The Syringa Tree

There are, basically, two kinds of one-actor shows. There’s the single-character, larger-than-real-life personality—Truman Capote, Will Rogers—written in such a manner that said personality entertains the audience with his/her unique marvelousness. There is also the chameleonlike actor who portrays a dozen characters, creating an entire theatrical universe out of nothing but words and imagination.

Pamela Gien’s The Syringa Tree falls into the latter category. This OBIE-winning, one-woman play tells the story of South Africa’s apartheid era through the prism of two families. And the star, Stephanie Cozart (pictured) plays more than 20 characters.

The regular run of The Syringa Tree will begin at Capital Repertory Theatre (111 N. Pearl St., Albany) on Wednesday (March 16) and continue through April 9. Beginning tomorrow (Friday, March 11) through Tuesday (March 15), Capital Rep will offer Pay-What-You-Will performances nightly at 7:30 PM; tickets go on sale at 6 PM, with a limit of 4 per person. Upcoming events include Socials Night (March 22) and Wednesday Discussion Nights (March 23 and 30, April 6). For tickets and information, call 445-7469.

Juvies

Just last week, the Supreme Court ruled to disallow the execution of minors as unconstitutional—a major victory for opponents of the death penalty. However, the challenge of dealing with youthful offenders is far from resolved; even without the threat of execution, there are serious questions about a one-size-fits-all penal philospophy. In the documentary Juvies, which will be screened at the Hawthorne Valley School on Friday, director Leslie Neale examines the lives of 12 juveniles prosecuted as adults and incarcerated in adult prisons, often for comparitively minor offenses.

The film is narrated by rapper-actor Mos Def and actor Mark Wahlberg, who was incarcerated as a juvenile offender himself. After the screening, a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union will be on hand to discuss the problems of the juvenile justice system.

Juvies will be shown at Hawthorne Valley School (Route 21C, Harlemville) tomorrow (Friday, March 11). Suggested donations for the 7:30 PM screening are $5 adults, $2 students. For more information, call 672-4811.

The Avett Brothers

Though a trio, the North Carolina alt-country-bluegrass-roots-rock group the Avett Brothers include only two “Avett” brothers—Seth, who plays guitar, and Scott, who plays banjo. The third member is Bob Crawford, who plays upright bass. All three provide vocals. Together, they are the Avett Brothers, but they also have some side projects: For example, Seth Avett—under his solo-project name “Darling”—will release his new album The Mourning, The Sliver, The Bell with a celebration in Concord, Mass., next week. David McPherson of Country Standard Time says that the Avett Brothers’ “simple, honest, back porch songs weave their spell on an unsuspecting listener.” But don’t take his word for it; check out the group when they stop in Schenectady tomorrow.

The Avett Brothers will play two shows at the Van Dyck (237 Union St., Schenectady) tomorrow (Friday, March 11); one at 7 PM and one at 9:30 PM. Admission for the show is $15. For more information, call the club at 381-1111.