Miss Saigon

Full disclosure; I love Miss Saigon and consider it one of the best written musicals of the last twenty-five years. Schonberg and Boublil’s richly layered score never fails to move me.

I can report that Savoyards production of it hit all the right buttons with a strong cast headed by the incomparable Kimie Tsukakoshi as Kim. The demanding role could not have been in better hands. Tsukakoshi who has played the role before, was the perfect Kim; pretty, vocally sure, and heartbreakingly real. Her readings of “Sun and Moon,” “I Still Believe” and “Please,” were emotional highlights.

Lionel Theunisson also excelled in the pivotal Engineer part and made the most of his “If You Want To Die In Bed,” and “The American Dream.” Newcomer Conor Ensor as Chris showed distinct promise despite being hampered by a last-minute throat problem. Others to be noticed were Shane McLennan (John) who scored with “Bui Doi,” Pette Zetterstrom (Thuy) and Vanessa Wainwright (Ellen).

David Williams’ direction was tight with the steamy, seamy raunch of the bar scenes nicely contrasted with the soft and tender love scenes of Kim and Chris.

Miss Saigon would not be Miss Saigon without the infamous helicopter scene which in this production was the nose of the machine being lowered on the right-hand side of the stage with appropriate lighting and sound effects. It was believable, as was the entire production.

Peter Pinne

Image: Kim and Tam (Kimie Tsukakoshi and Katie McMeechan).