Come From Away or Miss Saigon?

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 10:41pm

I need help deciding which of these two Broadway shows to see: Come From Away or Miss Saigon?

The thing about Come From Away is that it's more of a "new" musical that's "in" now if you know what I mean. It's also a very heartwarming, touching story about humanity. It's just 12 performers working together in telling an uplifting story which I think is amazing.

The thing about Miss Saigon is that it's kind of a "classic". This is its first Broadway revival. It's not a very uplifting, touching story. It's a pretty tragic storyline. But it has amazing songs and big ensemble numbers with so much energy.

I can't choose! Also, I was considering seeing Waitress, too, any thoughts on that? Thanks!

[BOM]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 10:50pm

Having seen both I would go with CFA. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 10:57pm

If you're considering Waitress I'd go with Waitress. Pretty terrific score, compelling storyline, I've seen it twice and plan to go back.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 11:00pm

"Come From Away" would be my choice. It's perfect.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 11:00pm

"Come From Away" would be my choice. It's perfect.

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 11:10pm

Come From Away

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 11:21pm

Ok so having seen all 3 I would say you can't really go wrong with any choice. If you are looking for a traditional epic musical go with Miss Saigon but keep in mind that this incarnation is going to tour after it closes. 

CFA is totally different. Modern music and a feel good show. The story is historical but I would say you really get caught up in the story of the characters and you don't really connect with them. But you do leave the theatre with a smile on your face. 

Waitress is great especially if you are a fan of Sara's music. The cast is very strong and the story is an emotional journey. 

Waitress is the one I would return to see on Broadway. The others are going to tour and I'm definitely going to see them all when they come through town. 

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/18/17 at 11:56pm

BwayinVan said: "Waitress is the one I would return to see on Broadway. The others are going to tour and I'm definitely going to see them all when they come through town. 

Waitress is touring as well. 

 

[Dave13]

Posted: 6/19/17 at 12:37am

I think it comes down to what are your tastes and what you are looking for.  Aside from what has been mentioned, all three will probably tour.  However the staging for CFA and Waitress are pretty simple. CFA is pretty much a set of chairs and tree trunks. Waitress does have a nice set, but certainly easily duplicated on tour. Miss Saigon's staging is incredible i.e. helicopter.  I doubt the helicopter will make it on tour. Most theaters won't support it, along with its other incredible sets. So the touring version of Miss Saigon will certainly be scaled down. Miss Saigon is the show to see on Broadway.  

Another reason why to wait for CFA on tour, there is no special talent or one particular actor/character that stands out.  Every actor can be easily replaced. Unless they cut down the size of the cast on tour, it should transfer very well on tour.

Updated On: 6/19/17 at 12:37 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/19/17 at 9:46am

The challenge with providing a helpful response to this sort of inquiry is the OP provides no indication as to the type of shows that appeal to them. The two choices couldn't be more different, and knowing nothing about the OP, this thread really can't offer anything more than "I like ____", which isn't necessarily helpful.

I've seen both Come From Away (once) and Miss Saigon (three times), and I very much enjoyed both (see what I mean?).

I think Come From Away is the more uniformly successful of the two, i.e., the combination of story, score, lyrics, production design, etc., form a more complete and effective work. It's a small, intimate production with a lot of heart, and it will probably be fairly easy to put this show on the road without significant loss to the Broadway experience.

Miss Saigon is an epic, sweeping production with a huge cast, a dramatic (if uneven) score, and a set design that at times becomes its own character in the story. The Engineer and Kim are strong roles that must be carefully cast if a touring version is to be truly successful (I agree with others' comments here regarding the relatively weak understudies in the current Broadway production). Also, if the set design is pared down for the tour, I suspect that Miss Saigon will lose much of its impact. Eliminating the helicopter might dilute the potency of the "Kim's Nightmare/The Fall of Saigon" scene, which in turn could diminish the character's sacrifice.

Updated On: 6/19/17 at 09:46 AM

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 6/19/17 at 10:05am

I have seen both shows and loved both.  I think it really depends on what OP wants to see

I've seen Miss Saigon many times-from original Broadway multiple times and revival London and Broadway and productions in between (touring, local). While the helicopter is dramatic to see,  the projections of a helicopter used in smaller productions do not in anyway dilute the telling of this story.  I didn't think Kim's sacrifice was diminished at all without the actual helicopter!  It is still the same sacrifice.  Just my opinion

Updated On: 6/19/17 at 10:05 AM

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 6/20/17 at 2:13pm

Thanks everyone for the answers. Turns out I was deciding for so long that the day I'll be in New York, Come From Away is sold out, and Waitress is coming to my town on tour next year. So, I'll be seeing Miss Saigon. Thank you!

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/20/17 at 2:57pm

youwillbefound2 said: "...I'll be seeing Miss Saigon. Thank you!"

If I may offer a bit of seating advice for this show, be aware that the Broadway Theatre is a cavernous, three-level venue. In my experience, Miss Saigon is best seen from orchestra rows F-L, as close to the center as possible. The stage is wide and the set extends across the full width, so if you get much closer you'll feel like you're in the first row of a movie theater (the "Kim's Nightmare/The Fall of Saigon" scene is spectacularly and expansively staged, so if you're too close you may have difficulty taking it all in). On the other hand, if you opt to go further back, keep in mind that the mezzanine overhangs the orchestra at about row J.

Also, check the BroadwayBox, Playbill, and TheaterMania sites for discount codes before you buy!