Bob Avian News

Miss Saigon, currently booking for performances through to Saturday 25th October 2014, will make its highly anticipated return to the West End on Saturday 3 May 2014 at the Prince Edward Theatre, in the musical's 25th anniversary year. Rehearsals for the revival are currently underway in London - and you can check out a video featuring Eva Noblezada (Kim) arriving in London, introductions from the creative team, and behind-the-scenes content from the rehearsal studio!

Miss Saigon, currently booking for performances through to Saturday 25th October 2014, will make its highly anticipated return to the West End on Saturday 3 May 2014 at the Prince Edward Theatre, in the musical's 25th anniversary year. Rachelle Ann Go will be the new 'Gigi' in the show and she recently revealed in an interview with Hola! that she has original star Lea Salonga to thank for the role. Go told Hola!: 'It's Miss Lea (Salonga) who really told me to go for the audition. But before that, I got to watch Miss Saigon in Canada in 2010. When I watched it, I told myself, "One day, I will do that." So in 2012, there was an audition and my friends encouraged me, but I was afraid. But eventually, they persuaded me, so I tried it out here in Manila.'

Miss Saigon, currently booking for performances through to Saturday 25th October 2014, will make its highly anticipated return to the West End on Saturday 3 May 2014 at the Prince Edward Theatre, in the musical's 25th anniversary year. In the video below, watch the new 'Gigi,' Rachelle Ann Go, perform 'Movie in My Mind'

Standing before a packed house of subscribers, Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong revealed The 5th Avenue Theatre's 2014/15 season. "Every year we try to choose a season that embodies our mission: to celebrate our great indigenous art form, The Musical - past, present, and future," Armstrong said. "With an array of shows ranging from a hotly-anticipated Broadway tour to a hilarious world premiere, not to mention celebrated contemporary classics and one of the immortal musicals from the Golden Age of Broadway, we believe that this season truly represents the breadth and depth of what musical theater has to offer."

Cameron Mackintosh has announced that Korean star Kwang-Ho Hong will play 'Thuy' in his forthcoming new production of MISS SAIGON. This now completes the casting for the show which makes its highly anticipated return to the West End onSaturday 3 May 2014 at the Prince Edward Theatre, in the musical's 25th Anniversary Year. MISS SAIGON is currently booking for performances through to Saturday 25th October 2014. To watch a special video about Kwang-Ho Hong, please go to www.miss-saigonvideo.com/press

At this year's dinner and holiday party set for tonight, Dancers Over 40 honors some of our outstanding - and long-time -- members: Advisory Board Members Chita Rivera (West Side Story, Bye, Bye Birdie, Bajour, Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spiderwoman), and Bob Avian (Promises, Promises, Coco, Company, Follies, A Chorus Line, Ballroom), Board of Directors member Lawrence Merritt (Dear World, Applause, Pippin, Evita), and long-time DO40 members Skip Randall (Song of Norway, Make Mine Manhattan, Call Me Mister) and Louise Quick (Sweet Charity, Pippin, Best Little Whorehouse, and Fosse Assistant on Pippin, Liza with a Z and Cabaret). Also this year, DO40 is honoring Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Executive Director Tom Viola for his ongoing support of DO40 and our mission. This year's host is Christine Pedi (Chicago, Forbidden Broadway).

Rachelle Ann Go, who will soon star as 'Gigi' in the highly-anticipated West End return of MISS SAIGON, was invited by original star Lea Salonga to perform at the Philippine International Convention Center. While she was there, Salonga insisted that she give the audience a preview of her performance by joining her in a duet of 'The Movie in My Mind.' Check it out below!

At this year's dinner and holiday party, set for Dec. 15 at 9pm at LIPS Restaurant, Dancers Over 40 honors some of its outstanding - and long-time -- members: Advisory Board Members Chita Rivera (West Side Story, Bye, Bye Birdie, Bajour, Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spiderwoman), and Bob Avian (Promises, Promises, Coco, Company, Follies, A Chorus Line, Ballroom), Board of Directors member Lawrence Merritt (Dear World, Applause, Pippin, Evita), and long-time DO40 members Skip Randall (Song of Norway, Make Mine Manhattan, Call Me Mister) and Louise Quick (Sweet Charity, Pippin, Best Little Whorehouse, and Fosse Assistant on Pippin, Liza with a Z and Cabaret). Also this year, DO40 is honoring Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Executive Director Tom Viola for his ongoing support of DO40 and our mission. This year's host is Christine Pedi (Chicago, Forbidden Broadway).

Contrary to an earlier report, young actors Julia Abueva and Tanya Manalang, recently announced to be playing ensemble in the record-breaking West End revival of 'Miss Saigon,' will be covering--not alternating for--the female lead, Kim.

PhilStar.com writes that two Pinay talents will be alternating with the recently announced star Eva Noblezada in the title role of 'Kim' in the West End's MISS SAIGON revival next year. Noblezada will perform four shows a week, with Julia Abueva and Tanya Manalang taking over the rest.

In the video below, meet the company with clips of the actors in action; including a performance of 'I'd Give My Life for You' from the new 'Kim'- Eva Noblezada!

Cameron Mackintosh has just announced principal casting for his forthcoming new production of Miss Saigon. Assembled from around the world, this exciting international cast includes Jon Jon Briones as 'The Engineer', Eva Noblezada as 'Kim', Alistair Brammer as 'Chris', Tamsin Carroll as 'Ellen', Hugh Maynard as 'John' and Rachelle Ann Go as 'Gigi'. Miss Saigon makes its highly anticipated return to the West End on Saturday 3 May 2014 at the Prince Edward Theatre, in the musical's 25th anniversary year.

The Daily Mail writes that Cameron Mackintosh has cast 17-year-old Eva Noblezada -- a Charlotte, NC native -- in the lead role of Kim in the upcoming West End revival of Miss Saigon. Noblezada was discovered by casting director Tara Rubin at the 2013 Jimmy Awards in New York City.

At this year's dinner and holiday party, Dancers Over 40 honors some of our outstanding - and long-time -- members: Advisory Board Members Chita Rivera (West Side Story, Bye, Bye Birdie, Bajour, Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spiderwoman), and Bob Avian (Promises, Promises, Coco, Company, Follies, A Chorus Line, Ballroom), Board of Directors member Lawrence Merritt (Dear World, Applause, Pippin, Evita), and long-time DO40 members Skip Randall (Song of Norway, Make Mine Manhattan, Call Me Mister) and Louise Quick (Sweet Charity, Pippin, Best Little Whorehouse, and Fosse Assistant on Pippin, Liza with a Z and Cabaret). Also this year, DO40 is honoring Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Executive Director Tom Viola for his ongoing support of DO40 and our mission. This year's host is Christine Pedi (Chicago, Forbidden Broadway).

The Asia Pacific Tour of DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING? revealed today on its Facebook page that Boublil and Schonberg have penned a new tune for Miss Saigon called 'Leave Him?' DO YOU HEAR will debut the song during its season at the Shanghai Grand Theatre in November 2013, and one wonders if the tune would be used in the upcoming revival in the West End.

A spokesperson for Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Boublil and Schonberg's legendary musical 'Miss Saigon,' said today, 'The casting is not yet completed for 'Miss Saigon' and will not be until later in the year as the Director, Laurence Connor, is currently directing 'Les Miserables' in Toronto. No decision has yet been taken about who will play Gigi.'

Gallery New World Stages, located at 343 West 49th Street, presents THAT FACE: THE ART OF KEN FALLIN - Broadway, Hollywood & Wall Street. Curated by Bernard Stote, this exhibit will feature over 75 original works of Caricature Art of popular cultural icons from Broadway community, Hollywood, politics, and Wall Street. Check out photos from the opening below!

Gallery New World Stages, located at 343 West 49th Street, presents THAT FACE: THE ART OF KEN FALLIN - Broadway, Hollywood & Wall Street. Curated by Bernard Stote, this exhibit will feature over 75 original works of Caricature Art of popular cultural icons from Broadway community, Hollywood, politics, and Wall Street. Check out photos from the opening below!