By Paul A. Anthony, Editor in Chief

Shorter, rockier and more fun than previous shows, this year’s Sing Song sacrifices time for quality.

With the Silver Screen theme, all the songs are either from or about the movies-a subject of universal appeal to a college crowd and one with which the club and class writers obviously enjoyed working.

Overall, the clubs and classes are much better than previous years. Sigma Theta Chi’s “Field of Dreams,” about the overlooked grass, stretches the limits of the theme but is by far the most clever, best costumed and best choreographed of the women’s clubs, and possibly all clubs. It is a sure winner.

The men’s field is less clear. Frater Sodalis’ “You’ve Got to Be Karate Kidding Me!” is hilarious and makes up for the club’s size. The club’s choreography also is surprisingly strong, considering how smaller clubs usually struggle with that aspect.

Gamma Sigma Phi, however, has enough wit, choreography and horrible sunglasses to capture the men’s crown yet again. A nice touch with the American flag and some fantastic “falling” choreography put GSP over the top.

Ko Jo Kai and GATA’s acts aren’t bad-but that’s all. The lyrics are good and the choreography is good, but they can’t touch Sigma Theta Chi. The Kojies also struggle with a lengthy costume change.

Meanwhile, Delta Theta apparently chose the Sub T-16 route-being bad and proud of it. Unfortunately, the women show why rap does not make good Sing Song music and fail in humor where Sub T succeeds.

Speaking of Sub T, the club didn’t show for the first dress rehearsal Wednesday, perhaps another tribute to filmmaking, where the bad films aren’t released early for review.

(Remember, Sub T-16 makes a reputation of being bad. The fact that its acts are continuously deplorable by Sing Song standards means they are funny, and therefore successful).

Alpha kai Omega opens Sing Song with a confusing flurry of popsicles that don’t make good choreography props. Its small size once again inhibits it, as choreography must be both clever and exceptional to match the bigger acts.

Pi Kappa returns to Sing Song with one of the funniest intros and the best props; however, an unclear transition between rude moviegoers and Superman muddles the act.

The sophomores and seniors put on the most memorable shows of the classes, but the seniors’ mid-act position shift most resembles a New York City subway at rush-hour. The juniors-what few of them there were-performed an act killed by lack of interest, poor planning or both. And the freshmen put on a solid act, complete with a well-done ’07 at the end, but it’s not as funny or well-executed as the sophomores’ take on Robin Hood.

Meanwhile, the hosts and hostesses performed ably a collection of movie-related songs that ranged from the popular (the Dixie Chicks) to the classic (Annie).

The song selection for the hosts and hostesses is quite good and tinged with director Kendall Massey’s rock influences. From a version of “Live and Let Die” that’s as metal as a song can get without electric guitar to a rousing “Jailhouse Rock,” the host-and-hostess time is fun and lively, helping to move the show along. (I could do without ever hearing another Dixie Chicks song, however.)

The increased use of the Dance Team also makes the acts more exciting, although sometimes more constricted with so many people on stage. The Dance Team is always a pleasure to watch, especially the performances of Keely Nelson and Jackie Beth Shilcutt.

Director Kendall Massey has emphasized that he wants the students to have fun with Sing Song. That feeling is evident throughout, helped immensely by the theme and by a new energy that has elevated many of the clubs and classes to higher levels than years past.