Miss Saigon closing; Broadway next

[RW3]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 10:13am

As a Miss Saigon fan, I am sad to hear that the London company is closing. It would have been cool to have both companies, London and Broadway, running at the same time. However, I am excited that we finally have confirmation that Miss Saigon will be coming back to Broadway as well Germany and Australia.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/MISS-SAIGON-Announces-Final-Extension-in-London-Feb-27-Broadway-Next-20150714

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 10:24am

I'm surprised it's closing already.  I thought it was selling well and it really is a stunning production.  I just hope they recast John or at least redirect pretty much all of his performance.  He was a parade of bad performing choices and was hugely distracting.

[rjm516]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 10:32am

I really hope Jon Jon Briones comes over. He should have won the Olivier by far, and he would make such an amazing Broadway debut in this (I think his debut). 

 

(On the other hand, he would give Danny Burstein Tony competition which I fear!)

[Jonwo]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 10:34am

"I'm surprised it's closing already.  I thought it was selling well and it really is a stunning production.  I just hope they recast John or at least redirect pretty much all of his performance.  He was a parade of bad performing choices and was hugely distracting."

 

It's been discounting for a while and Cameron mentioned that he wants to use the set for the Broadway production. 

 

[littlemouse921]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 10:40am

"I really hope Jon Jon Briones comes over. He should have won the Olivier by far, and he would make such an amazing Broadway debut in this (I think his debut). 
 
(On the other hand, he would give Danny Burstein Tony competition which I fear!)"

The likelihood of this transferring over this season is highly unlikely because it is only closing in February meaning that Jon Jon would not challenge Danny's chances.

Also super sad this is closing. It truly was a spectacular production.

[Tag]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 11:03am

Mister Matt, you want to see a John with bad choices, watch this!

[beilis32]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 11:58am

That was strangely disappointing, I thought Billy Porter would be good!

[theaterfan15]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 12:09pm

I am sad to see this revival closing, but I had a feeling it was coming with the reports of Disney eying the Prince Edward Theatre for Aladdin. I'm sure we can all expect Eva Noblezada to play Jasmine.

[RW3]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 12:22pm

"I am sad to see this revival closing, but I had a feeling it was coming with the reports of Disney eying the Prince Edward Theatre for Aladdin. I'm sure we can all expect Eva Noblezada to play Jasmine."

I don't think so. I think it would be a safer bet that Eva would play Kim on Broadway.

 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 12:42pm

Tag - That performance was actually quite subtle compared to Hugh Maynard currently in the London cast.  This video is from a year before I saw the show, but it's a pretty accurate representation of what I saw (he also sports the dreds in the show and I couldn't help but wonder how common they would have been in the 70s):

The self-indulgent Baptist revival interpretation of that song crept in shortly after the Broadway run began and then it just spiraled into a show-within-a-show thereafter.  I used to love the song, but ever since it turned into a number all about the gospel stylings of the actor, I just wish it had been cut entirely as it just takes the audience completely out of the show for no reason other than to milk an ovation.  

And Hugh Maynard is just as over the top in EVERY moment and line he has throughout the entire show.  I would love to ask whoever allowed that to happen on stage why they think it's a great idea.  Or is just going doing what he wants?  Whatever it is, it almost destroys the show.

 

Updated On: 7/14/15 at 12:42 PM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 1:13pm

Oy! That reminds me of David St. Louis in Side Show. Beyond overacting!

[Tag]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 1:14pm

Just watched, and actually thought Maynard's version was pretty good and not too far over the top.  Porter's performance is just so disconnected.  Either way, I'm not a fan of the speak-singing that both of them do throughout.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 2:21pm

Just watched, and actually thought Maynard's version was pretty good and not too far over the top.

Seriously?  Because for this show, with that book, in that scene, it makes no sense whatsoever to recreate a southern Baptist revival or an X Factor competition .  None.  The running around, pointing and flailing Gospel-Idol vocal gymnastics all serve nothing other than the actor's own ego in a desperate plea for ovation (not anything connected to the lyrics).  I don't think it could get much more over-the-top unless he started rolling on the ground a la Little Richard.  I mean, if the script indicated that John's character had become a gospel singer on concert tour, then I'd get the connection (and still probably roll my eyes).  It used to be an effective song with a great message, but as that video proves with the squealing fangurlz, the lyrics and the message are now secondary to the performer's ego.  And that's just what he does with that song.  His other scenes are no better.

[beilis32]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 2:38pm

Why are all these guys so over the top? Here is the best version, completely in the right spirit, with depressing pictures in the background and an interesting example of an English actor trying to do an American accent.

Updated On: 7/14/15 at 02:38 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 2:49pm

Peter Polycarpou's American accent has always been at least slightly hilarious.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 2:49pm

beilis32 - Yay!  That's what the song used to be back when it was effective and part of the show!  Seeing that video really makes me miss that song.  The emotional intensity of the song came from the sharp focus of simple staging and a well-directed performance with a sense of occasion and awareness.  Now, it's just a mini-concert within a musical, not unlike Telly in Matilda (except less entertaining).  It's basically a warm-up number prior to the actual start of the second act.

[firebolts]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 3:08pm

Sad to see it go; it was such a wonderful revival. Is the cast transferring over to Broadway, or they starting off fresh with a new cast?

[RW3]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 3:20pm

"Sad to see it go; it was such a wonderful revival. Is the cast transferring over to Broadway, or they starting off fresh with a new cast?"

I would assume that this would be a completely different cast, with the exceptions of Kim, The Engineer and possibly Gigi. Eva and Jon Jon are Cameron's shining stars. Lea was handpicked for London and transferred to Broadway and I think Eva is the same. Plus, she received critical acclaim for her performance. In addition, Jon Jon was nominated for an Olivier. The only reason why I would say that Gigi might be the same because Rachelle's contract for Les Mis ends in June and it would be an easy transition. Plus, it was a big deal in the Philippines when Rachelle was announced for London and it would even be a bigger deal if Rachelle did the show on Broadway.

 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 3:27pm

"Sad to see it go; it was such a wonderful revival. Is the cast transferring over to Broadway, or they starting off fresh with a new cast?"

I thought their casting Chris Peluso (an American) was intentional, to make things easier with the transfer. We'll see!

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 3:30pm

He looks good in his army costume lol

[ZellMorrowsPledge]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 3:32pm

2016 Best Revival coming for our favs

[firebolts]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 3:36pm

Thank you guys for all the answers! I would love to see Eva transfer (which sounds like she will), and I'm glad we'll be getting a new Chris (Alistair Brammer was miscast, in my opinion). 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 3:37pm

Just noticed that Maynard is staying with the production.  Ugh.  Don't know if I could sit through his performance again.  Love Jon Jon, though.  I remember seeing him in the US tour back in 2003 (a friend of mine was his understudy) and he's just as good now, if not better.  And Eva was quite wonderful.

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 8/30/15 at 6:06pm

So I looked into some articles about Miss Saigon's move to Broadway and although the revival will be smaller, they will need significant wing space and I assume a seating capacity similar to the Prince Edward Theater which has 1600 seats. I think that narrows it down to the Shubert, Imperial, Winter Garden, Lyric, Majestic and the Broadway. But because of Phantom and Matilda, we can cross the Majestic and Shubert off the list. Also ATG owns the Lyric so Miss Saigon would never play there. So that narrows it down to the Imperial, WInter Garden, and Broadway. Now we just have to wait and see which shows survive. But I doubt they would put on the revival in their original home if it will be a smaller production but that does not mean it is not possible. It said that there are three theaters with enough wing space to house Saigon - The Broadway, The Lyric, and the Winter Garden. What's it going to be?

Updated On: 8/30/15 at 06:06 PM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/30/15 at 8:50pm

I think it'll be the Imperial. They'll send Les Mis back on tour after a successful two years on Broadway, and give them the theatre for Spring 2016. Failing that, it'll be the Shubert.