You will not touch him...
Warning - this is really long, and I don't know how to do that thing where you hyperlink something that's really long. Sorry people - use that scroll button!!
In case you haven't worked it out yet - I went to the first preview show of Miss Saigon at Her Majesty's Theatre last night. First thing's first: it was SOLD OUT. A musical. In Melboune. Sold out. I'm pretty sure Li Min took a photo of the big sign.
Okay, but cast your minds back to about 5pm yesterday arvo. Actually it was later than that, bcause I am always *cough* fashionably late for everything. But we went to Wanamama and ate noodles, because it was Julia's birthday. Which is a good excuse to eat noodles. I had this thing that ended in "-soba" or "-soda". I forget. But both make me laugh. Anyway it was this Vegetarian thing with Zucchini and snowpeas and mushrooms. And noodles. It was very good. Just a huge bowl. And the chopsticks were really small, so my hand was kind of locked in that weird chopstick position for about half an hour.
Then we walked over to Her Maj. It was rather cold. I'm very glad I stole Mum's jacket before she left. We tried skipping across the road in an attempt to somehow mis "I'll Cover You" with "Follow the Yellow Brick Road". Crashed into many people. Which isn't that surprising.
But I digress - the actual show! It was, in a word, amazing. But I need more than one word. First of all the production side of it. Everything ran so smoothly. The way the sets moved around was very clever and well done. The lighting was excellent as well - I loved the sun rising effect, I think it was during "Sun and Moon". I noticed it straight away because the woman in front of me's head was conveniently positioned right in front of Laurie and David. But it was fantastic!
Tha orchestra were flawless. They blended really well and most of the time were the right dynamic so that you could hear the vocalists clearly. They played very musically - I've heard production bands who just accompany. But these guys really played. The flute player was awesome as well! I want to play those Asian flutes!
Laurie Cadevida. Wow. I can't believe I've never heard of her. She was just all-round amazing as both an actress and a singer. Very reminiscent of Lea Salonga. But there was a lot of herself in the character as well. She took us on a journey with her - if the audience doesn't fall in love with Kim, then we don't feel for her as much with all of the horrible stuff that goes on. Our whole party was sobbing by the end! Laurie was so nice as well - she stopped and chatted with us afterwards. She really reminds me of my friend Clarissa.
David Harris was fantastic as Chris. You expect David to be fantastic though! He has very nice high notes, and he really draws you in when he sings - I didn't even realise at first that he hadn't sung the first line of "Why God Why". He was just so confident and in the role the whole time. Also a very nice guy - he asked how to spell my name!! No one does that!
Leo Tavarro Valdez was perfect for the Engineer. He had this presence and charisma about him that was just perfect. It was great to have some comic relief and done so well. I think we both loved and hated him at the same time!! Great voice as well. He put his own stamp on it, which was fantastic. Also asked how to spell my name!!
Lastly, but not leastly (is that a word??), Sophie Katinis was not at all what I was expecting from Ellen. But she was amazing!! I've always just assumed Ellen was much older, and obviously sounded it. But she didn't need to. She has a beautiful, polished young-sounding voice, and although at first I wondered, she was fantastic. The role suited her brilliantly. Her acting really stood out at me as well. Lovely person as well - in case you haven't guessed, me, Li Min and Sally were literally the only people seeking autographs at the stage door. It was great!
The rest of the cast was great as well, Juan Jackson as John, Christina Tan as Gigi, the kid playing Tam (awwww!! He did the cutest bow at the end!!) and the whole ensemble was awesome. A few little intonation issues from time to time with the ensemble, but hey, it was the first preview! They had a lot of energy. "The Heat is on In Saigon" in particular just made me want to get up there with them.
And Julia and Sally (and Li Min!), it was so great to finally meet you both!! After so much mucking around!
I'll end my rant now - it was FANTASTIC, and I'm so glad I've got tickets to go again already. Can't wait to see Jenifer Trijo as Kim!
In case you haven't worked it out yet - I went to the first preview show of Miss Saigon at Her Majesty's Theatre last night. First thing's first: it was SOLD OUT. A musical. In Melboune. Sold out. I'm pretty sure Li Min took a photo of the big sign.
Okay, but cast your minds back to about 5pm yesterday arvo. Actually it was later than that, bcause I am always *cough* fashionably late for everything. But we went to Wanamama and ate noodles, because it was Julia's birthday. Which is a good excuse to eat noodles. I had this thing that ended in "-soba" or "-soda". I forget. But both make me laugh. Anyway it was this Vegetarian thing with Zucchini and snowpeas and mushrooms. And noodles. It was very good. Just a huge bowl. And the chopsticks were really small, so my hand was kind of locked in that weird chopstick position for about half an hour.
Then we walked over to Her Maj. It was rather cold. I'm very glad I stole Mum's jacket before she left. We tried skipping across the road in an attempt to somehow mis "I'll Cover You" with "Follow the Yellow Brick Road". Crashed into many people. Which isn't that surprising.
But I digress - the actual show! It was, in a word, amazing. But I need more than one word. First of all the production side of it. Everything ran so smoothly. The way the sets moved around was very clever and well done. The lighting was excellent as well - I loved the sun rising effect, I think it was during "Sun and Moon". I noticed it straight away because the woman in front of me's head was conveniently positioned right in front of Laurie and David. But it was fantastic!
Tha orchestra were flawless. They blended really well and most of the time were the right dynamic so that you could hear the vocalists clearly. They played very musically - I've heard production bands who just accompany. But these guys really played. The flute player was awesome as well! I want to play those Asian flutes!
Laurie Cadevida. Wow. I can't believe I've never heard of her. She was just all-round amazing as both an actress and a singer. Very reminiscent of Lea Salonga. But there was a lot of herself in the character as well. She took us on a journey with her - if the audience doesn't fall in love with Kim, then we don't feel for her as much with all of the horrible stuff that goes on. Our whole party was sobbing by the end! Laurie was so nice as well - she stopped and chatted with us afterwards. She really reminds me of my friend Clarissa.
David Harris was fantastic as Chris. You expect David to be fantastic though! He has very nice high notes, and he really draws you in when he sings - I didn't even realise at first that he hadn't sung the first line of "Why God Why". He was just so confident and in the role the whole time. Also a very nice guy - he asked how to spell my name!! No one does that!
Leo Tavarro Valdez was perfect for the Engineer. He had this presence and charisma about him that was just perfect. It was great to have some comic relief and done so well. I think we both loved and hated him at the same time!! Great voice as well. He put his own stamp on it, which was fantastic. Also asked how to spell my name!!
Lastly, but not leastly (is that a word??), Sophie Katinis was not at all what I was expecting from Ellen. But she was amazing!! I've always just assumed Ellen was much older, and obviously sounded it. But she didn't need to. She has a beautiful, polished young-sounding voice, and although at first I wondered, she was fantastic. The role suited her brilliantly. Her acting really stood out at me as well. Lovely person as well - in case you haven't guessed, me, Li Min and Sally were literally the only people seeking autographs at the stage door. It was great!
The rest of the cast was great as well, Juan Jackson as John, Christina Tan as Gigi, the kid playing Tam (awwww!! He did the cutest bow at the end!!) and the whole ensemble was awesome. A few little intonation issues from time to time with the ensemble, but hey, it was the first preview! They had a lot of energy. "The Heat is on In Saigon" in particular just made me want to get up there with them.
And Julia and Sally (and Li Min!), it was so great to finally meet you both!! After so much mucking around!
I'll end my rant now - it was FANTASTIC, and I'm so glad I've got tickets to go again already. Can't wait to see Jenifer Trijo as Kim!