The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 86

14 Per v-THuas, sett. gggngtlfgOm CECIL S3.IITH Kiss Me Kate' Dae at drland tw i -n i night in "Kiss Me Kate." 1 Melodyland Tuesday musIcara two-week Best of Mexican THeater Visits L.A. 'J run will mark the close of the summer musical ft- ries. Earl Wrightson and Lois Hunt will perform on the circular stage of Melo- Cfcrattrs gpofctn Drama Mexico has no real theatrical tradition. Such playwright as It has developed have been mostly oriented to Madrid and the Spanish theater.

Most of the stages in Mexico City are occupied by works from Europe and. this country notably, the plays of Arthur Miller and, recently, Edward Albee. A SPECIAL ATTRACTION i BOWL He talked of the background of the theater la Mexico, back to the days when it was a Spanish colony. there were laws governing actors he said. "If an actor was late to rehearsal, he could be jailed.

If he missed a performance he was jailed for a year and not permitted to work again." He added something In Spanish which Margo said: "As an actress, I refuse to translate that." She was finally persuaded "He said he sometimes wished those days were here again." 1 TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE Cficattt pofcen Drama T0H1TE AT 8:30 S.HUROK in association with The Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, Kawaa presents Mainland Debut of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" was great hit in Mexico City with an eight-month run. But things are changing. A native theater is emerging, primarily through the work of the Teatro Popular de Mexico. The Teatro Popular is making its first appearance outside Mexico tonight, opening a week's stand in the Mayan Theater with the drama "Casa Quien Su Vida" Each His by Luis Basur SEPT. 16th 8:30 P.M.

EVEIIHiG OF SOUL at The HOLLYWOOD BOWL Luis Basurto 1 I The Fabulous WIS (V Linn ii i nlfc ii ii ii iiii ii ii i 1 i iA mi MAMAS AND THE PAPAS From left, John Phil-lips, Cass Elliot, Denny Doherty, Michelle Gillion. Mamas, Papas Gave Birth to a Trend Dances, Music and Songs from the South Pacific Company of 175 SAMOANS FIJIANS TAHITIANS TONGANS MAORIS HAWAIIANS BY PETE JOHNSON Timt Stiff Writer PLUS Swanee Quintette TICKETS: $6.00, 5.00, 3.50, 2.50. 1.50, 1.00. ON SALE AT HOLLY. WOOD BOWL, 2301 N.

Highland, 469-3151; and at 195 TICKET OFFICES: Auto Club of So. Calif, offices; So. Cal. Music Mutual Agencies; Wallichs Music City stores. seats available Wed.

Fri.only. ARRIVE EARLY AND ENJOY PATIO DINING, PM VIGKI MIES BOBBY UNPERSON CRAWFORD BYBO to, who is also the director of the theater and one of Its chief actors. The play is a famous one in Latin America and has been performed in Mexico City every year since Basurto wrote it in 1955. There have been more than performances in Mexico City and it has played in Buenos Aires and other South American countries and in Germany and other countries of western Europe. Margo, the Mexican-American actress, describes it 83 a sort of "Grand Guignol avant-garde 'Time of Your It takes place in a Mexico City nightclub between 11 p.m.

and 6 a.m., when, Basurto says, "the prostitutes leave to go to Mass." 'Heart and Sinew Margo, who Is Mrs. Eddie Albert, brought Basurto down to meet Gov. Brown the other day and dropped by this office on the way. Basurto has little English and she translated for us. He is a tall, slender, handsome man who was widely known throughout Latin America as a poet, essayist, playwright and director before the Teatro Popular was founded through the government's Institute of Fine Arts three years ago.

An editorial in La Opinion, the Spanish language newspaper here, calls Basurto the "heart and sinew" of the Mexican theater. The Teatro Popular has a company of 45 actors and a repertory of 25 Mexican plays, mostly contemporary works and many incorporating music and dancing. It plays a six-month season in the 800-seat Virginia Fabre-gas Theater in Mexico City and tours for six months in a tent theater with a portable stage and 2,000 seats. It plays not only cities but villages and hamlets in remote sections of Mexico which have not only never seen theater but where television and movies are unknown. En route here, it played six sellout weeks in Tijuana.

Athough was founded by the Mexican federal government and Basurto calls President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz its "godfather," it must (in Margo's translation) "make the scene on its own" that is, pay its own way. But prices are geared to the locality, varying according to the economic level of the audience and kept at a mini? mum, so there's often a deficit in the theater's annual budget of 3V million pesos (about When this happens Basurto goes to public officials, banks and ministers for help. Theater Is Permanent "When I can't cajole or shame help out of them, I tell them: I suggest you treat the theater very well; you're here temporarily, the theater is here permanently," $aid Basurto via Margo. Basurto believes drama and literature in Mexico are erupting in much the same manner that painting and sculpture did a generation ago, revolting against European influences and finding its native self-expression. He's delighted with the young talent that is emerging in the Teatro Popular "when you have the theater and it is receptive, talents happen," he said.

One of the most impressive discoveries is Antonio Gonzales Cavallero, a 24-year-old dramatist who has already written two plays and who Basurto believes has a brilliant future. aeatre ipeloilyland OOON STAGE OOO IN PERSOIMOO, JAMES BROWN'S DIG 10 PIECE DAMP MAIL ORDERS ONLY Hollywood Bowl P.O. Box 1951, Hollywood Friday Saturday OPEN TUES. 1.30 6:30 1 9:39 3 ptrf only EAR LOIS IIII! $6.50 5.50 4.50 3.511 3.00 1.00 II UVii BM-BNDS PLAYING NOW THRU SATURDAY SEPT. 10 INCLUDIN9 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 "Ess Me Kate" THE A PA REPERTORY COMPANY in Tohtoy's Immortal Stan Cfian Jerenif Witt! Ian Ynitcomb Special Atomic Attraction THE Buffalo sprinoiieiti Prtot S2J0, $3.50, K59 la ta.

n.m4 t. I Sat. tat n. $4 Sit 1 Sn. aU MiMt n.

tM. "Here is the Art of the Theatre that goes far beyond what Americans know or cecil smith, l. times MONDAY THRU SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11-17 Li. Mut of the World's Newest, Most Exciting Ballet Co. TieHARKNESS BALLET biography labels him as charming, simple, witty, cynical, indolent and rarely insolent, if that adds up to anything.

Michelle Gillion, who at 22 is the youngest in the group, has long blonde hair, a memorably pretty face and the willowy figure of a model, which she once was. She and Phillips are both fervid devotees of astrology. Cass Elliott, who plum-ply peers from behind purple Ben Franklin specs, says her favorite singer is Whispering Paul MacDowell, an Englishman. She lists her hobby as building bottles inside of ships. She is apt to act on impulse.

Recently Cass was sitting in Barney's Beane-ry when a man strode in and asked the throng of customers, "Who would like to buy my 1954 Stude-baker?" Cass bought it and drove around for a couple of hours before deciding who to give it to. Bumming Around Phillips tells a delightfully improbable tale of the group's formation. The four of them, who all knew each other, were bumming around the Virgin Islands with a number of other unemployed New York folk 6ingers. Cass wanted to join a group which had just been formed by the other three but they did not want to enlist her because her range was not high enough for their harmonies. Instead, they wheedled her a job as a waitress at Duffy's Guest House where the trio was going to perform after remodelling was completed.

One day as Cass left the restaurant where she was waiting on tables, a careless workman dropped a lead pipe from an upper floor, hitting her on the head and knocking her unconscious. "When she came out of it she had added two more notes to her vocal range and she joined the group," Phillips swears. Shortly later they migrated to Los Angeles, settling into a house with a "Jean Harlow bathroom" and a population of more unemployed folk singers. Lou Adler, of Dunhill records, discovered them there and as soon as he had coaxed an album of songs from the Mamas and Papas he photographed the group lying together in the tub of their vintage bathroom for the cover of their LP. Bdwy.

Comedy Hit Starring SABRINA BERNARD FOX WINS Unanimous Press Praise! Cfjcatcrs Spoken Drama IHTEIIUTIOIAILY 1CCUIMED 7ft Etrkntst lallit Is Mast CirUlnla Tki list Ballet Creep In the Cii. eni One of The test In The Werld rms Los Angeles CIVIC LIGHT OPERA "Well cast, smoothly directed, worth touting as a delightful antidote for summer-tlm. sloth. Sabrina, bosomy blond from Britain is very competent Bernard Fox It excellent. This could run through tht rest of the summer." Margaref Harford, t.A.

Tim. "Brilliant cast Sabrina It a magnificently constructed leading warnae Bernard Fax playt with gusto, timing, pathos Well worthwhile evening." Cfyd. tMch, Hrod-fxominf 'One ef the Jwe greatest tallet Cempanlet the Western Werli" iome An Unprecedented Season of 10 A. Premieres I'll I I Ulll HI, I III Bl .11 I I DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION THE MUSIC CENTEI LAST 9 DAYS SOLD OUT IV AD tl Nightly (EX. Mon.) 1:30 1 1 An Theatre Mat, sun.

p.m. 1605 n. War HO 4-7121 Prices 4.50, 3.50, 2.50 HURRY FINAL WEEKS The Mama3 and Papas are a topsy-turvy group who have lazily settled into the category of top-selling popular vocal performers with little ado and minimal strain. Though the quartet has been riding high since last December, their appearance at the Carousel Theater in West Covina Friday and Saturday i3 merely their 11th public performance. At the end of last year, the Mamas and Papas recorded an album titled "If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears," their first effort.

It floated briefly in the limbo of unheard records by unheard of groups, then one of the tracks was released as a Bingle "California Drea-min" The 45 r.p.m. record prolonged their anonymity for a few weeks, then edged on to a national top 100 list. "It was 99 with an anchor marked by its side," claims John Phillips, who sings, writes and arranges for the group. But the imaginary an-chor didn't work. The song eventually piled up a sale of more than 1 million records, leading to radio exposure of the LP, which also quickly became a gold record.

2nd Release Their second release, Monday, Monday," also lifted off the album, went on to sell more records than the first, and the group settled into pleasant affluence. Meanwhile, "I Call Your Name," a hauntingly sweet song featuring Cass Elliott, one of the two Mamas, became a heavily-played third track from the album. "We probably could have released it as a single and sold another million records," remarks Phillips, "but it wouldn't have been fair, having three hits from one album." Prompted by this uncommercial sense of fair play, they meandered into a Dunhill recording studio and taped their third single, "I Saw Her Again," which speedily shot into the national top 10 records. In a field peopled by many mimics and few leaders, the Mamas and Papas have forged their own sound, a sound of bits and pieces embroidered into a complicated whole by harmonies smoothly winding above and below the melodic line. Boys vs.

Girls "We basically pit boy against girl for our harmony," explains Phillips. "We don't overdub (use multiple recordings of one voice) that much and it helps that all of us can sing." Phillips has wispy long hair which is gradually losing a battle to the bare skin of his forehead, a luxuriant mustache and sad questioning eyes which could have qualified him to lead a group called the Beagles. The other Papa, Denny Doherty, spends a lot of time growing beards, which he shaves off just often enough to confuse anyone describing him. A MONDAI IHSU SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER IMS A KLA FITZGERALD DUKE LLUNGTON Good Seatt Available, AU Sections, All Performances 1 RESERVED SEATS: $5.50 i $4.50 $3.50 $2.00 1 TTckiti Now it Box Olfice 10-10, Sun. from 12), by Man I Ml Amcltt.

For Group Silts a Thutro Parti. phon. Sptdal Silts Depart HO 3-1285 Cathie 8:30 ETfeg FrHPiAInt A Rl 9-6294 MAYAN THEATRE 1044 s. Hill HOY EN PERSONA EL TEATRO POPULAR DE MEXICO DEL INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE BELLAS ARTES PRESENTA "CADA QUIEN SU VIDA" OBRA MAXIMA DE LUIS G. BASURTO SOLO PARA ADULTOS DIARIO 8:00 p.m.

SABADO 5-00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. DOMINGO LUNES 1 p.m., 9 p.m. An Exciting "FIRST" From South of the Border FINAL EVENT OF THE SEASON OPENS TUESDAY, SEPT. 13 1 TICKETS NOW ON SALE Broadway's happiest musical comedy of following its 2-year run in London DICK KALLMAN ANNE ROGERS WAtF a "wr pence A delightful song and dance lit based on H.

G. Wells "Kipps" oho starring ROGER C. CARMEL FIRST WEEK Eves: Tues. thru Sat 8:30 Sept 18 at Mats: Thur, Sept 15 Sat, Sept 17 at 30 REMAININO WEEKS Eves: (Exc. Sua) 8:30 Mats: (Wed.

Sat) 2:30 Buy early and avoid Disappointment 5t cms Mors Than 300 Mexican Handcraft Artisans Mexican Art and Paintings -PLUS -BALLET F0LKL0RIC0 AZTLAN DE MEXICO mm Wavsnm. HOURS: 1 1 11 p.m. Daily lite It Weekends a Holidays BAlLETt 7 a 9 p.m. Daily plus 3 p.m. Week ends a Holidays Grounds admission Adults $1.50 Children $1.00 Reserved Seats Available for Ballet Pavilion Box Office, or Sx Calif.

Music Co, or Mutual Agencies ftPliii NO MAIL OK PHONE ORDERS 1 Adults $1.75 Juniors 75c Under 6 FREE 112:30 to 11:30 p.m. every day (incl. Sat and Sun.) AMPLE PARKING DEVONSHIRE DOWNS 18000 Devonshire St NORTHRIDGE OIRECTIONSi Tak. San Diego Freeway to Devon shir. St tumoff, then west to Exposition Grounds.

LAST 4 tx a vei HA -rnes Vf I eI roductiotv-- "tmlZr' VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE OPPOSITE EASTL4HO SHOPPIW CENTtH, WEST COVIN Cecil Smith, SAN GABRIEL VALLEY'S MAGIC CIRCLE OF ENTERTAINMENT 20600 VENTURA BLVD. W0O0LAND HILLS LA. Tim. a FRIDAY SATURDAY jr.mo.n line bi AND i le PR SO pjt2 ftrfi Only! s-. Sept 10 at 6:30 9:30 THE IPPrnilTJ-l Sept 11 at 3:00 4 8:00, DEC7 ANNE JEFFREYS richahdTORIGI RICHARD HO0GERS' DO I ill TONIGHT! 8:30 PM ENDS SUNDAY 6HPSTADS fif JOHNSON Extra Addd Attraction ILCeSDYi HEARAWALTZ? 7 -r SAM IKE SHE! THE FHSHIGIIS WITH ORDER YOUR TICKETS BY PHONE -883-9900 BOX OFFICES OPEN' NOW sorts Aran.

(10 im-S m) Be. Cal. Mutiee til Hill All Mutual Ai.nc.l-t A All Wtllichi Music Cities Air l.V. LONGEST RUNNING MUSICAL! Ctnditlened TOMMY JAMES I The TURTLES In 'V Bauer 11 VMM QUARTET SPECIAL fiUEST STAR UIIE Kill! PrkM Hit, J.W, S4M, tS.M SPECIAll JUNIORS It Vn, A Under NAIF PRICE All Thur, NitH tr Sl.ee ff mutar srleee Alt Sat. A Sun.

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I PM A PM Swidaya i PM A PM N. Monday Performanott Far Infa: 741-1131 Hollywood Center Theatre 1451 N. Us Falmas at Sunset HO t-0321 or Any Ticket Agcy. S3.50, 2.S0, 1.SS 3rd SMASH YEAR Theatre Parties Invited THE SK3MILS SYNDICATE CF SOD NEW YORK SMASH HIT MUSICU Friday at 8:30 M. Saturday at 6:30 9:30 Ml hkm J2, tikm ti.ta, JJ.M.

$4.54 LOS ANGELES SPORTS ARENA SEPT. 8 23 T. erdar ay aiall write a letter, emlaae efceek ef (tariay erdar 4 teH-addrHaad, staad eimlaM la. Feiliea, Start. Areas.

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