Grade: B+
There is an argument to be made that turning one classic work into another has substantial merit.
“West Side Story” and “The Boys From Syracuse” are based on Shakespeare, “A Little Night Music” on a Bergman film and “Into The Woods” on classic fairytales. But the most successful ventures of this sort are reinventing original incarnations in a new form.
That said, there is more than enough in the performances, direction and technical expertise in “Miss Saigon” to recommend you see this show. Superb vocal work and orchestrations, both under the hand of Corinne Aquilina, impeccable staging and enormously entertaining choreography by Brett Smock, and stunning effects and settings make the production well worth your time.
Smock has been the director for a slew of MGR's best productions over the last few years and here he enhances an already polished reputation. Everything about the production has a crispness and edge to it. The movements of the cast, the production numbers, even the small, quiet moments between the lovers, are all marked by an urgency and immediacy not always found in musical theater. The chorus numbers, “American Dream” and “Morning of the Dragon,” are superb.
Emily Morales and Ariel Estrada lead a high-powered cast throughout the play. Morales, as the voice of optimism and dogged determination in the face of heavy odds, and Estrada, as her equally determined and thoroughly amoral tormentor/savior, give electrifying performances, rich and textured and unflinchingly honest.
Andrew Rannells was very good for the most part, and Stephen Horst and Liz Power are marvelous. Doan Mackenzie infuses the villainous Thuy with real human qualities and turns in the best performance of the evening.
Local actor Joe Pine stands out in the chorus along with Lili Thomas and Curtis Bannister.
The technical aspect of this show is a perfect melding of the designs, with Mark Romig's lights complementing Robert John Andrusko's sets. The hair and makeup, props and costumes (Lisa Rokicki, Connie Hill and Laura Simcox, respectively) match seamlessly the times and each others' work.
Stage manager Patrick Lanczki and his crew do yeoman's work to keep the play moving.
Due to mature themes and language, this show is not recommended for children.
If you go
What: “Miss Saigon”
When: Continues through
Thursday, June 21
Where: The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, Owasco
For tickets or information: Call the box office at 255-1785
“West Side Story” and “The Boys From Syracuse” are based on Shakespeare, “A Little Night Music” on a Bergman film and “Into The Woods” on classic fairytales. But the most successful ventures of this sort are reinventing original incarnations in a new form.
That said, there is more than enough in the performances, direction and technical expertise in “Miss Saigon” to recommend you see this show. Superb vocal work and orchestrations, both under the hand of Corinne Aquilina, impeccable staging and enormously entertaining choreography by Brett Smock, and stunning effects and settings make the production well worth your time.
Smock has been the director for a slew of MGR's best productions over the last few years and here he enhances an already polished reputation. Everything about the production has a crispness and edge to it. The movements of the cast, the production numbers, even the small, quiet moments between the lovers, are all marked by an urgency and immediacy not always found in musical theater. The chorus numbers, “American Dream” and “Morning of the Dragon,” are superb.
Emily Morales and Ariel Estrada lead a high-powered cast throughout the play. Morales, as the voice of optimism and dogged determination in the face of heavy odds, and Estrada, as her equally determined and thoroughly amoral tormentor/savior, give electrifying performances, rich and textured and unflinchingly honest.
Andrew Rannells was very good for the most part, and Stephen Horst and Liz Power are marvelous. Doan Mackenzie infuses the villainous Thuy with real human qualities and turns in the best performance of the evening.
Local actor Joe Pine stands out in the chorus along with Lili Thomas and Curtis Bannister.
The technical aspect of this show is a perfect melding of the designs, with Mark Romig's lights complementing Robert John Andrusko's sets. The hair and makeup, props and costumes (Lisa Rokicki, Connie Hill and Laura Simcox, respectively) match seamlessly the times and each others' work.
Stage manager Patrick Lanczki and his crew do yeoman's work to keep the play moving.
Due to mature themes and language, this show is not recommended for children.
If you go
What: “Miss Saigon”
When: Continues through
Thursday, June 21
Where: The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, Owasco
For tickets or information: Call the box office at 255-1785
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