[secret squirrel]

"Miss Saigon" will tour throughout Australia and New Zealand early in 2007.
possibly opening n Melbourne. No Further details at this time.

[cellodude06]

"The Australian Premier of Miss Saigon is March 2007 at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne"

lucky australians....

[decastroa]

Hold up enough about Australia some one try and find out when its coming to NZ PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

[happyguava]

How exciting!!! I can't wait! I know someone who has been at the auditions, so I've heard a bit about it. But yay!!!! (please excuse the excessive punctuation)

[aNGie_BaBY]

It's great news isn't it? Haven't checked if it's been posted, sorry!

http://www.theage.com.au/news/arts/melbourne-cuts-miss-saigon-to-size/2006/10/16/1160850874090.html

As you can see it ran for one and a half years in Sydney so fingers crossed for a successful National tour!

[aNGie_BaBY]

just to add to that i'm a bit disapointed an American is playing the lead. I think an all - Aussie cast would be fantastic.

[RachaelB]

Hpefully i can catch this when im out in Australia! Ive always wanted to see the show hopefully it'll tour somewhere near where im staying!xx

[What Is This Feeling?]

How lucky for all you, but for the newly obseesed Saigon teens in the States, not so lucky....

[Eponine93]

^ Ditto.

However, I'm glad that I didn't see it when I was little when it was on Broadway. I wouldn't have understood and then would have had bad experiences with it. Although, would it have killed my mom to take me to see the Penn. production at Buck's County Playhouse?

There ARE a lot of regional productions, though. I just need to find one near me.

[The Very Angry Woman]

[What Is This Feeling?]

oh no, the tour, for me, isn't a problem, i live only like 89 miles from NY.

[Megziid]

[What Is This Feeling?]

Again, lucky you Aussies

[The Very Angry Woman]

Are there are only four people in your cast? The official website seems to indicate so.

[What Is This Feeling?]

woah 4 people? How is that possible?

[The Very Angry Woman]

[What Is This Feeling?]

Damn! I'm very Gullible sometimes, lol! Hahaha!

[Buff Daddy]

[happyguava]

Don't tell me you're not coming up to Melbourne, Buff!

[Buff Daddy]

I'm hoping too. But there's also PotO to come across for as well, and a trip to WA (hopefully) for a holiday in September.

The airlines are going to be loving us!

Buff

[Buff Daddy]

It looks like I want be coming over for it. It's just too expensive. Flights & accommodation for a family and then show tickets. Not good for the bank balance.

Buff

[happyguava]

That's a shame! But fair enough, it does get ridiculously expensive. Is Phantom touring down there?

Miss Saigon in 6 days!!! I'm excited!

[Buff Daddy]

[happyguava]

First preview tomorrow night!! *dances*

[sherwills]

Anybody seen the Miss saigon previews yet?

I miss Melbourne heaps... hope Melburnians give Miss Saigon a good reception.

[happyguava]

Yes, I went on Saturday night!!!! Everyone go see it! (if it's geographically possible) It was amazing!

[sherwills]

[sherwills]

[truenorth1]

Saw the Melbourne show on 24 March and I was blown away. On at least half a dozen times, I had a lump on my throat and my eyes watered, even in parts that I had not been emotional about before. For example, I just about lost it when Kim sang "Do you wanna hear how my family was blasted away?" and in John's "Bui Doi" (thanks to the film footage!).

We got understudies for both Kim and Chris but they were both fantastic. I even saw the videos of the LA show in '94 and I thought the performers in this Melbourne were on par (Kim and the Engineer), and even better in the case of the John and Chris characters.

I have three beefs about Melbourne though:

1. The sound mixing could have been better. In a couple of numbers, I could barely hear the singer. I am quite familiar with the lyrics, so I was lucky, but I felt sorry for those in the audience who weren't as familiar with the material. In a duet between Chris and Ellen, at the very end of the song, Chris' last line was completely inaudible, so Ellen went solo on that last line.
2. No Cadillac.
3. Projected image of the chopper.

#1 can be corrected. But #2 and #3 are a done deal and I'm not at all sure that this is the new and *improved* Miss Saigon. I really looked forward to seeing the mechanical Cadillac and helicopter, so it was a letdown for me.

Btw, this is my first time ever to see MS. All in all, the experience is positive. So positive I am considering seeing it again before the show ends in June.

Question to all you MS fans:

I owned the OLC and noticed that the show had additional verses and even extra (complete) songs. What CD has these "new" material?

[happyguava]

I actually thought they did a pretty decent job with the helicopter. Obviously the real thing would have been better, but I think what was so great about what they did was the sound - several times while that "helicopter" was "flying" I wanted to look over my shoulder or duck!

[truenorth1]

Visually, it wasn't good. When the marines were "boarding" the chopper, they appeared to be jumping *down* instead of going up it. And the lower half of their bodies appeared to be going below the floor of the chopper. Ouch.

[NurseCodeBlue]

[truenorth1]

Mucho thanks, Nurse!

[sherwills]

Wow, thanks for your shared thoughts Truenorth. It's such a shame with the audio trouble. The production had better improve on it.

It is described as an "improved" production not in the sense that it would have more lavish set design (it was actually toned down). It is improved in terms of the production mobility (which cost less now) and the fact that it can be accomodated now in a smaller theatre. This wasn't possible before which is why MS didn't have an active regional touring produciton back then.

Anyways, I'm glad to hear that the cast seems to be doing well.

[truenorth1]

Just saw the show for the second time, but this time on a Tuesday (8pm). Got great aisle seats - sixth row (F) in the stalls. We got the main performers for Kim (Laurie Cadevida) and Chris (David Harris). Two weeks ago, I saw it on a Saturday matinee and got Jennifer Trijo, the alternate Kim and Stephen Mahy understudied as Chris. (Btw, is there a difference between an understudy and an alternate? For the role of Kim, Trijo is listed in the program as the "alternate" while Christina Tan and Fely Irvine are "understudies").

Kim
IMHO, Cadevida is a better Kim, both in acting and looks (pardon my shallowness; I'm a guy and am quite visual). Both women sing beautifully and I cannot pick which one has the edge musically.

If I see the show again, I sure hope to see Irvine as Kim. I think she is the most beautiful girl in the cast, with Jennifer de Leon a close second. I love you, Fely!

Chris
Mahy is a much better actor and I prefer his voice over Harris'.

The Others
The other characters - Thuy, John, Ellen and the Engineer - were played by the main performers in both shows. And they were all fabulous. When do these actors get rest, besides the Monday off?

Another question
What's a swing?

The Complete Recording
I found the complete recording at the show. I've been listening to it since I got home last night and I am quite happy with it. The "extra" verses/songs do fill in the gaps in the story. I will still treasure the original London recording though. After all, Lea Salonga and Jonathan Pryce won Tonys for it. I'm glad Ruthie Henshall, my favorite performer, is in both recordings.

Back to the complete recording: did this cast actually perform together? Or did they just record this version?

[sherwills]

Hi truenorth,

I reckon alternate means both women are contracted to play the role on equal billing, but in the event they couldn't perform on their schedule, the understudy steps in.

By the way, Ruthie Henshall isn't in the OLC. It was Claire Moore who played Ellen in the original cast.

[rabymon10]

Jennifer plays in the matinee. That's her job as an 'alternate'.

Seen this production twice, love it. Awesome cast, I absolutely love Laurie as Kim, as I do Jennifer as well. If you want to be able to tell Jennifer and Laurie apart when you can't visually, Jennifer has a lower voice. Either way, they both blew me away during 'Thuy's Death/You Will Not Touch Him' - that's when the tears started to flow.

Juan Jackson's (John) 'Bui Doi' is to kill for, and more than makes up for times when you may not be able to understand him due to his operatic voice. Leo is a cracker of coarse - got a great photo of him in the street with some of his makeup still on very freaky! David seemed to pull through more emotionally the second time I saw him. He was okay, but noticably weak at moments the first time I saw him. Admittably, it was the night after opening, and I had heard all about how hung over they were the next day during the performance... Rj Rosales (Thuy) was very good at what he had as well.

I was somewhat let down by Sophie Katinis who could have done so much more with 'Now That I've Seen Her', but she kept it maybe too simple and even amateurish at times. Overall though, I think that she still handled the role well enough - she just needs a touch more time to grow into it.

No need for the cadillac and scale replica helicopter either imo. They did nothing that the current production can't accomplish in other ways. On first viewing, I was in the stalls under the balcony, and because I couldn't look up and around, I would have swore that it was a real helicopter thundering it's way around the theatre. Even sitting in the Grand Circle on the second viewing, it had just as much impact as the sound system created a tremulous rumbling. LOVED it. Even with a projected helicopter, 'Kim's Nightmare' had a fantastic impact on me, and even so on others around me as they were wiping tears among a large applaud for that scene each time.

'American Dream' was just as good in it's choreography and direction than the original production imo. I always found that scene too cluttered, and now there is a more necessary focus with a great satire on the projection screen. It still dazzled away, and the audiences lapped it up.

My only gripe, like some of you have already stated is the sound mixing. Sometimes it was just terrible. But some of it was also to do with diction as well, which is something the performers will most certainly grow more into. I'm pretty sure a lot of it had to do with the theatre, which would not be my immediate choice for this production. Yes, it is a scaled down production, but it seemed almost as if it was too big at times for the Her Majesty (acoustically and physically). Hopefully it'll have a bit more room to breathe at The Lyric Theatre in Brisbane, which is a bigger theatre in it's design on and off stage. Besides, no leg room, and half a stall of restricted viewing sucks!

This production is awesome, and while it is scaled down, it doesn't lose it's charm or emotional impact in any way at all. It's still an awesome show that will now reach even greater audiences due to it's new design. I wish Miss Saigon Australia a well and prosperous run as it deserves!

JAI

[secret squirrel]

A first time viewing for me too!
Yes. I too missed the Cadillac( a let down to me) and I still think the
original closing number, "The Great sacred Bird" should be reinststed.
I think it has for want of a better discription,more pionancy & contrast to the score. But Above all i witnessed some of the most intense emotional acting I 've seen and heard in musical theatre for some time.
My score: 8/10.

[sherwills]

thanks for your review rabymon10. Makes me even want to be in Melb sooner.

[will2787]

Saw MS on Friday 4th. Quite funny as Harris was sick and was replaced at intermission. None of my friends heard the announcement so when the understudy came on, we were a little confused.

A great show though.

[truenorth1]

I can't contain my excitement. My friends and I will meet the cast in June! I even bought myself a Nikon D80 to make sure I get to take plenty of photos. I've become a big fan especially of Laurie Cadevida and I hope my knees don't buckle when I see her. LOL

This will be my sixth time to see the show. The fifth time will be on 5 June, when I get to sit dead centre in the front row. I bought all eight centre block seats! Should be awesome to watch the orchestra and the performers up close.

[sherwills]

Truenorth, you must MUST share the photos you'd take pls!

[truenorth1]

I sure will! Hopefully I would have mastered my camera by then.

[sherwills]

have you got the photos yet, Truenorth?

[truenorth1]

We'll meet the cast on 28 June. I'll post them within 24 hours thereafter.

[truenorth1]

[truenorth1]

[truenorth1]

[sherwills]

thanks for the pics. Hope you don't mind that I saved them. Wasn't Leo Valdez there?

[truenorth1]

You're quite welcome! No, I don't mind. Unfortunately, Leo wasn't Engineer that night. Marcus Rivera was. He was alright, but didn't have the comedic presence of Leo.

Marcus wasn't in the meet-the-cast but on our way out, he was at the lobby. So we chatted and took some pics with him there.

[Circusfreak]

I'm going to be oh so depressed when Saigon leaves melbourne... I have seen the show four times, and am seeing it for the last time this saturday matinee. I have met the cast on several occasions, and they are some of the nicest people working in the industry. I think I'm gonna have to fly up to sydney when its on there... its like a drug for me now hahaha.

[primadonna]

I thought Marcus Rivera was an absolutely amazing Engineer. He sang the role brilliantly and had an impeccable diction. I think I understood the story alot more with him, seeing The Engineer is the story teller of Miss Saigon. He is also a better actor and suits the role very well. I am also addicted to this wonderful show and might come up to Sydney to see it and would love to see Marcus Rivera as The Engineer again.

[truenorth1]

Yes, Marcus' diction was better, although I wouldn't say impeccable. He says "practically" just the way Leo does, pronouncing the 2nd "a". I'm thinking maybe they're directed to do that, which would be foolish.

I think Leo's acting is way better and again, has a much stronger comedic presence and timing. Guess we'll agree to disagree.

I, too, will miss the show. I have seen it six times and will see it for the seventh time tonight (July 13th). I think I will see it again, IF ever I am in Sydney or Brisbane, which is unlikely.

[primadonna]

Yes that maybe right, but Leo Valdez has been doing The Engineer role for over 15 years now. He had time to work on this role and also much much older than Marcus Rivera. The Engineer is a very complex character and there are alot of "chiaro scuro" in his nature, which again Leo had 15 years to work on. Leo is amazing in the role and I have seen him in Manila, but a lot of Leo's choices as an actor though is more presentational and questionable. His acting and singing has not changed since seeing him in Manila and now. I think you need a degree honesty when playing The Engineer and it was refreshing to see Marcus Rivera play The Engineer when he debut in the role only last month! Also Leo tends to be very camp which is very off putting.

[truenorth1]

One thing I find off-putting is Leo's interpretations that are too literal. For example, in these parts:

- "Perfume can cover a stench" - applies something to his underarm
- "I have to swim to the USA" - does a swimming action
- "Hit the door before they make a target of your ass" - grabs his butt
- "fat like a chocolate eclair as you suck out the cream" - slurps

I understand there is a need to sound or act things out, but there is a danger of overdoing it. But again, maybe he was directed to do them, in which case I wouldn't fault him.

[Xxmcfly85xX]

I saw a saturday matinee of miss saigon in may.. loved it. Since i live too far away from melbourne, i wasnt able to go see it again (even though i tried begging everyone i knew to go and take me!).

I was really really looking forward to seeing Laurie as 'Kim' so initially i was a bit disappointed when i realised she didnt do matinees. That said, i still thought Jennifer was amazing!

Everyone in the cast was great, Leo Valdez was hilarious! My mum and all her filipina friends were in raptures! My only critisism was the girl playing Ellen.. i think she could have done more with the character, Ellen seemed too distant..

After seeing it, I shall forever be obsessed with miss saigon!

[truenorth1]

My brother, his daughter and I saw tonight's show (July 13th). I have brought approximately 30 people to the show.

Tonight, we met these cast members: Laurie, David, Leo, Christina, Marcus, Ed, and Stephen.

David never ceases to amaze me: on June 28th and tonight, as soon as he saw me, he called me by name! How does he do that?

At tonight's show, my eyes stayed with Laurie even when someone else was singing, just observing her facial expressions as she reacted to what was being said in the dialog. This girl is a natural. You come to a place where you believe Kim the character is experiencing the reaction for the first time, when in reality, Laurie the actor has performed the scene hundreds of times. And that's one more treat when watching Laurie: she treats each show as if there's no other show. Her performance is fresh each of the seven times I've seen her. (In the first show, Jennifer Trijo, the alternate, played Kim. Jen is equally impressive.)

Miss Saigon stays with you. When I first saw it, my date and I talked about it for many days. We still do, come to think of it. Yes, it can be addictive. I know a couple who made the trip from Brisbane to Melbourne to see the show. That's more than two days drive. And consider this: Miss Saigon is coming to Brisbane anyway! But they could not wait. They'll see it again in Brisbane I'm sure.

I have seen - or heard - performers in the other Miss Saigon tours but I feel lucky to get this cast. RJ Rosales plays Thuy and I told him I will never be satisfied again with any other Thuy. Leo Valdez is a wonderful Engineer. Juan Jackson's voice is powerful. And those abs! I will give Sophie a chance to hone her skills because it's her first professional gig. She sure got tremendous potential.

Scoop: Laurie, David, Juan and RJ were all nominated for the Helpmann Awards, as is Miss Saigon for best musical! The show is on August 6th, broadcast live on Bio.

[Circusfreak]

Saw my last show for melbourne yesterday which was also Jen's last melbourne show as Kim.... It was amazing, I cried like a baby. It's amazing how different Jen and Laurie are, both are stunning. Laurie may be slightly more vocally powerful, yet jen's emotion is simply stunning. She is the nicest girl ever too, so down to earth! Whatever Kim people may catch on the rest of the tour, you won't be dissapointed with either! Oh and i heard a rumour tonight that at the last show, Christina Tan played Ellen in the first act, and sophie went on in the second? this seems very odd? but oh well... good luck for the rest of the tour cast and crew of Saigon!

[primadonna]

I managed to get tickets to Miss Saigon in Brisbane (I know I am an official groupie!) and saw the preview on tuesday. Marcus Rivera was playing The Engineer! And I believe he was the Engineer on the 1st preview as well. He is so brilliant in this role! His voice and his acting is amazing! Very focused and fierce. The cast was also great that night, but the Lyric Theatre is so huge compared to our Her Majesty's in Melbourne. Despite the size of the theatre, Marcus Rivea and the cast still managed to move the audience that night. This is such a great show im in love with it.