Review: Hit or Miss Saigon?

By Anibal Ortiz / Roundup

Published: Monday, August 3, 2009

Updated: Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Petrina J Roudebush

Petrina J Roudebush

Sparks flew and blood spewed at the opening night for Pierce College’s presentation of Miss Saigon.

Set during and after the Vietnam War, the performance ended with a bang as Miss Saigon walked on the thin ice between good and mediocre.

A story that focused on the relationship between the characters of a Marine and an Orphan, touched upon the sacrifices that a parent must make for their child and a world of prostitution and lies.

The crowd fell silent during Act I of Miss Saigon. That is to say, they remained silent as the actors weren’t very loud at the start. Between the low voices, mumbling backup singers and a constant crackling in the voice of Miss Saigon herself, Act I became its own mission to listen to.

Miss Saigon kept its composure however, and as the setting in the three hour journey changed from a distant land to a family home, so did the portrayal of play. With the help a few strong actors, Miss Saigon was able to portray its message.

Adding comedy to the overall tragic tale set during the Vietnam War was the most noteworthy of characters - Engineer. Played by Vincent Aniceto, the Engineer was brought to life, interacting with the audience almost as if putting them on stage with him.

Playing the role of Sergeant Christopher Scott, the lead male in the story, was Geoffrey Going. A better singer than actor, Going’s voice provided a set tone for his ailing female partner. Kristina Reyes did an outstanding job of portraying the character of Kim, the lead female. But not even the emotion in her face, the glimmer in her eyes or the serene movements in her character could keep the crowd from hearing the cracking in her voice. As the night progressed, however, Reyes was able to hit the same high notes she had failed to achieve through most of Act I.

Also noticeable was the acting of Amanda Mae Magadia. Playing the part of one of the prostitutes, Gigi Van Trahn, Magadia did more than encourage the crowd to look at her. Dancing in her bikini, the character of Gigi appeared to set no limits, teasing and dazing the audience with her seductive dances.

The sound of the San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra was a little deceiving at first, but as the night musical got on its way, the music flowed almost flawlessly with the choreography. Overall the play was well done with room for improvement.

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anibalortiz.roundupnews@gmail.com

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Brian Harris

Mon Aug 24 2009 22:56

Wow. I could not disagree more with this review. Look, I'm a theatre professional, and I am very, very picky. I'm a friend to the theatre department and to the people in it, and I've been in and out of it for a dozen years now, but I've seen some shows I didn't like there. This was not one of them. In point of fact, this was certainly the finest musical I've seen there, and one of the best shows period at the tail end of one of the best seasons the department has put together since I've been around. Truthfully, I'm sorry I wasn't a part of it. Kim's voice "crackled"? What, like a fire? Did you mean it cracked? Because if it did, I didn't hear it. Ms. Reyes absolutely blew me away, as did Ms. Watts and Mr. Weir, who gave the kind of unselfish, fleshed-out supporting performances most directors only dream of. Speaking of directors, I can't believe more credit did not go to Mr. Gene Putnam, who took on a show I dare say most colleges would be afraid to touch with a ten foot pole, and for good reason. And, as he did with his revelatory "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof" earlier this season, he knocked it completely out of the park, as did all designers involved. I BELIEVED I was in Saigon. I BELIEVED I was watching refugees escaping on boats at the end of the first act. I BELIEVED the helicopter, an iconic moment that could have so easily been botched. Do you know how hard that is to do on this department's budget? I WOULD like to say that I'm in agreement with you about Mr. Aniceto, and particularly about Ms. Magadia who, bikini or not, played a big part in putting me in the world of the show. Anyway, I don't want to ramble - I acknowledge that everyone's got an opinion, and everyone's entitled, but how hard would it be for the Roundup to send out someone who LIKES theatre to do reviews? It seems to me fairly obvious that Anibal Ortiz does not, which is certainly not her fault (although it is her loss). Isn't that only fair to the people who work so hard on these productions? Just a humble thought.

Rozsa Horvath

Mon Aug 24 2009 19:49

As an educator, director, and designer at Pierce College, I am appalled, saddened, and upset at the cursory and dismissive review that was allowed to be printed of our summer production of Miss Saigon.

What kind of knowledge, experience and background does this “reviewer” have in Theatre Arts to be allowed to be published in a newspaper that now can be read by thousands on the internet? I hesitate to say “critic” for that would imply expertise and deep knowledge of the subject of his review, and obviously this person lacks both. Does he have any idea of the complexity and technical requirements of this show and how amazingly difficult it is to produce? Obviously not! Did this reviewer do his research on the play to find out that it was also about our country’s involvement in the Vietnam War and it’s resultant horrors? Obviously not!

There were over 300 “cues” (where something happens with lights, sound, special effects, or set) in two and a half hours, and yet not one word is mentioned of the marvelous way all this was handled, mostly by the actors who were also singing, dancing, and acting at the same time.

This was the most technically difficult show we had ever produced, and it matched many a Broadway production with lot less help and funds that Broadway productions have at their disposal. The amazing job done by the Lighting Designer , Johnny Bradley, the Projection and Video designer, Lianne Arnold, is not even hinted at, and their work therefore is totally dismissed. There were over 200 costumes in the production, yet my work as Costume Designer, is never mentioned. Yes, there were a few problems with sound, but it was miniscule compared to the entirety of the production. This is “live” theatre after all, and we can’t stop the show to fix things during a performance.

Forty people were in the cast, one of the largest cast shows in the history of our department’s producing, and yet only four people were mentioned, totally dismissing the amazing ensemble numbers with thirty people in unison, singing and marching, and flipping guns or ribbons at the same time, and even a dancing dragon. Does this reviewer realize the amazing amounts of rehearsal that went into this to make it happen? Not to mention the choreographer’s art in this, so easy to find her name in the program, Denise Gibson, is almost criminal. He does mention that there were “a few strong actors,” but only names one. The story of Miss Saigon could not be told without the characters of Ellen, played by Katie Watts, or John, played by Donovan Weir, or Thuy played by Joseph Andreas, or all the girls and soldiers, and Viet Cong surrounding Kim, etc. etc. etc.

In my thirty years of being a theatre professional and educator at Pierce, I have never observed the standing ovations that every single show of this production received. That kind of reaction is rare, and cherished by all involved, especially the director who made all this happen, without whose guidance, talents, research, choice of play, untold amounts of auditioning and rehearsals, the production would not have happened! Did this reviewer look in the program and realize that the director, Gene Putnam, was also the one who designed the marvelous and ingenious and varied sets, props? No mention of the director/set designer’s art anywhere in the article. I guess he must think that shows just create themselves without anyone at the helm and that sets just rise up out of the stage floor!

The dismissive and nasty attitude displayed toward those singled out, again illustrates lack of knowledge, understanding, humility and kindness, which I believe every judge must have. The entire show is sung. There is no spoken dialogue. The actress playing Kim has the most songs. There was no “constant crackling” in her voice, as I was there also on opening night. Given the amount of songs she has to sing, the nerves of opening night, and whatever physical challenges she may have been dealing with, she was absolutely amazing! I teach in my Introduction to the Theatre class, that a critic must look at an entire performance and not dwell on minor mishaps unless their abundance obscures the total picture: a lesson your reviewer must learn.

I invite Anibal Ortiz to take my above mentioned class, so that he may learn more about the art of Theatre and Criticism, and realize that theatre is the work of many magicians, and it is much more difficult to create than to criticize. True critics don’t display their cleverness at the expense of the artists!

RoZsa Horvath, Professor of Theatre Arts, Costume Designer for Miss Saigon

Jackie Rogers

Thu Aug 20 2009 18:51

Mr. Ortiz, I can see from your mostly negative review of Pierce College's amazing production of "Miss Saigon" that theatrical criticism is not your forte. Perhaps it is the immaturity of your theatrical taste or your inexperience with theater in general that has caused you to be so off in your review of this amazing show.
As I read your review, I found myself wondering if this was an assignment for the newspaper that you did not particularly enjoy writing. Reading your review, I could sense you were more interested in creating negatives that supported your attempt at seeming witty in your "hit or miss" review title than in revealing the many enjoyable positives of this well done college production. I do agree with the limited positives you sighted in your review, but you did not go far enough in revealing the host of other wonderful performances and elements. You left out mention of many wonderful, well sung and well acted performances among the supporting leads. (In my opinion, the young man who played Thuy and the young woman who played Ellen, to name just two, certainly deserved to be mentioned.) In addition, you chose to unjustly deride the amazing acting and singing performances of the two talented young leads, who, by the way, were struggling with uncooperative microphones and still managed to get standing ovations. (Kudos to the actors who played Kim and Chris! No matter what Mr. Ortiz says, your acting and singing performances in this very vocally demanding pop-opera were stellar! What great chemistry you had! Your performances in this show were better and more touching than the National Tour I saw years ago.) By the way, Mr. Ortiz, you also chose to ignore the gorgeous costumes that added so much to the exciting spectacle of the show, and you failed to mention the complexity of the spectacular sets and special lighting effects. etc. in your review. The show was also very well directed and flowed nicely in spite of the many set changes. I am sure this was due to great planning and the hard work of the actors, who, in addition to performing, changing costumes, etc., had to help move the set pieces on and off the stage. The failure to mention these positive elements of "Miss Saigon" reveals that as a critic, Mr. Ortiz, you took the lazy man's way out in barely skimming over the merits of this production in his poorly written piece, and you really should have done better in making a decent attempt to write a fair, complete, competent review! I believe this show was so good that it could have easily been extended for several more weekends to sold out houses. In answering your question as to whether this Pierce production of "Miss Saigon" is a "hit or miss," Mr. Ortis, I say it was a glorious HIT! Other audience members who rose to their feet at the end of each sold out performance also agree. Good work to all who participated in this theatrical treat! I truly appreciated and enjoyed your efforts!

Coleen Combs

Wed Aug 19 2009 23:09

I am an ex- faculty member of Pierce College and came to the show on August 1st to show my support. This is by far the best show to ever grace the Pierce College stage. I understand that reviewers are permitted to critique performances during technical week- when the show is in it's early form...and I feel this reviewer didn't understand the complexities of this show (to review Miss Saigon properly). There was no mention of Joseph Andreas (Thuy) who did a remarkable job as the antagonist. He hit every note and was very convincing in the role. The scene between Thuy and Kim is my favorite in the show. I have seen MIss Saigon on Broadway many times and had the honor of seeing it close on Broadway with Lea Salonga as the lead. The scene between Kristina Reyes and Joseph Andreas was a force to be reckoned with. When I've seen this scene in the past, I feel it's always been lackluster. I've seen professional actors sing the songs in Miss SAigon perfectly, but they have never allowed themselves to be completely vulnerable onstage. This is the first time I've felt the intimacy. The leads of this show did a remarkable job in their interpretation of such complex characters. Donovan Weir tugged at my heart strings when he sang Bui Doi. Katie Watts- Whitaker did a remarkable job as Ellen. "I Still Believe" was delivered beautifully by both women. Kristina Reyes sang half the show and gave a heart wrenching performance as Kim. Geoffrey Going (Chris) and Reyes had extraordinary chemistry from the moment their eyes met. I was actually watching for this moment in the beginning because I have never felt the chemistry between Kim and Chris from the productions I've seen. This could be due to the fact that Pierce College's stage is smaller than the Ahmanson- yet I feel it was the wonderful acting that provided the intimacy Miss Saigon deserves. From my history of Pierce productions, sound issues are always expected. I have yet to see a show where all the actors can be heard. Gene Putnam is a noteworthy technical director and blew the audience away with his extravagant sets. It's a shame Miss Saigon is already closed. I actually went on this website to see if it had been extended. Ms Ortiz before you review another play or musical, please try to understand the conditions in which you are critiquing. I encourage you to see more theatre and maybe even take a musical theatre class so that you are able to understand the blood, sweat, and tears that go into a musical production. I was a vocal coach and theatre arts teacher for many years and your review seems harsh and unfair to say the least.This was a college production- but in my eyes it was better than Broadway. After the show, the members of Oasis and I were huddled together in the corner crying. If any cast members read this- thank you for a beautiful show.

Katie Watts

Wed Aug 19 2009 23:01

This review to me was so ignorant it was humorous. I would be surprised if Anibal Ortiz was actually awake while watching this show. If you are going to write a review of a production at your papers own college I would try your best to make it an educated one. I am shocked at the classless way you reviewed the star of the show. Kristina Reyes did a fantastic job in this show....I should know, I had scenes with her. Her performance was wonderful, professional and moving. And while reviewing a performer you may want to think twice about teasing and poking fun. All your review did was allow you to come off as someone who does not understand theatre, its elements and the smart way to give a review. The "Roundup" should not be allowing amateurs to write poor reviews that give the theatre at Pierce a bad name. You are entitled to your own opinion but this review seems to have been written about a different production. I have heard rave reviews from hundreds of audience members and like Michael Goldberg mentioned there were standing ovations each night. It is funny you did take the time to mention the actress in the bikini but failed to mention sets, costumes, or wait....the director Gene Putnam. Did the show direct itself? Anibal Ortiz may want to see some theatre before writing ignorant reviews.

Robert Moon

Wed Aug 19 2009 21:21