Inspired by a Magazine Photo

Miss Saigon–at the Cadillac Palace Theatre

Inspired by a Magazine Photo

Throughout its 18 years, the Nederlander’s Broadway in Chicago corporation has grown into one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. The organization has been responsible for bringing hundreds of fine quality plays and musicals from New York to play Chicago, and a great many of them have been wonderful productions that entertained, informed and stimulated audiences of all ages. But this current offering, the National Tour of the critically acclaimed recent Broadway revival of “Miss Saigon,” may be one of the best and most memorable productions to date.

Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, the talented team responsible for the musical mega hit, “Les Miserables,” followed up their success with this contemporary retelling of Puccini’s opera, “Madama Butterfly.” The creation of this sung-through musical was inspired by a magazine photo showing a Vietnamese mother making “The Ultimate Sacrifice,” selflessly forcing her young daughter aboard a jet bound for the U.S., so that she might have a better life with her ex-GI father in America. The composers joined forces with lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr. and, for the revival, additional lyrics were contributed by Chicago’s own Michael Mahler. Together this creative team fashioned a tragic love story about innocent people torn apart by war. Despite being set during the Viet Nam War of the 1970’s, it’s a drama so relevant that it still speaks to today’s audiences. 

In 1991, following its West End triumph, “Miss Saigon” opened on Broadway. However, due to the controversial casting of a non-Asian in the role of the Vietnamese Engineer (and in several other roles), and insisting upon bringing the two original leading actors from the British production to the US, instead of casting local actors, the musical was scorned by members of Actor’s Equity. This controversy generated enough bad feelings as to prevent the show from winning the Tony Award for Best Musical that year, however it was still nominated for eleven awards, ironically winning for Best Actress, Actor and Supporting Actor.

Had this polished and professional National Tour of the 2017 Broadway revival been the production that Cameron Mackintosh had originally produced 27 years ago, there would never have been any controversy and a lot more awards handed out. This time around, Mackintosh, and his talented director Laurence Connor, have cast this production ethnically appropriate, which has made all the difference.

 Red Concepcion, who’s toured the UK and Ireland in this musical, as well as in several others, is terrific playing the sleazy Engineer. This actor fully inhabits the role of Tran Van Dinh, a depraved hustler and the owner of a sex club for GI’s called Dreamland. He really has this scumbag down to an art form. So many moments stand out, but Concepcion dominates one of the production’s most memorable scenes with his gutsy performance of “The American Dream.” In a solo that turns into an eye-boggling, over-the-top production number, and employs the entire cast, Concepcion brilliantly gives this song everything he has to offer. In doing so, the biting lyrics, the pulsating orchestral beat, along with the actor’s terrific delivery of this scathing, satirical song, all hit home hard.

But this production doesn’t only belong to Mr. Concepcion. Every single actor in this 40+ member company deserves to be called a star. Lovely Emily Bautista’s simple, eloquent and heartbreaking portrayal of Kim, the show’s tragic Madame Butterfly-inspired heroine, is acted and sung with more power and passion than seems possible from such a petite actress. Ms. Bautista understudied the role in the recent Broadway revival and also toured nationally as Eponine in “Les Miserables.” The young woman’s doomed romance, abandoned by her American Marine, and her ultimate sacrifice for her child will haunt theatergoers forever.  

Anthony Festa, who has impressed in the National Tours of “Wicked” and “Finding Neverland,” captures the honesty and essence of Chris, the all-American-boy, a young Marine sergeant disenchanted with the futility of the Viet Nam War. This handsome, gifted young actor possesses a soaring tenor that’s full and crystal clear, even hitting the highest notes. Together, he and Ms. Bautista create a believable, emotionally compassionate and tragic couple. Both are excellent young actors to watch because, not only do they excel in these particular roles, but each has the talent to become a big name on Broadway.

 Another dynamite actress who stands out is Stacie Bono, who plays Chris’ American wife, Ellen. She wrings every ounce of emotion from Ellen’s poignant musical soliloquy, “Now That I’ve Seen Her.” Ms. Bono creates just the right amount of empathy for a role that, in lesser hands, might be played as the antagonist. To Ms. Bono’s credit, theatergoers become emotionally torn between Chris’ mistress and his loving spouse.

 In supporting roles, talented, pretty and petite Chicago actress Christine Bunuan stands out as Gigi. She’s the sassy Saigon call girl who wins the show’s title of Miss Saigon and, as such, becomes the raffle prize for one of the GIs. As Thuy, Kim’s cousin and her betrothed, Jinwoo Jung is bold and dangerous. He’s a complicated character, having risen to the rank of officer in the Vietnamese Communist government, and determined to have Kim as his wife. Jung is absolutely frightening in this role.  And little Jace Chen (alternating with four other child actors) is heartbreaking and totally focused, innocently portraying Tam, Kim and Chris’ son. 

The strong and talented ensemble features some of the finest singing actors in musical theatre. The men, superbly led by J. Daughtry as John, Chris’ best buddy in the military, blend into a gorgeous wall of voices in “Bui-Doi,” the second act opening number that’s a tribute to the Vietnamese children left behind by American GI’s. Throughout the production, the excellent, enormous chorus provides an impeccable vocal foundation for the leading characters.

This production is beautifully supported by a team of skilled theatre artists. Will Curry’s distinguished musical direction draws great performances from his superb cast, in addition to conducting the production’s rich, full-sounding pit orchestra. The show’s sharp musical staging is courtesy of Bob Avian, with additional choreography contributed by Geoffrey Garratt. The creative union of Totie Driver and Matt Kinley’s adaptable, detailed set design, along with Luke Hall’s historically infused scenic projections that add realism to this story, Bruno Poet’s outstanding, evocative lighting design and Mick Potter’s terrific soundtrack, that includes a deafening helicopter’s arrival, all blend to create a show that’s one of the finest professional productions to play Chicago. In residence at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for only three weeks, this stellar, heartbreaking show is definitely one that should not be missed.      

   

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 15-December 8 by Broadway in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling the Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.