Miss Saigon at Historic San Gabriel Theatre This Saturday
By Terry Miller
Published: Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
By Terry Miller
With local production companies struggling and classic theatres closing such as the Pasadena Playhouse, it’s wonderful to see a young and vibrant cast and crew working on a new live production. One that will indubitably revive an interest in live theatre
The San Gabriel Valley Music Theatre, by arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh,
Is presenting a new production of Miss Saigon this Saturday, May 1st, 2pm and 8pm
Led by an extremely energetic and tireless team that includes: Producer Bobby Hundley,
Director Ray A. Rochelle, Ricki Lugo, Choreographer and Richard Allen Music Director.
The Weekly was privileged to watch a staging of the performance Monday evening.
The performers, director and all involved seem totally committed to not only telling the story but telling it with staggering passion.
The vocalists are magnificent and stalwart, the songs will make tears flow, I’m sure.
An American soldier named Chris marries Kim before departing for the US, and three years later, has married an American named Ellen and nearly forgotten her. When he discovers Kim is still alive and raising Thuy, a boy he fathered, he returns to Saigon to find her, but with the Viet Cong closing in on the city and two women wanting the only place in his heart, Chris has to make some large decisions before it’s all over. Miss Saigon is based on Puccini’s opera, Madame Butterfly.
If you don’t get goose bumps, I’ll be flabbergasted.
The production is powerful, and tells a difficult and dangerous story of a dreadful time in American history, with particular focus on the fall of Saigon.
The original production for the stage was by Cameron Mackintosh
The cast includes:
PRINCIPALS:
KIM – JENNIFER HUBILLA
CHRIS – JAMES C. MULLIGAN
ENGINEER – FRANC-ANTON HARWART
JOHN – PHILIP MICHAEL BASKERVILLE
THUY – BONIFACIO T. DEOSO, JR.
ELLEN – MICHAELIA LEIGH
ELLEN U/S – DINA BENNETT
TAM – 2PM – RYAN CHU
TAM- 8PM – ALYSSA CHU
AMERICAN G.I.S:
JOHNNY CANNIZZARO
TYLER RUEBENSAAL
NEIL DALE – Schultz
JASON LOWE
JOHN HOLDER
BERNIE ESCARCEGA
FERNANDO CHRISTOPHER
JOSH MATHIAS SMOOTS
TOBIN MCCLANE
VIETNAMESE MEN:
VINCENT ANICETO
JAY LEE
GLENN SHIROMA
SAM CHEN
JOSEPH ANDREAS
TOMMY LEE
MIGUEL VERA
GARRICK MACATANGAY
PAUL WONG
BAR GIRLS/VIETNAMESE WOMEN:
SHARLINE LIU
SHAY LOUISE
MIA DANELLE
CATHERINE HWANG
CASSIE SIMONE
LYNNETTE LI
JENN AEDO
AMANDA MAE MAGADIA
LOUISE MARIE CORNILLEZ
MISHAEL EDU
Miss Saigon, the epic award winning Broadway hit musical tells of the tragic romance between a strong-willed Vietnamese girl and an American G.I. during the last days of the Vietnam War and the fall of Saigon. This special benefit production will be performed in its entirety featuring a 24 piece orchestra onstage.
Directed by award winning director/actor/choreographer Ray A. Rochelle (Miss Saigon First National Company, Choreographer/Associate Director: F.C.L.O. – 2005 LA Ovation Award-Best Musical, nomination Best Choreography.) Music Director Richard Allen, Choreographer Rikki Lugo. Produced by Bobby Hundley (2004 A.D.A Award – Best play revivalMoonchildren) comedy
Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, Lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil
Adapted from the original French lyrics by Alain Boublil, Additional Material by Richard Maltby Jr.
Orchestrations by William D. Brohn
Onstage at the historic San Gabriel Mission Playhouse for two performances only! Call 626-282-1440 or email: sgvmtboxoffice@earthlink.net
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