Whatever Happened to Miss Saigon? — Page 2

Wow, I would never ever have thought of Ken Jeong for musical theatre but I really like that idea!

I'd be interested in seeing Jeong or possibly Rob Schneider as the Engineer if a film was made (and if either one can sing). Harry Shum as Thuy, perhaps?

I recently saw a production in Utrecht/NL at the wonderful Beatrix Theater. It´s basically the UK Tour and a new, fresh cast (and a phenomenal orchestra)! Even though I don´t really speak any Dutch, it touched me and I´ve been blown away by the talent of this AMAZING cast!

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Is anybody else really irked by Simon Bowman on the recording? He's so overwrought. It's like a parody of how some people think actors perform in Broadway musicals. The clips I've seen of Will Chase as Chris are much better.

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Great news that "Miss Saigon" is coming to The La Mirada Civic Theatre. I have many fond memories of the shows that I did there back in the day.

I enjoyed Simon Bowman with the exception that I still feel he's flat on the high notes during Why God. And a bit smarmy.

I wish some more local theaters would take a chance on this show, it's a percussive feast! Sat in the pit just a few months before it closed and I was a kid in a musical candy store. The music is just wonderful if you are an instrumentalist.

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I saw the final week in London, by chance with Joanna Ampil. I was in London that Summer and just wanted to see it because I knew the show growing up--but I actually liked it (unpopular opinion here) much more than Les Miz...

There is, and there's a new song for Ellen which is yet another rewrite of "Her or Me"/"Now That I've Seen Her." That song is like its own Martin Guerre.

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Ah. Finally someone who has seen it and at the same venues that I did! The San Diego run was perfect. The Civic Theatre isn't what I would call "small" but it somehow feels intimate and I've enjoyed my times seeing both Saigon and Les Mis there. The OCPAC is cool if you have great seats like I did when I saw it there, but I was pissed off they supplemented the slimmer brass section with synthesized ones for that engagement!!!

I saw it for the first time at the Ahmanson, too. It was in January, 1995 and sat front row center. I had only heard the OLC recording and really liked the slight but effective changes they had made since. And that friggin helicopter...I honestly wasn't expecting much, but to date, I don't think I've been more amazed at a piece of theatrical technical wizardry. For a second there, I believed it was real. Then, of course, you think there's no way it could be, lol. Very impressive scene.

When I finally saw it on Broadway in July, 1997, I was surprised how much better that effect was in Los Angeles. It wasn't horrible on Broadway but nowhere nearly as imposing and realistic as in both the 1st and 2nd national tours. On Broadway it looked small and tilted in a fake, robotic manner.

I'm not really the type of theatre-goer who demands to see the money I spent for a ticket onstage in tons of gaudy scenery and tricks. One of my top 5 faves of all time has no scenery (A Chorus Line)!

But Saigon's blasted helicopter scene was something else and its hype completely warranted. Those who hate the show because they feel it's all about the effects are so wrong. The story and music is deeply engaging and definitely the main attraction for me. What makes the nightmare scene so moving in addition to the wow special effects factor, is its strategic placement late in the 2nd act and especially at that point in the story where things are looking up; it has a way of tying any loose ends and also giving weight to everything that has already occurred and will occur, as well. Am I the only one who'd literally fight back sobs at that scene right after the nightmare, where Kim is left alone in her room and sings a reprise of "Sun and Moon" while putting on the dress she wore at her and Chris' ceremony? The nightmare scene having taken place right before that had a lot to do with it.

I hope the La Mirada Theatre production uses the set that Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities used in their 2008 production. I think it's the closest one can get to seeing something similar in overall impact to the original staging and 2nd act nightmare effect as seen in the original productions nowadays.

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Updated On: 12/30/11 at 11:23 PM

It really does help that Richard Maltby Jr worked on the lyrics (even if there are some real stinkers, nothing is as bad as a majority of Kreztmer's for Les Miz, I have no idea why so many foreign musicals use him as translator unless it's simply because he's a known name thanks to Miz).

I know there was one arena tour I think for N America but maybe just Canada that basically used the Napier sets but the helicopter was a video--which sounds kinda lame to me... How is the new production? The Hytner/Napier/Avian original staging, at least in that massive London theatre, was so effective that I really can't picture a new staging.

That must be it. I missed it (i actually probably would have gone when it came to my city but I think I was out of town), and later getting my haircut the woman cutting my hair, not a theatre goer at all, was telling me how disappointed she was that the helicopter (which almost sounded like the only reason she went) was a projection...

As a subscriber of the South Bay CLO since 1999, I will say that theatre is a barn, but most shows there are brilliant. Some have been odd (the tours, Cirque Dreams, more recent). I am happy they found a new home, even if it's the Warner Grand in San Pedro (small stage, MASSIVE auditorium, no parking, and poor upkeep). But I digress. (I did love their Miss Saigon set!)

I love Miss Saigon, and I am going to try to see it at La Mirada. I love the score and the sets are iconic.

And really random question, but what was the original show curtain? When I saw it, it was some beach scene at sunset.

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