is entitled “35 One” and displays the class’s thesis projects — the result of four years of study and a vast array of talent. The senior Graphic Design majors spend part of the first semester and the entirety of the second semester creating their thesis projects, which is a requirement for graduation. Graphic Design major Steve Hickey said the class is given much freedom when choosing what the project will be.

The exhibition is held to showcase the products of the hard work and time spent by each individual in the gradiatomg class. Because of the ambitious, challenging projects the designers choose, time commitment is very significant.

According to Hickey, the time spent completing these projects can reach up to forty hours per week. And this is “not counting the time we spend in other classes, working and sleeping (very little sleep, unfortunately)” Hickey adds.

But the time is well worth it in the end. Hickey states, “It’s a really great opportunity to explore an area we really enjoy or haven’t had much experience with before we graduate into the working world.” It is also exciting to discover what the final products end up becoming. Such a sense of pride is felt at the closure of the semester.

The Senior Graphic Design Show “35 One” will be held at The Narrows Center for the Arts, located at16 Anawan Street, Fall River, MA. Join the graduating class on Friday, May 9, from 6 to 10 p.m. It is a big night for the seniors and it is a time where they finally get the chance to relax and enjoy themselves with friends, faculty and families.

This is a one night reception with refreshments and live music performed by “Ya Doctor.” Admission is free, so do not miss out!

Sean Kingston entertains UMass for Springfest ‘08

By Trevor Medeiros

Approximately 500 people were taken to the tropics for 45 minutes last Thursday night as teenage hip-hop star Sean Kingston held a concert for fans in UMass Dartmouth’s Main Auditorium. The concert was the highlight of Spring Fest 2008, the week long event organized by the university’s Campus Activities Board (CAB).

The show started 15 minutes late to accommodate for the late-arriving fans. For security purposes, fans had to wait 5-10 minutes outside the Main Auditorium to pass though metal detectors located in the lobby. Also, fans were not allowed to bring cameras or any recording devices into the building.

The opening act for Kingston was Blessid Union of Souls, the famous pop-acoustic band out of Cincinnati, and they did not disappoint. Lead singer Eliot Sloan came out on stage, decked out in a cool pair of shades and immediately got the enthusiastic crowd into the music.

The crowd started clapping along to the second song, “I Wanna Be There,” the first single off the band’s self-titled album. Sloan then announced that the night marked the six-year anniversary for band members Bryan Billhimer and Shaun Schaefer.

Sloan also wooed the crowd with his solo performances on a keyboard piano. The UMD faithful erupted when Sloan belted out the band’s famous ballad “I Believe” halfway into the show. After that, the four-piece band played “I Could Have Been with You,” the first single off the quartet’s newest album, set for release this August.

They concluded their stellar performance with their two most popular singles, “Let me be the one,” and “Hey Leonardo,” better known as “She Likes Me for Me.” They then belted out a cover of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” before leaving the stage after an hour-long performance.

The main attraction, Kingston, came onto the stage at around 9:30 p.m., after being introduced by a DJ. A fellow MC also accompanied the Jamaican artist, who had the crowd on their feet before the end of his opening song.

Before singing “There’s Nothin,’” Kingston told the crowd he would give them a great performance, despite acknowledging that the sound system in the auditorium wasn’t up to his standards.

He then stopped right in the middle of the song and performed perhaps his most famous song to date, “Take You There,” to which the pro-UMD crowd echoed the lyrics (there was a good amount of high school students and even adults also in attendance).

The audience went wild when Kingston sang “Beautiful Girls” in between “Colors” and “That Ain’t Right.” He also ended the show at 10:15 p.m. by singing “Beautiful Girls” again with the audience, minus the music.

The show was an overall success, although it was strange to see that Blessid Union of Souls performed longer than Kingston.

“The show was alright,” UMD sophomore Craig Cote quipped. However, he noted that there was “Not enough Sean Kingston.”

Editors’ Picks: Music recommendations for the summer

By Shara Sarnelli

Hanging out on the patio, pool parties, late night drives and beach trips — summer break is approaching. Now, it is time to enjoy the sunnier sides of life. Let music guide the way to relaxation, fun and excitement, inspiration and the building of new memories. What good is hanging out by the pool if music isn’t playing in the background?

Be sure to listen to the track entitled “Consider this Summer” by Rookie of the Year. This song captures the essence of summer through its music and lyrics. It portrays the goodness that summer has the potential to bring, such as falling love.

The Torch’s Opinions Editor, senior Jeff Trull, recommends Flight of the Conchords. According to Trull, the duo’s first full-length album “features an eclectic mix of hilarious songs featured on their HBO TV series. Zany lyrics combined with surprisingly-catchy beats make this superior to a standard “comedy” album. The Conchords have something that everyone can laugh at.”

Just about every song written by the band Something Corporate is recommended for a summer mix. Lead singer Andrew McMahon’s voice takes listeners into tranquility, like lying beneath the summer sun as a gentle breeze brushes by. Songs like “She Paints Me Blue,” “I Woke up in a Car,” and “I Want to Save You” must be played over the next few months.

Andrew McMahon’s other band, Jack’s Mannequin, also has quite the collection of songs that are idyllic for the upcoming break. “Holiday From Real” is recommended for the first track of a mixed CD; it is the perfect way to start the day.

The Starting Line’s newest album has some tracks worth considering giving a listen to. Their hit track, “Island,” gives off a summery feel, along with “Hurry.” Play these songs during a game of beach volleyball.

Copy Editor Megan Gauthier would like to recommend Iron and Wine’s 2007 release “The Shephard’s Dog.” Gauthier said, “Iron and Wine is masterminded by indie/folk musician Samuel Beam, who has captivated the hearts of many with his soft, compelling voice and intimate lyrics.” This style of music fits well for relaxing under the sun this summer.

Iron and Wine’s album, “The Shephard’s Dog,” according to Gauthier, “offers a broad sampler of what Sam Beam is capable of, ranging from funky blues jams to acoustic melodies to indie rock.” Gauthier recommends this album “because it is a nice way to be introduced to Sam Beam and his talent as a musician. It offers a glimpse into Iron and Wine’s past of acoustic ballads and also shows what it may have to offer in the future, with his introduction of new instruments and new musical elements.”

For something more familiar, Assistant News Editor Stephanie Luz recommends Enrique Iglesias. Luz says that “everyone likes him deep inside, but they don’t want to admit” their adoration. Also, she adds, “because he has good looks and a great voice!”

Luz, News Editor for next semester, also recommends Justin Timberlake with Timbaland. She feels that both of the artists are great individually, but their music is even better when combined.

Be sure to check out these familiar and not-so-familiar artists for the summer break. Having a vast variety of music to jam out to will make summer more enjoyable.

College Status first annual car show races to a success

By Matt Landers

Last Saturday’s weather proved to be too cold and wet for Springfest, causing it to be postponed; however, the wicked weather did not prevent College Status, — a recently formed car club of UMD students (Jonathan Najarian, Carl Stocks, Patrick Murphy and Jesse Bryan) — from hosting their first annual car show in Lot 7 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The show consisted of a variety of performance cars on display, music and a barbeque. When asked how the car show was advertised, co-founder Jonathan ‘J-tec’ Najarian expressed that the car club promoted the show in the Campus Center as well as through blogs all week on car forums, such as VWvotrex.com. This resulted in a steady flow of gear-heads both from UMD and the local area (Fall River and New Bedford).

One of the biggest highlights of the day was the first place award given to Mike Gibney of Fall River, MA for his magazine featured 2001 Volkswagen GTI. As the show was concluding with the sound of performance tuned VWs, Hondas, Subarus and many others leaving Lot 7 in fashion, co-founder Carl Stocks stated that the show was a great success for its first year and he is looking forward to next year’s turn out. Congrats to College Status for putting on such a great show!