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Cultural Corner
Scott Iwasaki and Ivan M. Lincoln
For the past several weeks, the Utah Transit Authority has been advising local residents and downtown workers about how to avoid traffic problems during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games — primarily people were told to leave town by 3 p.m., or, where possible, stay home.
But, as has been reported recently, it has resulted in an unfortunate effect. "They've scared everyone away and downtown business is dead," said Melissa Porter, one of the partners in the Off Broadway Theatre. (Mayor Rocky Anderson even held a news conference to encourage Salt Lakers to come downtown and enjoy the festivities.)
The Off Broadway Theatre has scheduled special, hourlong performances by its resident "improv" comedy troupe, Laughing Stock, six nights a week throughout the Games. The hour-long Laughing Stock shows are held each night at 7, 9 and 11 p.m.
"We're just doing our 'improv' thing — and that's audience friendly (G-rated fare)," said Eric Jenson, another partner and frequent Laughing Stock performer. "We're just baffled that people aren't coming in."
To help encourage Utahns to get in the spirit of downtown activities, Off Broadway is offering discounts for locals. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $6 for students, $7 for senior citizens and $8 for anyone with a Utah driver's license or ID card. For reservations, call 355-4628.
OUT AND ABOUT: An estimated 6 million to 10 million Olympic pins are expected to change hands during the Games, according to Edward Playfair, an expert on Olympic Memorabilia who was brought into Salt Lake City by the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Playfair is conducting seminars for serious pin collectors in pin-trading kiosks around the city and will base himself at the Coca-Cola tent in Olympic Square.
- At the east security checkpoint entrance to Olympic Square, a young security volunteer rummaging through a woman's purse was overheard telling the woman, "The more boring my job, the better."
- Everyone is saying how nice and congenial the Olympic volunteers have been, but you're bound to bump into a surly one now and again. For example, an older man waiting at a security gate to be searched listened as a young man named Andrew barked orders through a megaphone. When he finished, the older man said in a polite tone, "Thank you, Andy." To which the megaphoner growled: "It's Andrew or Drew!"
DON'T MISS: Nikka Costa at the Ice Village, 100 S. 550 West, 9 p.m. Tickets are $26 at the door.
- Utah Regional Ballet, "Legend of Timpanogos," today and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m., at Timpview High School, 3570 N. 650 East. Tickets range from $10-$24 at the door.
- Bud Greenspan's Sports Film Series: "Sonja Henie: Queen of the Ice," today, 7:30 p.m., Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden. Tickets are $15 at the door.
E-mail: scott@desnews.com; ivan@desnews.com
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February 15, 2002
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