Broadway by the Bay to Present MISS SAIGON, 3/18-4/3

The musical MISS SAIGON runs from March 18th through April 3rd at the historic Fox Theatre in Redwood City (2215 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA).

Set in post-war Vietnam (1975-1978), MISS SAIGON is loosely based on Giacomo Puccini's opera, Madame Butterfly. In 1975, during the final days of the American occupation of Saigon, MISS SAIGON tells the epic love story of Chris, an American GI, and Kim, a young Vietnamese woman. Kim is working in a seedy Saigon nightclub owned by a notorious wheeler-dealer known as The Engineer. John, an American GI, buys his friend Chris the services of Kim for the night. That night will change their lives forever.

Nominated for numerous Olivier, Tony, and Drama Desk Awards, MISS SAIGON is the second, massively successful offering from the creators of Les Mise?rables: Claude-Michel Scho?nberg & Alain Boublil. The soaring, sung-through, pop-inflected score includes such modern classics as The Heat is On in Saigon, The Movie in My Mind, and Last Night of the World.

"I am thrilled to bring MISS SAIGON to the audiences at Broadway By the Bay," says Director Jasen Jeffrey, whose previous BBBay directing credits include Les Mise?rables and the TBA Award winning In the Heights. "At its core, this is Kim's love story. We first see her fall in love with Chris, and the hope she feels when she is empowered by that love and briefly lifted from the poor and tragic conditions of her own life. When the realities of war separate them, we then experience a mother's fearless and unconditional love for the son she believes deserves a better life than she experienced. She pursues that outcome with a visceral drive and shows us the true strength of the human spirit." Jeffrey continues, "I have been inspired by the vast research I have done on the history of this period. There are many untold stories of tragedy, travesty, and triumph, and these truths have informed my vision. I have created a narrative that does not politicize these events, but allows us to see the common humanity not only in these characters, but in the parallels that are present in today's global society."

Sean Kana, Resident Music Director, adds "The music of MISS SAIGON creates a vibrant soundscape within which the storytelling happens. It mirrors Puccini's Opera - Madame Butterfly, not only in story but with elements of the aria, duets, chorus, recitatives and more - it is a new pop opera of its time." Kana continues "Notable songs such as Sun and Moon, Last Night of the World, and I Still Believe resound in the minds of many, and will continue to do so long after audiences leave the theater. In addition to the robust yet sentient ensemble and singers of the show, the 18-piece orchestra provides a full, lush canvas of Eastern gongs, bamboo flutes, and gamelan. Combining with Western brass, strings and electronic music, they collide politically and harmonically to create this masterpiece."

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