Post by jo on Mar 17, 2017 20:13:29 GMT -5
They have not really changed the original production, so it seems! But the revival brings back the racial controversy surrounding the casting of the stage musical!
Here's a comprehensive feature from the New York Times on this controversial stage production from the same composer team of Les Miserables, Boublil and Schonberg --
www.nytimes.com/2017/03/17/theater/the-battle-of-miss-saigon-yellowface-art-and-opportunity.html?_r=0
Maybe I shouldn't say this publicly-- but no one has yet to complain that while the production has opened its doors to Asian casting, if you scrutinize the photo of the main cast -- three are of Filipino descent! Eva Noblezada is American but of Filipino descent! I am of course very proud of them and the rest of Filipinos so far cast in all the productions of the stage musical worldwide!
Cast members of the Broadway revival of “Miss Saigon” include, from left, Eva Noblezada, Alistair Brammer, Rachelle Ann Go and Jon Jon Briones.
Credit:Jesse Dittmar for The New York Times
Btw, Rachel Ann Go also played the role of Fantine in London. On a side note, many Filipinos have been cast in West End musicals...but on Broadway, I never realized that Ali Ewoldt who is now playing Christine in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is also half-Filipino ( I found out when I saw a local news item about 4 Filipinas who were honored in NYC for their contributions).
Of course, we know that the original casting of Miss Saigon had two Filipinas in London -- Lea Salonga and her alternate Monique Wilson. Even the actress who featured as the winner of the "Miss Saigon" contest in the show and who sang the poignant " Movie in My Mind" was another Filipina. And so were many from the original ensemble who auditioned in Manila and were brought to London for the original staging! One of them eventually played the role of the Engineer when it came to Australia...and now an original member has graduated to the same role in the London revival and in the new Broadway revival. JonJon Briones is also being touted for a Tony nod!
Btw, Lea was a rare stage actress who won the Olivier and the Tony for the same role way back then! She went on to play Eponine and later on, Fantine, in Les Miserables. Then there were two more Asian roles for her -- the Chinese bride in Flower Drum Song...and later on, as member of the Japanese family in Allegiance. Locally, I have seen her tackle the role of Eliza in My Fair Lady, one of the leads in BABY, and as Cinderella ( an Australian production) before it came to Broadway. I have seen her alternate Kim in London, Monique Wilson, tackle the role of Rose Vibert in a chamber piece interpretation of ASPECTS OF LOVE.
PS: I hear the helicopter is back in the show -- not too sure though if this was the original one from the London production in 1989
Jo
Here's a comprehensive feature from the New York Times on this controversial stage production from the same composer team of Les Miserables, Boublil and Schonberg --
www.nytimes.com/2017/03/17/theater/the-battle-of-miss-saigon-yellowface-art-and-opportunity.html?_r=0
Maybe I shouldn't say this publicly-- but no one has yet to complain that while the production has opened its doors to Asian casting, if you scrutinize the photo of the main cast -- three are of Filipino descent! Eva Noblezada is American but of Filipino descent! I am of course very proud of them and the rest of Filipinos so far cast in all the productions of the stage musical worldwide!
Cast members of the Broadway revival of “Miss Saigon” include, from left, Eva Noblezada, Alistair Brammer, Rachelle Ann Go and Jon Jon Briones.
Credit:Jesse Dittmar for The New York Times
Btw, Rachel Ann Go also played the role of Fantine in London. On a side note, many Filipinos have been cast in West End musicals...but on Broadway, I never realized that Ali Ewoldt who is now playing Christine in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is also half-Filipino ( I found out when I saw a local news item about 4 Filipinas who were honored in NYC for their contributions).
Of course, we know that the original casting of Miss Saigon had two Filipinas in London -- Lea Salonga and her alternate Monique Wilson. Even the actress who featured as the winner of the "Miss Saigon" contest in the show and who sang the poignant " Movie in My Mind" was another Filipina. And so were many from the original ensemble who auditioned in Manila and were brought to London for the original staging! One of them eventually played the role of the Engineer when it came to Australia...and now an original member has graduated to the same role in the London revival and in the new Broadway revival. JonJon Briones is also being touted for a Tony nod!
Btw, Lea was a rare stage actress who won the Olivier and the Tony for the same role way back then! She went on to play Eponine and later on, Fantine, in Les Miserables. Then there were two more Asian roles for her -- the Chinese bride in Flower Drum Song...and later on, as member of the Japanese family in Allegiance. Locally, I have seen her tackle the role of Eliza in My Fair Lady, one of the leads in BABY, and as Cinderella ( an Australian production) before it came to Broadway. I have seen her alternate Kim in London, Monique Wilson, tackle the role of Rose Vibert in a chamber piece interpretation of ASPECTS OF LOVE.
PS: I hear the helicopter is back in the show -- not too sure though if this was the original one from the London production in 1989
Jo