TUTS Announces Their MISS SAIGON Cast, Show Opens 2/9

Theatre Under The Stars' Miss Saigon, at the Hobby Center for Performing Arts from February 9 - 21, 2010, announces a tenured cast of actors and actresses, many of whom have played their roles on Broadway and to international audiences around the world.

Set in the days before Saigon's fall to Communist forces at the end of the Vietnam War, Miss Saigon is the dramatic love-story of an American GI, Chris, played by Eric Kunze who performed the role on Broadway and was seen at TUTS in Whistle Down The Wind and Jesus Christ Super Star, and a young Vietnamese woman, Kim, played by Melinda Chua who starred in the Broadway, German and both national touring companies of Miss Saigon. Philip Michael Baskerville plays American G.I, John, and Jessica Rush, a native of Orange, TX, appears as Chris's new American wife, Ellen.

Joseph Anthony Foronda resumes his role as the sordid club owner known only as, The Engineer. Foronda portrayed the role on Broadway and in the original TUTS' premiere presentation in 2001. Joining the "villains" of Miss Saigon is Houston native Steven Eng, in the role of Thuy. In addition to his acting work, Eng has served as directing assistant to directors/choreographers on several prominent projects, including the 2006 Broadway revival and most recent national tour of A Chorus Line and the national tours of The King and I and Bombay Dreams. Eng is a founding member of National Asian Artists Project.

Many of the cast have Houston ties, including Eunice Bae, Caesar F. Barajas, Edward Chen, Tiffany Chen (TUTS Humphreys School alum), Rob Flebbe, Nkrumah Gatling and Richard M. Keck (both former TUTS Interns through the Sam Houston program), Lindsay Gee, Trey Gillen, and Sam Houston graduate Cameron Worthen.

Returning like Foronda from the TUTS 2001 Houston premiere production are Houston native and University of Houston graduate, Mel Sagrado Maghuyop and Jee Teo.

Rounding out the ensemble are Joey Abramowicz and Matthew Steffens (both last with TUTS for the 2005 presentation of Cats), Angelica-Lee Aspiras, Billy Bustamante, Joven Calloway, Nina Crupiti, Caleb Bamschroder, Joshua Denning, Janelle Dote, Nam Holtz, Jonathan G. Itchon, Jan Javier, Kelvin Moon Loh, J.P. Moraga, Mike A. Motroni, Michael O'Brien, Enrico Rodriguez, Marcus Shane, Mark Shunock, and Jessica Wu.

Houston native, Bruce Lumpkin, who helmed the sold-out 2001 TUTS debut, will return to direct the musical, which has been seen by over 30 million people in 25 countries worldwide. Miss Saigon premiered at Theatre Royal (Drury Lane) in London on September 20, 1989 and closed in October of 1999 after an amazing 4,264 performances. On April 11, 1991, the production opened at the Broadway Theatre in New York, and closed on January 28, 2001 after another great run of 4,092 performances. Miss Saigon led the 1991 Tony Awards with 11 nominations and remains Broadway's 10th longest running musical.

In celebration of Miss Saigon, Theatre Under The Stars offers a number of special events and opportunities. For more information visit TUTS.com/events.

. Lunar New Year's Party with TUTS & Yellow Magazine: Thurs, Feb. 4, 2010
o Experience cultural performances, lite bites, and cocktails by Martell Cognac at Momentum BMW Southwest with TUTS' young professionals group, UP@TUTS, and Yellow Magazine in celebration of the Lunar New Year!

. Valentine's Day VIP Event: Sun, Feb. 14, 2010 - SOLD OUT
o Guests enjoy an exquisite three-course Asian-inspired dinner in the exclusive Founders Club. Traditional Dragon Dancers will perform at dessert, and you'll view the show from premium seats.

. Dinner & Theatre Package: Wed, Feb. 10 and 17, 2010
o 5:30 p.m. Dinner at "17" at the Alden Hotel followed by the 8:00 p.m. performance.
o These packages are available online only.

. First Thursday Cabaret: Thurs, Feb. 11, 2009
o A post-show event with OUT@TUTS (our GLBT friends) at Artista Restaurant.

Tickets (starting at $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887,) outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, (800 Bagby at Walker, Mon-Fri 10a.m.- 6p.m., Sat-Sun 11a.m.- 4p.m.) An audio described performance is available Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 2 p.m.; open captioning Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 7:30p.m. The Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more and may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

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