By Pat Septak (WBVP/WMBA Radio News Director and Freelance Writer) 

Love. War. Loss. Three reasons why one should have an ample supply of Kleenex in pocket while viewing CLO’s latest production of Miss Saigon,  an opera-like musical that takes place during, and in the aftermath of, the Vietnam War.

Miss Saigon, which opened Tuesday at the Benedum Center in downtown Pittsburgh, is the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving a Vietnamese bar girl and an American G.I. The story is told through the eyes of Kim, the 17-year-old orphan who ends up as a “bar girl” catering to U.S. troops. While prostituting for the first time, Kim meets Chris, a U.S. Marine, at a sleazy nightclub called “Dreamland”. Chris is struck by Kim’s innocence and they quickly - and deeply - fall in love. After she is separated from Chris during the fall of Saigon, Kim finds herself alone, refusing to give up on love and holding on to the hope that she will one day be reunited with Chris. Eventually they do find each other again. But this time they both have a secret to share with each other: Chris, who never thought he’d see Kim again, has married an American woman. Kim, as Chris finds out, has a three-year-old son…and Chris is the father. With the effects of the Vietnam War continuing to shatter lives, Kim wants nothing more than to have her son move to America, where he’ll have a better life. Will she get her wish?

From the rousing chorus of opening number “The Heat Is On In Saigon”, CLO uses its strong ensemble and its realistic sets and props to the fullest to convey the heartache of war and its effects on mankind.  Aaron Ramey and Ma-Anne Dionisio play the frustrated lovers. It’s quite apparent to the audience that these fine actors are seasoned professionals who have played these same roles before. They’re very convincing as two well-meaning people who get caught up in impossible circumstances. And their singing is beautiful.

Kevin Gray plays the Engineer, the likeable owner of Dreamland. Gary is very charismatic….as he steals many of the scenes with his manipulative and sleazy words and mannerisms. Vocally he is powerful, as exemplified in his song, “The American Dream”. Becca Ayers is believeable as Chris’ American wife…and Devin Haw, a 2007 CMU graduate, appears to be quite threatening and overtowering as Kim’s cousin, Thuy.

Arguably the best scene in this production is the helicopter evacuation scene that takes place during the fall of Saigon. Somehow the producers are able to bring that helicopter to life as Kim and other desparate Vietnamese pound at gates on either side. As I was sitting in the audience with my family, I began to think that I was actually there in the embassy yard when that helicopter landed.

Miss Saigon isn’t for everyone. There are very few spoken words, meaning most of the dialogue is sung. It’s a modern-day musical filled with colorful language and sexual innuendos. It’s certainly not for young children. And no doubt some adults will be disturbed by its abrubt and not-so-happy ending. But it is a story of love, war and loss that must be told. Just don’t forget to bring the Kleenex. (Runs through June 20 at the Benedum Center).

I have heard so many traditional World Cup songs along the lines of ‘we will win, we will win it’ la la la, well the UK has something with a difference, a World Cup song with a cheeky edge.

We invented the game, Terry leave that skirt alone refers to John Terry, the Chelsea centre back player is said to have had an affair with his team mate’s wife Vanessa Perroncel.

Rather than a traditional chant like or inspiring sedate melody this song really made me laugh, lets hope John Terry finds it as funny.

Here is the video, and you can find out more at the song maker’s official website StGeorge.org.uk

By Pat Septak 

The Pittsburgh CLO season is off to a fine start this week at the Benedum Theatre with the opening family musical Oliver! Based on the 1838 Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist, the show follows the story of a 10-year-old orphan named Oliver in mid-19th century London.

As the story opens, Oliver is starving in the workhouse in which he lives. When he is thrown out of the house for having the nerve to ask for more food, he gets taken in by a gang of pickpockets. Eventually, Oliver gets arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, gets kidnapped by a couple of underground thugs and meets some memorable characters along the way. It doesn’t exactly sound like the stuff that “family musicals” are made of. But CLO has put together a production that makes the story appealing to both young and old. From the beginning of the two-hour show, the audience knows that Oliver will eventually find a loving family and a happy home.

The main reason why this particular production of Oliver! works so well is because it’s perfectly cast. The lead character is magnificently played by Bethel Park sixth-grader Joseph Serafini. Already a stage veteran at age 12, Serafini gives Oliver both a rebellious side and a heartwarming quality. And his singing pipes are unbelievable, as evidenced on “Where Is Love?”, by far the standout number in the show. The thunderous applause Serafini received for that song wasn’t because the audience thought he sang great for being only 12 years old — it was because he sang great - period!

The headlining name in this cast is Philadelphia native Mark Indelicato, known to “Ugly Betty” television viewers as Betty’s nephew, Justin Suarez. The 15-year-old Indelicato colorfully portrays the role of the Artful Dodger, the chief pickpocket who takes Oliver under his wing on the streets of London.

But it’s the unforgettable performance of Patrick Page who, as Fagin, steals nearly every scene. Fagin takes command of the homeless boys and teaches them to be criminals. He convinces them to rob the wealthy to fill his own pockets. Page is mesmerizing on stage as he seductively sings, “Pick a Pocket or Two”, the most catchiest tune in the musical. Other memorable songs include “Consider Yourself” and the lively “Oom-Pah-Pah”. And Kate Shindle, who plays Nancy, an abused woman, sounded vulnerable on “As Long as He Needs Me”.

Mark Morton’s movable scenery and the gorgeous customes are largely responsible for creating the atmosphere of mid-19th century London. And kudos to director Richard Stafford for mixing the “townspeople” of London in with the audience, which makes the viewers feel like they’re part of the scene.

If this production of Oliver! is any indication, Pittsburgh theater-goers are in for an interesting, fun-filled ride this summer. And it’s just what they’ve come to expect from the Pittsburgh CLO.  (Oliver! runs at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Theatre through June 6).

Daughter of Trudie Styler, Coco Sumner has just bought a cottage in Wiltshire, already the owner of a London property she has now splashed out on a Luxury cottage. It appears that the stars are not only looking for trendy upmarket town houses but relaxing escapes.

Other celebs picking the relaxing holiday approach provided by country cottages

Sienna Miller has bought cottage in Gloucestershire

Kate Mossis reported to have bought a cottage in Cumbria

Scottish Lily Allen is said to be looking at holiday cottages in Devon

Luxury Cottages look like a great way to escape for celebrities, I want one, right next to Sienna Miller if possible…

In the last few hours it has been confirmed that the UK has hung parliament, but a coalition is expected later today. News reports appear to be very optimistic that a stable goverment can be achieved via a deal. This also means that despite a coalition a new election could be called at any point.

However may people are angry that they could not vote, due to problems at the polls, the Electoral Commission has now launched an urgent investigation into problems at the polls.