BWW Reviews: Scintillating MISS SAIGON @ Vista's Moonlight Amphitheatre

Miss Saigon
music by Claude-Michel Schonberg
lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Alain Boublil
Moonlight Amphitheatre, Vista
directed by Steven Glaudini
through September 26

When it first premiered on the West End in 1989 and then on Broadway in 1991, Miss Saigon won over critics and public alike with its bold operatic score and absorbing story of the Viet Nam War and its aftermath. Almost twenty years later it is as relevant as ever and Moonlight's stunning production could not be better.

Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil blazed trails with Les Miserables and continued their success by bringing the theme of futility of war closer to present time. American guilt over what happened in war-torn Viet Nam never subsided as those who fought went through a living hell of pain and desperation for those innocents they left behind. The time was ripe in the late 80s to write it all down and musicalize it, for what is more conducive to opera than psychological trauma? Strangely enough, when I first saw Saigon 10 years ago on tour it seemed so distant and cold like Madame Butterfly before it. Moonlight's splendid representation pulled me in and gripped me with its excellent storytelling, cast and direction.

Heading the wonderful ensemble is Jennifer Paz as Kim. She is committed to the role to the very depths of her being. Kim's love for her child is unsurmountable; she is willing to die for him and Paz conveys this element palpably. Without an outstanding voice for Kim, Miss Saigon could not play at all; Paz makes it shine. Another strong character that makes the work go is The Engineer, played magnificently by Johann Michael Camat. Anglo-Americans played this part before, and it made little sense. Camat is bold, brazen and a perfect fit. Doug Carpenter as Chris is just great. Vocally never better and intensely into his character's angst, Carpenter is astounding. Cassandra Murphy as Chris' wife Ellen brings warmth and understanding to a difficult role as does Melvin Robert III as nice guy John. Joseph Andreas as Thuy is a powerhouse of revenge and little Ace Young as Tam is a wonder - so focused on stage for such a tiny tot. Praise as well to Katherine Brady for her beautiful solo at play's start on "The Movie In My Mind", one of the show's most meaningful tunes.

Glaudini's direction is consistently sturdy and Carlos Mendoza's choreography electric especially in Act I's "The Morning of the Dragon" and Act II's "The American Dream" which remains an ode to greed at all costs.

This is a terrific production of Miss Saigon from top to bottom and is definitely worth the ride to Vista, 30 miles north of San Diego. The beautiful moonlight amphitheatre's atmosphere adds a dark and chilling mood to this tragic piece.

 

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