You can never knock the 5th Avenue's ambition. The company keeps pushing their boundaries as a producing theater, creating the first non-roadshow version of "Miss Saigon" to be seen in Seattle.
The cast is loaded with "Miss Saigon" veterans from Los Angeles and New York, like Emy Baysic in the lead role and Raul Aranas as the Engineer, so everyone had the lyrics and music permanently engraved in their brain before they got to Seattle.
Local talent includes Louis Hobson as the American in love with Miss Saigon. Hobson, who has been wowing 5th Avenue audiences since "Hair," just keeps getting hotter.
Down in the pit, the unsung heroes of the show are the orchestra. Percussionist Paul Hansen who decided against synthesized sound and is whacking everything from temple bells to jelly molds to give "Miss Saigon" the proper sound.
The show's multiple changes of location and venue go smoothly and the "helicopter" lands with all the appropriate noise and smoke.
A number of people commented on the opening act's first 10 minutes, when the actor's microphones seemed turned down too low so both Kim and the Engineer appeared to be mumbling in the bar. As the action heats up, the sound level settled, making for a poignant "Sun and Moon" from Hobson and Baysic. An even more stirring "Bu-Doi" was sung by Kingsley Leggs, as the Marine who tries to repair the damage that the war has done to the children left behind.
"Miss Saigon" continues through April 30 at the 5th Avenue. If this is one of your favorite albums, you'll love this production.
If "Bu Doi" leaves you wondering what else can be done, check out some real life Washington organizations still working on mine removal in Vietnam: www. clearpathinter national.org and www.peacetrees vietnam.org.
"Miss Saigon" runs through April 30 at the 5th Avenue Theatre. For tickets, go to www.ticket master.com.[[In-content Ad]]
