Previews/Calendar

Two for the Show

Promising performances at Huntington Theatre, BSO
By Meghan Erica Irons

The Shaughraun, a cunning tale of passion, villainy, and triumph of good over evil, makes its way to the Huntington Theatre in January-one of two featured events happening near campus early next year. The other is an all-Beethoven program by the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall, led by conductor Sir Simon Rattle.

With a story line that has been described as "sprawling mayhem," The Shaughraun (pronounced shock-RON) is full of surprising twists and turns. Written in 1874 by Irish-born playwright Dion Boucicault, who is little-known today, the play was in fact one of the biggest hits of its time in New York and London. It's the tale of a villain who lies and cheats his way-almost-to the fortune of a dashing hero, Robert Ffolliott. But Ffolliott will not be fooled, and thanks to a team of clever friends, including Conn the Shaughraun, he beats the con man at his own game.

"It's an exciting play," says Michael Maso, managing director of the Huntington Theatre Company, which performs it from January 9 to February 8. "It's an action-packed romantic adventure, complete with heroes, villains, intrigue, and mayhem."

The Huntington Theatre's production is a revival of sorts. From its 1875 Boston premiere, The Shaughraun was a favorite in the Bay State through 1919, says Maso. "We're happy to be able to renew what was once a Boston tradition," he says.

At Symphony Hall January 1517, Rattle begins the second program of the BSO's 1998 season with three Beethoven standards: overture, Leonore, no. 1; the Emperor concerto; and the Pastoral symphony. Pianist Radu Lupu will also be featured.

"The Boston Symphony Orchestra is very excited to welcome back Sir Simon Rattle," says Tony Fogg, the symphony's artistic administrator. "He has had a fruitful association with the orchestra and always promises intriguing programs with illuminating interpretations."

Rattle's extensive résumé includes stints with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; the London, Berlin, Vienna, and Los Angeles Philharmonics; and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. His recorded performances include interpretations of The Love for Three Oranges, Idomeneo, and Porgy and Bess, which garnered both Gramophone magazine's prestigious Opera Recording of the Year award and a Grammy nomination.

Lupu, who performs widely in Europe and the United States, is known as a leading interpreter of the works of Brahms, Mozart, and Schubert, as well as Beethoven. A winner of the Van Cliburn piano competition, Lupu has appeared with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, among others.

Tickets to the symphony show range from $25 to $71. Call 266-1492. Tickets to The Shaughraun range from $12 to $45. Call 266-0800. And take advantage of Northeastern's location in the heart of Boston's performance district.

- Meghan Irons

Art

"The University and the City: A New Residence Hall for Northeastern's West Campus," an exhibit and lecture by William Rawn, principal owner, William Rawn and Associates, January 22, 220 Classroom Building, 5:30 p.m. Accompanying exhibit January 525, Ryder Hall lobby. 373-2347.

Music

N.U. Orchestra Fall Concert, December 1, Curry Student Center, 7:30 p.m. 373-2671.

N.U. Jazz Ensemble Concert, December 4, Studio Theater, 8 p.m. $5; $3 for N.U. students. 373-2247.

Theater

N.U. Play Project, a staged reading of new plays, January 1517, Itty Bitty Theater, Ryder Hall, 7:30 p.m. 373-2247.

Lectures

"Insertional Mutagenesis in Zebrafish," with MIT professor Nancy Hopkins, December 3, 90 Snell Library, noon. 373-2660.

"Tag Switching: Scalable Integration of Switching and Routing," with Bruce Davie, systems architect, Cisco Systems, December 3, 107 Cullinane, 34 p.m. 373-3694.

"Polyphenyl Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds," with Princeton chemistry professor Robert Pascal, December 4, 129 Hurtig, 3:45 p.m. 373-2822.

"Language and the Infant Brain," with Elizabeth Bates, professor, University of California, San Diego, January 28, Raytheon Amphitheater, Egan Research Center, 3:30 p.m. Part of the "Building Minds and Brains: Early Language and Cognition" lecture series. 373-3076.

Career Services

Internet Job Search, December 3, 103 Stearns, 911 a.m. 373-2428.

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: A Student's Guide, December 3, 103 Stearns, 56 p.m. 373-2428.

Focus Your Career with Skillscan, December 4, 103 Stearns, 5:308 p.m. 373-2428.

Job Search for Internationals, December 10, 103 Stearns, 5:308 p.m. 373-2428.

etc.

World AIDS Day, December 1, 325 Classroom Building, noon. Also features "Living with AIDS: A Real Story," Curry Student Center, 11:45 a.m.1:30 p.m. 373-3173.

Kwanzaa Celebration, December 5, African-American Institute, 59 p.m. 373-4919.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation, with Reverend Joseph Lowery, former head, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, January 8, Blackman Auditorium, 11:45 a.m. 373-4919.

Wellness Week, February 913, various locations and times. 373-3173.

Alumni Events

Call the alumni relations office, 617-373-3186, or send e-mail to <alumni@nunet.neu.edu>.

December: Greater Boston, Winter Wonderland charity event, December 4, Bay Tower Room, Boston, 6 p.m. Florida, All-Star Sports Café and Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex tour with Richard Lapchick, director, Center for the Study of Sport in Society, December 6, Orlando, 9:30 a.m.; Patriots versus Jaguars football game, December 7, Alltel Jacksonville Stadium, 11:30 a.m.

January: College of Business Administration, "Managing Change: The Only Successful Defense Is a Strong Offense," January 15, 450 Dodge, 12:30 p.m. Greater Boston, Beanpot luncheon, with Northeastern athletics director Ian McCaw, January 30, Legends restaurant, noon.