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JANUARY S, Iye6 The Sunday Mail All?╟╓s set for first gambol on stage at casino By NAN DWYER Rubber-limbed Jerry Jackson seems to be in half a dozen places at once as he skips across the stage of the Gold Coast casino complex in his navy tracksuit. He cajoles, advises and demonstrates how he Wants a particular act to work in the star-spangled, $2 million production Stan, due to open on January 22. The versatile Mr Jackson has conceived, writ- ten, choreographed and directed the revue, which revolves around a trip of the first tourist spacecraft into time. The audience, with Mr Jackson's assistance of ?╟≤ course, will journey through a black hole to reach . various parts of the world caught at a time when ?√ß they were at the height of power and passion. There is a cast of 50, with 400 costumes (all de- signed by Mr Jackson) and amazing scene changes that use mirrors and colors, as well asset designs to create effect. From carnival Venice of the 17th Century to ?╟≤?╟╓street-wise New York and present day Oz, the : pace of music, set changes and show tempo keep space travellers and theatregoers on the edge of ; their seats: It is difficult to realise that the enthusiastic and elastic Mr Jackson was a shy teenager, almost crippled with deformed feet, and very, very fat. In typical Jackson style, he did not tell his teachers about his deformity, hut hid his feet and worked harder than anyone else to become proficient. He demonstrated his artistic and musical ability early. Perhaps because of his very limited social life, he poured every ounce of work and talent into playing piano and drawing. At 15, his doctor advised dancing lessons to help his failing leg muscles. The dancing lessons, with Eugene Loring and Carmelita Marachi, changed his life. In typical Jackson style, he did not tell his teach- ers about his deformity, but hid his feet and worked harder than anyone else to become profi- cient. Three months later he was offered a job in the chorus of Words and Music. ?╟úMy legs hurt terribly as the muscles * stretched,?╟Ñ he said. ?╟úI had the roost awful cramps r each night, but ! kept going because | could see a f new world opening up outthece. >; , ?√ß I ?╟Ñ1 majored from the UGLAwith a masters?╟╓ de- gree in art and also took put a musie degree at the same time. ?╟úIn many ways I was lucky,, Everyone needs a period of solid endeavor as a basis for any isiareer. My physical limitations meant 1 concentrated On my studies so that was behipd me when I started in show business. ?╟úI became assistant choreographer on the ny Kaye Short under the direction of Hermes Pan, who directed Fred Astaire. I soaked up all I could of his fabulous technique.?╟Ñ Since then, Jerry?╟╓s career reads like an encyclo- pedia of show business. h, w Tlf"v :Jf? 8 1 "JZL^ **???╟≤ He has directed, conceived and choreographed aMBaaaa=a======:=. - - ..... 1 '*in ?√ß ...... r -----------?╟÷ French-style revues in Las Vegas, Paris, the Philip- pines, Lebanon, Mexico and the Bahamas. He has staged and choreographed Broadway musicals ranging from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to Man of La Mancha and Promises, Promises, as well as lounge revues and star acts for people such as Bobby Gentry, Goldie Hawn, Tony Orlando, Juliet Prowse and Sergio Franchi. Ih 1966, Jackson was hired by Paris ?╟úFolies?╟Ñ di- rretor, Michael Gyarmathy, to choreograph the 100th anniversary production of the original show. His stint on the Gold Coast is typical of the whirlwind speed at which he works. He sleeps only three or four hours each night. The rest of the time is spent on the set. With a Broadway show and a new movie waiting for him book in the US, Jackson?╟╓s time here is limited. _ The electricians and carpenters are used to see- ing him. pacing about and making notes .at odd times of the day and night. He usually eats break- fast at.5 a.rri; ?╟÷ eggs, fresh fruit ana tea ?╟÷ and then yoolcs straight through until 6 p.m., when he has dinner in his room. ?╟úI cat-nap while I?╟╓m waiting for the food to'ar- rive and this refreshes me enough to keep going into the parly hours of the morning,?╟Ñ he said. With a Broadway show and a new movie waiting for him back in the US, Jackson?╟╓s time here is lim- ited: ?╟úI?╟╓ll stick around until February to make sure all is well before I head for home.?╟Ñ . He thinks Starz is one of his best efforts. ?╟úIf the show works as I mean it to work, the audience will go home touched by that old magic, that is the es- sence of show business,?╟Ñ he said.