Reflecting on YesterNews

Reflecting (Colorado National Monument)

SINCE I STARTED to blog, I had much reflection over what I have done since returning to Malaysia in 1990. Back then, I had just abandoned my decision of working in the US towards my green card. After all, I was in the the US most of my '83 - '90 years. Colorado's Rocky Mountains was my home then.


(Freshman in College and first Autumn)

Having graduated in '87 with my third degree, my professors were anxious to what i would choose as my career - my Fine Art Professors hoped that I wouldn't sell my soul to Commercial Art while my Graphic teachers made more sense of an advertising career. On the other hand, my Dance Professor was hoping I persue Dance further while my Performing Arts Professors were anxious to see if I would pick East or West Coast. Instead, I came home to check M'sia out... it was indeed a memorable 9 months. No, it wasn't what I had anticipated... it was the worst time I had in my life. I fell into depression....

1987 welcomed me home to the Lalang Operation, the Chow Kit Road shooting, family turmoil and major self examination. NST contacted me for an interview... probably for a little write-up regarding my "Who's Who" listings in the US. Fatimah Abu Bakar was the Entertainment Desk Editor. No, I didn't meet her but I was interviewed by Fifi Lim. Alas, after the interview I had this bad feeling that she didn't believe my story!

Basically I talked to her about my poor family, how I had always lived in a rented wooden house growing up with a well that depended on rain and an out-house IN the house... typical bucket system. Then I fast forwarded to the part where as from a child, I was an avid listener to shortwave radio like VOA, BBC, ABC, NHK, Radio Moscow, etc. Arlene Francis (What's My Line) was on VOA combined with dashes of Fame the movie, Alan Silverman, Rocky Moutain images in Reader's Digest, Professor Bill Robinson, Senator Tilman Bishop & most of all Dr Johnson - all combined to make my trip to the US a possibility but only for one semester! (Eventually, it became almost 7 years) My goodness, I had never been on an aeroplane before and to fly for 23 hours? 10 days before I flew, my visa application was rejected as I was told that my affidavit of support is a "no proof"! Well, I didn't have one! The foreign student advisor in Colorado happened to be a State Senator. He simply just sent a telex (yeah, no fax then!).

Then, the story to Fifi ended on how that one semester ended up in a wonderful college life of scholarships, work, accolation and multiple graduations. The journalist went on to say "Your story seems too good to be true." She got up and may have had accidentally asked if I had anything to show of my work. I had happened to bring slides of my artwork of intaglio prints, charcoal, acrylic and oil. She walked into the office to see Fatimah and walked out later saying, "You are so lucky, the Editor has given you a full colour page." I almost had to say sorry rather than be excited because I was still hanging on the fact that she may not have believed me earlier!

That article entitled "OVERACHIEVER" came out at a most unusual time in Malaysian history. A few weeks earlier, I was just interviewed by Spencer Wings Azizul Advertising, came out of that office and heard news that Sungai Wang Plaza was quiet... and the reason was, a shooting in Chow Kit had just happened and it was not advisable to walk around. Possible riots were whispered.

Later, Operation Lalang buzzed the news and soon after that, TheStar, Watan and Nanyang Siang Pao's licenses were revoked. Wonder of wonders, my article came out on NST that Sunday! Genting called up NST and Wisma Genting became my first working place as Corporate Arts Executive - a new area started by Lim Chee Wah.

Will breeze through the rest...
At the same time I started choreographing for Comscapes Dance Company under Frances Teoh where I had met Sean Ghazi as a Form 4 or 5 lad! Back in Ipoh the same year, I had met Afdlin Shauki as a Form 4 lad starring in Lat the Kampung Boy Musical! I knew he had potential back then! Bravo Afdlin!



So a little full circle for the day, it comes now to this point of my blog. I bumped into Afdlin Shauki today at Planet Hollywood.... and shared with him my blog after reading his... much reflection indeed huh?!

Note: I eventually left Genting when my grandfather passed away, fell into depression, family life was complex, hospitalised for a week and eventually decided to rush back to the US. Guess what, I fell into further depression in the US when I was denied the scholarships promised while my old employers (South West Jewelry) who had asked for my return to the US decided not to take me back. I began on a soul journey that saved me. That is part of another chapter to be continued perhaps....



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Birthday of MXV's Blog

FINALLY A BLOG or journal since I applied for a jaring account back in '96. What took so long? No idea! And I had taught webdesign at KBU to CENFAD from '95-'05!!! Imagine a lecturer in computer graphics who never published his own webpage!

Here's a pic taken in April, 2005. Had a fabulous time performing right on Times Square, Broadway, New York City! Have been invited for 3 years but finally made it this time. Was really nervous the few days before I went on stage but it was such a blast later!!! I thank God for such a great experience...

Was in the USA & Canada for 3 weeks from Mid April to early May, 2005. Hard to believe that was my 3rd trip to the US since 2001! Talk about 2001, upon arriving home from World Trade Center, NYC (was there on 3 separate occasions), 9/11 happened just weeks later. I was in utter disbelief....



Where do I begin? So much I have been blessed with the past 10 years... so many sweet memories, so many highlights. Here is another picture from the Times Square on Broadway event April 24th, 2005.



Bumping into Jeff Goldblum was hilarious, he is so so so tall. He was tickled to find out I am from Malaysia. David Hyde Pierce was amazing in Spamalot the Musical on Broadway along with Hank Azaria and Tim Curry. Running into Julia Roberts was even more unbelievable. I asked her for a pic but she said no, awww... she was with her hubby. We went into the theatre together for the Musical Spelling Bee.


The Fly • Independence Day • Jurassic Park • The Big Chill



Frasier • Down With Love • Spamalot



Tim Curry was hilarious in Spamalot


With Eric McCormack from Will & Grace
He was in The Music Man, Broadway Revival







Jaclyn Victor, Malaysian Idol Season 1,
the WORLD will soon take notice of her gift of voice!


Daniel Malaysian Idol II. Taking a break from rehearsals in Genting.

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MXV REVIEWS thru the years....
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“Michael did an excellent job with the choreography. The dance movements were not typical...imaginative and very unusual...”
Dance Review, Jeff Billinger, The Criterion (March 29, 1984)

“...a tango routine performed by Michael and Karen Stubbs Huff was brilliant, drawing extended applause...”
Review on The Boyfriend, Gary Massaro, The Daily Sentinel (July 27, 1984)

“...he’s got a real flair for performing... incorporating both cultures into his works...”
Feature, Courtney DeBruin, The Daily Sentinel (May 2, 1985)

“...astonish the eye and ear...a true entrepreneur of the heart and mind.”
Feature, Criterion (Nov 6, 1985)

“Michael’s non-speaking part (as Woodstock) is full of bird-like manoeuvres that are especially funny...”
Review on Snoopy, The Daily Sentinel (Dec 13, 1985)

“Michael performed a solo number (as Mike). You’ll remember him. He’s the guys with springs in his feet...”
Review on A Chrous Line, Gary Massaro, The Daily Sentinel (April 11, 1986)

“Michael...a Malaysian, gave a particularly impressive performance...”
Review on A Chorus Line, Carrie Golus, The Criterion (April 1986)

“...rare to have been listed (on Who’s Who) for several years running (3 times)...”
Who’s Who Press Release, Mesa State (May 27, 1987)

“OVERACHIEVER”
Fifi Lim, News Straits Times (Nov 8, 1987)

“Voon...clearly outshone everyone else when he danced.”
Review on HipHopera, Wilson Henry, Sunday Mail (Oct 4, 1998)

“It was nonetheless Michael Voon who played the bartender Derrick who impressed most. Playing a slyly sagacious figure, he had great moments particularly when delivering the very wise rap piece “Donno Don’t Talk”. His was a cleverly conceived character, poised, not only to provide comic relief, but also the necessary wisdom of utterance.”
Review on HipHopera, Eddin Khoo, sunday Star (Oct 11, 1998)

“...praise should go to Michael Voon, who besides acting, also choreographed the dance sequences which had the audience in stiches.”
“...it is Michael Voon with his typical chinese accent and funny antics that made him the darling of the lot.”
Review on HipHopera, Boey Ping Ping, Sunday magazine, The Sun (Oct 11, 1998)

“...boasted distinct lines of movement that possessed a clear logic and powers of evocation...”
“...Voon’s playful humour and his keen sense of rhythm...”
Review on Chicken Parts V, Eddin Khoo, Arts, Sunday Star (March 7, 1999)

“Michael Voon...proved to be the piece de resistance of the show. Michael held his audience rapt...”
“Dancing with an infectious delight and unrestrained comedy...his talent and mischief stole our hearts and received thunderous applause.”
Review on Chicken Parts V, Sherry Siebel, Day & Night (March 15-21, 1999)

Michael Xavier Voon's supercharged performance as 'Launcelot' was a
show stopper. Shakespeare usually inserts a character like Launcelot
into every plot - a minor character with a major solo scene - a
versatile actor's dream cameo vehicle for "Best Supporting Performer"
award.
Review on The Merchant of Venice, Kay Poh Chee, Artseefart.com (July 6, 2000)

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