Theatre Review: Miss Saigon, The Civic

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Tina Cross plays the part of nightclub hostess Gigi. Photo / Natalie Slade

At a time when the supremacy of American culture appears unassailable, Miss Saigon delivers a timely reminder of the Vietnam experience with the haunting image of a helicopter evacuating the embassy in Saigon providing a sharp warning about the dangers of hubris.
Created by the partnership behind Les Miserables, the show presents a nuanced analysis of American power and brilliantly demonstrates how the vast sweep of history can be distilled into the intimate experience of ordinary people.
The production by North Shore Music Theatre is a testament to the enormous dedication of part-time artists who are driven by a simple love of performing.
While it is unrealistic to expect an amateur company to match the precision of professionals, the production is not far off the mark and whatever is lacking in polish is more than compensated for by the passionate enthusiasm of the cast.
Director David Adkins clearly understands that everything depends on establishing an emotional connection with the audience and at key moments the lavish imported set is swept aside and the performers are isolated, singing their hearts out on an empty stage.

This is not to say the show is lacking in spectacle - the famous helicopter scene is skilfully handled and the big chorus numbers are carried off with panache. But the power of the production comes from the way the cast throw themselves into the work and give voice to the emotional truth of their characters.
In the lead role Christina Zhu delivers a stunning performance in which innocent bewilderment is replaced by an explosion of fiery determination.
She also establishes a strong chemistry with Russell Dixon who brings a sweet tenor and an imposing physical presence to his portrayal of a disillusioned American soldier.
John Hellyer effectively anchors the show with an engaging performance as a sleazy entrepreneur while O'neal M. Mendoza manages to elicit some sympathy even as he plays a ruthless communist commissar and upholder of patriarchal tradition.
Tina Cross delivers a star turn as the nightclub hostess Gigi and the chorus absolutely sizzles in the ensemble performance of The Heat is On in Saigon.
With very reasonable ticket prices, this is a production that should not to be missed.
THEATRE
What: Miss Saigon.
Where: The Civic.
When: Until June 11.

Woman slaps Michael Jackson estate with $10m herpes claim

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Michael Jackson. Photo / Supplied

And in news that blazed straight through the gates of tabloid hell: A woman has filed two creditors' claims against late singer Michael Jackson's estate.
That in itself is hardly an eyebrow-lifter. Jackson, who died in 2009, was a frequent magnet for litigation and sue-happy merchants during the latter part of his life. What sets this crackpot claim aside from all the others is, well, read on...
Shellie Smith alleges that Jackson gave her herpes during a sexual relationship almost forty years ago, according to gossip website TMZ.
Cough. Splutter. Pull the other one! No, really.
In legal documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, Smith alleges that Jackson gave her the STD in 1979, and that it "ruined her life."
Click here to read her claims (pdf).

"In 1979, I started having sexual relations with decedent," Smith writes in her creditor's claim. "Shortly thereafter, I began to get blisters on my legs, face and lips. He was my only partner..."
She adds: "At this time, I am unable to have a full and vibrant life due to the complications of this disease."
But hold on just one cotton-picking minute. Smith's memory must be a tad murky, for in her second claim she alleges she was diagnosed with herpes simplex after purportedly having sex with Jackson in 1977. Two years earlier. Oh, mere details!
She writes in her second claim: "[Michael] knew I was getting blisters on my body, however, he continued to have sex with me."
Smith is seeking a cool $10 million from the estate. Which, as TMZ rightly points out, she has a snowball's chance in hell of bagging. Plus, the deadline for filing a creditor's claim in Jackson's case has long expired.
And here's the kicker. This isn't the first time Smith has filed a claim against the late King of Pop. Oh no.
In January 2010 she filed a creditor's claim saying she was entitled to Jackson's dough, specifically spousal support - because they were 'secretly married' in the 70s. But it was an intimate affair. She claimed the ceremony took place in a New York City hotel room, and was witnessed by hotel staff.
Suffice to say her claim was swiftly rejected. As for her recently filed claims, don't hold your breath.
As the gloved one would say...

$Schwarzenegger scandal
Hot on the heels of the news that naughty Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a secret love child with a former housekeeper, speculation is mounting over whether jilted estranged wife Maria Shriver will terminate their marriage.
If she does pull the proverbial plug on their 25-year marriage, it'll certainly hit the big fella in the wallet.
According to Page Six, the power couple is estimated to be worth $200 and $400 million. And the theory goes that if Shriver divorces the former governor, she could walk away with over $200 million.
Indeed, it would be a staggering settlement that would put Tiger Woods' $110 million divorce in the shade.
Although it's believed that the couple has some sort of prenup in place, it could be tossed aside "because of Schwarzenegger's spectacular philandering," reports the Post.
Should the document be given the shove, the couple's net worth, as per California law, would be split evenly.
That's IF they divorce. But given the news that Shriver has hired one of Hollywood's top divorce lawyers, Laura Wasser, chances are it's a distinct possibility.
Although a source says "Maria hasn't decided yet if she wants to end her marriage."
Wesser has previously represented Angelina Jolie, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Kiefer Sutherland, and Britney Spears.
Meanwhile, fresh rumours abound that Arnie allegedly has two other love children with different women.
This tattle arrives courtesy of British actress Jane Seymour - a highly unlikely source of gossip!
Seymour, 60, told American TV station CNN last week that she was "not remotely surprised" by news of Schwarzenegger's philandering.
Of Arnie's declaration that he fathered a 14-year-old son with his family's now-retired housekeeper Mildred Patricia Baena, Seymour said: "He was obviously jumping the gun before everyone else told the world the news."
She continued: "And from what I gather there will be lots of information coming people's way. I heard about two more children. I met someone who knows him well."
Oddly enough, Schwarzenegger's biographer concurs with the multiple love children theory.
Author Ian Halperin, who wrote a biography on the Terminator star, tells the Daily Mail he's interviewed six women "who claim to have given birth to children by him."
He says: "You're going to see a plethora of other women come out of the woodwork."
In other news...
Blogger's Briefs
* Former Friends star David Schwimmer and his wife, photographer Zoe Buckman, are the proud parents of a wee baby girl.
Cleo Buckman Schwimmer was born on Sunday in New York, the actor's rep told People.
It's the couple's first child. Congratulations to them both!
* Mad Men siren Christina Hendricks has a message for us all: her boobs are real!
"People are constantly asking if [her] breasts are real or fake. They're so obviously real that anyone who's ever seen or touched a breast would know," she bemoans to the Daily Mail. Yep, we get it: They're real, and they're lovely, darling.
* Ashton Kutcher's Two and a Half Men deal is for just one year
* Zach Galifianakis rips 'rude' January Jones
* Grease star Jeff Conaway remains in critical condition
* Princess Beatrice's 'toilet seat' hat sells for $130,000 on eBay
* Maria Shriver refuses to hide: 'She has done nothing wrong'
* Zsa Zsa Gabor 'wakes up from coma'
* Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 TV spot
* See Prince William and Kate's 'honeymoon gift'
And we're done.
Blogger Bites Back
* Read more celebrity news and gossip from Myrddin Gwynedd (MG) here
P.S.
While you're down here...
Colour me happy and please vote for this blog again in the Net Guide Awards' Best Blog category. Voting closes August 16.

Hollywood versus Wellywood

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The Hollywood Chamber of commerce is fiercely protective of the famous Hollywood landmark sign. Photo / Kristin Edge

Hollywood business representatives are weighing up legal action against Wellington Airport to stop the construction of a controversial 'Wellywood' sign.
The 30-metre-long sign is set be erected on a Miramar Peninsular hillside, the airport announced on Saturday.
It was given resource consent by the city council last year.
Leron Gubler, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said the project could breach his organisation's trademark on the iconic original 'Hollywood' sign.
His lawyers had written to the airport asking about the sign in March 2010 and had received acknowledgement the letter had been received later that month.
He thought the project had been abandoned after getting no further word on it from airport authorities and was disappointed to learn it was going ahead.
"As a matter of courtesy, we would have expected at a minimum a response from the airport authority as they had promised.

"We hope that this time our overture to WIAL to that end will be responded to in like spirit. Otherwise, the lawyers can sort it out, but that seems a shame, particularly in regard to a project that appears to be controversial in Wellington already."
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce saved the 'Hollywood' sign after it was demolished in 1978 and set up a trust to preserve it.
Mr Gubler said the organisation wanted to ensure its legal rights to the sign were not breached.
"We are not without a sense of humor, nor without legal rights. We hope that if the Wellington Airport wants to mimic our sign in this fashion, it will proceed in cooperation with us and will recognize that the holder of the rights to the sign and the party responsible for its continued existence is a nonprofit entity that works hard to raise funds so that the sign even exists to be mimicked."
Other cities, including Basildon and Hollinwood in the United Kingdom and Bowen in Queensland, have their own version of the 'Hollywood' sign.
About 140 people turned up to Wellington Airport to protest the 'Wellywood' sign last night.
Thousands of locals have expressed their opposition on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.