(From left) “Miss Saigon” lead cast Kiara Dario, Nigel Huckle, Abigail Adriano, Laurence Mossman, and Seann Miley Moore were joined by award-winning composer Claude-Michel Schönberg (center) during a media call. Image: Courtesy of GMG Productions
Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s “Miss Saigon” is not only a historic musical that put the Philippines on the map, but it’s also a timeless tragedy that built a “personal connection” with viewers for generations.
The story of Kim’s sacrifice to give her three-year-old son Tam a better life started on West End in September 1989. It was also staged in the Philippines at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in October 2000. The lead role was first portrayed by Lea Salonga in arguably, one of her biggest roles throughout her career.
Years later, Cameron Mackintosh-led production is returning to the Philippines with Filipina-Australian Abigail Adriano starring as Kim. Joined by her castmates Nigel Huckle (Chris), Seann Miley Moore (The Engineer), Laurence Mossman (Thuy), and Kiara Dario (Gigi), Adriano said performing in front of her countrymen is shaping up to be an “emotional homecoming” for her.
“Thanks to ‘Miss Saigon,’ Philippines is on the map. Being home in Manila is such an emotional homecoming for me. It’s been 35 years but look at the hype and the love for this show. Everyone has a personal connection to this story despite how universal it is,” she said during a media call.
Adriano kicked off the media call at The Theatre in Solaire by showing a peek at Kim’s vulnerability with a performance of “I’d Give My Life for You.”
Abigail Adriano as Kim. Image: Courtesy of GMG Productions
But apart from championing Filipino pride, Dario believes that the musical’s legacy speaks volumes to viewers due to its “multicultural cast” coming together to tell a story close to their hearts. She, herself, is a theater actress and a member of the P-pop girl group Daydream.
“We have people like Laurence and Seann from mixed families, and me who came from the Philippines to another country to fulfill their dreams,” she said. “The story of doing anything to give yourself a better life is so palpable and evident just from our cast members. It was such an amazing experience to hear the different stories.”
Dario noted that one of the reasons why “Miss Saigon” remains “so current” is due to its storytelling striking a chord on issues that matter such as “female exploitation and female power.”
“Coming to the Philippines where issues like female exploitation and female power are so evident in our daily lives, we see Kims, Gigis, and Engineers, and I think even if it’s set in a certain period, it’s still so current,” she said.
(From left) Seann Miley Moore, Laurence Mossman, Abigail Adriano, Kiara Dario, and Nigel Huckle during a “Miss Saigon” media call. Image: Courtesy of GMG Productions
Seeing themselves
Performing in the Philippines is also an “emotional” moment for the leads since it’s a time to showcase how Filipinos will see themselves through the cast. “We see many beautiful Asian theater artists and be where they are, being inspired by Lea Salonga. It’s the reflection you see onstage,” Mossman said.
“You see yourself on that stage. I’m really excited and I’m getting goosebumps seeing how the [Filipino audience] will see themselves reflected onstage,” he continued. “They will be the new generation and [they] will be interviewed in years to come because they saw this production.” Before this, Moore also pointed out that Asians deserve to tell their stories on “fabulous mainstages.”
The Australian-American Huckle doesn’t have an inch of Filipino blood in him, but he said the Philippines has been “close” to his heart as long as he can remember. His love for the country goes back to his Iloilo-born yaya, whom he always shared fond memories with.
“When I was little, I lived in Singapore and had a yaya who lives in Iloilo,” he said. “I was nurtured by a Filipino so early in my life. I loved being in the Philippines and reconnecting after many years. Nothing beats the feeling of being back here and being right in it. It’s special.”
(From left) Abigail Adriano and Nigel Huckle. Image: Courtesy of GMG Productions
Mossman, on the other hand, underscored that Filipinos are an “important part of society” which proves why the country deserves to be one of the rightful spots of the classic musical.
“On a personal and spiritual level, it feels amazing to be back in a show that is an important piece of art for Filipinos,” he said. “Filipinos are such an important part of society wherever we go. And what’s [striking] about them is the hospitality and love.”
Contrary to his flashy performance of “The American Dream,” Moore became emotional as he confessed that performing in the Philippines is a “full circle homecoming” as he and his castmates are given a chance to inspire an audience who looks like himself.
“I can’t express it in a sentence because the full circle is, and Abi and for some of us, is that it’s a homecoming,” he said while choking up. “My mom is originally from Makati, and we’ve been away for long. I’m back in my motherland [recently] and I saw my mom in her own soil doing her thing.”
Seann Miley Moore. Image: Courtesy of GMG Productions
This led to the theater actor looking back at how he fought for “diversity and queerness” because he was always seen as different in Australia.
“But to walk on the street in Boracay and just looking out here, I see me. And to do that onstage and see myself in the audience, it’s gonna be so new and I’m not gonna know until I do it. It’s good to be home. It’s the homecoming I want,” said Moore.
The Philippine staging of “Miss Saigon” will run from March 23 to May 12.