16 October 2006

MISS SAIGON SET FOR MELBOURNE SEASON

Tickets will go on-sale Tuesday 28th November 2006 through Ticketek: 1300 795 012

THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER…

CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S ACCLAIMED NEW PRODUCTION OF BOUBLIL & SCHONBERG’S MISS SAIGON SET FOR MELBOURNE SEASON

The long awaited, critically acclaimed musical love story of the century, MISS SAIGON, is coming to Melbourne. Opening night is set for Thursday 29th March 2007 at the Her Majesty’s Theatre. 

Produced in Australia by Michael Coppel  & Louise Withers and Associates, Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of MISS SAIGON will engage Melbourne audiences with its intensely human but heartbreaking love story, whilst dazzling with its technical achievements. 

MISS SAIGON is one of the most successful musicals in the world. 

Seen to date by over 33 million people in over 25 countries, and having been performed in 12 different languages, it has won 30 international awards.

Since its London premiere in 1989 “MISS SAIGON” has become the third most successful musical in the history of British theatre and the longest running show ever to perform at the Drury Lane Theatre.

Cameron Mackintosh, best known for his highly successful productions of CATS, LES MISERABLES, and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, has created an entirely new version of MISS SAIGON, which is just as exciting and even more emotionally involving than his original production.

This thrilling new production of MISS SAIGON uses cutting edge visual techniques and a brilliant new set which vividly recreates the streets of Vietnam and Bangkok.  

When this production opened in the UK, it was immediately hailed as “better than ever – a theatrical night to remember” and has since received public and critical acclaim at every venue, regularly breaking box office records. This new version has been so successful that it has toured extensively in North America and throughout the UK.

MISS SAIGON has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jnr and Alain Boublil, adapted from original French lyrics by Alain Boublil. 

Set in 1975 during the final days leading up to the American evacuation of Saigon, MISS SAIGON is an epic love story about the relationship between an American GI (Chris) and a young Vietnamese woman (Kim).

The 36 member Australian cast will feature two international performers in the key roles of Kim and The Engineer. 

The producers are delighted to announce the following three major cast members:

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.

Australia’s own David Harris will play the male lead role of 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 the lead role of Jimmy in the Australian premiere of the critically acclaimed Thoroughly Modern Millie, Prez in The Pajama Game, Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof and Malcolm in The Full Monty.  

Juan Jackson will play the role of John, an American GI.  

Juan’s Australian debut was in Showboat and then he starred as Old Deuteronomy in the touring production of Cats for The Really Useful Company.  Other productions include Sweet Bird of Youth (MTC), Man of La Mancha, The Merry Widow (Camille) and Hair (Ronnie).   

The full cast of 36 will be announced at a later date.

Michael Coppel and LWAA are proud to be presenting MISS SAIGON in Melbourne. 

“This is an epic story of love and sacrifice, which resonates as much today as ever. 

The sweeping score and dramatic story of Miss Saigon will touch hearts and engage your emotions, and the spectacular staging and performances in this new production will exhilirate Australian audiences."

MISS SAIGON will commence previews at Melbourne’s beloved Her Majesty’s Theatre on March 17, 2007 in the lead-up to the gala opening night on March 29, 2007.