Musical-theater producer Cameron Mackintosh has finally shown the long-awaited film version of his hit stage musical, “Les Miserables,” so fans are nagging him about filming his other big hit, “Miss Saigon.” His guarded response: It depends on how well the “Les Mis” film does at the box office. Well, we heard, it is doing [...]
Many people are surprised when I inform them that talented Filipinos weren’t first noticed with “Miss Saigon.” Truth is, petite singer Cely Carillo and mestiza dancer Maureen Tiongco were the first Pinoys on Broadway.
Lea Salonga on her fellow “Miss Saigon” alumna Monique Wilson’s big coming-out as a gay woman: “It was no longer news to those of us who already knew. I laud her for coming out to her greater audience though. That isn’t ever an easy decision to make.”—Bayani San Diego Jr.
The original “Miss Saigon” Lea Salonga posted on Facebook: “I am slowly hearing about callbacks … I gotta say, nothing unexpected about the names of those returning [for another round]. Yay!” Once again, producers behind the mega-musical “Miss Saigon” are conducting Manila auditions, and some of those who have been asked so far to return [...]
Merlita Banayo, office employee: “Richard Yap is living proof that talent still wins out over age. At 45, he must be the oldest ‘newcomer’ who can still make women like me swoon each time his handsome tsinito mien is seen on ‘Be Careful With My Heart.’”
Hisotry repeats itself with the planned revival staging of “Miss Saigon” on London’s West End next year, in anticipation of which auditions will soon be held here. Naturally, the Filipino talents who clinched lead and supporting roles in the original show more than 20 years ago have a lot of tips for the new auditionees, [...]
Saying she is “very excited” to see who the next Kim will be in next year’s West End revival of “Miss Saigon,” Lea Salonga also told us she is “ecstatic” that Cameron Mackintosh and his team have decided to hold auditions in the Philippines.
As early as May this year, Cameron Mackintosh told us that he was looking for “fresh faces” for his new version of “Miss Saigon.” During our visit to the “Les Miserables” set at the Pinewood Studios in the UK, the producer of megamusicals said he would soon be scouting for talents, preferably under 20 years old.
Singer-actress Karylle, asked about her plan to audition for the coming revival of the West End musical “Miss Saigon”: “I always audition for roles that I want. I used to get embarrassed when I don’t get it, but that’s part of starting out in theater, so it’s not something I get embarrassed about now.
It was announced just a few days ago that the musical “Miss Saigon,” which originally opened in the West End in 1989, is going to be revived in the same venue in 2013. Auditions for various roles will be held in Manila from November 19-22 at Opera Haus in Makati, the Philippine Opera Company’s home base.
Roberto SEÑA grew up listening to his famous parents’ music. In fact, as a young boy, he vividly recalls how he had cried his lungs out the first time he saw his father, Robert Seña—playing Thuy in “Miss Saigon,” at the West End in London—get shot onstage, by a singing and screaming girl named Kim! Also featured in that lavish Cameron Mackintosh production was his mother, Isay Alvarez, who originated the role of Gigi.
QUITE a number of the original Pinoy talents who first figured prominently in the “Miss Saigon” musical in London have come home to share what they’ve learned from performing internationally.
