ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, July 12, 2002 • 9page 9

ENTERTAINMENTTechnique • Friday, July 12, 2002

By Alan BackSenior Staff Writer

The Powerpuff Girls Movie (PG)Starring: Voices of CatherineCavadini, Tara Strong, E.G. DailyDirector: Craig McCrackenRunning time: 67 minRating: yyyy 1/2 (out of 5)

Prequels are very easy things toscrew up; look at The PhantomMenace or Attack of the Clones, forexample. It’s tough to set the stageproperly for a “future” that everyonehas already seen. Based on the hitCartoon Network series, ThePowerpuff Girls Movie is a case studyin how to do the job spot on, with ablend of new and familiar elementsthat make the story accessible tomore than just the die-hard fans.

The city of Townsville is a rot-ten place to live, as we see evenbefore the opening credits. Crimi-nals on the loose. Villains at everyturn. An idiot mayor with no sav-ing graces except his tall, shapely,

cool-headed aide (whose face alwaysseems to be hidden). You’d have tobe crazy to want to move here.

For good or ill, it’s home to Pro-fessor Utonium, a scientist who onlywants to improve his corner of theworld any way he can. When hetries to create a perfect little girlusing sugar, spice, and everythingnice, an accidental jolt of the mys-terious Chemical X gives him threefor the price of one. Christened Blos-som, Bubbles, and Buttercup, themoppets have more than just big-eyed cuteness going for them—namely, a set of killer superpowersthat’ll take a bit of getting used to.

Or maybe a lot. A rowdy gameof tag puts the entire family onTownsville’s bad side, with theironly hope appearing in the form ofa homeless chimp named Mojo Jojo.But there just might be a few ideascooking in that overgrown brain ofhis that no one should know about...

Extending the girls’ adventures

Local comedy clubs provide a mixture of performancesDad’s Garage offers up a musical satire of Carrie, but disappoints Whole World provides laughs and comfortBy Christopher WebbStaff Writer

Location: 280 Elizabeth StreetWeb: www.dadsgarage.comDistance from Tech: 3.4 milesLaughs: 1Date Worthy: 1Price: $$$

Free parking for early birds meanswaiting outside in summer heat forthe doors to open. As the rest of theaudience arrives and waits, some ofthem resemble an evening at a RockyHorror Picture Show. Others actu-ally look like my parents. This isnot nor will never be high-browtheatre.

Located just outside Little FivePoints, Dad’s Garage is an eclecticlocal stage specializing in avant gardeplays and improv comedy. The the-atre has been rated in multiple “Bestof Atlanta” categories the last fewyears because of popular improvshows and very low ticket prices.

After waiting for about thirtyminutes, the audience is herded intothe theatre. It’s not much—just aboutone hundred seats on an incline in aroom with no visible air condition-ing. Who would have thought a bigmetal room would heat up? Whowould have thought it might startsweltering in summer heat? The au-dience needed to fan itself to feignoff internal combustion. Not ex-actly the best way to start the eveningexperience.

Until the end of July, the theatreis performing Carrie White: The Mu-sical, a parody of the Stephen Kingnovel Carrie. If you know Canni-bal: The Musical and liked it, orregularly dress up for Rocky Hor-ror, then this one’s for you. Lots offake blood and long musical num-bers are entertaining for a while,but it makes for a very bleak darkcomedy. Not quite date material.

If you want to make sure that aseat is available for you, try calling

Dad’s Garage reservation line. Orcall up your dentist because it’ll bejust as much help. In a cost cuttingmeasure, phone calls are only ac-cepted on Thursday, Friday, andSaturday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.To save even more money, you willonly receive busy signals. Deal withit by hitting redial constantly or justdo the whole process online.

To be fair, they are well knownfor their improv shows and not nec-essarily for musicals or phone ser-vice. The improv shows “TheatreSports” and “Ask Dr. Frapples” are

both extremely well regarded andawarded in Atlanta. Unfortunately,this review was about their “other”comedy shows. The improv showsare only $10, a definite deal in com-parison. At $20 a ticket, Carrie Whitewas a rip off.

Beyond musicals and even im-prov shows, the theatre has a Satur-day afternoon children’s show“serving 100 kids at a time.” Play-ing through November, “UncleGrampa’s Hoo-Dilly Stew” sells outalmost every show, so be preparedto reserve early. That one’s only $5.

By Christopher WebbStaff Writer

Whole World TheatreLocation: 1214 Spring StreetWeb: www.wholeworldtheatre.comDistance from Tech: 1.2 milesLaughs: 4Date worthy: 5Price: $$$

A cozy atmosphere, hospitablepeople, and a good laugh are thequalities that make Whole WorldTheatre a pleasure to visit. Couchesadorn the interi-or of the loungeareas, which areadjacent to eithera full bar or a pro-jection television.Attendees mingleover drinks be-fore the perfor-mance. Overall,it feels like theperfect livingroom.

The theaterspecializes in im-prov theater, similar to what youmight see on the ABC show Who’sLine Is It Anyway? There is a groupof main stage performers, along witha group of student performers.

Working without a script, theactors are forced to be funny de-spite the perverse situations theyare thrown into.

In most of the skits, audiencemembers contribute words or ideasthat the actors must use in theirperformance. For instance, one skithad the actors creating a conversa-tion based on explicit confessionsthe audience had previously divulgedto them.

The cast tries to keep jokes abovethe belt, but don’t be alarmed whenyou hear curse words or receive ananatomy lesson. This is improv com-edy and people laugh. Anything goesin this form of theater.

“Renegade” films are shown be-tween improv scenes. The idea is torecord reactions of ordinary Atlan-tans to the quirky antics of the ac-tors. One particular episode followeda child’s electric truck as it pulledinto a Chick-fil-A and later as ithauled away lumber from a HomeDepot. Somehow almost 15 feet oflumber was strapped onto the four-foot long car.

An intermission half way throughthe show gives the inebriated at-tendees a break to head to the barwhile the actors prepare. During

the show, goodscene sugges-tions for the ac-tors are awardedwith beverages.

A n dthe audience isfrequently en-couraged tomake their owntrip to the bar.Whole World isa nice place, butat $20 a ticket,this is isn’t a spur

of the moment place to go. Com-bined with a dinner and parking for$3 to $5, the date could get veryexpensive very fast. If you plan ongoing, you’ll probably want to re-serve seats a couple days in advance.The theater is rather small and sellsout rather quickly.

The crowd is a mix of all agegroups. If you don’t look twice youmight think this was a family estab-lishment. A couple people mighteven have worn their Sunday clothes.While the cast won’t look downupon a person in tattered clothes,the dress code is moderately busi-ness casual.

Besides actively promoting theirimprov shows, the theatre also housessome plays within its recesses. Cur-rently Victoria’s Room by Ira Levinis playing. In August, Vieux Carréby Tennessee Williams will be shown.

“Working without ascript, the actors areforced to be funnydespite the perversesituations they arethrown into.”

Photo courtesy Brad Casey, Dad’s Garage

George Faughnan (left) and Z. Gillispie pose after their performance inGeorge Faughnan (left) and Z. Gillispie pose after their performance inGeorge Faughnan (left) and Z. Gillispie pose after their performance inGeorge Faughnan (left) and Z. Gillispie pose after their performance inGeorge Faughnan (left) and Z. Gillispie pose after their performance inCarrie White: The MusicalCarrie White: The MusicalCarrie White: The MusicalCarrie White: The MusicalCarrie White: The Musical, where Faughnan had been doused in blood, where Faughnan had been doused in blood, where Faughnan had been doused in blood, where Faughnan had been doused in blood, where Faughnan had been doused in blood.....

The city of Townsville meets Tinseltown! Powerpuffs tear up big screen

Courtesy of Stacy Moscatelli / Cartoon Network

Don’t let the dresses and Mary Janes fool you. Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles pack quite a wallop thanksDon’t let the dresses and Mary Janes fool you. Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles pack quite a wallop thanksDon’t let the dresses and Mary Janes fool you. Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles pack quite a wallop thanksDon’t let the dresses and Mary Janes fool you. Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles pack quite a wallop thanksDon’t let the dresses and Mary Janes fool you. Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles pack quite a wallop thanksto an accident in Professor Utonium’s lab. to an accident in Professor Utonium’s lab. to an accident in Professor Utonium’s lab. to an accident in Professor Utonium’s lab. to an accident in Professor Utonium’s lab. The Powerpuff Girls MovieThe Powerpuff Girls MovieThe Powerpuff Girls MovieThe Powerpuff Girls MovieThe Powerpuff Girls Movie forms the prequel to their animated series. forms the prequel to their animated series. forms the prequel to their animated series. forms the prequel to their animated series. forms the prequel to their animated series.See PPG, page 11

Crossword is back!After the absence of a crossword puzzlelast week, Joey returns with anotherstumper. Page 11

Football is almost hereCheck out the preview for the fallfootball season, which begins in exactly50 days. Page 16

ENTERTAINMENT Technique • Friday, July 12, 2002 • 11

The Live List:July 12 to August 5

Enjoy the last few weeksbefore Fall semester...

COTTON CLUB (152 Luckie St.)(404) 688-1193www.atlantaconcerts.com/cottonclub.asp7/12 Freak the Jones7/13 Bluestring/Carbon Leaf7/15 Geoff Tate7/20 Seether7/23 OKGo/The Vines7/24 Fu Manchu/Brand New Sin/Speedealer7/27 All/Wretch Like Me/Armstrong/Someday I8/1 Flickerstick/Squint8/2 Angie Aparo8/5 Film

ECHO LOUNGE (551 Flat Shoals Rd.)(404) 681-3600www.echostatic.com/echolounge7/12 Ben Kweller/My Morning Jacket/Film7/13 Neil Halstead/Tyson Meade7/15 Wayne Kramer/Mother Superior/Bully7/17 The Shins/Beachwood Sparks7/19 Hukilau 2002/The Penetrators7/20 Josh Rouse/Archer Prewitt7/24 Laura Minor/The Wau Wau Sisters7/25 Landing/The Rock Coaches7/26 The Features/The Moto-Litas7/27 Ariel/Diestra/Drums & Effects7/30 Further Seems Forever/Dynamite Boy8/1 Princess Superstar8/3 20 Miles/Detroit Cobras/Tracy Shedd

MASQUERADE (695 North Ave.)(404) 577-2007www.masq.com7/13 Superna7/25 VooDoo Glowskulls/Ten Foot Pole7/29 Less than Jake/Whippersnapper7/20 Guttermouth/Less than Jake8/3 Mimic

ROXY THEATRE (3110 Roswell Rd.)(404) 233-7699www.atlantaconcerts.com/roxy.asp7/20 Joe Arroyo7/23 The Vines7/31 Los Lobos/Quetzal

VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (1099 Euclid Ave.)(404) 521-1786www.variety-playhouse.com7/13 Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks7/14 Young Dubliners/Seven Nations7/15 David Grisman Quintet7/19 Link Wray7/20 Project Object feat. Ike Willis7/24 Robert Randolph and the Family Band7/25 Nick Lowe7/26 Steve Turre Sextet7/27 Under the Radar8/3 CeDell Davis/Minus 5/Tuatara

UNDER THE COUCHutc.gatech.edu7/12 Thoughtstreams7/13 Cool Hand Luke/Noise Ratchet/Aireline7/14 Freshman Experiment7/18 Rocking Horse Winner/The Blood Brothers7/19 This Day Forward/Hopesfall7/20 Army of Ponch/House on Fire7/22 Arab on Radar/Lightning Bolt/The Locust7/28 Freshman Experiment8/1 Most Precious Blood/Throwdown8/4 Freshman Experiment

DOWNTOWN ROCKS (Baker Street Park)www.99x.com/event_archives/downtown_rocks7/12 Cowboy Mouth/Unwritten Law7/19 Hoobastank/N.E.R.D/Sick Speed

10 HIGH (816 North Highland Ave.)(404) 873-3607www.darkhorseatlanta.com7/12 Cary Hudson/Blackberry Smoke7/13 slowEarth/Myssouri/Metroscene7/16 Fuse/Darling Machine/The Converted7/17 The Well/Modify/DJ Amphion7/18 Burning Clocks/Novocaine/Animal Filter7/19 Hazel Virtue/Hanging Francis/Ike7/20 The Moto-Litas/Salome’s Wish/The Helgas7/23 Siren/Rosa Believe/Alex Gordon7/24 Paydirt/Tunamint7/25 DJ Keiran7/26 Chain Poets/Transmission/Quarter Inch Jack7/27 The 45’s/The Universal Joint/Woggles7/30 Suburban Love Junkies/Third Degree

SMITH’S OLDE BAR (1580 Piedmont Ave.)(404) 875-1522www.smithsoldebar.com7/12 Juice/Dial 8/Tonal Vision7/13 Hot August Knights/Ludavico Technique7/14 Wayne “The Train” Hancock7/15 Iberian Six/To Name a Few/National Grain7/16 Charlie Robinson/Greta Lee7/17 Bobby Bare Jr./Southern Bitch7/18 Kevn Kinney/Michelle Malone7/19 Squat/6 Against 77/20 Big Sky/Ingram Hill7/21 Marvin Mahaney Benefit7/22 The Pawn Rook Four/Lucas Woodgeard7/24 Bruce Robison/Slim Chance7/25 Field Day/Busman’s Holiday7/26 Sanctified/The Cat Daddies/Simmer7/27 Janah7/28 Angie Nelson/Kip Darby/Tommy Thompson

CHASTAIN PARK AMPHITHEATRE(404) 233-2227www.atlantaconcerts.com/chastain.asp7/12 Spyro Gyra7/13 Butch Hancock/Jimmie Dale Gilmore/Joe Ely7/14 Willie Nelson/Lee Ann Womack7/16 Mary J. Blige/Tweet7/17 Down From the Mountain Tour7/20 Wynonna7/22 Alicia Keys/Donnell Jones7/24 Patti Austin/Gerald Albright/Will Downing7/30 Bonnie Raitt/Lyle Lovett8/2 Peter, Paul & Mary8/3 Bruce Hornsby

HI-FI BUYS AMPHITHEATRE (2002 Lakewood)(404) 443-5090www.hob.com/venues/concerts/hifibuys7/14 Usher/NAS/Faith Evans7/23 John Mellencamp7/27 Phil Lesh & Friends7/28 Ozzfest 20027/29 Weezer/The Strokes8/1 Vans Warped Tour

ON THE BRICKS (Centennial Olympic Park)www.onthebricks.com7/12 Concrete Blonde/Will Hoge7/19 Sister Hazel/Edwin McCain7/26 Five for Fighting/Jennifer Nettles Band8/2 Better Than Ezra/Cracker/Avril Lavigne

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Technique Crossword: Slow Is Not an Option

By Joey KatzenContributing Writer

Across1. Mine entrance5. Salem taxer11. Exalted father (relig.)16. Secret-holding agency of ani-mation fame17. E. A. Poe land, with “El”18. Carr, of Fame fame19. Trooper target21. Catholic collar22. Lemur cousin23. Victor Radio acquirer25. Deceive26. Adult citizen, possibly27. Omega preceder30. Centimeter-gram-second32. Though, poetically33. Sight-burning36. Imprisoner38. Comedian Carvey39. Deceived41. New Zealander42. CTRL alternative43. Channel 14 or 35 band44. Mine output45. Type of computer (acr.)46. NASCAR station49. March or dance52. Sebastian’s home of song53. Motorola circuit logic54. British brew house57. Pleasant odor58. Ironic story60. Comb bristle61. Spade prematurely63. Start over65. You’re it!66. Keebler mascot68. Laurie Partridge portrayer69. Am too response (var.)70. SONAR signal72. Betsy articulation74. Church platform75. MGM film openers77. Sweat abater81. Elicited remark82. Floor under a skylight83. Billy’s brother85. Hold off86. St. Francis birthplace87. Jupiter satellite

Down1. Article, before A... or O...2. Unfaithful3. Powerless4. Carmelite founder5. Roulette notables6. Parking Director Weiss7. Previously8. Alpha ___, affectionately9. Not-so-pleasant smell10. The present11. Gas, on earth12. Actor Pitt13. Fasten again14. Repetition of words in phrases15. Brilliant20. Land of leprechauns24. Joan’s birthplace26. Hindu text27. Declare28. Ten Commandments violation29. Ideated31. Frolic34. Tooth or heart follower35. Spice Girls defector37. Uncomfortableness40. Demolish

43. To the right of HOME, in re-verse46. Not all47. Abby address48. SKU49. Frederick’s of Hollywood man-nequin, for instance50. 404 or 77051. In for the _____: commitment54. Apex55. Opened champagne bottle56. Red as a ____59. Vapor before sublimation60. Third62. Shade tree64. Milkshake alternative67. Bone cavity71. Killer whale73. Mr. Holland’s achievement74. Italian city of sparkling winefame76. Eye ailment78. They follow em’s79. Cotton gin inventor Whitney80. Insult (slang)84. NV neigh

ADITOREGONABRAM

NIMHDORADOIRENE

SPEEDDEMONRABAT

LORISRCADUPE

VOTERPSIERGTHO

EYESEARINGCAPTOR

DANACONNEDMAORI

ALTUHFOREBINAC

SPEEDVISION

GALOPSEATTLPUB

AROMASATIRETINE

RENEGERECOMMENCE

TAGELFDEYARNOT

ECHOMOOALTAR

ROARSSPEEDSTICK

EDUCTSUNLITALEC

DELAYASSISILEDA

beyond the usual 11-minute TVepisode format allows director/cre-ator Craig McCracken to adjust thepace as needed and have big funwith it. The story can go from com-ical to touching to dark to bizarre tocompletely absurd in nothing flat.When the real fireworks start—lotsof them, just asin the series—there’s simplyno room foranything else.Then, the movieshoots its stufffrom all the an-gles it can reach,and each onecomes as a sur-prise.

Ironically,two of thestrongest scenesdial this manic energy back to almostzero. Early on, the Professor findsthe girls conked out in the livingroom, each with something that willbecome a sort of trademark: booksand notes for Blossom, crayonpictures for Bubbles, the TV remotecontrol and a stuffed alligator forButtercup.

During a timeout on a distantasteroid, their personalities comeeven more sharply into focus. Asher sisters turn an argument into anall-out brawl, Bubbles just watchesand cries her eyes out. That scene,

PPG from page 9

and the way in which the girls re-solve it, speaks volumes about whatsort of kids (superpowered or not)we’re dealing with.

Fans of the series know that Mc-Cracken and company love to laceepisodes with pop culture referenc-es, and they stay true to form here.

Keep an eye outfor nods to Bat-man, The Wizardof Oz, and evenThe Blues Broth-ers. A shoppingmall barely stoodup to an overdoseof Aykroyd/Be-lushi mayhem,but for thesethree, would any-thing smallerthan an entire citydo the job? (Car-

toon buffs may even catch a whiff ofmaster anarchist Tex Avery later on.)

In an age of computer-generatedimagery and ink-and-paint tricks,the simplistic style of PPG is awelcome change of pace; the lack offingers, ears, or noses on the heroinesonly adds to their one-off appealinglook. The only drawback is theunfunny Dexter’s Laboratory shortstuck in front of it. Take a quickbathroom break or hit the concessionstand, but get back to your seat infive minutes if you don’t want thefun to start without you.

When the realfireworks start—lots ofthem, just as in theseries—there’s simplyno room for anythingelse.

‘NIQUE

NOMAR

‘NIQUEnever stops

short

shortstopcovering the left and right