The fall ushers in one of the most stunning Broadway blockbusters of all time, Miss Saigon on stage September 21 through October 23 at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Miss Saigon is set during the turmoil of the Vietnam War, where an American soldier, played by Gregg Goodbrod, and a Vietnamese girl, played by Jennifer Paz, fall in love, only to be separated during the fall of Saigon. This compelling tale shares their emotional story set in a world torn apart by war. From the first sound of a helicopter flying as the sun rises over Saigon during the Overture, to the show's powerful ending, Miss Saigon will take you on an incredible journey about unwavering love and self sacrifice.
Taking inspiration from the Puccini opera Madame Butterfly, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, composers of Les Miserables, collaborated with Richard Maltby, Jr. to create Miss Saigon. It premiered in 1989 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, where it ran for ten years. It opened on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre in 1991, earning 11 Tony nominations including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score. After 4,092 performances it closed in 2001. The emotionally powerful score features the show stopping "The Movie in My Mind," "I Still Believe," "Why God Why" and "The American Dream." Don't miss this musical masterpiece that promises to be a truly spectacular finale to the Ogunquit Playhouse season.
Gregg Goodbrod makes his Ogunquit Playhouse debut as Chris, the soldier who falls in love with the Vietnamese girl, Kim. Gregg has appeared in many Broadway productions and National Tours, including Thoroughly Modern Millie, 9 to 5 and Les Miserables. Jennifer Paz will reprise the role of Kim from the first National Broadway Tour. Her many credits include, Les Miserables, Joseph... ,Flower Drum Song, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. The role of the Engineer will be played by Broadway veteran Raul Aranas. Raul's National and International credits include The King and I and Flower Drum Song. For Miss Saigon he has won the Helen Hayes Award, Carbonell Award and a Jefferson Award Nomination. He is also the recipient of an IRNE award for his work in Pacific Overtures at North Shore Music Theatre.
Helming the Ogunquit production is Paul Dobie who for the last four years has served as assistant director on the Broadway smash hit Wicked. He was the associate director of Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me and assistant director on the Tony Award-winning revival of Glengarry Glen Ross. He was the associate director of both the Broadway and National tour of the Tony award-winning Thoroughly Modern Millie. In addition, Paul Dobie was an original cast member of Miss Saigon when it opened on Broadway in 1991 and was associated with the show through 2001.
Choreographer for the Ogunquit Playhouse production of Miss Saigon is Robert Tatad, who was a member of the Broadway and National Touring companies of Miss Saigon. He served as choreographer for many Broadway, Off Broadway, National and International productions including Rock of Ages, La Cage Aux Folles (2005 Revival), Great American Trailer Park Musical and Kismet. He has also choreographed and staged numbers featuring Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth, Jane Krakowski, Kristen Chenoweth and Gwen Stefani.
Ken Clifton returns as Musical Director for this international sensation. Ken was last seen in Ogunquit this season for the Music Man and Avenue Q and in 2010 for Sunset Blvd. and Chicago. Ken is the resident music director for the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida in addition to a musical director, vocal coach, and composer/lyricist.
