Miss Saigon - A Tragic Love Story Set During a Dark Period in History

We arrived at the Ordway Theater to a not so welcoming group of protesters that did not want the Ordway to present Miss Saigon. It seems that the protesters did not like the stereotyping of Asian women did not want to show to go on. This was my first time seeing Miss Saigon, so I didn't know what to think.  It is a tragic love story that was set in what most of us would agree was a dark time in history.
 
Miss Saigon tells the story of an American GI that falls in love in Viet Nam.  When the war ends, the GI Chris (played by Charlie Brady) and Kim (played by Manna Nichols) are separated and Chris must leave for the USA without his love Kim. Both Chris and Kim must move forward with their lives and a few years later, Chris, who is now married and has not told his wife about Kim, learns that Kim is alive and has his son.  There is no good solution for the situation and in the end, Kim fulfills the promise that she made to her son that she would die for him.

This was a nice show with great choreography and music.  The most powerful scene for me was Bui-Doi. In this scene the me sing with Jon (played by Nkrumah Gatling) The chorus of the song says:



They're called Bui-Doi

The Dust of life

Conceived in hell

And born is strife

They are the the living reminders

Of all the good we failed to do

We can't forget

Must not forget

That they are all

Our children too

It was sung with a video screen showing the bi-racial children left behind when the US left Viet Nam.

I also enjoyed the big production scene "The American Dream" The dancing Marilyn Monroe's were fun to watch.

As far as the protest goes, I respect their right to protest, but I have also seen and done enough theater to know that most theater stereotypes different ethnic and socio-economic groups.  Take a moment and think about the characters and plot lines in Les Miserables, West Side Story,  Billy Elliot, Memphis, Avenue Q. and Rent. 

While I find the material not to be suited for children, the themes explored in Miss Saigon are a part of our history and I respect the rights of those that feel uncomfortable with the themes to pass on Miss Saigon, I also respect the rights of those who want to enjoy a tragic love story set in a dark period of our history.If you are one of those that would like to enjoy a great production of Miss Saigon please visit www.ordway.org