Universal cuts CD prices in hopes of better sales

By Paul L. Pimental III
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Remember when you could go into a music store with $20, buy a CD and come out with more than just a handful of change? It may be tough for some people to remember, but their memories will soon be refreshed.

Universal Music Group, which controls 25 percent of the world's music market announced that they would lower the prices of newly released CDs to $12.99. 19 of their 20 retail customers have signed to lower prices. Some of their retail customers are Best Buy Inc., Target Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Musicland Inc.

"This is Universal's way of getting people back into the stores," said John Blondin, store manager at FYE in the Berlin Mall. "This can be nothing but a positive thing."

So far, Universal is the only one lowering their prices. It seems as though they are the self-tested guinea pigs in this experiment on CD sales.

Albie Borne, 20, a junior criminal justice major from Berlin, Vt., is very excited about the upcoming cut in CD prices after hearing about it and is now more motivated to buy more CDs.

"I think in the long run more companies are going to have to follow in the footsteps of Universal," Borne said. "They might be starting a new trend, and they're going to attract more people to buy their CDs, because their CDs are going to be lower."

"If I go into a store, and you want to buy a CD, and it's, like, $20 for one CD, and it's going to be $12.99, now, you can almost buy two," said Bill Callanan, 21, a senior physical education major from Stillwater, NY.

The cut in CD prices may be a way to get people back into the stores, but it also may be a way Universal is trying to fight against the downloading of music on the Internet.

William Nasser, 19, a sophomore criminal justice major from Fall River, Ma, used to buy a lot of CDs but now downloads more music than he buys.

"I don't think any drop in price will make me buy many more CDs, because downloading them is still free." Nasser said.

The price cut by Universal will no doubt have a big effect on the record industry, but will it be positive or negative? As the holiday season approaches and the prices are cut, this question will be answered. Until then, everyone will have to wait.

Pegasus Players rehearse "Loot" for Nov. presentation

By Holly Manning
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

The Norwich University drama group, Pegasus Players, will be performing Loot, a 1950's play written by Joe Orton. It will be performed Nov. 7-8 at 8 p.m. in Dole Auditorium.

"It's about these bank robbers who are trying to figure out how they can get the money safely out of the house. A lot of it has to do with moving a dead body around and planting the money in the coffin and all sorts of crazy stuff, so it's a very dark comedy," said Gene Enriquez, 24, a senior history major from Chicago, Ill.

There are seven roles occupied by Pegasus actors. Samantha Steiner, 21, a senior psychology major from Buffalo, NY, will be playing the role of the dead body in which she will be moved around frequently throughout the play.

Fiona Johnstone, a Geology and English major from Jedburth, Scotland, will be playing Fay McMahon. "It should be kind of challenging for me, because [McMahon] is a bit of an actress, and she's a bad person. I've not done comedy before, so it's new for me."

"I'm playing Mr. McClevy. He's a character that the play is centered around. He's the father figure, and pretty much all the action happens to him," said Andrew Riddell, 18, a freshman criminal justice major from Utica, NY.

Enriquez will be playing the role of Hal, who is the son of the deceased. "We had auditions the week before our first rehearsal that involved quite a lot of people; about 30 people showed up," Enriquez said. Director Helen Caudill assigned the parts to the performers.

Johnstone said that this play will be a lot different than those performed in the past by Pegasus.

"I like the fact that there's a dead body on the stage 95 percent of the play. It's pretty funny. It's pretty hard work for us, ‘cause we don't know where it is, yet; it keeps moving," Johnstone said.

The performers are hoping for a big turn-out for Loot. Enriquez said that a lot of people from the Northfield community occasionally come for plays because of local advertisements, and they are hoping for a big turn-out next month.

Riddell is especially excited to be able to perform in front of his company, who will be attending the event.

"It's always good to support your students, like an athletic event. ...Theater is ... another type of event. Just like in sports, when you screw up, this is the only time you have to do it," Enriquez said.

Students, faculty, staff and their families enjoy free admission, while others will pay $5 for admission.

"It's going to be a fun show. There's going to be some laughs. People are going to be disturbed when they leave, and that's the whole point of theater: make people think about things," Enriquez said.