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LATEST NEWS…PARIS HILTON'S STAR ATTRACTION: Star Casino's Marquee Club launch attracted celebrities galore from all around the world including Ashley Simpson, Slash, Aussie's Jodi Gordon and Sharni Vinson and her Twilight boyfriend Kellan Lutz and LMFAO members to name a few. However it was serial socialite Paris Hilton who stole the show, mingling with party goers and hitting headlines for various reasons. Hilton was also spotted frolicking around Bondi Beach and shopping in Sydney over the weekend. Almost 1000 celebrity and VIP guests attended the launch while DJ Afrojack and LMFAO's RedFoo performed live at the event. The launch comes on the back of recent troubles within Star Casino over the sacking of former boss Sid Vaikunta. Sydney may be far away from the bright lights and glitzy lifestyle of Hollywood, but that didn't stop the celebs from gathering in their droves. Here's hoping the Club does well…ONE DIRECTION GO GLOBAL: UK and Irish boy band One Direction have gone global with their debut album making American music history by going to number one in the Billboard top 200 chart. The five-piece, who came third in The X Factor UK in 2010, have long tasted success in Europe but the teen heart-throbs have now taken the world by storm. Their debut single "What Makes You Beautiful" was released in November 2011 and peaked at number one in the UK and their debut album followed in November selling 138,631 copies making it the fastest selling debut album on the UK Charts in 2011. The lads will make their Australian debut with a performance at the 2012 Logie Awards in Melbourne on April during their sold out Australian tour. It just goes to show you don't need to win these big talent shows to have success, and I wish the boys every success in the future…RIP JIM STYNES: Jim Stynes has passed away following a three year battle with cancer. The former Melbourne football legend passed away in the comfort of his own home surrounded by family and friends. A State funeral was held in St Pauls Cathedral in Melbourne for the footie legend and a massive crowd gathered at Federation Square to bid a fond farewell to the icon. Stynes was remembered as a generous, loving, and caring man who was a constant inspiration to his family, friends and the public. Debuting in the Australian Football League in 1987, he played a league record of 244 consecutive games between 1987 and 1998. He served as President of the Melbourne Football from 2008, and despite being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2009, he continued to work during his treatment for brain metastasis. RIP a True Football great…BEN COUSINS ON DRUG CHARGES: Former AFL star Ben Cousins is back in Perth after being released on bail following his arrest in Esperance Airport for drug charges. Cousins is best known for his 270 game career with West Coast and Richmond in the Australian Football League. During his eleven years with West Coast, earning him several of the league's highest individual awards including a Brownlow Medal and Most Valuable Player, Cousins has also been listed as one the top 50 players of all time by journalist Mike Sheahan. His football career has been marred by highly publicised incidents involving recreational drug use, traffic convictions and association with criminal elements. Cousins stated that he "has nothing to say at this time" to the waiting media at Perth Airport. He was arrested at Esperance Airport after being charged with possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply…EXTRA PROTECTION FOR COWELL: Simon Cowell has added more bodyguards to his already 24-7 protection team following a break-in to his London home. British newspaper 'The Sun' states that the X Factor boss was confronted by a female intruder wielding a brick when he went to investigate a noise in his home. It is believed that Leanne Zaloumis, 29, of Catford, South East London, was found by armed police hiding on a seven foot shelf in Cowell's wardrobe. Zaloumis appeared in court charged with aggravated burglary with intent of GBH. Luckily no one was harmed in the incident…HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAGA: Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Lady Gaga has recently announced that she will no longer speak to the media during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. The pop star who turned 26 during the week told Winfrey that she plans to go on a media blackout during the coming months. "Other than this interview Oprah, I do not intend on speaking to anyone for a very long time.. No press, no television." Gaga has one of the most loyal fan bases in the music industry but despite her roaring success she has never been devoured by the fame monster. Gaga has created some of the most crazed and bizarre media explosions in recent years, be it from outrageous meat dresses or hatching from an egg on the red carpet, the world is going to be a quiet place if she succeeds in her media blackout. Nevertheless the world will watch in anticipation…MEGAN FOX PREGNANT?: According to reports in the USA, actress Megan Fox is expecting her first baby with husband Brian Austin Green. The couple are reportedly thrilled, a source told America's Star magazine "They just found out and are incredibly excited." The source added "It's still early, so they are only telling family members and close friends." The Transformers actress already has some parenting skills as she is stepmother to husband Brian's nine year old son Kassius. Fox and Green married in a private ceremony in Hawaii in June 2010. The insider also added that Fox is thrilled to be expecting a child of her own. "Megan used to only be concerned with her career, but now her family comes first." If the reports are true, a huge congratulations to you both…VICTORIA BECKHAM LIKE YOU AND ME: Victoria Beckham has claimed that her super slim figure matches that of the general public. The average British female sports size is a sixteen but despite this, the former Spice Girl (whose diet consists of steamed fish and raw vegetables and easily fits into a size six dress) claims she represents the general public. It's fairly evident that the star may used to fit that physique during her Spice Girl days sporting a healthy ten to twelve dress size. But in recent years her dieting and weight has made her one of the leanest women in Hollywood. The star who gave birth to her fourth child in July, last showed off her toned body in a recent Harpers Bazaar Magazine shoot for swim wear. The fashion designer is so convinced that she represents the norm that she has started basing her designs on her own measurements and has replaced models with her own body when it comes to fitting dresses for her clothing line…HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA: The name Pattie Mallette may not ring a bell with most people, but the twitter world has exploded with "Happy Birthday Pattie" trending worldwide. Mallette is Justin Bieber's mother and the millions of Beliebers around the world have taken to social networking sites to wish her well on her birthday. Raising Bieber as a single mother, she has stood by her son through his whole career and is a driving force behind all his success. Justin's fans seem very grateful with the woman responsible for him with messages like "Happy Birthday Pattie. Thanks for giving birth to the sexiest creature on earth," and more genuine messages like "Happy Birthday Pattie. You've created and raised a beautiful son. He has turned from a boy to a young man. You did a good job." So I'll jump on the bandwagon here Happy Birthday Pattie Mallette…

20 September 2010 Saturday Night
27 September 2010 Merrily We Roll Along
4 October 2010 Anyone Can Whistle

To celebrate Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday, Melbourne Recital Centre and Magnormos are proud to present "A Sondheim Triptych" to be performed at Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. Sondheim is widely regarded as the most influential writer in Broadway history, with major works including WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, COMPANY, SWEENEY TODD, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and INTO THE WOODS.

This is an exclusive opportunity to see three works that are rarely performed, but greatly loved by Sondheim fans across the globe. Come and experience these works, performed live by some of the Australia's top musical theatre talent, in one of Melbourne's most exciting performance venues. These works will be presented in full with concert staging, keeping the focus on Sondheim's brilliant writing and our extraordinary cast.

SEASON TICKETS
VIP $180 ([Premium seats to all three concerts)*
Gold $160 (A reserve seats to all three concerts)*
Silver $140 (B reserve seats to all three concerts)
*includes complimentary program and chocolates on arrival.
Book your season tickets by phone: 03 9699 3333

SINGLE TICKETS
Premium reserve - $65
A reserve - $58 ($53 concession)
B reserve - $52 ($47 concession)
Book single tickets online at melbournerecital.com.au or call 03 9699 3333

SATURDAY NIGHT
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G.Epstein, who also wrote screenplay for Casablanca
Based on the play 'Front Porch in Flatbush' by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G Epstein

MONDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 8pm
Melbourne Recital Centre Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
Directed by Terence O'Connell
Musical Direction by Vicky Jacobs

CAST INCLUDES
Chris Durling (Fame, High School Musical)
Sam Ludeman (Fame, Guys and Dolls)
Matt McFarlane (Priscilla Queen of the Desert)
Lara Threw ([title of show])
and introducing:
Zac Tyler (LaSalle Academy Graduate).
Claire George (Boy from Oz)

In 1953, SATURDAY NIGHT was set to mark the Broadway debut of a young, new writer - Stephen Sondheim. Owing to the death of the original producer, the New York opening (starring Australia's own David Campbell) was delayed some 47 years! Brimming with charm and youthful vitality, SATURDAY NIGHT is a captivating story of love, ambition and friendship set during the last days before the Great Depression. This rollicking adventure follows a group of Brooklyn boys trying to make their fortunes on the stock market of 1929, with as many romantic entanglements as possible along the way! By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY)

MERRILY ERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth
Based on original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart

MONDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 8pm
Melbourne Recital Centre Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
Directed by Shaun Murphy
Musical Direction by Ben Kiley

CAST INCLUDES
Chris Parker (Mamma Mia)
Laura Fitzpatrick ([title of show], My Fair Lady)
Stephen Wheat (Shout!, Dusty)
Lisa-Marie Parker (Cats)
Hester Van der Vyver (The Drowsy Chaperone)

The authors of the Broadway hit, COMPANY, reunited to turn the traditional showbiz musical on its head with MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG - a thrilling and compelling Broadway fable about friendship, compromise and the high price of success. With a unique narrative style that begins in the present and moves backwards in time, the story revolves around Franklin Shepard who, having once been a talented Broadway composer, has now abandoned his friends and his songwriting career to become a Hollywood producer. The milestones of his personal and professional lives are portrayed through a sequence of flashbacks, exploring the turbulence of his relationships and the changing America around him. By arrangement with Hal. Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY)

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Arthur Laurents

MONDAY 4 OCTOBER 8pm
Melbourne Recital Centre Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
Directed by Aaron Joyner
Musical Direction by Laura Tipoki

CAST INCLUDES
Anne Wood (Mamma Mia!)
Patrice Tipoki (Wicked, The Lion King)
Dan Humphris (We Will Rock You)
Don Bridges (Fiddler on the Roof, Cosi)
Sally Bourne (Yummy, Australia's original Annie)
and music theatre students from APO ARTS ACADEMY

Sondheim's wickedly funny, cheekily disrespectful and outright blasphemous musical comedy is one of the funniest Broadway musicals ever written. An absurdist story of fake miracles, corrupt politicians, escaped lunatics, psychotherapy and even romance, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE was way ahead of its time in 1964 where it played for only nine performances on Broadway. With its wellaimed pot shots at everything America holds dear, modern audiences across the world have found new joys in its refreshing honesty and timeless relevance. By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY)

A SONDHEIM TRIPTYCH
Artistic Director / Executive Producer: Aaron Joyner
Co-Producers: Laura Koomen and Sean Bryan
Lighting Designer: Lucy Birkinshaw-Campbell
Designer: Christina Logan-Bell

ABOUT MAGNORMOS

Melbourne-based independent theatre company, Magnormos, is celebrated nationally for its unique and groundbreaking commitment to the advancement of Australian musical theatre. Established in 2002 with an original Australianised adaption of Stephen Schwartz's WORKING, Magnormos has premiered numerous landmark international works including Stephen Sondheim's SATURDAY NIGHT, Kandar & Ebbs FLORA THE RED MENACE, Mel Brook's ARCHY & MEHITABEL and DiPietro & Roberts THE THING ABOUT MEN. Australian works include world premieres of LIFE'S A CIRCUS, LOVE EQUALS and THE BEAUTY SPOT, and revivals of MARY BRYANT, A BUNCH OF RATBAGS and DUTCH COURAGE. The most recent success was the Australasian premiere of Broadway musical [TITLE OF SHOW], which will enjoy a return season later this year. Other Magnormos initiatives include the annual OZMADE MUSICALS concerts and the Musical Theatre Trivia Nights.

Book at www.melbournerecital.com.au or call the Box Office on 03 9699 3333. Accommodation packages are available with MRC supporter Art Series hotels, The Olsen, The Cullen or newly opened The Blackman. To make a booking call 1800 278 468 and mention MRC.