[JRC 학생기자] “King Lear” at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

“King Lear” at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
Kireem Nam

A production of “King Lear” would not be complete without a storm and its accompanying tragedy.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater's performance of one of Shakespeare's most renowned masterpieces does not fail to deliver.
“King Lear” tells the story of the aging King of England who decides to divide his land among his three daughters based on the extent of their love for him.
His eldest two daughters, Goneril and Regan, shower him with empty flattery, while his youngest, Cordelia, stays silent because she refuses to express the sincerity of her love with such cheap words. Furious, Lear disowns and banishes Cordelia.
Meanwhile, Edmund, the handsome and ambitious illegitimate son of Lear's counselor, Gloucestor, schemes to take his legitimate brother Edgar's power and wealth.

He convinces Gloucestor that Edgar actively plots his murder, causing his father to disown Edgar, who survives by hiding in plain sight and disguising himself as a homeless madman.
Goneril and Regan, who now have their father's land, find no further need for him and do not welcome him in their homes, casting Lear outside as a torrential storm rages.
This last filial betrayal causes Lear to go insane. All the while the two sisters begin to turn on each other as they compete for power and Edmund's love. As France declares war on a divided England, Cordelia returns to restore her father's throne, and Edgar waits to reclaim his honor and take revenge on Edmund, the audience is shown exactly how low a man can fall.
Larry Yando stars as King Lear in an exceptionally emotional performance, spinning a believable tale that begins with a comfortably secure and confident Lear surrounded by opulence and ends with a weeping, broken old man who has lost everything that has ever defined him. Contributing to the incredible experience is an immersive and credible array of special effects.
Accompanying the dramatic storm effects and real rain is a heart stopping climax to the first act in which the entire set falls around Lear, signifying his descent into insanity.
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre presents an emotional and unforgettable performance of Shakespeare's masterpiece “King Lear,” which plays through November 9th.

Love yourself, believe in yourself
Yeseul Im

On September 24th 2014, there was a special lecture at the University of Incheon. The speaker was Kim-Jo Kwangsu, a film director. Kim-Jo Kwangsu introduced himself to students as a homosexual, but he delivered his lecture as a human, not as a sexual minority.
Kim-Jo Kwangsu said that happiness is the feeling we get when we do what we’re interested in, and therefore, we have to affirm ourselves. He cited an example from his story, how he came to love and affirm himsels. He said, “The reason I am speaking is that I am gay. To be more concrete, more than 1.7 million paying customers went to watch the movie Roaring Currents. However, only 52,000 went to watch my movie. That would not be the case if I were a heterosexual male.”
Naturally, Mr. Kim-Jo had many difficulties until he recognized himself for what he really was. He had grown up believing he was heterosexual and had looked down on them before he found out that he was homosexual. Nevertheless, he affirmed his sexuality, and he realized that he will be able to be happy.
Lastly, he said, “I feel a slight discomfort but I am not unhappy. I’m happy because I’m gay. Do not forget it. Love yourself, believe in yourself.”

WWSHS Tigers Play in the Neuqua Valley Boys Soccer Tournament
Jonathan Suh

The annual Neuqua Valley High School Junior Varsity Boys Soccer Tournament was held on September 13th. Every year, Neuqua Valley High School hosts a soccer tournament for the boys junior varsity programs in the Chicagoland region. Wheaton Warrenville South High School competed along with other schools such as Maine South and Benet Academy.
Wheaton Warrenville South Tigers opened the tournament playing against Metea Valley High School. The Tigers came out with a 2-1 victory, with goals made by Carlos Rosas and Mac Mleczko. In the second game, they were defeated by the home team, Neuqua Valley, with a score of 0-2 in a feisty match that saw multiple yellow cards being handed out.
In the third and fourth place match against Maine South, the Tigers were down early in the first half until Josh Balon scored to bring the game to a tie. In the second half, while the Tigers dominated and had multiple chances, they could not catch back up. The match ended 1-1, and the Tigers won 4-2 in penalties. Goalkeeper Brian Jones was the hero with two critical saves apiece in regulation and during the penalty shootout. The Tigers, who last won the tournament in 2012, took third place. Neuqua Valley defended their home turf with the tournament win, defeating their opponent in the final match.
Wheaton Warrenville South JV1 program continues its season with an away game against Geneva on September 27th.