Miss Saigon Questions

I just go the Miss Saigon "Highlights Cd" and I love it. I think its great. Just a few questions: I was wondering how the sets were for the show. Also, was this show ever video taped legally? Also, how does the helicopter scene work? Not like technically but in the sense of the story, what song does it happen in ? And another, really random question, what was the show curtain like for this show? thanks.

Oh, I wanna see this show so bad, now. I think out of the 4 mega musicals of the 80s, this is the least popular, but def. my favorite. I actually have never heard of this show, until two years ago.

I think (IMHO) that the score is one of the greatest ever written for stage. Unfortuntely due to the subject matter and the devistating ending I think that it isn't as popular as it should be.

Also one of my favorites

Is the hologram helicopter something recent? I swear when I saw it on tour (1996ish) that there was an actual helicopter on stage.

---

it is one of the most underrated of the mega-four, yes it had amazing special effects but it's score was superior to cats or phantom in my opinion, schonberg and boublil are amazing together, they compliment each other perfectly. i also have to say that subsequent versions of the show with the new lyrics and changes can possibly also be attributed to it's "demise" i guess you'd say. I saw the show on tour and they had the computerized helicopter and it was still powerful, but I think the London original lyrics probably stood up better.

and there isn't a complete thought in this whole rant. sorry about that!!!

Ah-hah! Thanks, LizzieCurry.

---

Too bad Peter Cousens was recorded at a time when he shouldn't have been. (Pre-rehearsals, even.) Reportedly, he was better live.

The CSR is a great recording of Kevin Gray and Charles Azulay...everyone else? Not so much, IMO.

---

Well, yeah, I know that. But I still don't care for him on the CSR, Tony or not.

---

Back when the CSR was in planning talks, Michael Ball's name was tossed out as a candidate for Chris. I'd have much preferred him to Cousens.

so what recording would you guys suggest? I bought the Highlights becuase it was cheaper and i only wanted to hear "why god why" but after i heard the first notes of "movie in my mind" i knew i was going to love the score. Any yes, is there a "making of" video? Id love to know how to buy it.

there is a making of video with a lot of footage from the original production including the complete helicopter scene. it's an awesome documentary that unfortunately has not yet been transferred to DVD, but I think you can still buy it on FirstNightRecords.com...

The CD I recommend the most is the complete symphonic recording, simply because they recorded the entire show, it includes the updated lyrics which I prefer to the original and while not everyone surpasses their original cast counterparts the rest of the cast makes up for it - so much so that it's a necessity for any collection. if you must hear both, get the complete symphonic CD along with the London highlights CD. that'll work...

here's the video purchase link...
https://www.first-night-records.com/cart/description.php?II=28&UID=20050825235623207.200.116.136

Updated On: 8/25/05 at 07:52 PM

I'm actually seeing MISS SAIGON for the first time here in San Diego on Sep. 8th... I'm excited.

http://www.starlighttheatre.org/showtimes05a.htm

Updated On: 8/25/05 at 08:05 PM

who's on the complete? I never knew that Kim didnt sing "movie in my mind' i thought that was kim's big song.