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Film “Grantchester” PBS DVDs for Dad’s Special Day see page 5
June 5, 2015 Vol. 8 No. 44
“Rich Girl”
Meg Gibson as Eve and Carolyn Michelle Smith as Maggie. Photo by Jim Cox
Modern twist to classic drama in Old Globe West Coast Premiere By Jack Lyons Theatre and Film Critic Just as there are horses for courses, as they say in the racing game, there are actors for roles in the theatre game and Lauren Blumenfeld is the actor for the title role in The Old Globe’s West Coast Premiere of “Rich Girl” hands down. Henry James’ novel
Washington Square, which became the stage and screen classic The Heiress, has now been smartly and sharply updated by Victoria Stewart into a modern-day, clever exploration of the mother-daughter, lovehate relationship, set against the backdrop of money – lots of it - dishing up a tasty feast for the actors called “Rich Girl” (and
no, we’re not talking Paris Hilton). Solidly directly by James Vasquez, The Old Globe’s Sheila and Harvey White stage features four talented actors playing four interesting characters that draw one into the vortex of a play you thought you knew only to find yourself forgetting all about that dark old drama from the past. Yes, Olivia de Havilland was
FIFA: Blatter Resigns! By Desert Star Staff Now ‘Sun King’ Blatter has taken the consequences. After 17 years at the head of the world football’s governing body the FIFA, he resigns. However, until a successor has been found, he remains in office. At 6:30 pm Blatter appeared at the FIFA headquarters before the press and presented the breaking news bomb. Blatter exhibited signs of extreme tension and spoke in French. Blatter: “I’ve been thinking seriously about my presidency, about the wonderful times at the FIFA. I love the FIFA more than anything else. I have decided to resign “He continued:” We need to initiate major reforms.
We have to start these reforms immediately. We do not have control over the other FIFA executive members, but we have a responsibility. I have fought hard for the changes, but I cannot do this alone. It needs new wind for these measures.” The Blatter resignation started at 6:30pm. Blatter was 17 years FIFA president; his resignation speech lasted exactly two minutes. Blatter: “I am so very connected to FIFA and its interests. I would like to thank all our supporters and companions. We now need time to find the best possible candidate for this office. “Blatter has been with FIFA since1975, first as a technical director, from 1981
then as General secretary. In 1998, he became the successor of President Joao Havelange. FIFA will convene an extraordinary congress to find a successor to Blatter. The next scheduled Congress was supposed to be held in Mexico City on 12 and 13 May 2016. Much too late, the FIFA wants a new president as quickly as possible. The Congress will take place from December 2015 and March 2016. Until then, the Italo-Swiss Domenico Scala (50) is intended to promote the reforms of the World Football Association. Scala, “the decision of Continues on Page 5
marvelous in the 1949 movie with a story suited to the culture of its time. But we’re now ensconced, for better or worse, in the 21st century and the events that capture the imagination of today’s audiences often reflect comedy and drama with a dash of the absurd all tossed into the mix in a single production. It’s a way of keeping audiences on
their toes; waiting to find out happens at the end. “Rich Girl” features a sensational Lauren Blumenfeld as Claudine, the geeky, gangly, sweet and introverted daughter of mega star TV personality Eve Walker (Meg Gibson). Eve, the doyen of a successful wealth Continues on Page 3