MISS SAIGON Kicks Off the New Season of Broadway in Detroit

The beloved musical, Miss Saigon, kicks off Broadway in Detroit's season Tuesday at the Fisher Theatre. The classic show that is fan favorite tells the tale of forbidden love, the tragedies of war, and the sacrifices made to achieve the American Dream.

"Miss Saigon is by the people who wrote Les Miserables, which means the music is beautiful, sweeping, epic, and iconic," said Garen McRoberts, an ensemble member who plays one of the American GI's in the touring production. "I think there is a raw and fresh approach that we took to this production. It is a very well-known production, but we spent a lot of time researching the Vietnam War, finding back stories, and working very hard as individual actors and a collective group to really tell the story to its fullest effect."

McRoberts, a Wisconsin native, is a graduate of the University of Michigan and excited to go out on tour again. "We have a super talented cast and everyone is so genuine and giving as actors and people, which makes a big difference when you are on the road," he said. Previously, McRoberts was on the first national tour of Little House on the Prairie the Musical that starred Melissa Gilbert. "We were fortunate to go through Detroit and play the Fox Theatre," he said. "I'm excited because with this tour we are performing at the Fisher and I've never performed there before. I'm looking forward to that opportunity."

Kevin Stites is the music director of the production and he worked intensely with the cast. "Kevin is amazing and meticulously drove us on getting our points across musically," said McRoberts. "He's a brilliant, brilliant man." He also praised choreographer Baayork Lee. "This is her first time doing choreography and she has just done an amazing job with this production," he said.

The musical, which is based on Puccini's Madame Butterfly, is a love story about an American GI and a Vietnamese woman during the American occupation of Saigon during the Vietnam War. "The show itself is fantastic. The music is beautiful. The story is tragic and heartbreaking. It is very emotional," said McRoberts. "I think it definitely worth coming to see."

Miss Saigon opens Tuesday, September 24th and runs through October 6th at the Fisher Theatre. For more information and tickets, visit www.broadwayindetroit.com.

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