Applause

WASHINGTON -- In a symbolic rebuff to America's absorption with the Monica Lewinsky scandal, leaders from around the world gave President Clinton a standing ovation and sustained applause yesterday as he appealed at the United Nations for a global war against terrorism.Clinton gave his annual address to the opening session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York while much of the country was watching broadcasts of his Aug. 17 grand jury testimony about his relationship with Lewinsky.As the president climbed the U.N. podium, CNN was broadcasting his response to prosecutors' questions about whether he had enlisted his friend Vernon Jordan to help Lewinsky find a job.Looking tired, with bags under his eyes, he thanked the delegates "for your very kind and generous welcome," after they gradually rose to their feet and applauded.

The orchestra roars and the pianist's hands are a blur: thunderous octaves in one hand against single notes in the other, then a fusillade of double octaves that brings the first movement to a majestic conclusion.Many in the audience begin to applaud; others, who consider themselves more knowledgeable, don't -- and they look either embarrassed for or scornfully at those who do. The applause peters out. Soloist and conductor confer for a moment, the orchestra tunes and the piece starts up again with the second movement.

The revival of "Applause," which concluded a two-week run at the Mechanic Theatre on Sunday, will close Nov. 24 in Columbus, Ohio.Several cities had dropped out of the proposed six-month pre-Broadway tour, which the producers are now trying to restructure, explained Anita Dloniak, a spokeswoman for the production, which stars Stefanie Powers."

Stefanie Powers is better known for her love of animals than for musical theater. So it's hardly surprising that a dog is one reason the star of "Applause" is looking forward to coming to Baltimore."

"Applause" is about a larger-than-life star, and its lead role has traditionally been played by a larger-than-life star. Lauren Bacall originated it on Broadway, and Bette Davis played it in the movie on which "Applause" is based, "All About Eve."So how does a mere TV star fare? In the Broadway-bound revival that opened last night at the Mechanic Theatre, "Hart to Hart's" Stefanie Powers does fine.If you're always aware that Powers is acting, always on, (maybe even always Jennifer Hart), well, some of that is built into the role.

DEVELOPING and strengthening children's self-esteem has become a major goal of our schools.Although it is true that many children, especially the youngest students, have low self-esteem, our practice of lavishing praise for the mildest accomplishments is not likely to have much success.Feelings cannot be learned from direct instruction, and constant reminders about how wonderful one is may raise doubts about the credibility of the message and the messenger.A project by a first grade class in an affluent Middle Western suburb that I recently observed showed how self-esteem and narcissism can be confused.

When it was least expected, the Good Donald suddenly resurfaced in Annapolis.Maryland once again has a governor who seems willing and eager to lead, to propose creative solutions to social problems, to deal with legislators as fellow public servants instead of as pariahs.You could almost hear the sigh of relief from lawmakers.After going mano a mano with the governor for three years during a turbulent time of giant budget cuts and tax increases, the last thing members of the General Assembly wanted was another war of words with Gov. William Donald Schaefer.

IN THE much-hyped battle of the late night television stars, I've never doubted whose side I am on -- David Letterman's. I've been a huge fan ever since the days of his short-lived morning talk show; when "Late Night" debuted in 1981, my family bought its first VCR so we could tape the program each night.So when it was announced earlier this year that Mr. Letterman would be moving from NBC to CBS, I thought it would be fun to attend a taping of the new show in the lavishly refurbished Ed Sullivan Theater.

Moscow CircusWhere: Baltimore Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St.When: Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 17, 11 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Nov. 18, 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.Tickets: $19.50, $16, $12.50 and $10.Call: 481-6000 to charge tickets; 347-2010 for information. Ring-counters will immediately note that the Moscow Circus only has a single ring, unlike the hyper-busy three rings of an American circus. But that single focus of activity, set up at the Baltimore Arena through Sunday, is still bursting with circusThat characteristic aside, there are other things that make this circus distinctively Russian.

Lawrence Kasha, 57, a writer, director and producer for both the stage and television, died of brain cancer Saturday in Los Angeles. The Tony Award-winner, whose credits included the stage shows "Applause" and "Woman of the Year," was the producer in recent years of the long-running television series, "Knots Landing." A child actor who performed in musicals such as "Brigadoon," Mr. Kasha created his first musical, "Sing," while attending high school in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1964, with partner Hal Prince, he produced his first Broadway musical, "She Loves Me."

The Orioles appear destined to finish with the fifth-worst record in baseball - cue the derisive applause - which will position them for another prime pick in next year's draft. The real good news: They've proved over the past two years that they know how to make the most of an early pick, as evidenced by the success of Matt Wieters during his first full professional season and the consensus around baseball that Brian Matusz was the most advanced pitcher in this year's draft. (For more, go to baltimoresun.

Individuals and teams from Applause of Bel Air Baton Twirling Corps recently earned several top awards at America's Youth on Parade Baton Twirling National Competition in South Bend, Ind. This Super Bowl of baton twirling attracts thousands of twirlers and hundreds of teams from all over the United States, Canada and Europe. Applause's Senior Large Beginner Dance Twirl team won first place to become the National Champions in its division. Melanie Baker, Michelle Cvach, Ashlee Gilliam, Emily Hogan, Maria Kopalchik, Kat Murphy, Rachel Occhionero, Caitlin Ortolani, Allison Reichart and Erin Rice are team members.

Had a fab chat recently with Nancy Reagan, my own personal favorite first lady of the many I have known. The most "real," the most "human" of them all, with no political agenda, she was in town for the fundraiser Mayor Mike Bloomberg tossed for the Reagan Library at his eastside townhouse last week. The last time I'd seen Mrs. Reagan was at her husband's funeral in Washington and then my heart ached for her. She was grieving, exhausted and seemed very frail. But now she has bounced back.

Wait. Listen. You need to wait and listen for the applause at the beginning, said Nancy Rice of Baltimore, before the beginning of Marin Alsop's debut as music director-elect of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The opening applause will tell the story. "She will," Rice predicted, "receive an ovation. Baltimore has accepted her. The orchestra has accepted her." It's 15 minutes before curtain last night -- the night of Alsop's first engagement with the BSO since its announcement in July that Alsop would lead the orchestra beginning in the 2007-2008 season.

The tiny town of Lisbon is clinging to its past in a way that few places in Howard County's fast-developing rural west can claim, but local planners believe that little of the old will survive in a community conveniently off Interstate 70. Attempting to redirect fate, planners proposed a major change for the commercial crossroads: a less intense retail zoning that would eliminate many of the possible ways to use the land, including large developments such...

WASHINGTON -- In a symbolic rebuff to America's absorption with the Monica Lewinsky scandal, leaders from around the world gave President Clinton a standing ovation and sustained applause yesterday as he appealed at the United Nations for a global war against terrorism.Clinton gave his annual address to the opening session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York while much of the country was watching broadcasts of his Aug. 17 grand jury testimony about his relationship with Lewinsky.As the president climbed the U.N. podium, CNN was broadcasting his response to prosecutors' questions about whether he had enlisted his friend Vernon Jordan to help Lewinsky find a job.Looking tired, with bags under his eyes, he thanked the delegates "for your very kind and generous welcome," after they gradually rose to their feet and applauded.

The orchestra roars and the pianist's hands are a blur: thunderous octaves in one hand against single notes in the other, then a fusillade of double octaves that brings the first movement to a majestic conclusion.Many in the audience begin to applaud; others, who consider themselves more knowledgeable, don't -- and they look either embarrassed for or scornfully at those who do. The applause peters out. Soloist and conductor confer for a moment, the orchestra tunes and the piece starts up again with the second movement.

The revival of "Applause," which concluded a two-week run at the Mechanic Theatre on Sunday, will close Nov. 24 in Columbus, Ohio.Several cities had dropped out of the proposed six-month pre-Broadway tour, which the producers are now trying to restructure, explained Anita Dloniak, a spokeswoman for the production, which stars Stefanie Powers."

"Applause" is about a larger-than-life star, and its lead role has traditionally been played by a larger-than-life star. Lauren Bacall originated it on Broadway, and Bette Davis played it in the movie on which "Applause" is based, "All About Eve."So how does a mere TV star fare? In the Broadway-bound revival that opened last night at the Mechanic Theatre, "Hart to Hart's" Stefanie Powers does fine.If you're always aware that Powers is acting, always on, (maybe even always Jennifer Hart), well, some of that is built into the role.

Stefanie Powers is better known for her love of animals than for musical theater. So it's hardly surprising that a dog is one reason the star of "Applause" is looking forward to coming to Baltimore."