‘Dance like it’s the last night of the world’

Direct from a triumphant run in Sydney, Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Miss Saigon arrives in Manila for the first time ever in March 2024

BY MANILA BULLETIN

  

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AT A GLANCE

• ‘The production has given talents like Lea Salonga, Jon Jon Briones, Joanna Ampil, Rachelle Ann Go, and countless others a platform to showcase their extraordinary skills and passion.’

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I'D GIVE MY LIFE FOR YOU Miss Saigon centers around the tragic romance of American GI Chris and Vietnamese bar girl Kim

The heat is on in Manila as GMG Productions, in association with GWB Entertainment, has announced that Cameron Mackintosh’s globally acclaimed production of Boublil & Schönberg’s Miss Saigon is heading to The Theatre at Solaire in March 2024. 

 

The internationally acclaimed new production of Miss Saigon opened in London in May 2014 to record-breaking advance sales and critical acclaim, winning an unprecedented nine Whatsonstage Awards. It then opened on Broadway and a hugely successful US Tour followed with The New Yorker calling it “A dynamite Broadway revival.” UK’s The Daily Telegraph wrote, “This thrilling new production spills out beyond theater and speaks directly to the times we live in—magnificent performances.” The Daily Mail said, “The greatest musical of all time just got even better!” It has just completed a hugely successful run at Sydney Opera House and, following limited seasons in Melbourne and Adelaide, the show will land in Manila, a city that has a deep connection with this musical, in March 2024.  

 

Sir Cameron Mackintosh has shared his enthusiasm for bringing the title to the Philippines. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be bringing my spectacular new production of Miss Saigon to Manila,” he said. “Without a doubt, it is the best production of Saigon I have ever produced, with one of the most brilliant casts that have ever performed the show around the world. I can’t envisage another show of this scale being done in Manila for the foreseeable future.” 

 

Carlos Candal, GMG Productions’ CEO added that “Following the incredible success of Hamilton, and continuing with GMGP’s commitment to bringing the absolute pinnacle of musical entertainment to Manila, I could not be more excited to be presenting Miss Saigon at the Theater at Solaire. Filipinos have a deep connection with Miss Saigon because it has been the stage where countless Filipino artists have had their moment to shine. The production has given talents like Lea Salonga, Jon Jon Briones, Joanna Ampil, Rachelle Ann Go, and countless others a platform to showcase their extraordinary skills and passion, and we’re excited to welcome a new company of world-class performers to share the new staging of this phenomenal production.”  

 

A retelling of Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera, Madame Butterfly, Miss Saigon moves the love story to 1970s Vietnam. The audience follows a young Vietnamese woman named Kim as she navigates the chaos of Saigon during the Vietnam War, falls in love with an American G.I. named Chris, and embarks on an extraordinary three-year quest for reunion, all while harboring a heart-wrenching secret. 

 

Miss Saigon has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil, adapted from original French lyrics by Alain Boublil, with additional lyrics by Michael Mahler. The new production is directed by Laurence Connor with musical staging by Bob Avian and additional choreography by Geoffrey Garratt. The production design is by Totie Driver and Matt Kinley based on an original concept by Adrian Vaux; costume design by Andreane Neofitou; lighting design by Bruno Poet; projections by Luke Halls; sound design by Mick Potter; and orchestrations by William David Brohn. Music supervision is by Alfonso Casado Trigo and Guy Simpson.

 

The Manila season is presented at The Theatre at Solaire by GMG Productions, with tickets on sale on Nov. 6 only through TicketWorld. Theatre fans can also enjoy exclusive first access to the show with UnionBank of the Philippines as the show’s official sponsor and pre-sale partner or through the GMG Miss Saigon waitlist at www.gmg-productions.com. Pre-sale period is ongoing until Nov. 3. www.gmg-productions.com

Aicelle Santos takes final bow as Gigi Van Tranh

By: Regina Mae Parungao

After a year of “grand holiday,” the “Miss Saigon” curtain has come down on Aicelle Santos.

On Instagram, the Filipina actress-singer bid farewell her character Gigi Van Tranh as the musical’s global tour concluded. “Miss Saigon’s” last show was held Sunday in Cologne, Germany.

“And just like that we are down to our last day in Miss Saigon! What?! Thanks for an awesome year Gigi!” she wrote. “I believe I am braver because of you! You allowed me to dance crazy like no one’s watching and be as creative and entertaining as I can (at least to myself), 8 shows a week!”

Aicelle said that her “Miss Saigon” stint gave her peace and learning solitude. It also allowed her have a “grand holiday to places I never knew I’d see in this lifetime.”

“ I made new friends and discovered diverse cultures. You are worth every note sung, every tear shed and body pains endured,” said she, who bagged the role of Gigi in March 2018.

Prior to her, Rachelle Ann Go played the same role in the London West End revival of the musical, while Isay Alvarez held the role in the original West End Production.

A message from the official “Miss Saigon” Instagram account read: “…Since July 2017 we’ve visited 14 cities and wish to thank all of YOU who have joined us on our journey.”

In past Instagram posts, Aicelle said she feels “humbled and blessed” to be part of the show’s UK tour.

“‘Whatever He wills, I will follow,’” she said. “This has been my guiding mantra through the highs and lows of life. And with this new direction I’m taking, I couldn’t thank you enough, Lord.”

Other Filipino artists in “Miss Saigon” UK were Red Concepcion and Gerald Santos, who were earlier cast as The Engineer and Thuy, respectively, with Joreen Bautista, who alternates as Kim.

“Our Filipino flag stands tall and proud. Honored to represent!” the 34-year-old “Pinoy Pop Superstar” runner-up added.

Aicelle is also known for her roles as Aileen in “Rak Of Aegis,” and as Perla in “Maynila Sa Kuko Ng Liwanag,” for which she won Best Actress at the 30th Aliw Awards in 2017.

She got engaged to boyfriend GMA reporter Mark Zambrano days after she bagged the “Miss Saigon” role.