Miss Saigon Questions — Page 2

This really takes me back --

I saw Miss Saigon with the original cast( Lea, Jonathan, Simon, Claire)in London about a month after it opened in 1989. At that time, the story of the Vietnam War was probably a little closer to people's memories ( compared to now) and the historical significance of that scene where the helicoper picked up the last Americans leaving the American Embassy was very touching and not lost on the audience.

At that same time , I saw Michael Ball in his first lead role in ASPECTS OF LOVE, also at the West End. Yes, there were rumours that he might have been offered the role of Chris ( could have been true, as his first West End musical was as Marius in the original cast of Les Miserables, Boublil and Schoenberg's first hit), but Andrew Lloyd Webber snapped him up fast to headline ASPECTS, together with Roger Moore ( who dropped out of the show before its opening because he thought he couldn't fulfill the musical requirements for his part).

Sixteen years later, Michael Ball is poised to return to Broadway in another ALW vehicle ( The Woman in White). If you listen to one of his albums ( The Musicals), he sings the song "The Last Night of the World" from Miss Saigon. It is a song he has likewise performed quite often in his concerts ( the musicals portion).

Ahhh, memories...

Updated On: 8/25/05 at 08:21 PM

yes, yes. get the complete recording. it even has the entr'acte! ya just can't miss it!

I have the original london cast, and I love it so much! It's beautiful. My aunt saw it when it first opened and LOOOVED it, sadly I' didn't get to see it, though I hope to soon.

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I'm shocked but happy that so many people are recommending the CSR!

Kim DOES sing in "The Movie in my Mind." Gigi just sings the beginning.

Here is the CSR cast:
Kim: Joanna Ampil
Chris: Peter Cousens
Engineer: Kevin Gray
John: Hinton Battle
Thuy: Charles Azulay
Ellen: Ruthie Henshall
Gigi: Sonia Swaby

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well, complete cast recording it is. No offense, but I tend to hate OLC, I don't know why, they just sound different then OBC. I hope this show continues to tour, I don't care if its non-equity or equity. Anyone have any idea of the tour schedule? Also thank you for the Video Link - i'm ordering it tommorow, can't wait! Thanks so much. I really do love this show. Also, when the show closed, was it on top, or not? I'm guessing since it closed earlier then the other "mega-musicals" that it was started to decline in attendence, or am i wrong? Did the other shows, cats, etc. close on top? I'm thinking Cats and Les Miz prob. did.

shneb28, Jim Corti did play the Engineer in the production at the Mariott Lincolnshire.

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Oh my God! I HATED the fake helicopter. No only was it cheesey, but it was very poorly done, so it really didn't look like anything besides a giant blob of color at the back of the stage. SO lame.

I liked the show though, it was just overwheling with all the sadness.

The show curtain was red with the half yellow sun on it. It's what you see on the logo except for the helicopter/face.

I love having the CSR, but there aren't many performances I love. I can't stand Hinton Battle's vocals, and Peter Cousins is SOOOO subpar.

I think Kevin Grey is fine, and Joanna Ampil has a very pretty tone. She can't seem to belt when she really needs to, but there are some high notes (I think one is one Sun and Moon) that actually sound prettier than Salonga, and i LOVE Lea.

My favourite parts of this recording are the little in-between musical numbers that were left off of the OLC.

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Les Miz does have a scrim, though, with the logo projected on it before the show.

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Oh Miss Saigon....my favorite show. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show. Can't say enough about it. See it if you have a chance....ever!

the miss saigon tour curtain was a scene of broken down buildings in the middle of war torn vietnam, it was actually really cool, but i doubt anyway near as cool as the red with the sun