With Uni's spring play, "Much Ado About Nothing," scheduled to open Thursday night, thespians Michelle Gao, Anna Gooler, and Lauren Piester reminisce about their adventures at Theatrefest, an annual convention for theater-lovers across the state. One of the only school-sponsored overnight trips, it proved once again to be an enlightening and worthwhile experience.

Ever wondered what it would be like to dress in layers and layers of petticoats, long skirts, flowing blouses, brightly colored knickers, and intricately decorated corsets? The cast of "Much Ado About Nothing" can tell you all about the tedious yet exciting process of lacing up bodices and buttoning jackets in preparation for the upcoming performance of this Shakespearean comedy, which opens Thursday at 7 p.m.

Elaine Gu doesn't consider herself a huge Harry Potter fan, but the more she learned about a curious musical movement inspired by J.K. Rowling's novels, the more she wanted to see the genre in action. So when two of the movement's leading bands performed at the Champaign Public Library's Wizard Rock show on March 14, Elaine was there.

Don't know what the Rufty Tufty is? The cast members of this year's spring play, Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," sure do. And so will you by the time the play ends its three-night run. The opening performance will be 7 p.m. Thursday at the North Attic Playhouse, followed by 7:30 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday. Lauren Piester offers the latest entry in our spring play diary.

With no school on Friday, it's a good opportunity to take advantage of the highlight of this week's entertainment offerings: the 2008 Latin American Film Festival at Boardman's Art Theatre. Kumars Salehi has the details inside. Plus Laura has the latest on CDs, Gordon checks out the new video games, Sindha has the lowdown on local concerts, and Kumars fills us in on other movie openings and DVD releases.

Throughout this week the Gargoyle will present a series of diary entries by five members of this year's spring play, Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing." The opening performance will be 7 p.m. Thursday at the North Attic Playhouse, followed by 7:30 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday. Senior Michelle Gao kicks off our series with reflections on the start of tech week.

Any high school student will tell you that reading a Shakespeare play can be difficult. But what about performing one? Almost 40 Uni students have spent the last two months finding out firsthand what that's like. They will perform one of Shakespeare’s great comedies, “Much Ado About Nothing,” as this year’s spring play. Check inside for more about the 2008 production.

Headlights, a C-U band with an ardent local following, recently released their third album, and Erin Hayes gave it a close listen. "While it's true that the record is consistent, cohesive, and relatively simple," she writes, "the idea that this should satisfy Headlights and their listeners (who are already hailing 'Some Racing' as a potential breakout for the group) is of concern to me. Yes, the album is pleasant, tender, and well-arranged … but is that enough?"

Frank Lucas is a man doing everything he can to get by in a competitive world — which just happens to be the world of heroin dealing. Richie Roberts wants to bring him down. "American Gangster," now available on DVD, is the story of this conflict between two men determined to get what they want. Jack Snyder thinks the crime epic is a classic for years to come, worthy of a watch by anyone.

After a week off due to spring break, the Gargoyle entertainment guide is back. Topping the list of new movies in C-U is "The Band's Visit," the story of Egyptian musicians stranded in a remote Israeli town. The film opens Friday at Boardman's Art Theatre. Check inside for more from Kumars Salehi on film and DVD releases, while Laura Dripps has the latest on CD releases, Gordon Ruan on video games, and Sindha Agha on local music.

[AUDIO included] Modest and unassuming though she is, Jennifer Roloff has been getting a lot of attention lately for her musical talents. She won two major competitions in six weeks, and Saturday night she will perform an oboe concerto as a guest soloist with the Danville Symphony Orchestra. Assistant editor Jie Han caught up with her recently and found out more about this remarkable senior.

When Jack Black's magnetized brain accidentally erases all of the tapes in his friend's video store, they have to remake such classic movies as "Ghostbusters," "Robocop," and "Rush Hour 2." Lauren Piester found herself highly entertained, but not overwhelmingly so. Check inside for more.

What do rock music and Harry Potter have in common? The answer: They will both be at the Champaign Public Library on Friday as a part of the Get Inspired! literacy program. Two "wizard rock" bands — Ginny and the HeartBreakers from Oklahoma and The Remus Lupins from Los Angeles — will perform original songs about Harry Potter characters.

Senior Jennifer Roloff won her second major music contest in less than two months, earning first prize in the Young Baroque Artists Competition held Saturday at Smith Memorial Hall on the University of Illinois campus. Subfreshman Kathy Qiu won third place. They were among eight Uni students who competed.