Two leading local musical theatre companies have joined forces to bring to the Canberra stage one of the most popular West End musicals of all time.
Miss Saigon, a modern adaptation of Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly and similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover.
Set in 1975 during the final days of the American occupation of Saigon, Miss Saigon is an epic love story about the relationship between Kim, a young Vietnamese woman, and Chris, her American GI. Kim works in a sleazy Saigon night club owned by a notorious wheeler-dealer known as ‘The Engineer’. John, an American GI, buys his friend Chris the services of Kim for the night. That night will change their lives forever.
The Phoenix Players and Supa Productions joint venture shows the level of commitment to a quality end product.
The production’s director Kelda McManus says that Miss Saigon is a major event for both theatre companies.
“Miss Saigon is such a big show from a financial and resources perspective that it made sense for us to join forces on Miss Saigon. We see ourselves as sister companies with a similar market share, and we use the same models and guidelines”, said McManus.
With opening night in November, sneak previews indicate that the show will be well produced, with very talented principal actors drawn from the Canberra pool. The artistic team comprises Director Kelda McManus, Musical Director, Andrea Clifford, Choreographer, Amy Fitzpatrick and Stage Manager, Garrick Smith.
“We ran a fairly intensive audition process for the principal roles with three rounds of callbacks because the calibre of talent was so high”, said McManus.
“We’re delighted with the response from the Asian community. This show has given so many people an opportunity to take part—we have actors and singers from the Phillipines, Thailand, China and Malaysia in the show.”
Jacinta Lee who plays Kim, lived in Vietnam for most of her childhood and has been exposed to the musical through her parents.
Grant Pegg, who plays Chris, the American GI who fathers Kim’s child and returns to the US, has been an avid musical theatre performer for many years.
“It’s a great opportunity for me. The music and story is so powerful, it has stood the test of time”, says Pegg.
Nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 1991, Miss Saigon is one show you won’t want to miss.
Goddard & Howse Small World Journeys, one of the sponsors for the Canberra production of Miss Saigon, has offered one place on a 17-day tour of Vietnam as a prize for seeing the show. For more details visit www.miss-saigon-canberra.com
WHAT: MISS SAIGON
WHERE: ANU ARTS CENTRE
WHEN: 12TH – 28TH NOVEMBER 2009
TICKETS: 6257 1950 or at www.canberrarep.org.au
Dinner & Show package: Teatro Vivaldi on 6257 2718.
