DONATE NOW El Segundo Playhouse Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities
FB  
  By Jeff Farve
6 May 2008

THEATRE REVIEW

Local production of 'Miss Saigon'
adds some fire to a hot play

Chris (Eric Kunze) and Kim (Jennifer Paz) plan their escape from Vietnam in "Miss Saigon." (Photo courtesy of Alysa Brennan)

There's an added layer of enjoyment watching the "Madame Butterfly"-inspired "Miss Saigon" among an audience that, for the most part, is unfamiliar with the story and music - in particular a production that's well-crafted and well-executed.

Unexpected tears and gasps filled the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center for nearly three hours as Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities proved, as it did a few seasons ago with "Into the Woods," that the company can meet Broadway standards with musically challenging works.

The 1989 follow-up to "Les Miserables" elevated creators Alain Boublil and Claude- Michel Schonberg to rare air by adding a second modern masterpiece to their repertoire. They have yet been able to make a third critical or commercial hit, but "Miss Saigon" remains fresh and thoroughly captivating.

CLOSBC wisely cast Jennifer Paz, who appeared as the tragic heroine, Kim, in the show's first national tour, and who has only improved over the last decade. And the company hit a home run by casting Kevin Bailey as the Engineer, who could give Tony-winning Jonathan Pryce a run for his money.

It's easy to forgive a few subtle set changes and technical issues with a production this difficult, particularly when director Stephanie A. Coltrin and her cast got all the important elements right.

Energy was high from the moment the curtain went up to reveal the seedy Dreamland Nightclub, run by the Engineer (Bailey) and frequented by Marines looking to crown one of the club's prostitutes Miss Saigon, and win a chance to take her to a back room.

But this first night, G.I. Chris (Eric Kunze) falls in love with a newcomer, Kim (Paz), who, with her home destroyed and her family killed, has no way to survive.

The two fall in love at first sight, but lousy timing - the impending fall of Saigon - forces the lovers apart. Regional theater favorite Misty Cotton portrays Chris' wife, Ellen, and Harrison White is Chris' best friend, John.

Those unfamiliar with the story, or "Madame Butterfly," should be aware that except for a few darkly comical comments by the Engineer, there are no laughs. But emotions are plentiful and powerful, most supplied by Paz, who injects strength into the vulnerable Kim.

When Paz sings, "I have a heart like the sea. A million dreams are in me," it's aching because it rings completely true.

Coltrin pushes the pace hard, allowing for breathing space only when necessary, such as with the quiet, remorseful, "The Movie in My Mind," and a delicate rendition of "The Wedding."

"I Still Believe" earns its showstopper status, thanks to the way Cotton's powerhouse vocals blend with Paz's.

Bailey, who as the Engineer maintains a hard edge without ever losing his likability, is extremely impressive. Bailey's face shows a mix of desperation and determination, and when he pours all his energy into the fantasy-driven "The American Dream," it's hard not to root for the smarmy Engineer.

Lucky Cardwell's set design, framed by collapsible fabric screens, is effective, despite a few pauses needed to switch out a few locales. And, yes, those who are wondering, the iconic helicopter and second-act Cadillac are present.

The helicopter landing, though impressive, wasn't needed for this "Saigon" to succeed, but CLOSBC pulled out all the stops, and deserves kudos for the results.

 

 

© 2012 Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities. All rights reserved.
A charitable arts organization 501(c)(3)
DONATE NOW


In Other CLO News!
STEPPING OUT:
CLO reaches milestone

BEACH REPORTER - FEB 16, 2011
Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities Presents SHE LOVES ME
BROADWAY WORLD - FEB 11, 2011
'She Loves Me' opens Civic Light Opera season
DAILY BREEZE - FEB 10, 2011
REVIEW:
Beehive - The ’60s Musicall

BACKSTAGE WEST - SEP 22, 2010
REVIEW:
Beehive

EASY READER - SEP 22, 2010
REVIEW:
‘Beehive’ a-buzz with delightful ’60s music

DAILY BREEZE - SEP 20, 2010
REVIEW:
South Bay 'Joseph' wears well

STAGESCENELA.COM - APR 27, 2010
REVIEW:
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

STAGESCENELA.COM - APR 27, 2010
REVIEW: Bark! The Musical Wolfs Louder
BROADWAYWORLD.COM
FEB 15, 2010

CLOSBC's new production:
A tail-wagging experience

EASY READER - FEB 11, 2010

STEPPING OUT:
Living A Dog's Life

BEACH REPORTER - FEB 10, 2010
'Oklahoma' is back by popular demand
DAILY BREEZE - SEP 14, 2009
REVIEW:
'Jesus Christ Superstar' Well worth the visit

BEACH REPORTER - APR 29, 2009
REVIEW:
Jesus Christ Superstar

BACKSTAGE WEST- APR 29, 2009
REVIEW:
'Jesus Christ Superstar' Exhilarating

DAILY BREEZE - APR 29, 2009
SUPERSTAR with Kunze, Foreman, Ashworth, Kellum and Tower
PLAYBILL - APR 22, 2009
REVIEW:
'The Full Monty'

BACKSTAGE WEST- FEB 18, 2009
CLOSBC announces 'Full Monty' cast
THEATERMANIA - JAN 27, 2009
CRITIC'S PICK!
'Fiddler On The Roof'

BACKSTAGE WEST - DEC 11, 2008
REVIEW:
WOW 'Fiddler On The Roof'

STAGESCENELA.COM - DEC 10, 2008
REVIEW:
'Fiddler On The Roof'

LA TIMES - DEC 9, 2008
REVIEW:
Praising 'Fiddler'

BEACH REPORTER- DEC 10, 2008
REVIEW:
'Fiddler On The Roof'

EASY READER - DEC 11, 2008
Traditional 'Fiddler' remains relevant today
AMERICAN CHRONICLE - DEC 7, 2008
'Fiddler' is full of tradition but remains relevant today
PRESS TELEGRAM - DEC 4, 2008
THEATRE PREVIEW
"Fiddler On The Roof"

EASY READER - DEC 4, 2008
Traditional 'Fiddler'
remains relevant today

DAILY BREEZE - DEC 4, 2008
STEPPING OUT
'Fiddler' Redux

BEACH REPORTER - DEC 3, 2008
'Miss Saigon' has
11 Ovation noms

LA TIMES
Ovation Nominations Say It With Music, CLO 'Miss Saigon' tops list with 11 Nominations
BACKSTAGE WEST - SEP 23, 2008
REVIEW:
'Bye Bye Birdie'
" Crowd Pleasing familiarity"

LA TIMES - SEP 27, 2008
REVIEW:
"Bye Bye Birdie...Outstanding"

EASY READER - SEP 25, 2008
REVIEW:
"WOW! Bye Bye Birdie!"

STAGESCENELA.COM - SEP 25, 2008
REVIEW:
Bye Bye Birdie
"Put On A Happy Face"

BACKSTAGE WEST -SEP 24, 2008
STEPPING OUT:
'Bye Bye Birdie'

BEACH REPORTER - SEP 18, 2008
Hello Birdie...In Redondo Beach
DAILY BREEZE - SEP 18, 2008
CLO Presents New Version of 'Bye Bye Birdie' directed by Mojica
BROADWAYWORLD.COM
SEP 17, 2008
REVIEW:
Miss Saigon "Brilliant!"

EASY READER - MAY 8, 2008
REVIEW:
Miss Saigon
"Heart-wrenching"

BEACH REPORTER - MAY 7, 2008
REVIEW:
Miss Saigon "Wonderful!"

STAGEHAPPENINGS.com - MAY 7, 2008
REVIEW:
Miss Saigon
"High-End Spectacle"

LA TIMES - MAY 6, 2008
REVIEW:
Miss Saigon
"Pulled Out All The Stops!"

DAILY BREEZE - MAY 6, 2008
'Miss Saigon' lands with it's helicopter and star-crossed lovers
PRESS-TELEGRAM - MAY 1, 2008
THEATRE PREVIEW:
'Miss Saigon'

EASY READER - APR 30, 2008
STEPPING OUT:
'Miss Saigon' Revisited

BEACH REPORTER - APR 23, 2008
REVIEW:
'Time'less Production

BEACH REPORTER - FEB 28, 2007
REVIEW:
CRITIC'S PICK
'Twice Upon A Time'

BACKSTAGE WEST - FEB 19, 2007
REVIEW:
TWICE UPON A TIME

LA TIMES - FEB 19, 2007
REVIEW:
'Twice Upon A Time'

BEVERLY HILLS OUTLOOK
- FEB 22, 2007
STEPPING OUT:
Lost In Time

BEACH REPORTER
- Feb 14, 2008
'Twice Upon a Time'
Staged Reading in L.A.

BROADWAYWORLD.COM
- Oct 31, 2007
REVIEW:
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN's
CINDERELLA

STAGESCENELA.COM - DEC 5, 2007
REVIEW:
MORE ENCHANTMENT!

LA TIMES - Dec 3, 2007
REVIEW:
CRITIC'S PICK
'Kiss Me Kate'

BACKSTAGE WEST - Oct 2, 2007
STEPPING OUT :
Kiss'ing in the Theatre

BEACH REPORTER - Sep 27, 2007
REVIEW:
'Annie Get Your Gun'

EASY READER - May 10, 2007
REVIEW:
No Stopping 'Annie'

BEACH REPORTER - May 9, 2007
REVIEW:
CRITIC'S PICK
'Annie Get Your Gun'

BACKSTAGE WEST - May 9, 2007
REVIEW:
'Annie Get Your Gun' is right on target

DAILY BREEZE - May 8, 2007
Broadway's Cotton, Bailey, Landman and Lee set for Annie Get Your Gun
PLAYBILL - Apr 4, 2007
REVIEW:
'Ladies' Takes Down
the House

BEACH REPORTER - Feb 22, 2007
REVIEW:
Sophisticated Ladies
Stylish, Sexy and,
yes, Sophisticated

LA TIMES - Feb 19, 2007
REVIEW:
'Sophisticated Ladies'
Sure has that Swing

DAILY BREEZE - Feb 19, 2007
On Stage: Goin' Uptown
CLO Takes the 'A' Train with Sophisticated Ladies

RAVE - Feb 16, 2007

Fleming To Star in
Sophisticated Ladies

PLAYBILL ONLINE - Jan 30, 2007

CLO Goes All Out for "Oliver"
DAILY BREEZE - Oct, 2006

Generous Benefactor
DAILY BREEZE - May 10, 2006
CLO Turns 15:
Kathy Hendrickson

DAILY BREEZE