Love and Other Casualties of War - Miss Saigon

Published on: 5/4/2012

What I've gathered, the Vietnam War was a Cold War era military conflict that occured in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from November 1, 1955 through the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.  While growing up hearing snatches about it, I was too young to grasp the enormity of this situation.  However, as I grew, I do recall a few things that were hard to ignore: the unrest, riots and volatile climate and an encounter I had with a Marine.

When I was twelve my sisters and I were returning home from a visit with my Dad in California.  On the return flight  I sat next to a Marine.  He talked with me some, drank some and told me he was going home to see his family before being shipped out to die.  I often wondered what happened to him.

When WCT announced its intent to bring Miss Saigon to its stage it was difficult to imagine.  Somehow, with the talented collective efforts of Miss Saigon's Director, Mark E. Schuster, cast and crew it made envisioning the crudeness, desperation and desolation war is, credible.  For those who are wondering, that includes the helicopter!  The set design was a brilliant backdrop as both set and cast moved smoothly and seemingly flawlessly, like a dance, through the scenes.  And while many lost their lives during this tragic period, the soldiers were not the only casualties.

Miss Saigon, running May 4-20, 2012, begins on a Friday night in Saigon, 1975.  At Dreamland, a popular after-hours club, everyone dreams of a better future in America.  Kim, a 17-year-old Vietnamese orphan, pins her hopes on her lover Chris, an American Marine.  Winner of eleven Tony awards, Miss Saigon is a tragic story of love and innocence lost, fueled by beautiful songs, including "The Movie in My Mind," "Sun and Moon," "I Still Believe," and "I'd Give My Life For You."

This legendary tale, the tenth-longest running musical in Broadway history, is also an unforgettable story.  FOR MATURE AUDIENCES, Miss Saigon, May 4-20, 2012, is a Pix Fix well-worth watching.  Bring a Kleenex.