May 10
it’s ending it’s really ending ahhhh
seen from Malaysia
seen from France
seen from Australia
seen from Thailand
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from Germany
seen from Türkiye
seen from Germany
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Yemen
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
it’s ending it’s really ending ahhhh
Miss Saigon US National Tour- June 29, 2019
I did not know much about Miss Saigon going into this. I only knew the most recent revival and the popular songs, but this show was intense, gripping and made you lean forward in your seat so I was impressed.
The Heat is On is a good opening number that introduces the audience to Saigon and the Dreamland club perfectly. The Movie in My Mind is an amazing song and is no easy song to sing.
Why God Why? was incredibly sang and performed by Anthony Festa who was an amazing Chris. His voice was incredible. Emily Bautista (Kim) and Festa had great chemistry and their voices sounded great together making the songs Sun and Moon and Last Night of the World very romantic. The lyrics are beautiful in Sun and Moon and why do I find the line, “played on a solo saxophone” so sexy? I don’t know...But the saxophone in the song and the song is just sweeping and dreamy.
Stacie Bono was amazing as Ellen and her voice was superb in I Still Believe and Maybe. I Still Believe is a really powerful song as Kim and Ellen both vow to love Chris despite being in not only two different geographical locations, but two different life circumstances.
I’d Give My Life For You was intense and full of emotion. Remember that Tony performance with Eva Noblezada? A-mazing.
During Kim’s Nightmare, it was really cool how they did Thuny’s ghost. It looked like he was lifted up, but it totally looked like he was just floating standing up. It was also cool how Thuny is leaning over Kim warning her of how Chris will leave her again just like he did in Vietnam. As he leaves, Chris comes and screams, “I’m getting you out!” and we are transported back to 1975 in Saigon as Chris and Kim are separated. And how Chris reprises Why God Why?, wow, I am shook, and then Kim joins in and they sing together. Then Kim reprises I Still Believe and I just love a good reprise. Wow. And yes, the helicopter was cool and how as it flies away, the orchestra plays Why God Why? Such feels, goddamn.
Sun and Moon reprise is sad as Kim wears her wedding dress again and hopes that when she sees Chris their love will be reborn. But knowing what the audience knows, it is quite sad to watch.
Maybe was the perfect song for Ellen and was sung beautifully. Ellen could have been portrayed as a character that people would hate or dislike, but you really feel for her, especially with this song. I like how she is most definitely not a villain, but is really human.
The Confrontation was a really powerful scene between Chris and Ellen and yet again the reprise of the music of Why God Why? And Festa and Bono’s vocals just soared.
Red Concepcion was fantastic as the Engineer and had a fantastic voice.
The ending was powerful and emotional and I found it powerful how Kim’s last words were words they said on the first night they spent together: “how in one night have we come this far?” And then Chris’ scream as he holds Kim one last time and then the intense music plays and the curtain drops as Ellen accepts Tam. It was crazy. But crazy good. But, wow, what a show. Go see it on tour!
Why doesn't Kim bow last last, though? She is the star of the show and hardly leaves the stage! Was kind of mad about it. #LetKimBowLast.
3rd UK tour rehearsal pictures
2) David Kar-Hing Lee & Marsha Songcome
3) Ashley Gilmour & Ryan O’Gorman
4) Gerald Zarcilla & Red Concepcion
5) & 6) Red Concepcion
7) Sooha Kim & Ashley Gilmour
8) Sooha Kim & Gerald Santos
9) Zoe Doano
gala night 🫶
3rd UK tour cast’s other roles: Red Concepcion (Engineer)
Lionel in Cinderella (Pasay City)
Alan Strang in Equus (Makati City)
Ensemble in Godspell (Makati City)
Itak Atak in Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady (Quezon City)
Adam/Felicia in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (Pasay City & Singapore)
Quito Valencia in Rivary (Pasig City)
Dino Del Canto in Romeo and Bernardette (Makati City)
Puck in Shakespeare in Hollywood (Makati City)
Tommy Boatwright in The Normal Heart (Makati City)
Dickon in The Secret Garden (Makati City)
magician harry strikes again
harry is right, naturally
“Miss Saigon” at SHN Orpheum Theatre
The story may be thin (and borrowed from Madame Butterfly), the lyrics pedestrian, and the chemistry between the doomed lovers lacking, but the sets! The sound effects! The costumes and the choreography and the helicopter! The spectacle of the whole thing is amazing and well worth your time.
Red Concepcion as The Engineer draws your attention every moment he is on stage, and Christine Buanan as Gigi delivers a breakout performance - looking forward to whatever she does next.
Read my full review at TalkinBroadway.