Early peek at Miss Saigon

Early peek at Miss Saigon
JESSICA HURT
October 27, 2007 02:15am
IF not for the efforts of South Australia's Geraldine Cox, Miss Saigon
would be without one of its stars.

Juan Jackson, who plays John in the hit musical, credits Cox and her
internationally-acclaimed documentary My Khmer Heart, about the plight
of orphans she cares for in Cambodia, for his decision to try out for
the show.

Before starring in the hit production, Jackson never had seen the
modern adaptation of the classic opera Madam Butterfly.

"After going to Cambodia and Vietnam and getting a sense of the plight
of their people and then seeing My Khmer Heart I had to do it," he
said. "Geraldine is an amazing woman."

Raised in Orlando, Florida, in the U.S., Jackson's work took him
around the world, including Chicago, Milan and Japan, before he lived
in Melbourne and later settled in Sydney.

Miss Saigon - the cross-cultural love story set in Vietnam in the last
days of the U.S. occupation in 1975 - opens at the Festival Theatre on
New Year's Day, with preview shows from December 29. Tickets are
available by calling BASS on 131 246.

Miss Saigon fans have the chance to see a special preview of the
theatre production next month.

Jackson and fellow cast members David Harris, who plays Chris and
Jennifer Trijo (Kim) will perform exclusively at The Advertiser/Sunday
Mail Foundation's Melbourne Cup race-day luncheon, on Tuesday,
November 6 at Adelaide Oval.

Tickets are available to the public and proceeds assist local
charities.

Jackson said the event was especially significant because the cast
rarely perform off-stage.

Channel 7's Graeme Goodings will compere the event which will include
a fashion parade, featuring designs from George Gross, Harry Who,
David Jones menswear and womenswear, Chilli Mint Fashion, Montaigo
Boutique, Vanilla Boutique, Shine on Sea, Pinka Ponka, Muse Boutique
and Platinum. Local male celebrities will model and the South
Australian Fire Service calendar boys will appear while Adelaide band
The Flaming Sambucas will perform.

TAB facilities are available and the big race will be shown on a super
screen.

The ASMF luncheon is sponsored by Qantas, TAB, Step Rd Wines, Coopers
Brewery, Lexus of Adelaide, MinnieMac, David Jones and Flowers Fresh
Central Florist. For bookings, phone Elise on 8206 2530 in business
hours.

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