CLO Delivers Tragic Love Story of ‘Miss Saigon’ with Emotional Impact
By Pat Septak (WBVP/WMBA Radio News Director and Freelance Writer)
Love. War. Loss. Three reasons why one should have an ample supply of Kleenex in pocket while viewing CLO’s latest production of Miss Saigon, an opera-like musical that takes place during, and in the aftermath of, the Vietnam War.
Miss Saigon, which opened Tuesday at the Benedum Center in downtown Pittsburgh, is the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving a Vietnamese bar girl and an American G.I. The story is told through the eyes of Kim, the 17-year-old orphan who ends up as a “bar girl” catering to U.S. troops. While prostituting for the first time, Kim meets Chris, a U.S. Marine, at a sleazy nightclub called “Dreamland”. Chris is struck by Kim’s innocence and they quickly - and deeply - fall in love. After she is separated from Chris during the fall of Saigon, Kim finds herself alone, refusing to give up on love and holding on to the hope that she will one day be reunited with Chris. Eventually they do find each other again. But this time they both have a secret to share with each other: Chris, who never thought he’d see Kim again, has married an American woman. Kim, as Chris finds out, has a three-year-old son…and Chris is the father. With the effects of the Vietnam War continuing to shatter lives, Kim wants nothing more than to have her son move to America, where he’ll have a better life. Will she get her wish?
From the rousing chorus of opening number “The Heat Is On In Saigon”, CLO uses its strong ensemble and its realistic sets and props to the fullest to convey the heartache of war and its effects on mankind. Aaron Ramey and Ma-Anne Dionisio play the frustrated lovers. It’s quite apparent to the audience that these fine actors are seasoned professionals who have played these same roles before. They’re very convincing as two well-meaning people who get caught up in impossible circumstances. And their singing is beautiful.
Kevin Gray plays the Engineer, the likeable owner of Dreamland. Gary is very charismatic….as he steals many of the scenes with his manipulative and sleazy words and mannerisms. Vocally he is powerful, as exemplified in his song, “The American Dream”. Becca Ayers is believeable as Chris’ American wife…and Devin Haw, a 2007 CMU graduate, appears to be quite threatening and overtowering as Kim’s cousin, Thuy.
Arguably the best scene in this production is the helicopter evacuation scene that takes place during the fall of Saigon. Somehow the producers are able to bring that helicopter to life as Kim and other desparate Vietnamese pound at gates on either side. As I was sitting in the audience with my family, I began to think that I was actually there in the embassy yard when that helicopter landed.
Miss Saigon isn’t for everyone. There are very few spoken words, meaning most of the dialogue is sung. It’s a modern-day musical filled with colorful language and sexual innuendos. It’s certainly not for young children. And no doubt some adults will be disturbed by its abrubt and not-so-happy ending. But it is a story of love, war and loss that must be told. Just don’t forget to bring the Kleenex. (Runs through June 20 at the Benedum Center).