Monday, July 20, 1998 Actor Ian McKellan renews acquaintance with stage THEATER: ‘Enemy of the People’ star returns home to London after film stint By Cheryl Klein Daily Bruin Senior Staff Thanks to a shock of silver hair, soulful eyes and a contemplative British baritone, actor Ian McKellen exudes a professor-like aura as he sits behind the remnants of a fruit-crackers-and-cheese lunch across the street from the Ahmanson Theatre. Read more...

Monday, July 20, 1998 Pearl Jam proves that rock is still alive in L.A. MUSIC: Band sets aside Ticketmaster battle to play thrilling live show By Mike Prevatt Daily Bruin Senior Staff Rock ‘n’ roll returned to the Forum last Monday as Pearl Jam served up one of the most exciting, emotionally fueled shows Los Angeles has seen in a very long time … and it has been a long time since Los Angeles has seen the Seattle group. Read more...

Monday, July 20, 1998 Getting to the point FILM: Suave serenading and swift swordfighting keep Antonio Banderas on his toes in ‘The Mask of Zorro’ By Lonnie Harris Daily Bruin Staff As Antonio Banderas nervously lights up a cigarette, he glances around the room, making sure that no avid non-smokers are offended by this decidedly controversial action. Read more...

Monday, July 20, 1998 Soundbites Def Squad, "El Nino" (Def Jam) Out of nowhere comes "El Nino," Def Squad’s debut album. Consisting of Redman, Eric Sermon and the "lyrical wordsmith," Keith Murray, Def Squad attracted mainstream attention when their rendition of the classic "Rapper’s Delight" enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV. Read more...

Monday, July 13, 1998 Alexander breezes through from ‘Chicago’ to New York THEATER: Actress covets chance to act with friend, work with dance legend By Stephanie Sheh Daily Bruin Contributor Theater lets numerous actresses perform the same great roles. Read more...

Monday, July 13, 1998 Mixture of shows falls short of goal THEATER: While entertaining, most performances cannot maintain quality throughout "The Bad Smile" and "Fear Of …" Lee Strasberg Theater Through Aug. Read more...

Monday, July 13, 1998 ‘Small Soldiers’ goes AWOL on quality FILM: Computer effects can’t save action figures from cliched dialogue By Lonnie Harris Daily Bruin Staff One of the bland computer-generated characters in "Small Soldiers," after losing his legs in a freak accident with a kitchen garbage disposal, manages to pull himself, through pained, clenched teeth, back to the front lawn to join the rest of his comrades. Read more...