National Tour
Buell Theater
Denver, CO
September 10-22, 2019
Miss Saigon is a musical from the great spectacle era on Broadway. It was known more for its impressive helicopter recreation and casting controversies. But will the stand after thirty years?
Many of the show’s lyrics were changed – most to make the language cruder. These took away from the poetry of the original score.
Act Two began with a brilliant performance of “Bui Doi” with gorgeous harmonies from the ensemble. It was accompanied by an emotional slideshow. It also brought John to the forefront after being barely noticeable in Act One. He created a solid foundation for the rest of the performance.
Despite the show’s title, the Engineer is considered the lead role. (This is due to Jonathan Pryce originating the role on London’s West End and on Broadway.) At the beginning he was hard to understand but as the show progress he became more commanding in the role.
Kim, the heart of the story was the typical timid flower. While she was likable, she was unremarkable. Likewise, Chris came across as conflicted, but we never felt like we knew anything about him. And Ellen, suffered greatly from the updated score. Her passionate song “Now That I’ve Seen Her” was replaced by the weaker “Maybe,” making her appear wishy-washy and uncommitted.
The most memorable moment was the recreation of the Fall of Saigon. The set and it’s movement helped the cast create a scene of chaos and confusion. The helicopter was mostly light effects and simple stagecraft, far for the original piece that set audiences buzzing in the 1990’s. But this production proved it needed to be there to create a finality to the US withdrawl from Vietnam.Despite the label of a spectacle musical, Miss Saigon has proven that at its heart it is a story about love and human connection. This new production emphasized the damage left behind after a war. While it doesn’t undermine the PTSD experienced by many soldiers, it reminded audiences that those left behind also suffer.
