MISS SAIGON IN THE CINEMA — Page 4

QueenAlice said: "Intermission now and I think it's superbly filmed. They've done this so much like a film, any movie that eventually gets made is going to have a lot to live up to. "

I had the same thought! All of the cross-cutting and extra filmed bits did take a bit of getting used to - but when Eva and Alistair sang Sun and Moon, I was back in the show. And it got me, just as it has everytime. This did feel more "cinematic" that a filmed stage production. The Bangkok number really lost some of its charm (BTW, I caught the ping pong ball at the first London preview- and still have it). The Fall of Saigon felt more chaotic - but the helicopter is not as impressive, but then I expected it would not be as impactful on film. Film also softened Tamsin Carroll's Ellen. On stage, she looked 20 years older than Chris. And, while it may be difficult to believe, Jon Jon is even more magical and maniacal and captivating on stage - although the film did capture much of his Engineer.

This was just great. I'll be buying the Blu-Ray when it becomes available. And, I wasn't planning on seeing this on Broadway (no New York trips currently planned) - but plans may be changed!

Oh yes, our smaller midwestern college town - theatre was 2/3 full. Started right on time at 7:00. Sound was a little quiet until about halfway through The Heat is On in Saigon when the volume picked up.

Updated On: 9/22/16 at 11:43 PM

Just got back from a showing in Boston. They started at 7:00 on the dot. I loved it. I hope they put more shows in the cinemas. Can't wait for Allegiance on December 13th. And I will definitely be getting the blu-ray for this when it comes out.

Updated On: 9/22/16 at 11:46 PM

QueenAlice said: "What I thought was brilliant about the filming, aside from being an obvious audition for how they might approach moments for the inevitable film version, was that it gave you the experience you don't get in a live theater, unless maybe you're on the very front row, which is the extreme intimate close up details.

If this were filmed in the more traditional way most stage musicals are, I probably wouldn't feel the need to go see live. But I had the opposite reaction; going into the screening I thought I probably don't need to see this on Broadway, but coming out I said I for sure want to see this on Broadway to see what the "bigger" experience is like."

We did see this production from the first row (at the first preview)! And, yes, QueenAlice, this filmed version was a different experience. But, I won't say whether I cried more from the first row or tonite at the cinema.

QueenAlice said: "What I thought was brilliant about the filming, aside from being an obvious audition for how they might approach moments for the inevitable film version, was that it gave you the experience you don't get in a live theater, unless maybe you're on the very front row, which is the extreme intimate close up details.

If this were filmed in the more traditional way most stage musicals are, I probably wouldn't feel the need to go see live. But I had the opposite reaction; going into the screening I thought I probably don't need to see this on Broadway, but coming out I said I for sure want to see this on Broadway to see what the "bigger" experience is like.



"

I think this is where they get smart. The cinema screening is not a substitute for the theatrical production, but instead some sort of reimagination of the show most people have been too familiar with, which only adds to people's desire to see it live next March. The friend I went with said basically the same thing like the experience would be so different, if not 100% better, in a live theater, and she said she wanted to see the show live after the screening.

Updated On: 9/23/16 at 12:14 AM

I enjoyed it and appreciated the musical more now than when I saw the original production on Broadway in my late teens. The cinematic style worked quite well but some of my favorite parts, like the scene with Ellen and Chris in the hotel, tended to be ones where the camera mostly sat back and captured the moment as it was.

Like others, I think this sold me on going to see it on Broadway next year.

There were no sound drop out issues at my screening, but I occasionally wondered about the mix and whether it was the local theater or the film. Every so often it sounded like it was on the verge of clipping (mostly Eva) and I overheard some people during the intermission complaining to each other about no surround effect and it all coming from the front of the room.

Damn you, Mac! Now I have to fly to NY and experience this live once again. Terrific performances.

Wow. What a magical experience. I'm glad I ended up arriving at the movie theater at 6:15 pm, because when I walked in the auditorium was already half full! It ended up being almost totally sold out except for a few seats in the front row. I was worried before the show that the long run time would drag on, but it passed by without any notice due to the high energy of the film and the audience I saw it with. It honestly felt like being in the actual theater--everyone clapped after each number, and during the gala finale we all cheered and clapped for the Salonga and Pryce entrances. (People cheered before the show when the promo image for Allegiance in theaters showed up--and when the promo image during intermission revealed it would be available on dvd/digital/blu-ray!)

Re: Maybe. I HATE Maybe on the cast recording. Hate it. I listened to it three times over the past year. (Incidentally, I love the earlier version Stephanie Block sang at a concert which was up on YOutube at some point.) On screen, I liked it. I won't be listening to it outside of the context of watching the show on DVD, I feel it did give Ellen depth that she hasn't had in previous versions of the show. I still am not a fan of some of the lyric changes, but especially removing: "A child, what do I do? I shattered Kim, now Ellen too".

The only problem I had was that on occasion the quality of the film/shots seemed to be blurry or unfocused, either an issue with the camera or with the lighting, I suppose?

Just got back from seeing this! Bought last minute reserved seats tickets online at a theater 20 miles from home. We were in the second row of the movie theater, which I thought would be okay. But the close-ups were REALLY close, and I was longing to see the whole stage a lot more. I had never seen this show before and thought that there were some beautiful and heart-wrenching songs. Cast was wonderful. I was debating whether to see this in NY. Since I really want to see the staging, wondering if I should?! No one in the theater was clapping, so I felt like I was watching a movie, ha ha. And I saw the blurry bits/focus issues, too. Still, an excellent way to spend the evening!

Just got back from this. I had to drive out 15 miles for this, because the theater by me that usually has these Fathom Events wasn't on the list this time. The theater was probably 90% full!

To echo others' thoughts, I would have liked fewer close-ups and more wide shots so that we could appreciate the staging/scene transitions a little more. It did feel more like a movie than a filmed live performance, which I didn't quite like. The helicopter scene was kind of underwhelming and I didn't like all of the chaotic cuts/editing. Same goes for the dragon scene. We also had the sound issues and occasional blurry shots.

As for the cast, the actress who plays Ellen was waaaaay too old, LOL. She must be twice Eva Noblezada's age! The actor who played Chris was OK, but I wasn't that impressed. I had a little trouble understanding Thuy--just looked him up and see he is from South Korea. Same goes for some of the ensemble members (soldiers, Dreamland girls). I think that is one of the issues I have had with seeing this show with international casts--their accents/diction have made it difficult to understand. Eva Noblezada was the definite standout for me.

I hate to be the dissenting voice, but I did not enjoy Jon Jon Briones' portrayal of the Engineer at all. I saw him live in the non-Equity tour in 2004 and pretty much had the same complaints I had back then. His performance is just too affected for me--all the mugging/overacting is annoying and distracting. Perhaps it's just the way the character is written, but the role requires a balance between sleazy and charming that his portrayal just doesn't do for me. He is the only actor I have seen in the role, and since he has been doing it on/off for so long, it comes across as a little tired and stale. I would really like to see someone else's interpretation of the role; I enjoyed Pryce's performance in the gala much more.

I also didn't understand why the intermission was only 5 minutes, while the break before the gala was 10 minutes. Should have been the other way around.

I don't love the show like a lot of people do, but I'm glad I got to revisit it after 12 years.

HSky said: "The cinematic style worked quite well but some of my favorite parts, like the scene with Ellen and Chris in the hotel, tended to be ones where the camera mostly sat back and captured the moment as it was."

I think that's because all Ellen's scenes are from the actual 25th anniversay performance. They did not invite her back a year later for the close ups (which they did a week before closing during the day, without an audience, lip-synching to the audio ofthe 25th performance, and they invited back Alistair Brammer and Rachelle ann go for these additional close-up shots, but not the actors for Ellen and Thuy).

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that everyone is so enthusiastic and that obviously amazing singing works so well in a filmic setting with close-ups. I wish they had realized this before, with other films too.

Unfortunately we have to wait another month here in Europe for the screening.

I am also curious, does Eva sing the right melodies/angelic notes in for example "He's been waiting for his father, for a long, long while" and "And he's teaching him to fly, paper dragons in the sky", etc. She avoided all the notes in the live version, did they fix it for this? I truly hope so.

It was absolutely amazing! It looked and sounded fantastic. The production is a lot grittier than what I'm used to, so I think the show hit me even harder than usual (and that's saying a lot). I also wasn't a huge fan of some of the lyric changes. This was my first time really experiencing "Maybe" in context and I'm sorry to say that I don't like it. I just don't think it seems like an organic response and what Ellen would really be feeling in that situation, given her behavior throughout the show. Jon Jon has always been my favorite Engineer and he was even better than I remember him being in the non-Equity tour. I was also super impressed by Eva Noblezada--her singing and acting were phenomenal.

"The Fall of Saigon" was breathtaking--not just the helicopter but the way that they made it so chaotic.

Also, I live in a fairly big city and it was sold out here.

I am still coming off the high from last night. While I have some minor complaints, they definitely do not outweigh the positives. Eva Noblezada is absolutely terrific. If she goes a little deeper into the character, she would be phenomenal. Her voice was one of the highlights of the show for me. And Jon Jon was a fantastic Engineer. Great production!

" If she goes a little deeper into the character, she would be phenomenal."

Don't forget, this performance will have been 2.5 years ago by the time this revival opens on our side of the pond.