Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
MANILA, Philippines — The upcoming run of “Miss Saigon” in the Philippines has extended its show dates one last time, now playing until May 12, 2024 in The Theater at Solaire.
Production company GMG Productions announced the final extension following another increased demand from audiences.
A similar extension occurred last November, with “Miss Saigon” initially going to run a month from March 23 to April 25 until overwhelming demand during the pre-selling of tickets saw the musical running into May.
“We’re beyond thrilled with the excitement and enthusiasm that the Filipino audience has for Miss Saigon, that we’ve now made the decision to extend the production for one more final week,” GMG Productions Chief Executive Officer Carlos Candal said in a statement. “We’re eager to welcome more people to be able to experience the classic production.”
Additionally, the production announced the young Filipino actors who will alternate in the role of Tam following auditions held last January: Anderson Bonita, Keone Buenaluz, Dylan De Ocampo, Enzo Isaac, and Cassidy Lorenzana.
Leading the cast of “Miss Saigon,” returning to the Philippines after over two decades, are Filipino-Australians Abigail Adriano as Kim and Seann Miley Moore as the Engineer.
Related: Fil-Aussies Abigail Adriano, Seann Miley Moore reprising ‘Miss Saigon’ roles for Manila run
In supporting roles are Nigel Huckle as Chris, Laurence Mossman as Thuy, Sarah Morrison as Ellen, Lewis Francis as John, and local actress-singer Kiara Dario as Gigi.
Kiara was recently the lead in Repertory Philippines’ “Snow White and the Prince,” wherein she was nominated as Best Performer in a Musical for the BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards.
Cameron Mackintosh’s new version of Boublil & Schönberg’s “Miss Saigon” was first staged in London back in 2014 and received record-breaking advance sales and praises from critics.
It originally premiered in London’s West End in 1989 with theater veteran Lea Salonga starring opposite Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce — the two reprised their respective roles of Kim and The Engineer on Broadway two years later.
The musical is a retelling of Giacomo Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” set during the Vietnam War. Kim navigates the chaos of Saigon, falls in love with an American G.I. named Chris, and goes on a three-year quest for reunion, all while harboring a heart-wrenching secret.
Apart from Lea, Abigail, Seann, and Kiara, other Filipino actors who have famously appeared in the musical include Jon Jon Briones, Joanna Ampil, Rachelle Ann Go, and Eva Noblezada. — Kristofer Purnell
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Credit belongs to: www.philstar.com
