[NEohioPAL]Berko review: MISS SAIGON (Beck Center)

[Roy Berko]

‘MISS SAIGON’ TRIUMPHS AT BECK CENTER

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


In the last couple of years The Beck Center has been
establishing itself as a major production house in the
Cleveland area.  This march continues as the theatre
has undertaken to stage the very difficult ‘MISS
SAIGON’ as its summer production.  It is a difficult
show to stage because it requires superb singing
voices, a charismatic connection between the lead
performers, complicated set changes, and the need for
a great number of male actors.  The Beck production
succeeds on most of these levels.

Set in 1975 during the final days leading up to the
American evacuation of Saigon, the multi-award winning
show is from the hands of Alain Boublil and
Claude-Michel Schönberg who also  wrote ‘LES
MISÉRABLES.’‘   

It is the story of two young lovers torn apart by the
fortunes of destiny and held together by passion and
the fate of a small child.   As one of the authors
said, “We have an epic tale still to tell, but we also
hope that when we focus on the passionate longing of a
woman for her lover, and her unconquerable love for
her son; when the Saigon pimp hurls himself
demonically into action; when we are with real people:
spurned lover, helpless children, the ones who matter
- then the surroundings are put into perspective.”

The score contains "The Heat is On in Saigon," "The
Movie in My Mind," "Why God Why?," "Sun and Moon,"
"The Last Night of the World,""I Still Believe,"
"Bui-Doi," and "The American Dream."

The Beck production, under the able direction of Scott
Spence is impressive.  The show moves quickly, builds
in all the right emotional levels, and leaves the
audience fulfilled.  

The most important elements in the production are the
astoundingly good singing voices of the cast. 
Everyone from the leads to the male chorus is
impressive.  Especially talented are Robin Lee Gallo
as Kim, the Vietnam girl who falls in love with Chris,
an American GI.  She is matched in her vocal abilities
by Connor O’Brien, whose singing of “Bui-Doi” and “Why
God, Why?” were among the show’s highlights.  Gallo
and O’Brien are totally believable and convey an
interpersonal charisma that is captivating.   Their
renditions of “Sun & Moon” and “Last Night of the
World” were wonderful.  

Also vocally strong are Ian Atwood, as Chris’s friend
John and Maggie Stahl-Wirfel as Chris’s wife Ellen and
Paul Floriano who is quiet good as  the sleezy
Engineer.

Choreographer Martin Cespedes does his usual excellent
job and musical director Larry Goodpaster’s orchestra
not only played well, but backed up the singers rather
than drowning them out.  

There are a few problems with the show.  Don McBride’s
sets didn’t work well.  He usually has a clear
concept.  This time the set was a series of disjointed
platforms the vital helicopter effect was missing. 
No, we don’t have to actually see the machine hovering
above the stage but we must hear it, we must know of
its presence. The few flashing lights didn’t work.  
As one of the authors states, “The helicopter, which
plucks Chris away from Kim as it pulls the last
Americans from Vietnam, stands as a symbol for all
those irresistible forces that rend nations apart and
split one individual from another. Our musical asks
you to consider the countless small tragedies which
have been imposed on millions of ordinary people by
governments whom we like to think we control, but who
seem locked into a constant spiral of hostility. The
story ends tragically, but I hope what will endure
after the curtain falls are the things that matter:
love, honesty, determination, self-confrontation,
courage, energy, life.”

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  In spite of some minor flaws, The
Beck production of ‘MISS SAIGON’ is powerful staging
with a strong emotional effect.  This is not light,
escapist theatre.  It is a meaningful and important
story that is well told, well, sung and well acted. 
It deserved the standing ovation it received.

For tickets to ‘MISS SAIGON’ which runs through August
15, call 216-521-2540.


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Roy Berko's web page can be found at royberko.info and many of his theatre and dance reviews appear on artscleveland.net.


		
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