Monday, August 12, 2013

Miss Saigon


So Friday I had a last minute opportunity to see Miss Saigon at Casa Manana, a local theater. Of course, I accepted.

 Above, Casa Manana photo taken by Andreas Praefcke, shared with permission via Wikimedia Commons.
Below, the promo poster for the show. Image used under fair use rights.



I'd never seen it before, so I found it quite interesting and, of course, sad. Musical and tragedy seem oxymoronic, but that is exactly what this show is. If you're unfamiliar with the story, it's the tragic tale of an American soldier who falls in love with a Vietnamese girl shortly before the fall of Saigon. He tries to get her out, but is unable to and is, of course, sent back home to America. Eventually he marries, though he still dreams of his Vietnamese wife.

The Vietnamese girl, meanwhile has borne the soldier's child and holds out hope that her soldier is coming for her and that he'll take her back to the States and they'll live happily ever after.

Eventually, things come to a head and the soldier, along with his wife, travels to Bangkok to make arrangements for his son's care. The girl is heartbroken to learn that her soldier is married, but insists they take the child back to America. Realizing her dream is now dust, she kills herself.

Sonshine, surprisingly, enjoyed it and said he'd wouldn't mind seeing another musical or play. He's not too sure about opera or ballet though.

I liked it too, and would love to see it on the silver screen, though not as a musical like they did with Les Miserables and like they're considering.

Have you seen Miss Saigon? What did you think of it?


3 comments:

Molly Marie said...

I haven't seen Miss Saigon and admit I probably never will. As great as I have heard it is, it has a tragic ending and I tend to avoid movies, plays, books, etc. that I have advance warning end tragically. I love Happily Ever After.

Regina Richards said...

The above was Regina's comment. Apparently my daughter has been using my computer and didn't log out.

Jen FitzGerald said...

No worries, Regina!