Miss Saigon Revival Will Land at Its Original Broadway Home

[@z5]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:05pm

Starts March 1 at the Broadway:

 

http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/miss-saigon-to-play-original-broadway-venue_77841.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=04aug2016

[supersam1026]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:06pm

Not that there's any surprise with this news, but happy to know that it's all official now!

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:07pm

I think the correct response here is: duh.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:09pm

Overjoyed!

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 3:40pm

Wonderful!  I know that the most recent London revival cast was wonderful, but I'm really hoping that they cast some Asian-American actors in the roles, such as Ruthie Ann Miles.

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:01pm

It was expected, but I'm still a little sad that this is just a limited engagement. Hey though, a tour sounds good, but again, expected.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:03pm

icecreambenjamin:

"Directed by Laurence Connor (LES MISERABLES, School of Rock), the Broadway return of MISS SAIGON will feature its American stars, Jon Jon Briones as The Engineer and 20-year-old Eva Noblezada as Kim, who created these roles in the West End to great acclaim"

Doesn't that count?

They are Asian American.

Updated On: 8/4/16 at 04:03 PM

[10086sunset]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:11pm

Surprised by the limited engagement news but imagine it would stay open if they are making money.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:21pm

I can't imagine that there is not a contingency plan in place to extend if it proves to be a popular ticket.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:26pm

10086sunset said: "Surprised by the limited engagement news but imagine it would stay open if they are making money.

 

"

That limited run thing is Cameron Macintosh's go-to marketing ploy, isn't it? He has said that about the last two revivals of Les Miserables before extending them.

[littlemouse921]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:26pm

They're also planning on releasing the filmed West End 25th anniversary and seeing as it's the exact same production, I'm sure that could drum up some business that could then warrant an extension

[littlemouse921]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:26pm

They're also planning on releasing the filmed West End 25th anniversary and seeing as it's the exact same production, I'm sure that could drum up some business that could then warrant an extension

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:27pm

Please don't let this cause a BWW meltdown, but does it only matter that actors are Asian American and not specifically Vietnamese American ?

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:30pm

I mean, look. It would be great if they were Vietnamese American. But at least they're Asian.

[Princeton2]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:32pm

I suspect the limited run is cameron being cautious and/or saving face. The west end revival had a very disappoiting run and was expected to run much longer. At least now if it doesnt prove popular on broadway he can say it was always a limited run.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:35pm

I didn't realize the West End was a disappointing run. It's hard to keep track of what is intended as a limited run and what closes early over there.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:37pm

Does anyone really know what Vietnamese people looked like circa 1970 CE?

[Princeton2]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 4:38pm

They had expected it to run much longer

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 9:10pm

Phantom4ever said: "Please don't let this cause a BWW meltdown, but does it only matter that actors are Asian American and not specifically Vietnamese American ?

 

"

I'm not sure about this revival, but there was that documentary for the original production where they auditioned many Asian-american /asian-british actresses but could not find anyone satisfactory, that was when they headed to the Phillipines and found Lea Salonga. I am not sure whether they bothered going to Vietnam itself to look for a potential candidiate, or maybe Phillipines was the first stop on their "Asian talent search tour" and once they found Lea and Monique WIlson they naturally stopped the casting search

also, many white people play people of different nationalities all the time, e.g. Americans playing French characters etc so I don't see why it would be "weird" for say, a Chinese to play a Japanese or a Filipino to play a Vietnamese - especially if they can pull of the look of the intended character without resorting to any sort of yellow face etc. 

Updated On: 8/4/16 at 09:10 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 9:16pm

broadwayguy91 said: "Phantom4ever said: "Please don't let this cause a BWW meltdown, but does it only matter that actors are Asian American and not specifically Vietnamese American ?

 

"

I'm not sure about this revival, but there was that documentary for the original production where they auditioned many Asian-american /asian-british actresses but could not find anyone satisfactory, that was when they headed to the Phillipines and found Lea Salonga. I am not sure whether they bothered going to Vietnam itself to look for a potential candidiate, or maybe Phillipines was the first stop on their "Asian talent search tour" and once they found Lea and Monique WIlson they naturally stopped the casting search

also, many white people play people of different nationalities all the time, e.g. Americans playing French characters etc so I don't see why it would be "weird" for say, a Chinese to play a Japanese or a Filipino to play a Vietnamese - especially if they can pull of the look of the intended character without resorting to any sort of yellow face etc. 

 

"

Since Vietnam is communist isn't it nearly impossible to get someone out? I know it's easier today, but in the 90's Vietnam was still blocked off somewhat and even today they have rules.

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 9:18pm

Call_me_jorge said: "broadwayguy91 said: "Phantom4ever said: "Please don't let this cause a BWW meltdown, but does it only matter that actors are Asian American and not specifically Vietnamese American ?

 

"

I'm not sure about this revival, but there was that documentary for the original production where they auditioned many Asian-american /asian-british actresses but could not find anyone satisfactory, that was when they headed to the Phillipines and found Lea Salonga. I am not sure whether they bothered going to Vietnam itself to look for a potential candidiate, or maybe Phillipines was the first stop on their "Asian talent search tour" and once they found Lea and Monique WIlson they naturally stopped the casting search

also, many white people play people of different nationalities all the time, e.g. Americans playing French characters etc so I don't see why it would be "weird" for say, a Chinese to play a Japanese or a Filipino to play a Vietnamese - especially if they can pull of the look of the intended character without resorting to any sort of yellow face etc. 

 

"

Since Vietnam is communist isn't it nearly impossible to get someone out? I know it's easier today, but in the 90's Vietnam was still blocked off somewhat and even today they have rules.

 

"

that is true. I forgot about that. 

 they were smart casting Eva Nobledeza in the lead role for the London revival, since she is an AMERICAN citizen..... and knowing that a Broadway transfer would be envitable, she wouldn't have to go through AEA like Lea Salonga did.

Updated On: 8/4/16 at 09:18 PM

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 10:12pm

Super excited for this. Miss Saigon was my first musical. My Kim was Eva's aunt Annette Calud who was the alternate for Lea.

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 12:39am

A great, detailed post complete with photos on Quora comparing the original production set design to the revival : https://www.quora.com/How-does-the-Miss-Saigon-West-End-revival-differ-from-the-original-production

[EvanK]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 3:16am

Interesting, I wonder if the Broadway production will be more automated? 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 3:35am

Sounds/looks cheap. I don't understand the point of paying more money for less production.