Reviews
US Tour
"…a young, vocally proficient cast, a terrific Engineer and a truly striking new design concept… This looks like a big profit center for Big League and presenters"
- Chris Jones, Variety, 12/5/02
"Miss Saigon never made it to Baltimore during its decade on Broadway… But now a newer, smaller and, in most respects, improved version has arrived. In director Mitchell Lemsky's production, the human dimension prevails, thanks largely to a sensitive cast headed by strong-voiced leads who deliver empathetic portrayals."
- J Wynn Rousuck, The Baltimore Sun, 12/28/02
"…heart takes precedence over hype" - The Baltimore Sun, 12/28/02
"This production stirs the soul in the way few musicals dare. Grab the remaining tickets."
- The Gazette - Iowa City, IA, 10/10/02
"The combination of its expertly talented cast and impressive onstage theatrical effects and sets, has proved that Broadway can be experienced, well, way off Broadway, more specifically, in our own backyard."
- Scranton Times-Leader, 12/18/02
"From opening sounds of a chopper overhead to a closing-scene scream of disbelief, this modern opera grabs the audience and pulls it along, through decadence, panic, fear and fantasy. The intensity takes your breath away."
- The Grand Rapids Press, 11/27/02
"Passionately sung, sexually charged and strongly performed, Miss Saigon lived up to its hype, undeniably leaving audiences wrapped around its finger."
- Impact Weekly - Dayton, OH, 9/12/02
"This is a spectacular production that is well worth seeing"
- Kalamazoo Gazette, 11/6/02
"For no reason is the Big League Theatricals staging of Miss Saigon a show to pass. It is a rare opportunity to see a musical of this caliber and claim in Iowa City."
- Iowa City Press-Citizen, 10/9/02
"[This] all new production of Miss Saigon has what it takes to breathe new touring life into the Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg musical."
- Dayton Daily News, 9/10/02
"'Saigon' sizzles… box office smash" - Capital Times - Madison, WI, 10/16/02
"In terms of quality performances and production values, Miss Saigon raises the stakes. It will be tough to follow."
- Capital Times - Madison, WI, 10/16/02
"Director Mitchell Lemsky's reinvention of Miss Saigon was executed superbly, with solid assurance matched by a rapid pace. The thrilling "Fall of Saigon" sequence was one moment in particular that defined this production and clearly separates it from all the others. Lemsky took a Harold Prince approach by constantly switching the flow and intensity of the scene in order to portray a sense of nervousness and unease. The sequence, which concluded with the sight of a helicopter that took your imagination to new heights, rightfully drew wildly enthusiastic applause on opening night."
- Impact Weekly - Dayton, Ohio, 9/11/02
UK Tour Reviews 2002/3
Bath Chronicle
"Miss Saigon has all the elements of a huge theatrical event in Bristol courtesy of Cameron Mackintosh."
"The star of the show is undoubtedly Castro [ who plays the role of Kim ], flawless in her portrayal and delivery of her character - with the voice of an angel to match."
"Miss Saigon is a stunning, stirring and sensual musical that surely only Mackintosh is capable of producing."
Evening Herald
"A Direct Hit "
"Unbelievable, unforgettable, unmissable"
Sunday Inde
"High Voltage"
"Spectacular, Brash & Sexy"
"Enough to take your breath away"
"Leo Valdez steals the show"
"Such Good Fun"
Sunday Tribune
"Definitely Spectacular"
"Genuine Chemistry exists between the two leads"
"A Star turn by Leo Tavarro Valdez"
Irish Times
"A celebratory night, duly marked by an audience ovation"
Daily Mail 23 November 2001
Michael Coveney
"The luminous performance of Joanna Ampil as Kim"
"Splendidly sung by Niklas Andersson"
"Last night's audience cheered and sobbed"
"The political and romantic stories unravel with an inexorable dramatic power"
Daily Express 23 November 2001
Robert Gore-Langton
"What a brilliant evening this is!"
"It packs more heart, more spectacle and more emotional punch than any new musical out there"
"Joanna Ampil is stunning as Kim"
"Big bold and more politically charged than ever, Miss Saigon remains what it always was - a great theatre event"
Daily Telegraph 23 November 2001
Charles Spencer
"Miss Saigon is both breathtakingly spectacular and powerfully affecting"
"The story plucks the heart-strings"
"Soaring love ballads"
"The gob-smacking spectacle"
"John Napier's amazing designs, complete with helicopter landing on the US embassy roof"
"This brilliantly drilled revival is a huge shot of theatrical excitement"
"Joanna Ampil makes a wonderfully touching, sexy and vulnerable Kim"
Manchester Evening News 23 November 2001
Kevin Bourke
"This show is clearly a winner"
"Excellent performances"
"The acclaimed musical opened to a rapturous response"
"The legendary lavish show"
"Brilliantly staged"
"Terrific acting"
"Brilliant"
Wigan Reporter 23 November 2001
Geoffrey Shryhane
"Miss Saigon opened to thunderous applause"
"We waited for MISS SAIGON for a decade. And it was worth it"
"As magical as it is mesmeric"
"This amazing musical is taking Manchester by storm"
"A towering show"
"It's the best I've seen in three decades of theatre"
"I shower prizes on the magnificent cast, particularly principals Leo Valdez, Joanna Ampil and Niklas Andersson"
"It can't be faulted"
"See it. Feel it. Believe it. This show is a life-changing theatrical experience"
Lancashire Evening Post 23 November 2001
"MISS SAIGON finally roared into Manchester last night and the city roared back its approval"
"Rapturous applause"
"Spectacular show"
"Joanna Ampil - a spine-tingling performance"
Liverpool Echo 23 November 2001
Rachael Tinniswood
"The magnificent Joanna Ampil"
"A wonderful show"
Oldham Chronicle 24 November 2001
"A night of triumph"
"Magnificent"
"An epic, hugely dramatic show in every respect: bit cast, big orchestra, brilliant lighting, fabulous sound, stirring tunes, huge sets - including that famous descending helicopter - and above all big songs"
"Leo Tavarro Valdez superb as the Engineer"
"When Mackintosh gets it right, he gets it righter than anyone."
Metro North West 26 November 2001
Brian Wilson
"The sets are superb"
"Topping everything is the spectacle of a helicopter"
New UK Tour
Radio City, March 2005
“I never thought I could be any more excited by Miss Saigon, but after seeing this new production I was completely wowed”
Juice FM, March 2005
“An amazing spectacle with world class performances in this classic tale, a Liverpool must see, I loved it”
BBC Radio Merseyside, March 2005
“Not just a show, but an experience. A magnificent theatrical must-see. Get your tickets fast for this incredible show.”
Daily Post, March 2005
“A huge emotional drama”
“A big story… a big production… you don’t get much bigger than Miss Saigon”
“A huge cast… great singing… and emotional performances”
Liverpool Echo, March 2005
“Lavish”
“Much-awaited debut”
“The ingredients of a rousing opera… the magic stamp of Cameron Mackintosh… the complete theatrical experience”
“Emotionally charged”
“The musical absorbs you from the outset… it’s like watching a movie come alive in front of your eyes”
“Stunning special effects… superb vocal performances”
“This vibrant new production”
“The 2005 helicopter sequence is as breathtaking as it’s predecessor”
“Miss Saigon takes you away on an unforgettable musical journey”
ICLiverpool.com, March 2005
*****
“A powerful, passionate and poignant piece of theatre”
“You expect a lot and Miss Saigon does not disappoint”
“This is a big, classy production from the brilliantly changeable set design, to striking costumes, and the vividly atmospheric lighting and sound”
“High emotional drama”
“Performed with potent, full-throttled feeling… powerful emotion”
“The cast and ensemble are outstanding”
“Jennifer Hubilla is superb as Kim”
“Steven Houghton is in fine voice and gives a solid performance as Chris”
“Jon Jon Briones makes what should be a very unlikeable character endearingly charming and roguishly appealing”
“Quite simply, a theatrical master class”
“Wonderful”
