INTRODUCING THE MISS SAIGON CAST

The Australian producers are very proud to announce that Miss Saigon features 34 talented Australian artists, plus two of the stars of the Miss Saigon international companies – Leo Valdez (‘The Engineer’) and Laurie Cadevida (‘Kim’).
 
Leo Valdez has played ‘The Engineer’ in over 2000 performances in five countries. Laurie Cadevida is playing ‘Kim’, as she has done on the US Tour of Miss Saigon for the past three years.  David Harris, well known in Australian musical theatre, plays the role of ‘Chris’.  Juan Jackson, who has joined the company following three years with the Australian Opera, performs the role of ‘John’.  
 
There are eight local Sydney children sharing the role of "Tam"

Leo Tavarro Valdez - playing The Engineer

At six, Leo sang solo "God Bless You Merry Gentlemen" in his church Christmas program. Later, encouraged by his mother, he won singing honors at school, and also in Port Washington High School, Wisconsin, USA where he spent time as an American Field Service Scholar. After three years at University studying architecture, he went on to become one of the Philippines' best known performers. His name there is a byword in radio, television and in the world of musical theatre. He has won three Best Male Performer Awards from ALIW, the country's highest entertainment award-giving body. The Philippine National Press Club Annual TINIG (Voice) Awards named him three times as "one of the most outstanding singers in the country".

He has released six record albums, three of which have turned gold. Leo represented the Philippines in the first Asian Song Festival where he won the grand prize. He was awarded the best singer award and the song “Magsimula Ka” won the best song award. He is at ease performing before an intimate crowd or at the big stadiums of 20,000 or more, and has done shows and concerts all over Asia, Europe and America. His theatre credits include Ravana in "Ramahari", and the Good God Manama in "Tales of the Manuvu", both presented by the Cultural Centre of the Philippines. He has starred in the most successful musical extravaganzas at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre: "Hindi Kita Malimot", "Dahil Sa Iyo", "Gomburza”, "Ewagan" and "Sarungbanggi" where the audience honored the cast with standing ovations at every performance. 1993 was a major turning point when he played the role of Jean Valjean in a repertory Philippines production of "Les Misérables".

The acclaim of critics and the audience gave him encouragement to audition for “The Engineer” in one of the most successful theatre productions of all time, "Miss Saigon". He played the role for almost a year at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. Back in the Philippines he essayed the role of Freddie Trumper in the New Voice Company production of "Chess, The Musical". In 1996, Leo reprised the coveted role of “The Engineer” in the Sydney production of "Miss Saigon". After the stint in Sydney, Leo was busy doing television shows and concert tours all over the Philippines. Concert tours of major cities in Asia, Australia, and America followed before Leo returned to "Miss Saigon" in London, playing “The Engineer” for the next two years until the production closed in October 1999. Leo also starred in the sell-out production of "Miss Saigon" in the Far East (Manila, Hong Kong & Singapore) for a year and reprised the role for the two year UK National Tour right after he was honored in his country with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the field of Performing Arts. Whenever the opportunity arises he is most happy doing charity fund-raisers either for the church or civic minded groups helping the underprivileged. Ever thankful of the support of his family and friends, Leo credits the Divine Almighty for all the wonderful things that he has been continuously blessed with.

Laurie Cadevida - playing Kim

Laurie Cadevida, born and raised in Los Angeles, Califonia, will play the role
of Kim.  Other Miss Saigon productions and shows she has been a part of include: US National Tour (Kim), the Armory Theatre (Kim) and Aida
(Amneris), Lenape PAC (Mimi/Kim u/s), the Pajama Game (Poopsie) and the Robberbride Groom. Laurie was a two-time champion on PAX TX's Ed McMahon's Next Big Star and has performed in LA venues such as the Staple's Center and Dodger Stadium.

David Harris - playing Chris

David is fast becoming one of Australia’s leading men of musical theatre with major roles in many shows to his credit. These include Jimmy in the Australian premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Prez in The Pajama Game, Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof and Malcolm in The Full Monty.

David was privileged to work directly with Richard Maltby Jnr and David Shire on their new musical Take Flight, playing Orville Wright. He also worked with Andrew Lippa on The Wild Party playing Oscar, and John in John & Jen during Adelaide’s annual Cabaret Festival. Other credits include Rick in the Melbourne season of Debbie Does Dallas – The Musical, Scott in Nick Enright’s Blackrock and Gilliam in Camelot for The Production Company. He understudied and performed the role of Sky in Mamma Mia!, was an original cast member in The Boy From Oz, in which he understudied and performed the role of Greg Connell and was a core actor for Freewheels Theatre Company.

David performed in the opening celebration of Hong Kong Disneyland and toured with Michael Ball as backing vocalist on his Australian World of Musicals tour. In cabaret with the late Bobby Limb, David received a MO Award for Best New Talent; he has also performed as lead vocalist onboard P&O’s Fair Princess cruise ship.

His television credits include Blue Heelers, Neighbours and numerous advertising campaigns for both Australia and the U.S. He also made his film debut in South Pacific with Glenn Close and Harry Connick Jnr.

Juan Jackson - playing John

Juan Jackson toured extensively as Sportin' Life in Porgy and Bess for Houston Grand Opera. He made his Australian debut in Showboat and then starred as Old Deuteronomy in the touring production of Cats for the Really Useful Company.

Recently, Juan has appeared as soloist with the Australian Pops Orchestra in concert of American Musical Theatre featuring selections from Showboat and Oklahoma, with ChamberMade Opera in From the Lip and Toorma, Der Kaiser von Atlantis with the Geminiani Orchestra, and in a program of Brahms (Liebeslieder Op 52 and Neue Liebeslieder Op 65) for the Australian National Academy of Music in their Rush Hour Concert Series.

In January 2002 Juan made his debut with the Melbourne Theatre Company in Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth, and was recently featured in Man of La Mancha for SEL/Gordon Frost Organization. Later that year, he appeared in two world premieres - Michael Easton's The Obelisk and Michael Hird's The Widow of Ephesus for the Port Fairy Spring Music festival. In December, Juan Starred in Moonlight over Manhattan at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney.

In 2003, Juan appeared as Ronnie in Hair for The Production Company's National Tour and then accepted a fulltime contract with Opera Australia. Since then he has appeared as an Opera Australia and has had the opportunity to perform several covers and roles including Camille in Merry Widow.

RJ Rosales - playing Thuy

RJ’s professional career started when he joined the ensemble of the original Australian production of ‘Miss Saigon’ in 1996, a major turning point for RJ who was a banker with a BS Mathematics degree. Afterwards, he moved to Singapore and has established himself as a much- sought- after artist both in theatre and television. His theatre credits include lead roles in ‘Chang and Eng- the Musical’ (Singapore, 99,’01, Thailand ‘01 and Malaysia ’02), ‘The Student Prince’, ‘Man of Letters’, ‘Cabaret , and ‘Forbidden City’. TV credits are Channel 5’s ‘ABC’s of Health’, ‘Spin’ and recently ‘Style Doctors’.

In the  concert scene, he has performed to sold out solo concerts at the Jubilee Hall, the Esplanade Concert Hall and at The Waterfront, DBS Theatre, and numerous Community Chest Charity Galas. Other accolades include several print and tv ads.

RJ’s career in the Philippines is also extensive, as a singer, actor, host celebrity endorser and recording artist and has worked with the biggest names in the country. He has appeared in numerous TV shows, live concerts and theatre productions, and recorded for various soundtracks. Recently, he was seen in the MMFF Best Movie for 2005, “Blue Moon” where he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

He has also held concerts  in the US, Australia, Japan and Thailand(with the Bangkok Symphonic Orchestra).

As a recording artist, he recorded the single ‘A Perfect World’ and the complete recording of ‘Chang and Eng-the Musical’ in Singapore. And in the Philippines,  the hit movie theme song, ‘Together Forever’ ,and his single ‘Tulad Ng Dati’ a top 10 Hit in YESfm’s Chart, with its music video making it to the top5 in KoolFM’s countdown. Currently his ‘Tulad ng Dati’ MTV can be seen on TFC (The Filipino Channel) around the world.

RJ is thrilled to be back home in Australia and to be again part of the production which started it all for him. Proudly taking on the role of Thuy this time, the critically acclaimed international artist has indeed come full circle.

Sarah Landy - playing Ellen

Sarah Landy has returned to the Australian stage for Miss Saigon after five years of performing abroad.  She played the leading roles of Pearl, Ashley and Dinah in the German production of Starlight Express.  Then moved to London’s West End to play Sophia and 1st cover Annette in Saturday Night Fever.  Sarah’s other musical credits include the Australian production of Mack ‘N’ Mabel, the roles of Cosette from Les Miserables and Maria from West Side Story for the Jose Carreras Aids benefit Gala in Europe. Additionally, Sarah recorded a number of vocal projects, including Through my Eyes with Lothair Eaton and the New Songs of Starlight Express with Phil Edwards.

Sarah continued her travels around the globe as the lead vocalist aboard the world cruise liner M.S Amadea.  

She has also enjoyed a variety of success in film & television productions including the 3D short movie Starlight Express the races currently used in both the U.S and U.K productions, also performing on the popular Paul O’Grady Show in the United Kingdom, and can be seen in a series of “Ford” car commercials aired across Europe.

Some of her other career highlights have included performances alongside, Nana Mouskouri – Live in Concert, Sister Sledge, Delta Goodrem for the German music awards, Caroline O’Connor and the Rhumba Dance festivals in both Sydney and Melbourne. 

Sarah’s training at the Victorian Ballet School, Dance World 301 and the Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music has served her well in her travels and is delighted to join the Australian production of Miss Saigon in the role of Ellen.  She would like to dedicate this performance to her parents Rhonda and Merv for their never ending support and encouragement and to her nephew Nicholas, the up and coming performer of the family! 

Jennifer Trijo - playing Kim

Jennifer Trijo was born in Manila, Philippines and despite having been raised in Sydney, Australia; she is still fluent in her native tongue.  Miss Saigon is Jennifer’s debut in professional theatre.  She has just completed her 3rd year at the University of New South Wales studying a double degree in Music and Education.  She will complete her final year upon completion of this tour.  She is also a dedicated chorister having been a member of the Collegium Musicum Choir for 3 years.  Outside of her studies, she participates in workshops to further improve her skills including NIDA’s Voice Intensive; and an Alexander Technique Acting workshop run by David Letch at Screenwise. 

Jennifer has been involved in community theatre and her credits include: the role of Linda Low in Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song (Aha Productions); and Bizet’s Carmen-The Musical (Alexander Productions) at Sydney Theatre. She is also a very proactive performer in the Filipino and Australian community and has been a supporting act for many prominent Filipino artists during their Sydney Tours including: Kuh Ledesma; Zsa Zsa Padilla; Vina Morales; The Hunks; Martin Nievera; Gary Valenciano; Southborder; and Nina. She holds pageant titles including Miss Philippine Independence 2001, and Miss Teen Philippines Sydney 1999, as well as being the pioneer recipient of the Good Shepherd Performing Arts award 1999. 

Jennifer has recently begun to make a name for herself in the Cabaret Circuit after garnering several talent quest titles over the years resulting in performances of solo cabaret sets at venues including Illawarra Catholic Club; Cabbravale Diggers; and Toukley RSL.  She has been a featured vocalist in Wayne Cornell’s touring “Back to the Tivoli” shows at Twin Towns Services Club; Central Coast Leagues; and Casino RSL.  Jennifer has been a singer in the Showband “Family von Trapp” for 2 years beginning in 2005 and has performed extensively throughout the Eastern Coast of Australia in Corporate and Club performances.