They say that some things get better with change. The excellent revival of the controversial and acclaimed musical Miss Saigon, currently playing at the Broadway Theater (where it played originally in its original ten-year run, from 91' to 01'), is like that. This more gritty and realized production, which had a successful run in London's West End from 2014 into last year, comes to our shores at a moment when our country is at conflict with its immigrants and its head of state, and it now leaves a more emotional punch that before.
If you haven't know this musical by heart, here's how the story goes. In April 1975, near the tragic end of the Vietnam War, Kim (Lianah Sta. Ana, at the performance I saw), a Vietnamese bar girl falls in love with an American Marine GI, Chris (Alistair Brammer). But soon, the evacuation of the Marines from Vietnam keeps them apart for three years. In the process, Chris marries another woman in the states while Kim becomes a mother to a son (which, of course, is Chris's kid).
Kim's bar boss, known as the Engineer (Jon Jon Briones), figures out that Kim's son could be the key for him to immigrate to the USA. Kim, on the other hand, is hoping for a chance to be reunited with Chris and introducing their kid to him. How does it all turn out in the end? Well, you just gotta watch to see how it all comes together at the finish.
This wonderfully acted and superbly executed revival is directed with good care by Laurence Connor (who also directs the stage version of School of Rock, which incidentally plays two blocks down and across the street from Saigon). The musical staging by Bob Avian (who helmed the same job for the original production) is pleasant enough. The romantic and pompous score by Claude-Michael Schonberg, Alain Boublil (both known for their work for Les Miserables) and Richard Maltby, Jr still holds up very well and Boublil and Schonberg's book has little talking in this sung-through show. The book even manage to put in jokes for another musical, The Book of Mormon, and for our current POTUS (if you know what I mean).
The new scenic design by Totie Driver and Matt Kinley, makes the look of this show feel more authentic and less bombastic. But the show's big centerpiece, the helicopter, is still there and seeing it in a flashback scene in a second act will make audiences become amazed with the magic of stagecraft at work.
As the couple at the center of the story, Ana and Brammer both give engaging performances. But attention must be paid to Briones' performance as the Engineer. He leaves his own brilliant mark on the character and he makes the second act climatic number "The American Dream" a showstopper of sheer splendor, complete with a Cadillac and a big face replica of the Statue of Liberty. Briones is a sure thing for a Tony nomination this year. I also enjoyed the fine supporting cast including Nicholas Christopher as Chris' army buddy, John, Katie Rose Clarke as Chris' American wife, Ellen and Devin Ilaw as Kim's devilish suitor back in Vietnam, Thuy.
This is a spectacle with substance here and it's one of these musicals that get even better with age. Even those parents who has seen the show in its first incarnation will bring their own grown-up children to rediscover and to bring a new generation of viewers to experience one of musical theater's most passionate romances. May the sun still shine on this Saigon.
The Buzz on Miss Saigon:
Rating: ***1/2 (Terrific. Go see it.)
Bottom Line: A more realistic and simply touching production of this romantic musical drama. It's sure to bring in new fans.
Recommended Best for: Ages 16 and up. Contains sexual material, brief nudity, violence, adult language and a suicide. Parents, if you have kids under that recommended age, please hire a babysitter, relative or a friend to watch over them. This one is mostly for the teenagers and the adults.
Playing at: The Broadway Theatre on 1681 Broadway (between West 52nd and 53rd Streets). Scheduled for a limited engagement until January 15th, 2018. For tickets, go to telecharge.com or call 212-239-6200.
Ticket Tip: The show has performances on Monday evenings but there are no shows on Sundays.
Comments
Post a Comment