This Is The Hour
The follow-up to worldwide smash LES MISERABLES by composing team Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil was eagerly anticipated throughout the late 80s, and, on September 20, 1989, the mega-musical finally premiered at the West End's Theatre Royal Drury Lane - and MISS SAIGON, like its predecessor, was a sensation. Taking on material seemingly as distant and as far removed from Victor Hugo's famous source material as possible, Boublil & Schonberg broached a touchy contemporary topic by directly addressing America's involvement in Vietnam with MISS SAIGON, never shying away from the gritty and gruesome elements of the real-life history. Newcomer Lea Salonga made veritable modern musical theatre magic before the world's eyes with her debut in the title role and Jonathan Pryce excelled, scoring many major awards for his compelling and charismatic turn as the flamboyant CABARET-esque, Emcee-like Engineer. Additionally, Nicholas Hytner's original production was a spectacle on the scale of LES MIZ, PHANTOM, CATS and the other Cameron Mackintosh entertainment supremes of the era, complete with an onstage levitating helicopter, a several story high gold statue, a life-sized Cadillac and much more. Yet, it was the achingly mournful, enormously epic music and the hard scrabble, rough-and-tumble lyrics married with the equal-parts hard-hitting, thrillingly bracing and passionately romantic story at the core that made MISS SAIGON a truly special and note-worthy musical in the great pantheon.
A seemingly most unlikely of crowd-pleasers, the devastating drama and the shocking sexual politics of the piece along with the milieu of the material itself posits MISS SAIGON as an even more unusual audience hit to predict than LES MISERABLES in many ways - yet, step for step, note for note and effect for effect, it equals it in power, presence and overall impact, if not outright overwhelms it. Although the songs themselves are perhaps not quite as easily removed and performed singularly as those from LES MIZ given that Richard Maltby, Jr.'s very outwardly Americanized take on the lyrics is intentionally conversational and fiercely plot-based for the majority of the almost through-sung score, the song-stack is nevertheless packed with powerful numbers.
For example, featured player Gigi's "The Movie In My Mind", is as movingly presented and as effectively musically realized as "I Dreamed A Dream" in LES MIZ, to cite but one instance of many. Then, too, the haunting and unforgettable "Last Night Of The World" is just about as romantic a musical theatre number this side of SOUTH PACIFIC's "Some Enchanted Evening" as achievable - and a vast achievement it and the rest of this remarkable score it most assuredly is. The Engineer's "The American Dream" is a show-stopper unlike any other in Boublil & Schonberg's catalog, while Kim's searing "I'd Give My Life For You" is among the finest Act One closers of the period. So, too, is "Bui Doi" a sensationally moving anthem with a socially conscious edge. And, who could forget "I Still Believe", one of the finest female duets in the musical theatre canon? It's unquestionably a stirring and distinguished score worth returning to repeatedly.
On that note, what can we expect from MISS SAIGON as we celebrate her 25th anniversary year? Well, a big-scale West End revival produced by Cameron Mackintosh is currently playing to packed houses in the West End and a gala celebration will occur next week with the original trio of leads - Lea Salonga, Jonathan Pryce and Simon Bowman - recreating their performances as part of the performance, along with the complete cast of the new 2014 iteration of the show. This is the hour!
Additionally, check out my InDepth InterView with Cameron Mackintosh from last year for information on the revival and the man behind the musical's thoughts on the property, then and now, available here.
Welcome To Dreamland
So, now, let's take a look back at the various incarnations of MISS SAIGON from over the years as we prepare for the 25th anniversary of the extraordinary MADAME BUTTERFLY-inspired musical.
First up, see where it all started and witness Lea Salonga's incredible first audition for MISS SAIGON in this clip from the behind-the-scenes documentary THE HEAT IS ON: THE MAKING OF MISS SAIGON.
Next, see Lea Salonga accept the Tony Award for Best Actress In A Musical at the 1991 Tony Awards, coming full-circle.Jonathan Pryce gave an unforgettable performance in MISS SAIGON and many theatre fans still talk of his show-stopping turn with "The American Dream". See why, via the 1991 Tony Awards.
Also, witness Pryce's heartfelt Tony Awards acceptance speech.
Salonga and Sean McDermott team up for a strong "Last Night Of The World" on THE Johnny Carson SHOW in 1991.
Now, enjoy Salonga and Liz Callaway's "I Still Believe".
Salonga returned to the iconic title role for a Manilla production of MISS SAIGON in 2001, co-starring Broadway notable Will Chase. Experience their sensual "Sun & Moon".
Three alternate endings have been attempted for MISS SAIGON - choose your favorite of all below.
The West End Men - that is, Ramin Karimloo, Stephen Rahman-Hughes and Lee Mead - sing an exceptional trio version of "Bui Doi" in a live concert.
Take a listen to the new song penned for the character of Chris's wife, Ellen, as performed by Stephanie J. Block, titled "Maybe".
A tantalizing sneak peek of Patrick Wilson as Chris is available to peruse in this clip of "Why God Why". Wow! What a superb revival lead - or movie player - he would be!
Lastly, view the flashy and visually inspired trailer for the 2014 West End revival of MISS SAIGON.
Hear the very first version of Ellen's solo, here titled "Who Says I'm Hurt?" as performed by Claire Moore at the first London preview on August 1, 1989.
As a special bonus, check out the cast of the West End revival taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
So, what song is your absolute favorite in the riveting and emotionally charged score for Boublil & Schonberg's MISS SAIGON? Furthermore, what moment are looking forward to experiencing live in a theater the most with the brand new revival? Whatever the case, let's hope MISS SAIGON plans a return to Broadway following her West End revival bow and this week's gala 25th anniversary celebration. Until then, we've still got all of these incredible songs to cherish... and a solo saxophone.
