Miss Saigon
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Miss Saigon is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil. It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in London on 20 September 1989, closing after 4264 performances on 30 October 1999. On 11 April 1991, it opened at the Broadway Theatre in New York, again running for over 4000 performances. Miss Saigon was part of the major European influence on Broadway in the 80's and along with Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables, they are often collectively known as the greatest musicals in history.
Since opening, Miss Saigon has been successfully produced in many cities around the world including Stuttgart and Toronto, where new theatres were designed specifically to house the show. In December 1994 the London production became the Theatre Royal's (Drury Lane) longest running musical, eclipsing the record set by My Fair Lady.
After a tour of the six largest venues in the British Isles and Ireland, the production was redesigned so that it could be accommodated in smaller theatres. This 'new' tour started in July 2004.
The show was inspired by a photograph inadvertently found by Schönberg in a magazine of a Vietnamese mother leaving her child at a departure gate at Tan Son Nhat Airport to board a plane for the United States of America where her father, an ex-GI, would be in a position to provide a much better life.
Lea Salonga originally starred as Kim, with Simon Bowman as GI Chris. Another major role is that of "The Engineer", the Vietnamese pimp. There was a controversy when the production transferred from the West End to Broadway when Actors' Equity refused to allow the white British actor who had played the Engineer, Jonathan Pryce, to recreate the role because "it would be an affront to the Asian community". However, after pressure from the producer Cameron Mackintosh, the general public, and many of its own members, Actors' Equity was forced to reverse its decision, and Pryce starred alongside Salonga and Willy Falk (as Chris) when the show opened.
Lea Salonga won a Tony Award for "Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical" in 1991; however the show was pipped to the award for 'Best Musical' by Will Rogers Follies.
Notable songs include "Movie In My Mind", "The Last Night Of The World", "I Still Believe", "The American Dream" and "Why God, Why?"
Miss Saigon is currently in national and regional productions across the United States. The current state of affairs in the world, especially the United States, have granted it greater meaning and relevance.
Synopsis
Miss Saigon is a 'modern' adaptation of Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" that is set against the backdrop of the end and aftermath of the Vietnam War.
The protagonist, Kim, is a young and beautiful girl of 17. She comes from an unnamed village in the "country" that was devastated and destroyed by a napalm firestorm during the war. Her home is destroyed and her parents are immolated beyond recognition. Having no choice, Kim flees to Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, to survive somehow.
Act 1
The story begins in Saigon, 1975. Upon her arrival, Kim is greeted by the Engineer, a French-Vietnamese pimp who owns a club that caters to American soldiers. He takes her under his wing, gives her a job and introduces her to the other girls. Reluctantly, they help her get ready for the night's show at the club. They all long to be 'Miss Saigon' - the favored dancer of the evening who is raffled off to spend a night with whomever claims the winning ticket. All the girls share a common desire - In order to live a better life, they wish to be rescued by an American soldier and taken home as their wife.
The Engineer welcomes the American soldiers and the show starts at the club. The soldiers are excited and have their minds off the war and are looking for a good time. Here, we are introduced to Chris, a young, disenchanted soldier. We also are introduced to his good friend and commanding officer John. Knowing they are going to leave Vietnam soon, John attempts to buy Chris a girl for the evening. However, Chris seems completely uninterested in the idea and does not pay much attention to the girls. The girls all flaunt themselves and their talents for the GI's in an attempt to claim the title of Miss Saigon. As soon as Kim starts speaking, Chris notices her immediately and is struck by "love at first sight".
Gigi, the "head" dancer, wins the crown for the evening. She begs the marine who won the raffle to take her back to America. He degrades her and refuses. As the soldiers dance with their girls, Gigi and Kim reflect within themselves and dream of their desire for a normal, happy American life.
John, noticing Chris' infatuation with Kim, talks to the Engineer and buys the virgin Kim and a room for the night. Chris is completely reluctant and disgusted that someone like Kim could be bought for the price of a 'big-mac'. However, he gives in and is placed back to back with Kim. They then simultaneously turn around to greet each other for the first time. They begin dancing over a slow jazz song led by a solo saxophone. Despite Chris' reluctance, and Kim's nervousness, they admit they like each other and retreat to the rented room to have sex (which is obviously implied and not shown).
In the middle of the night, Chris lays awake, watching Kim's body. He is completely enchanted with her and begins to ask God why he found something so beautiful in the nightmare of Vietnam. He runs from the room in an attempt to leave, but his conscience and his heart bring him back to the room. He gives Kim money and she tells him that it is her first time sleeping with a man. Chris thinks she is lying and doesn't believe her. Kim proceeds to tell him the story of how her parents died. Chris asks her where she will be for the night. Kim says she will be at the club selling herself. Chris admits he cares for Kim and asks her to stay with him. She immediately accepts. The two fall madly in love with each other.
Chris calls John on the telephone and asks for more time off to spend with Kim. John initially refuses and explains to Chris all he has been missing - all leave has been canceled. Saigon is falling apart. Cities in the boondocks are being overtaken by the Vietcong. Wives and civilians will be shipped out from Vietnam soon. Thieu, the leader of South Vietnam has resigned and the new regime is very fragile. The South Vietnamese believe the marines will be sending more troops - but they will not. John orders him to come back, but Chris calls in a favor and gets another day with Kim.
Chris meets up with the Engineer for a pre-arranged trade for Kim. Chris attempts to give the Engineer six weeks pay in exchange for Kim, but the Engineer tries to weasel out a visa from him. At gunpoint, the Engineer agrees to his original deal. The Engineer desires to leave Saigon as soon as possible and foresees the impending doom that will fall upon the city.
Apparently, Kim and Chris have agreed to be married. The girls from the club help Kim hold the ceremony and decorate her apartment. The wedding is of an unstated faith, although apparently Vietnamese in nature. Kim pays reverence to her deceased parents and asks them to bless their love. The two are then married. Out of nowhere, Kim's cousin, Thuy, has arrived from North Vietnam to 'rescue' Kim before the fall of Saigon. In a rage, Thuy reveals that Kim was promised to be his wife by Kim's father and uncle. Kim refuses. Thuy, his cohorts, and Chris all pull out their guns. Thuy denounces the entire group of girls, Kim and Chris. He leaves under the threat of Chris' gun and with strong words points out that Kim is cursed for breaking her father's word.
After the celebration (and confrontation) end, Kim is devastated and believes Chris will leave her. Chris says that he will leave, but that he is going to take Kim with him. The two share a dance against a fully orchestrated version of the jazz song that was playing when they first met and danced. They dance like it is "the last night of the world", hold each other and kiss.
The story moves forward to 1978, Saigon. (Please be aware the play revisits the past in order to explain the story - hence you may notice some missing elements of the plot before you get up to their introduction to us in the order of scenes) Three years have passed. The communist North Vietnamese forces have overtaken the South completely as the United States leaves the war. Saigon is renamed Ho Chi Minh City. Passing by soldiers, we meet the Engineer once again. He is 'brainwashed' by the communist forces but remains unaffected. He is stopped by soldiers and Thuy, now a commissar in the army. He enlists the Engineer to search for Kim, who disappeared when the communists shut down the bars.
To our horror and dismay, we learn that Kim has been left behind by Chris. She is living in hiding in an impoverished area along with other girls from the bar. She is still completely in love with Chris and dreams of him coming to save her, and reassures herself that he will come. At the same time, we learn Chris has returned to America. He has also taken a new wife, Ellen. He is constantly waking up in the middle of the night screaming Kim's name.
The engineer locates Kim and brings Thuy to her. Thuy explains that he has searched three years for her, and asks her to come with him and become his wife. She refuses. She explains that she has kept her vows to Chris despite his absence, and for a very important reason - Kim shocks Thuy by introducing him to her three year old son, Tam, the result of Kim and Chris' first meeting. Infuriated, Thuy demands that Kim marries him. He also demands that Tam must be killed, as he would bring nothing but prejudice and suspicion to Thuy. Kim outright refuses. Thuy holds Tam back from Kim, and holds a knife up in the air, ready to kill him. Kim pulls out a gun and warns Thuy that she will kill to save the life of her child. Thuy thinks she is bluffing and that she does not know how to kill. He motions to stab the child and Kim shoots Thuy. Thuy dies from his wound. Kim cradles his body and cries.
Kim runs out to the Engineer and tells her what she has done. The Engineer wants nothing to do with it and refuses to help her. She then reveals to him that Chris is Tam's father. Enchanted, the Engineer is immediately allured by the boy - Whom he views as a literal passport to the United States. He tells Kim that from now on, he is the boy's uncle, and that he will take them with him across the sea to Bangkok, where he intends to sell fake Rolex watches in an attempt to get to America. Kim swears to Tam that she would give her life to see him have a better life, and the three set out onto a ship with other crying and suffering emigrants.
Act 2
1978, Atlanta, Georgia. John now works for a company that tries to locate and return Bui-Doi to their American parents. Bui-Doi are "the dust of life" - offspring of American soldiers and Vietnamese women who were left behind in Vietnam. Under communist rule, they are treated miserably, held in camps, and suffer injustice and prejudice. John is leading a conference, in which he and other veterans plead with his audience to help him in his struggle to save these poor souls. A montage of clips is played behind him that exposes the suffering these children face. Chris is present in the audience with his wife on the invitation of John.
John meets up with Chris and Ellen after the presentation. John pulls Chris away from Ellen. He says he has something to tell Chris. Chris refuses to listen at first and simply asks if Kim is alive. Telling Chris that he has to read the report, John reveals to Chris that Kim is still alive. Chris senses there is more to know - and John reveals that Kim has a child, and Chris has a son. Chris is heartbroken and explains that he envisioned such a thing in his nightmare. He is terrified over the situation - he has a new wife with Ellen, and has no idea what to do or how to tell Ellen. John tells him that Chris and Ellen must both go to Bangkok to meet with Kim.
1978, Bangkok. The Engineer has been reduced to attracting visitors to enter a strip-club for little pay. Kim works once again as a dancer here. Chris, Ellen and John have all traveled to Bangkok in search of Kim. John walks into the club, and after a few moments, the Engineer realizes who he is. It is revealed that the Engineer is the one who sent the report about Kim and Tam to John's organization. The Engineer is thrilled at John's arrival and foresees himself getting into America. Kim is shocked to see John and senses that her troubles are all over. She wants nothing more than to see Chris. John attempts to tell Kim about Chris' situation. John explains that Chris was devastated by his loss of Kim and spoke to no one for a year, and that Chris finally gave up and tried to start a new life. Before John can explain to her that he has remarried, Kim begs John to take him to the United States. John tells her that Chris has arrived with him. Overjoyed, Kim reveals to her son that his father is here. She speaks of how her dreams have been fulfilled and how she cannot wait to see Chris. She claims even God wants her and Chris together.
John attempts to bring Chris to Kim. The Engineer doesn't trust him and forces Kim to go look for Chris at his hotel. Kim prays to her deceased relatives to help her in her future journey to the United States with Chris. The Engineer and Kim have it set that they are finally free.
Before Kim sets out in search of Chris, she is confronted (most likely within her own mind) by the ghost of Thuy. Thuy taunts Kim and reminds her of her curse - That she will never be free as long as his ghost remains. Thuy's ghost prophesies that Chris will betray Kim. Kim suffers an intense, horrible flashback of the last day she saw Chris.
1975, Saigon. Chris and Kim have made plans to leave together. There is utter chaos as the Vietcong approach the city. One of Chris' commanding officers help get Kim out of the country (They are not officially married in the typical US sense). Chris is due at the embassy during the turmoil and leaves Kim behind at her apartment to stay and pack. He leaves his gun with him (She used this gun to kill Thuy). Almost immediately after Chris enters the embassy, the gates are closed. Orders from Washington are for a total and complete evacuation of the embassy. The ambassador freezes the entrance of Vietnamese to the Embassy. Aware of the situation, Kim reaches the gates of the embassy and begs the guards to let her inside. Meanwhile, Chris is trying to reach her at her apartment. Kim , along with countless other hopeless civilians are begging for entrance into the embassy and attempting to climb the gates despite being held at gunpoint by marines. John and other soldiers all try to prevent Chris from leaving to find Kim. John is eventually forced to punch Chris in the face to knock him out. The worst happens - Chris is forced onto one of the very last helicopters leaving the US Embassy (possibly the last). Devastated, Kim pledges her love to Chris 'against all odds'. The helicopter takes off with Chris screaming Kim's name.
1978, Bangkok. Kim is reflecting upon her memories of Chris. The Engineer reveals the exact location of his hotel and Kim flees to find him. Kim reaches the hotel and enters Room 117. She enters to find a woman; it is Ellen. Ellen confuses Kim with a maid. At first, Kim thinks she has found the wrong room at first, but then believes that Ellen must be John's wife. Ellen then asks Kim to come in, and explains to Kim that she is his wife. Kim is, in an instant, completely speechless and heartbroken. An argument begins between the two, and Kim on the outside refuses to believe the situation. She ensures to Ellen that Tam is Chris' child. Ellen explains that she will of course help the child. Kim demands that Ellen takes back Tam back to America. Ellen refuses, wanting children of her own. Infuriated, Kim demands that Chris must come at night to her place so that he can tell Kim to her face that she is leaving Tam behind.
Ellen herself is also devastated. She does not know what to do, now that she has actually seen Kim and her pain. She realizes Kim is not 'some fling from long ago'. She expresses her love for Chris and her desire to fight for his love if she has to. Chris returns with John, who went to find Kim at her place. Ellen is upset and explains to Chris that she had to tell Kim she was his wife, and criticizes Chris for not revealing that he was, in truth, married to Kim. Chris breaks down into tears and tells Ellen of what happened in Vietnam. Ellen asks Chris to make a choice - her or Kim. They pledge their love for each other. Chris admits that his actions in Vietnam have turned out to be nothing but a huge mistake.
Meanwhile, the Engineer dreams of his new life in America. He, Chris, John, and Ellen all then go back to Kim's to find her.
Kim, in her place, is talking with her son. She tells him that their wait is over and for Tam to be happy that he has a father at last. Kim tells him that he has come to take him home to America and that all she dreamed for him, Chris will take care of. She tells Tam that she can't go along, but however far away she is, she will be watching over him. She tells him she swore she would see this moment. She realizes the others are trying to decide what will happen with Tam. She tells Tam that it will be her alone who decides his fate. She tells Tam to look at her one last time, holds him in her arms and kisses him on the forehead. She tells Tam goodbye and sends him out of the room. Kim stares at her family shrine, overcome with horror and sorrow. In a moment of intense desperation, she takes Chris gun, holds it up against her chest and pulls the trigger. Chris, Ellen, The Engineer, John, and Tam all rush into the room at the sound of the gunshot. Chris runs to Kim and holds her in his arms. He asks her why she has shot herself, and she explains that the gods have guided him to his son, and asks Chris to hold her one last time. She echoes a phrase uttered earlier when they first fell in love: "How in one night have we come so far?". She then dies in Chris' arms. Everyone is speechless. Chris breaks down into tears and screams as he holds Kim.
Curtain falls.
See also
External link
- Official website (http://www.miss-saigon.com/)
- Template:Ibdb titleja:ミス・サイゴン