Miss Saigon Previews Thread — Page 10

A Director said: "This is no reason to revive this show. Why do we need to see this show in 2017?

What??????????????? Every year broadway brings back shows as revivals so audiences who never got to see the show from a while ago can now see it??? Also this was revived in London as well and this production transferred over to here.....asking this is like asking "Why do we need Hamilton in 2015?"

Harpz2006 said: "I haven't seen a lot on here about Lianah Sta. Ana- I saw her at last week's Saturday matinee. My sister and I love Miss Saigon since seeing it as kids at our local dinner theatre. I thought Lianah did a great job and was emotional and heartbreaking and committed, but she just sounded like she had a cold/didn't her full voice. She was pretty soft and her voice had a very covered sound. My sister who is not as theatre-obsessed, made similar comments, commenting at intermission that the girl who played Gigi had a much stronger voice. To me it kinda felt like she knew she didn't have 100% of her voice but the director probably wanted her to just do it and get comfortable since she is new to the production. I watched her "Kim reel" on youtube from a local production she did in the fall and she was much more powerful vocally. We were in rear mezz seats- my sister also commented that no one was really loud enough besides Gigi, Thuy, and Engineer, and that Chris was fine but seemed more like an understudy. I would agree. The singing usually didn't like "fill" the theatre other than Gigi belting her face off at the end of her song. I would definitely overall describe Liahna's singing as pretty soft and just sounded like someone with a great voice getting over a cold or vocal overuse.



STRONGLY agree that Kim should have last bow. People around us were asking why Engineer had the last bow. Kim is the title character and the heroine of the story. Her strength and resilience were remarkable.. I was more moved by those aspects seeing it as an adult now. Jon Jon was phenomenal as the Engineer but his character isn't the hero; there were references to him even kind of raping/fondling Kim if I interpreted them right ("she's kinda sorta a virgin, mostly" "I washed her myself" etc.) and overall he symbolizes greed. Giving him the final bow seems to like almost celebrate his character as the star of the show. Especially in our current political state, I think the audience wants to reward the female who survived in the face of so much adversity and protected her son selflessly while surviving against all odds. That is who we want to be cheering for as we leave.



"

What do you mean "sounded like an understudy"? Do they have a different sound? That comment is rude and silly. In many cases the understudy is better than the actual person in the role.

I was there last night. It's a strong production but not revolutionary; if you're a fan of the show itself, I can see you enjoying this revival. The set and lighting, however, are gorgeous.

The cast was uneven for me; with the except of Jon Jon Briones, it felt like a second or third replacement cast, not one opening a show. Lianah Sta. Ana was Kim, and I didn't think her voice was very powerful but her acting was strong. Nicholas Christopher and Katie Rose Clarke were fine but "Maybe" is such a bland song. I didn't care for Alister Brammer at all, and don't understand the need to bring him over from the UK. There are plenty of NY actors who could've played the role, and do a better job of it. I did love Rachelle Ann Go's voice and wish she had more to do in the show.

Yes, Jon Jon Briones is excellent. The show really wakes up whenever he's on stage. I don't expect him to beat Ben Platt (Platt just has the momentum behind him) but I really hope he's nominated come award season.

Updated On: 3/8/17 at 10:04 AM

Boy you raise a good point, Jeffrey. Not to threadjack... but If Platt didn't win the Outer Critics, Lucille Lortel OR Drama Desk Awards last year (Steven Pasquale won the Lortel, if memory serves, while Danny Burstein won the Drama Desk and Outer Critics - Danny Burstein, for crying out loud, who didn't then go on to win the Tony) - heck, actually I see now that Platt wasn't even NOMINATED for the Drama Desk - are people overestimating his chances here?

I've always thought he'd be in contention, and as of now is probably the frontrunner - but with Andy Karl, David Hyde Pierce, Jon Jon Briones, Josh Groban, and Christian Borle (eligible for 2 shows, no less) - to say nothing of possible others from Anastasia, Bandstand, etc... - is it possible these boards are filled with a lot of Fan-sens who are just jumping the gun a bit, and erroneously assuming the award is Platt's to lose?

I don't know.. sounds like I liked the show itself better than you. But it's such a passive character (one of the critics, can't remember which one, called him "pathologically passive". And while yes, it's a hit, is there really any precedent for the Tony for Best Actor going to a performance that didn't win a single award, or even get nominated for most, during its off-Broadway run?

I wonder... anyway, this is best meant for a different thread.

Don't forget that Steve Kazee and Kelli O'Hara won nothing leading up to their Tonys.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN is a sensation, and Ben Platt is the driving force behind it. Even if the show doesn't win in all of its nominated categories, Ben Platt will win the Tony. His performance is in a league of its own, and I would be completely and utterly shocked if he lost.

This is no reason to revive this show. Why do we need to see this show in 2017?

I'm trying to figure out if you're trying to sound smart and failing, or trying to sound stupid and succeeding. Either way, you sound pretty arrogant. What reason do you require? What is the need that must be fulfilled for every show you see? And why should it matter to anyone but you?

Does anyone ever buy those sort of tag lines? Oh wait...never mind. I forgot about our new "President".

It's LITERALLY EPIC in that neo-English kind of way.

Of the two I think Patti has a chance for a nomination.

Mister Matt and others - I have no problem with reviving shows. It's great there is going to be a new production of Hello Dolly! It's a fun show written to entertain which it does in spades. On the other hand, I have a problem with bringing back Miss Saigon.

Let me say up front, I don't support censorship, but it appears the producers and creators have given any thought about the objections well meaning have about this show. The tag, "the epic love story of our time, is in line with the authors thinking. In an interview posted a few days ago on this site, they say Miss Saigon is not a musical about Vietnam; it's "just another." love story.

Back in 2013, there was a controversial production of Miss Saigon in Minnesota. Here's a link to blog about the show and production. Please read and think about David Mura's comments.

https://blog.davidmura.com/2013/09/11/the-problem-with-miss-saigon-or-how-many-stereotypes-can-you-cram-into-one-broadway-musical/

Fosse76 said: "So, producers can bring back any show they want, unless YOU don't like it. Got it.

I didn't say that. I have a problem with this show because it traffics in stereotypes.