An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical To Play Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star

Today a rehearsal and performance of some of An Officer and a Gentleman took place at the ABC in Ultimo, just down the road from the Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star, where the show will officially open to the general public on 18th May 2012.

The pitch:

A new musical based on the Paramount Pictures-Lorimar movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" written by Douglas Day Stewart

Music and lyrics by Ken Hirsch and Robin Lerner
Book by Douglas Day Stewart and Sharleen Cooper Cohen
Director Simon Phillips
Choreographer Andrew Hallsworth
Set and Costume Designer Dale Ferguson
Lighting Designer Matt Scott
Musical Director Dave Skelton
Associate Director Dean Bryant
Producers Sharleen Cooper Cohen and John Frost

In association with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros Theatre Ventures

Based on the hugely successful Academy Award-winning film, this new production has been adapted for the stage by the original screen writer, Douglas Day Stewart and co-writer Sharleen Cooper Cohen, with music and lyrics by Kenny Hirsch and Robin Lerner. It will be produced by Sharleen Cooper Cohen and John Frost, and directed by Simon Phillips (Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical).

The talented cast that will bring this timeless story to life includes Ben Mingay (Jersey Boys) as Zack Mayo, the classic angry young man who grew up in a "sewer" and dreams of flying jets and parlaying this skill into a better life; Amanda Harrison (Wicked) as Paula Pokrifki, the young factory worker who dreams of becoming a nurse and finding a better life without selling out for it, like everyone around her; Kate Kendall (Next to Normal) as Lynette Pomeroy, Paula's best friend who is determined to marry a flier to escape her dead end life, no matter what it takes; and Alex Rathgeber (The Phantom of the Opera) as Sid Worley, the likeable Okie son of a Navy Admiral who is the class "superstar" at the Naval Academy.

A hit across the ages, the 1982 film has become a phenomenon in cinema history, recently listed by the American Film Institute as one of the top ten love stories in cinema history. Featuring the iconic hit song "Up Where We Belong" and a new score by hit song writer Ken Hirsch and Grammy nominee Robin Lerner this timeless tale of struggle, success, friendship and love promises to be the musical blockbuster of 2012.

An Officer and a Gentleman is a triumphant story of working class heroes surviving great tests; a classic modern day love story about a working class boy and girl who must overcome their upbringing and personal weaknesses to accept life and love.

His Story, Her Romance.

Websites

An Officer and a Gentleman - The Musical official website
www.anofficerandagentleman.com.au

The Star
www.star.com.au

Sydney Lyric Theatre
www.sydneylyric.com.au

Echo Entertainment
www.echoentertainment.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Sexpo in Sin City Sydney A Fun And Sexy Success; Adult Australia

Today, the final day of Sexpo in 'Sin City' Sydney at Darling Harbour was loads of fun.

We especially enjoyed the strip show with a male and female performer, with the Aussie lad squirting water or something over the media and audience at the climax of the show.

Some of the audience members were dressed up very sexy, and some bodypainted lasses and fetish displays caught our eye.

Not everyone wanted to be photographed or videotaped, but enough did to make it well worth our while. Our media pass badges seemed to get either a very hot or cold reaction, but it was usually very hot to say the least.

My partner seemed to think the ladies were better catered for than the guys, and I think it was a female friendly event, perhaps toned down a bit from previous years, perhaps due to legal requirements.

A jam packed expo centre saw hundreds of the creme of the adult entertainment industry strut their stuff, at a time when what adults do behind closed doors is as relevant as ever.

Industry names who attended Sexpo include: Fiona Pattern (EROS Association CEO), Bombshells Australia (including Michelle "Bombshell" McGee), Alexis Texas (adult actress), Nina Mercedez (adult actress, web entrepreneur, producer and fitness model), Belladonna (adult entertainer and producer), Ron Jeremy (adult actor), Vaughn Liley (xxx), HunkMania Australia and Suzie Q (adult entertainer and pole dancer).

Russell Gilbert, comedian, hosted most of the live stage shows and he was genuinely funny, and the audience lapped it up.

In a new twist, motor cross stunt riders (Quick Fix Harley Davidson Freestyle Team with Seth Enslow) put on a fab display to close the show off.

Sexpo appeared to be a big success, and it was a lot more fun than many more of the other media events we have attended lately.

Many thanks to the Sexpo organisers for helping make our visit so enjoyable.

Press Release...

.XXX is Upcoming Sydney Sexpo Sponsor - Mar 12th, 2012 06:26 PM

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL—ICM Registry is making its final preparations for this year's Sexpo in Sydney, Australia, which takes place March 15-18 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. Following the huge success of last November’s show in Melbourne, which saw record crowds estimated to be in excess of 85,000 attendees at the .xxx-sponsored event, ICM decided to boost their profile even more for this event by sponsoring the attendance of legendary adult performers Ron Jeremy and Nina Mercedez at this years Sydney show to promote .xxx.

Both during and after the Melbourne Sexpo, ICM saw a huge surge in traffic from Australia indicating the exposure and interest generated by the .xxx sponsorship of the event had a very positive impact. Domain registrations also increased from the region immediately following the Melbourne Sexpo, and Australian Registrars are second only to US based Registrars in terms of the number of .xxx registrations.

“As part of building our brand awareness, we decided to sponsor the attendance of Ron and Nina for this years show. We have several media events already lined up including TV and Radio raising awareness of .xxx in the minds of consumers which can only be good news for .xxx domain owners,” said Vaughn Liley, ICM Sales Director. “As part of our traffic generation initiatives, we will also be promoting many of the new and operationally live .xxx sites to the estimated 65,000 attendees in Sydney."

In addition, ICM has teamed up with Crazy Domains, an Australian based registrar, to offer special .XXX domain pricing during Sexpo. More details can be found by visiting the .xxx booth # 173 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Center between March 15-18.

What Is Sexpo?

SEXPO – Sexuality and Adult Lifestyle Exhibition is the worlds largest adult show.  Sexpo boasts international performers in all aspects of adult entertainment. The aim of the exhibition is to provide a fun vibrant atmosphere for like minded people - to enjoy and find information on ALL THINGS ADULT.

Sexpo is not just about SEX, it is about sexuality and adult lifestyles. At SEXPO you will find hundreds of exhibitors, and there is something for everyone. If you are looking for that fun, different or even special gift for a friend or loved one. You will find it all at SEXPO.

Our entertainment is second to none, with our international pornstars, male and female HOT bodies, hypnotists, comedians, lingerie parades and our WORLD FAMOUS AMATEUR STRIP!

SEXPO provides all their patrons with the opportunity to mix in a bit of shopping and socialising with world class entertainment thrown in – what better way to spend a day/night out with friends or with your partner.

Websites

Sexpo Australia

www.sexpo.com.au 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography 

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com 

TV Week Logie Nominations In Sydney, Australia; News And Lists

Tonight in Sydney, Australia it's the TV Week Logies Nominations.

Karl Stefanovic is battling to snatch back-to-back Gold Logies after nominations for the TV Week industry awards were announced today.

After surprising many media and entertainment commentators including this agency by snatching the major prize last year, the Channel 9 Today co-host got both a Silver and Gold for most popular presenter on Australian TV.

Karl will fight the ABC's Adam Hills, Offspring star Asher Keddie, The Project co-host Carrie Bickmore, ex Home & Away siren Esther Anderson and Nine comedian presenter Hamish Blake for the top honours when the TV Week Logies are awarded on April 15.

Channel 7 leads the network pack, with 32 nominations across 22 categories, followed by Ten (26 nominations), the ABC (22 nominations), Nine (21 nominations), pay TV operator Foxtel (eight nominations) and SBS (seven nominations).

While Packed To The Rafters favourite Rebecca Gibney was overlooked for a Gold Logie nod this year, she is squared off against her TV daughter Jessica Marais for Silver as most popular actress.

Also in the running for Silver was Asher Keddie, acknowledged for her double effort - playing Nina Proudman on Ten's romantic comedy, Offspring, and publishing maverick Ita Buttrose in the ABC1 docu-drama, Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo.

Making their Silver Logie nomination debut are Danielle Cormack (Kate Leigh in Nine's Underbelly Razor) and Esther Anderson (Charlie Buckton on Seven's soap Home & Away).

In the TV fight for the boys, the Silver Logie for most popular actor will be fought between Daniel MacPherson (Wild Boys, Channel 7), Eddie Perfect (Offspring, Ten), Erik Thomson (Packed To The Rafters, Channel 7), Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters, Channel 7) and Ray Meagher (Home & Away, Channel 7).

Despite turning her back on a TV career for a spot on Melbourne breakfast radio this year, Chrissie Swan secured a nomination as most popular presenter for her role on Ten's morning chat show, The Circle.

The nominations were held at Sydney's Park Hyatt, hosted by Nine's Natalie Gruzlewski and Ten's Bondi Vet, Chris Brown.

FULL LIST OF 2012 LOGIE NOMINATIONS:

TV WEEK GOLD LOGIE AWARD Most Popular TV personality
Adam Hills (Spicks And Specks, ABC1/Adam Hills In Gordon St Tonight, ABC1)
Asher Keddie (Nina Proudman,Offspring, Network Ten /Ita Buttrose, Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo, ABC1)
Carrie Bickmore (The Project, Network Ten)
Esther Anderson (Charlie Buckton, Home And Away, Channel Seven)
Hamish Blake (Hamish & Andy's Gap Year, Nine Network)
Karl Stefanovic (Today, Nine Network)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE Most Popular Actor
Daniel MacPherson (Jack Keenan, Wild Boys, Channel Seven)
Eddie Perfect (Mick Holland, Offspring, Network Ten)
Erik Thomson (Dave Rafter, Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Hugh Sheridan (Ben Rafter, Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Ray Meagher (Alf Stewart, Home And Away, Channel Seven)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE Most Popular Actress
Asher Keddie (Nina Proudman, Offspring, Network Ten /Ita Buttrose, Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo, ABC1)
Danielle Cormack (Kate Leigh, Underbelly: Razor, Nine Network /Angela Travis, East West 101, SBS)
Esther Anderson (Charlie Buckton, Home And Away, Channel Seven)
Jessica Marais (Rachel Rafter, Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Rebecca Gibney (Julie Rafter, Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE Most Popular Presenter
Adam Hills (Spicks And Specks,ABC1/Adam Hills In Gordon St Tonight, ABC1)
Carrie Bickmore (The Project, Network Ten)
Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten)
Hamish Blake (Hamish & Andy's Gap Year, Nine Network)
Karl Stefanovic (Today, Nine Network)

MOST POPULAR NEW MALE TALENT
Dan Ewing (Heath Braxton, Home And Away, Channel Seven)
James Mason (Chris Pappas, Neighbours, Network Ten)
Peter Kuruvita (Host, My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita, SBS)
Steve Peacocke (Darryl "Brax" Braxton, Home And Away, Channel Seven)
Tom Wren (Dr Doug Graham, Winners & Losers, Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR NEW FEMALE TALENT
Anna McGahan (Nellie Cameron, Underbelly: Razor, Nine Network)
Chelsie Preston Crayford (Tilly Devine, Underbelly: Razor, Nine Network)
Demi Harman (Sasha Bezmel, Home And Away, Channel Seven)
Melissa Bergland (Jenny Gross, Winners & Losers Channel Seven)
Tiffiny Hall (Trainer, The Biggest Loser Australia, Network Ten)

MOST POPULAR DRAMA SERIES
Home And Away (Channel Seven)
Offspring (Network Ten)
Packed To The Rafters (Channel Seven)
Underbelly: Razor (Nine Network)
Winners And Losers (Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM
Australia's Got Talent (Channel Seven)
Hamish & Andy's Gap Year (Nine Network)
Spicks And Specks (ABC1)
Sunrise (Channel Seven)
The Project (Network Ten)

MOST POPULAR LIFESTYLE PROGRAM
Better Homes And Gardens (Channel Seven)
Getaway (Nine Network)
iFISH (Network Ten)
Ready Steady Cook (Network Ten)
Selling Houses Australia Extreme (LifeStyle Channel, FOXTEL

MOST POPULAR SPORTS PROGRAM
2011 AFL Grand Final (Network Ten)
Before The Game (Network Ten)
The AFL Footy Show (Nine Network)
The NRL Footy Show (Nine Network)
Wide World Of Sports (Nine Network)

MOST POPULAR REALITY PROGRAM
Beauty And The Geek Australia (Channel Seven)
MasterChef Australia (Network Ten)
My Kitchen Rules (Channel Seven)
The Block (Nine Network)
The X Factor Australia (Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR FACTUAL PROGRAM
Bondi Rescue (Network Ten)
Bondi Vet (Network Ten)
Border Security: Australia's Front Line (Channel Seven)
RPA (Nine Network)
World's Strictest Parents (Channel Seven)

MOST OUTSTANDING NOMINEES (peer voted by industry)
TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie
Cloudstreet (Showcase, FOXTEL)
Offspring (Network Ten)
Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo (ABC1)
The Slap (ABC1)
Underbelly: Razor (Nine Network)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE Most Outstanding Actor
Alex Dimitriades (The Slap, ABC1)
David Wenham (Killing Time, TV1, FOXTEL)
Don Hany (East West 101, SBS)
Geoff Morrell (Cloudstreet, Showcase, FOXTEL)
Rob Carlton (Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo, ABC1)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE Most Outstanding Actress
Asher Keddie (Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo, ABC1)
Diana Glenn (Killing Time, TV1, FOXTEL)
Essie Davis (The Slap, ABC1)
Kat Stewart (Offspring, Network Ten)
Melissa George (The Slap, ABC1)

GRAHAM KENNEDY AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING NEW TALENT
Anna McGahan (Underbelly: Razor, Nine Network)
Chelsie Preston Crayford (Underbelly: Razor, Nine Network)
Hamish Macdonald (Senior Foreign Correspondent, Network Ten)
Hamish Michael (Crownies, ABC1)
Melissa Bergland (Winners & Losers, Channel Seven)

MOST OUTSTANDING NEWS COVERAGE
Lockyer Valley Flood (Brisbane News, Channel Seven)
Qantas Grounded (Sky News National, Sky News Australia, FOXTEL)
Skype Scandal (Ten News At Five, Network Ten)
The Queensland Flood (Nine News, Nine Network)
Unfinished Business (SBS World News Australia, SBS)

MOST OUTSTANDING PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT
A Bloody Business (Four Corners/Sarah Ferguson, ABC1)
After The Deluge: The Valley (Paul Lockyer, ABC1)
Rescue 500 (Sunday Night, Channel Seven)
Salma In The Square (Foreign Correspondent/Mark Corcoran, ABC1)
Tour Of Duty: Australia's Secret War (Network Ten)

MOST OUTSTANDING LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM
Australia's Got Talent (Channel Seven)
Gruen Planet (ABC1)
Spicks And Specks (ABC1)
Talkin Bout Your Generation (Network Ten)
The Project (Network Ten)

MOST OUTSTANDING SPORTS COVERAGE
2011 Australian Open Tennis (Channel Seven)
2011 Bathurst 1000 (Channel Seven)
2011 Melbourne Cup Carnival (Channel Seven)
State Of Origin III (Nine Network)
Tour de France 2011 (SBS)

MOST OUTSTANDING CHILDRENS PROGRAM
Camp Orange: Wrong Town, (Nickelodeon, FOXTEL)
Lockie Leonard (Nine Network)
My Place (ABC3)
Saturday Disney (Channel Seven)
Scope (Network Ten)

MOST OUTSTANDING FACTUAL PROGRAM
Go Back To Where You Came From (SBS)
Leaky Boat (ABC1)
Mrs Carey's Concert (ABC1)
Outback Fight Club (SBS)
Tony Robinson Explores Australia (The History Channel, (FOXTEL)

The TV Week Logie Awards ceremony will take place at Crown Melbourne on Sunday 15th April.

Good luck to all.

Websites

TV Week Logies
www.tvweek.ninemsn.com.au/logies

TV Week
www.tvweek.com.au

Park Hyatt, Sydney
www.sydney.park.hyatt.com

Crown Melbourne
www.crownmelbourne.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

The Lantern Group
www.lanterngroup.com.au

WWE Superstar Sheamus Big W Appearance at Bankstown, Sydney; St Patrick's Day

WWE Superstar Sheamus Appears At Big W Bankstown in Sydney...

WWE Superstar Sheamus made an in-store appearance at Big W in Bankstown today, as 'The Great White' made his down under Australian promotional trip.

Hundreds of fans turned out to say G'day to WWE Superstar fella Sheamus.

Some WWE prizes were given away to a lucky few including DVDs, Action Figures and Video Games, and Sheamus met and signed autographs for hundreds of fans.

You may have heard that he won this year's Royal Rumble and is a hot favourite to defeat Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 28.

Good on you fella for taking the long plane trip down under to Australia and may you have the luck of the Irish at WrestleMania, and for the rest of your career.

WrestleMania 28 Predictions...

Our tips

John Cena over The Rock

Sheamus over Bryan Danielson

The Undertaker over Triple H

Chris Jericho over CM Punk

The Big Show over Cody Rhodes

Randy Orton over Kane

Team Teddy VS Team Johnny

Media Man's pro wrestling tipsers also advises to expect one or two surprises, including more action in the ring than expected with Shaun Michaels aka "The Heartbreak Kid" (ref for The Undertaker VS Triple H) and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who likely won't be able to contain himself at the biggest event on the pro wrestling calendar. It would be pretty cool to see Dusty Rhodes and Dustin Rhodes (aka Goldust) get involved in Cody's match, but that's on the wish list. We would like to see "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka also get involved, but there's not even a rumour about that.

Keep checking Street Corner, Wrestling News Media and the official WWE network for more on these developing news stories and more.

Websites

WWE
www.wwe.com

Big W
www.bigw.com.au

Wrestling News Media
www.wrestlingnewsmedia.com

WWE official website - Sheamus
www.wwe.com/superstars/sheamus

Eva Rinaldi Photography website
www.evarinaldi.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Media Man News
www.mediamannews.com

Black & White & Sex Premiere at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, Sydney

The Sydney Festival sell-out and directorial debut of producer John Winter (Rabbit-Proof Fence, Doing Time For Patsy Cline) follows Angie (played by eight actresses), a sex worker who is driven to set the record straight about sex.

It's all very topical for "Sin City" Sydney, which this week is hosting Sexpo.

The official pitch...

Australian producer John Winter (Rabbit-Proof Fence, Doing Time for Patsy Cline) makes his directorial debut with a conceptually daring work that adopts a film-within-a-film structure. Angie (played alternately by Katherine Hicks, Anya Beyersdorf, Valerie Bader, Roxane Wilson, Michelle Vergara Moore, Dina Panozzo, Saskia Burmeister and Maia Thomas) is a sex worker being interviewed by a director (Matthew Holmes) who is making a film about sex. Determined to set the record straight about love, seduction and power, Angie's interview is erotic, funny and confronting. Her intellectual striptease and no-holes-barred approach to talking about sex ultimately turns the tables, exposes the interviewer and positions him as an unwilling subject. Nicola Daley's luscious black-and-white cinematography evokes the grand Hollywood 'casting-couch' era and Andy Warhol's Screen Tests; Adrian Rostirolla's editing slips provocatively and seamlessly between the knockout performances from the eight Angies; and Winter's sharply intelligent script tackles the most mysterious and everyday subject head-on.

World Premiere

Festival Guests John Winter, Melissa Beauford, Saskia Burmeister, Dina Panozzo, Anya Beyersdorf, Valerie Bader, Katherine Hicks, Roxane Wilson, Michelle Vergara Moore, Maia Thomas.

We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made today a success, and we'll see you back at The Star again soon.

Websites

Black & White & Sex official website

www.blackandwhiteandsex.com 

Sydney Film Festival

www.sff.org.au 

Sydney Film Festival - Black & White & Sex

www.sff.org.au/films-container/black-white-sex 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography 

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com 

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com 

Aqua Plays At The Hi-Fi Sydney, Entertainment Quarter

It was opening night for Hi-Fi Sydney and the joint was jumping and very packed.

It's safe to say that the audience was into the DJ big time, and when Aqua came on stage the place went off the dial.

Denmark would be proud of Aqua's performance tonight.  How about pop hit 'Barbie Girl'.

Despite Rolling Stone naming it one of the 20 Most Annoying Songs, it’s simple yet controversial lyrics (for some) were hard to forget.

Since its release 15 years ago, its success still amazes band member Claus Norreen.

"Yes it was named as one of the most irritating songs but proves we did something right," Norreen said laughing.

"We are really proud of that song, the success we’ve had on that track and other tracks like Dr Jones is amazing…it still amazes me."

Something tells us that we're going to be hearing a lot more from Aqua, and its going to be loud and full of energy.

The Pitch...

Arguably the biggest popdance crossover acts of the 90′s, AQUA are making their long awaited return to Australia this summer to perform all of the number one hits that made them a household name the world over and saw them sell in excess of 33 million albums and singles.

With songs like Barbie Girl, Doctor Jones and Lollypop (Candyman), sweet-toothed Australian pop fans embraced AQUA making this country one of the most successful markets for the group. Featuring the original line-up of vocalists Lene Nystrm and Ren Dif, keyboard player Sren Rasted and Claus Norreen on guitar, AQUA are set to rekindle their Australian love affair by bringing the pure pop delight they are famous for to life right across the country.

AQUA landed themselves a record deal with Universal Music Denmark, it was this union that lead to the band's debut release under their new name. The track Roses are Red was a surprise hit for the group going platinum in Denmark, as did it's follow up Oh Me Oh My which broke all Danish sale records. From here AQUA commenced work on their debut album Aquarium which contained their biggest hit Barbie Girl.

Despite the single's overt sexual inuendo (and the lawsuit with Barbie's manufacturer Mattel that ensued), Barbie Girl went on to be a super smash hit landing number ones for the band in the UK and Europe, and a top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. In Australia Barbie Girl remained at the very top of the ARIA charts for three solid weeks. More success followed with the singles Doctor Jones, Lollypop (Candyman) and Turn Back Time, cementing AQUA's place as one of the biggest acts of the 90's.

We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made today possible, and we'll see you back at the Entertainment Quarter again soon.

Websites

Aqua official website
www.aquaofficial.com

Hi-Fi Sydney
www.thehifi.com.au

Entertainment Quarter
www.eqmoorepark.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com