OWASCO - The capacity crowd at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse was thrilled to go to Vietnam.
Jennifer Meyers / The Citizen
From left, Sam Thomas, Nancy Thomas, John DiMatteo and Allison DiMatteo, of Auburn, walk to the entrance while attending opening night of “Miss Saigon” at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Wednesday evening.
From left, Sam Thomas, Nancy Thomas, John DiMatteo and Allison DiMatteo, of Auburn, walk to the entrance while attending opening night of “Miss Saigon” at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Wednesday evening.
“Miss Saigon” opened Wednesday night to an audience of playhouse regulars and first-time theater-goers optimistic about seeing the play's tragic tale of romance swept up in the turbulence of the Vietnam War.
“I've been to London and Toronto theater and I think this is up there with the big time stuff,” said Alice Breen, who traveled from Farmington for the show.
More than 400 people entered the playhouse clad in summer colors on a calm and sunny night to take in the show. Audience members from the nearby area were grateful to go next door for the night's performance.
“It gives us older folks a chance not to travel too far,” said Virginia Doyle, of Skaneateles, who saw the show with her husband, Harold.
Those who had seen “Miss Saigon” before were excited to see it once more on the Merry-Go-Round stage.
“It's quite dramatic and very realistic,” Doyle said. “It gives you another point of view about the war.”
People who had seen “Miss Saigon” in New York City or Toronto were also eager to see how the Merry-Go-Round would handle the musical's heavy production, which includes smoke and gunfire.
“I'm really interested to see how they get the helicopter on stage,” said Marguerite Ringwood, of Skaneateles.
Ringwood came to “Miss Saigon” with her mother, Peggy Fanning, who has purchased season tickets for every opening night at the Playhouse since its first season in 1972. Fanning's favorite show from her 35 seasons of attendance: “Singin' in the Rain.”
“There was a lot of dancing and the production was brilliant; they danced on stage - in the rain,” Fanning said.
Several patrons took in a meal at the Emerson Park Pavilion shortly before the show. Ricky's Restaurant catered to theater-goers for its first Merry-Go-Round season.
“It was a solid first night,” said Ricky's owner Fonda Chronis. “Obviously we'll work the kinks out the first couple of times.”
The playhouse's 36th season was off to an exciting start as well. As the show's ensemble of Vietnamese prostitutes took the stage to parade around a small group of U.S. soldiers in the opening scene, the audience laughed and applauded.
“We're fortunate to have this entertainment, it's Broadway at Auburn prices,” Fanning said.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
“I've been to London and Toronto theater and I think this is up there with the big time stuff,” said Alice Breen, who traveled from Farmington for the show.
More than 400 people entered the playhouse clad in summer colors on a calm and sunny night to take in the show. Audience members from the nearby area were grateful to go next door for the night's performance.
“It gives us older folks a chance not to travel too far,” said Virginia Doyle, of Skaneateles, who saw the show with her husband, Harold.
Those who had seen “Miss Saigon” before were excited to see it once more on the Merry-Go-Round stage.
“It's quite dramatic and very realistic,” Doyle said. “It gives you another point of view about the war.”
People who had seen “Miss Saigon” in New York City or Toronto were also eager to see how the Merry-Go-Round would handle the musical's heavy production, which includes smoke and gunfire.
“I'm really interested to see how they get the helicopter on stage,” said Marguerite Ringwood, of Skaneateles.
Ringwood came to “Miss Saigon” with her mother, Peggy Fanning, who has purchased season tickets for every opening night at the Playhouse since its first season in 1972. Fanning's favorite show from her 35 seasons of attendance: “Singin' in the Rain.”
“There was a lot of dancing and the production was brilliant; they danced on stage - in the rain,” Fanning said.
Several patrons took in a meal at the Emerson Park Pavilion shortly before the show. Ricky's Restaurant catered to theater-goers for its first Merry-Go-Round season.
“It was a solid first night,” said Ricky's owner Fonda Chronis. “Obviously we'll work the kinks out the first couple of times.”
The playhouse's 36th season was off to an exciting start as well. As the show's ensemble of Vietnamese prostitutes took the stage to parade around a small group of U.S. soldiers in the opening scene, the audience laughed and applauded.
“We're fortunate to have this entertainment, it's Broadway at Auburn prices,” Fanning said.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net