Entertainment : \'Rango\' coming to Palace screen; \'Elephant Man\' to VSHS stage

"Rango" is splendid and great-looking entertainment with a strong story, limitless energy and a first-rate voice cast.” ~Roger Ebert

“Rango” plays the Palace Friday, April 8 through Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m.nightly, and Saturday, April 9 and Monday, April 11 at 2 p.m. “Brilliantly animated western,” “first class family fare,” “best work of literature” – all ways critics and regular folks are touting this film.

Rango, a pet chameleon who has lived his entire life within the confines of a cozy glass terrarium, suddenly, thanks to a bump in the highway that sends him right out the car window, finds his safe existence a mere mirage in the desert.

Pirates of the Caribbean director, Gore Verbinski again teams with Johnny Depp (voice of Rango), to create a rip-roarin’, slapstick, action adventure.

Other vocal talents in this PG-rated, 107-minute western include Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin and Ned Beatty.

Postscript: Fans of the English rock folk band, Mumford and Sons – you’ll love the music score!

THE ELEPHANT MAN AT VSHS

Guest director, Nich Radcliffe, graduate of Vinton-Shellsburg’s Washington High class of 1997, arrived on the scene in January to hold auditions and cast ten lucky V/S high school drama students in “The Elephant Man.” The cast takes the stage at the Vinton-Shellsburg Auditorium on Saturday, April 9 at 7 p.m.and Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m.

Mr. Radcliffe, who has acted, directed and worked in the Chicago theatre for the past 14 years, found himself in Vinton for a few months while in the process of applying for graduate programs in directing. Ever feeling the pull of the stage, Nich contacted the local high school drama director (me!) to see how he could be of assistance.

“The Elephant Man,” a play by Bernard Pomerance, tells the 19th century true story of a severely deformed man, John Merrick, portrayed by John Levis. Other cast members, playing multiple roles each, include Wes Lyons, Wyatt Oltrogge, Matt Walston, Will Hancock, Nikki Thompson, Katherine Dick, Tess Noeller, Emma Horst, and Liz Moen.

Tickets for the dramatic production, $4 students/$5 adults, may be purchased at the door. Vinton-Shellsburg activity passes will be accepted.