PAT LAVINS

In keeping with its ambitious schedule for its 40^th anniversary year, Riverside Theatre will present the multi-Tony Award winning production of “Miss Saigon” on the Stark Stage.

This musical from the creators of “Les Miserables” Claude-Michael Schonberg and Alain Boublil comes from the classic story of love and loss in the turmoil of war.  Based on Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” this production similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance between a love struck American solider and a Vietnamese girl who fall in love and are separated during the fall of Saigon. 

The original production was in London in 1989 when the wounds of the Viet Nam war were still raw for many Americans.  The musical was allegedly inspired by a photograph which producer Schornberg saw in a magazine showing a Vietnamese mother leaving her child at a departure gate to board a plane headed for the U. S.

Hailed by critics and audiences alike “Miss Saigon” showcases the human drama of love and loss in a setting most of the audience watched unfold on their TV screens.

Directed by James Brennan, “Miss Saigon” stars Will Ray as Chris, E. J. Zimmerman as Kim, Dana Costello as Ellen, Herman Sebeck as the Engineer, Philip Michael Baskerville as John, Edmunh Nalzaro as Thuy, Andrew Giordano as Schultz, Chase Kamata as Gigi and Jenzell Paciencia as Tam.

“Miss Saigon” is presented Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Opening night (the first Tuesday perform), Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with matinees on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $45 to $70 and can be purchased by calling the Riverside Box Office at 772-231-6990.  You can also purchasing tickets on-line at: www.riversidetheatre.com