Catch This Thrilling Performance of ‘Miss Saigon’ at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa
“Miss Saigon” at Segerstrom Center for the Arts did not disappoint fans and brought a colorful new perspective to this spectacular Broadway hit.
“Miss Saigon” starts in the days leading up to America’s exit from the Vietnam War and was created by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boubill, originally opening in the West End of London. You can catch the brand new tour now, at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. “Miss Saigon” has only gotten better with age as this performance is fresh, new, and jam-packed with representation and diversity. The original was made up of mostly white actors and some in yellowface. If you are informed and sensitive to social stereotypes, you couldn’t help but feel a bit on eggshells at the start, hoping that the performance represents the complexities of this moment in time, but this performance does indeed do the characters justice. These stories must be told as long as they aren’t the only stories of the Asian Diaspora being told. While everyone’s appreciation and interpretation of the performance is different, the cast gives a voice to many of the characters that were stuck in these real-life desperate situations. There were so many amazing moments in this show-stopping performance it’s hard to know where to start. This diverse and talented cast includes forty-two artists with amazing chemistry for the stage.
Emily Bautista plays Kim, a young Vietnamese woman on a journey for survival, and Anthony Festa stars as Chris, an American G.I, faced with finding peace within himself during a time of war. They both fall in love and are then torn apart by the fall of Saigon. Emily’s voice is compelling and captivating as she carries you through Kim’s journey of working for The Engineer, played by Red Concepción, as she suffers through the misogynist and seedy club life that she is forced to work in, to then falling in love with Chris, losing him as soldiers pull out of Vietnam and ultimately realizing she is pregnant with his child. Emily made sure that the audience could feel Kim’s love and heartache from beginning to end and her outstanding performance left you clinging to her every note. Anthony Festa brought you along Chris’ frustrating journey of war and loss to his emotional discovery of finding out that he is a father but already married to a woman in his new life back in the United States.
J. Daughtry is a talent to keep your eye on. Don’t be fooled by his character John’s rough and vulgar personality at the beginning of “Miss Saigon.” His character is a thread of strength woven throughout. Daughtry’s performance of “Bui Doi” was moving and current as visuals of the children who suffered through the Vietnam War are projected onto the stage as he reminds us that the children of soldiers with the women abroad “are our children too.” Daughtry’s voice is truly beautiful and attendees were on their feet roaring with praise.
Red Concepción’s performance as The Engineer was electrifying. His character is an absolute cynical scoundrel, but you love every minute of his performance as he shows you the various folds of The Engineer’s character using humor and emotion to bring understanding to the lack of resources and desperation that he endures. Red was born for the stage, nailed every scene and left you wanting more. He literally stole the show with “The American Dream” and with or without a set, he commanded the stage as he whisked you into his dream-like state of yearning for all that America has to offer, only to find himself alone on the stage with a single spotlight, still stuck in the hardships of his reality.
Speaking of sets, they were awesome. From “The American Dream” and its oversized Statue of Liberty motif, fancy cars, and sparkling lights to the huge helicopter scene as American troops are evacuated from Saigon, the energy of the sets will leave you at the edge of your seat. Please review the website for more information as there are some parental warnings as well as for light and sound for those who may be sensitive.
You absolutely do not want to miss this tour. Make sure to get your tickets below.
Tickets to “Miss Saigon” start at $26 and are available for purchase at SCFTA.org, by calling (714) 556- 2787 and at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For inquiries about group ticket savings for 10 or more, please call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236.
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