Miss Saigon Returns to Singapore: Our Review of the Heartfelt Tale of Love, War, and Sacrifice
PUBLISHED August 28th, 2024 02:00 pm | UPDATED September 12th, 2024 04:49 pm
Do a quick Google search and you’ll learn that Miss Saigon is the “tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American love.” It’s a heart-wrenching love story with a plotline that might sound familiar. Yet, what sets it apart from the others, is its poignant exploration of humanity amid war, reconciliation, hope, and love. With a new cast and production, the multi-award-winning musical Miss Saigon returns to Singapore after 23 years, running until 29 September 2024 at the Sands Theatre. Though there were some hits and misses, the impressive stage sets and moving performances transported us right back to Saigon. So, what did we think? What did we love?
Miss Saigon, written by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, has graced stages worldwide since 1989, with this latest production debuting in 2014. While the love tragedy at its core is well-loved, I found myself wondering if it would be worth my time—especially when K-dramas already provide my fix of tear-jerking romances. True enough, the love story between Kim and her American soldier lover, Chris, did little to tug at my heartstrings. Perhaps it was the short build-up of their relationship or the sometimes overly drawn-out vocals and unclear diction in Kim’s singing.
Even so, the steamy staircase interaction between Kim and Chris certainly turned my face red. But it wasn’t just them—the entire stage set and cast set the stage ablaze with passion with the raw and raunchy vibes that fully illustrated bars and cabarets in war-torn Saigon.
More Than a Love Story
It almost felt like the love story wasn’t the focus here. What moved me most was the artful weaving of the Saigon war, the reunification, and the aftermath, together with the hopes and desires of people in a war-torn country. It’s relatable, especially in a time when news of conflict still reaches us in the 21st century.
“Wanting a better life” underpins many of the characters’ motivations. Kim and the other ladies of the night work in the hope of finding an American saviour, while the Engineer—essentially the pimp—schemes to buy his way into the land of dreams, America. And when the American soldiers leave in the huge helicopter replica (kudos to the set production!), the struggles and hopelessness of those left behind, as portrayed by the rest of the cast, stirred my emotions.
Parents may particularly relate to the scenes where Kim does everything for her child, even sacrificing her life. The American soldiers rallying for the Bui Doi—translated as Children of the Dust, referring to children fathered by American soldiers—also evokes a deep sense of longing to provide these children a better life in America.
The Star of the Show
Undoubtedly, the character who truly holds the story together is the Engineer, played by Seann Miley Moore. His dynamic portrayal—from comic relief to plot driver—alongside his captivating performance of “The American Dream,” made him the star of the show.
Moore’s performance magnifies the allure of the American dream, bringing to life the character’s ambitions and desires for a brighter future filled with the luxuries and freedoms of American life. His portrayal was so compelling that I could almost taste the sweetness of his desires.
For sure, Miss Saigon is not just another love tragedy; it weaves together intense reflections on love and sacrifice, hope and desire, and the consequences of war—all under the guise of a love story. So, don’t just read about it—watch it and experience it for yourself.
Miss Saigon runs in Sands Theater until 29 September, tickets start from S$60 onwards.
Top Image: Daniel Boud
