“Miss Saigon” The widely acclaimed musical that tells the tragic love story between an American GI named Chris and a Vietnamese girl named Kim during the Vietnam War. Set in the tumultuous backdrop of Saigon in the 1970s, the musical explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the harrowing impact of war on individuals caught in its crossfire.

Manila has been a significant stop for “Miss Saigon” productions since the Philippines, with its own history intertwined with the Vietnam War era, that provides a unique perspective for audiences experiencing the show in Manila. The emotional depth of the storyline resonates with many Filipinos, given their own experiences of war, love, and sacrifice.

1. Relevance – During the press conference, the cast discussed how the show is still relevant in 2024, saying, “We’re still seeing the emotional tolls of war going on in the world, and this shows better after 35 years, and we’re still seeing how relationships are shaped and affected by war, and so I think it’s something that we wish we weren’t seeing anymore. When we turn on the TV and see what’s going on around the world, it’s still happening. We still haven’t learned our lessons. We are still living in a world of war. The show flawlessly staged this scene. Kim, Chris, and The Engine-Queer were able to put the audience into the emotion that the show required.

2. Empowering and Inclusiveness and the Asian Representation – As Claude-Michel Schönberg said, when he came to the Philippines, he heard a voice he had never heard before. It’s beautiful, and it’s amazing! Without the Philippines, the show will not open. You were born into a soup of talents. All thanks to this comment, and thanks to Miss Saigon for putting the Philippines on the map. The Asian representation in the cast was overflowing, as Seann Miley Moore said, Asian excellence and this cast are giving Slay-Asian pride. Even at the stage during the opening night, it was amassed, making each Filipino audience feel the big Asian pride. “I am actually involved, and this culture is quite close to my heart,” Nigel Huckle shared. “When I was really little, I lived in Singapore, and I had a nanny who lives in Ilo-Ilo. In 2016, we brought her to see the show, and we reunited after almost 20 years, and she’s coming here again to see the show!” I was nurtured by a Filipino so early in my life, and I’m learning and loving being in the Philippines.”
   

3. Creativity and Freedom – During the press conference, the cast revealed that they had the freedom to fully embody their roles, setting a promising stage. Seann Miley Moore, who played the engineer, definitely steals the show by giving some tagalog quips! He added his own flair and a touch of Filipino authenticity to 1 of the segments. The cast members’ performances were heartfelt and captivating, taking the audience into the emotional journey of each of the characters. The set design, costumes, and choreography all come together seamlessly to transport the audience to the war-torn streets of Saigon.

Manila audiences should brace themselves for a rollercoaster of emotions, from the passionate love between Chris and Kim to the heart-wrenching realities of war and its aftermath. The musical’s powerful message about the enduring power of love in the face of adversity will strike a chord, especially for a country that understands all too well the struggles and sacrifices of wartime love. The musical’s impact goes beyond entertainment, as it will leave a lingering sense of awe and reverence. The musical’s legacy lives on as this is not just a theatrical production – it is a powerful reflection of the universal themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience that resonate with audiences and serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of storytelling.

The cast of the Miss Saigon Asian Tour is led by Abigail Adriano as Kim, Seann Miley Moore as the Engineer, Nigel Huckle as Chris, Laurence Mossman as Thuy, Kiara Dario as Gigi, Sarah Morrison as Ellen, and Lewis Francis as John. Miss Saigon’s Manila stop runs from March 23 to May 12, 2024.