‘Miss Saigon’ Opens April 10 at UH Hilo

The award-winning musical “Miss Saigon” opens April 10 at 7:30 p.m. for a two-weekend run at the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center.

The performance is being presented by the University of Hawai`i at Hilo Performing Arts Department.

A cast of 37 performers and conductor Armando Mendoza will bring to life the story of an American G.I. who experiences war’s emotional choices when he falls in love with a Vietnamese girl just as Saigon is besieged by the North Vietnamese.

Advanced student choreographers and directors have joined faculty choreographer Celeste Staton and stage director Jackie Pualani Johnson to create several dances and scenes.

Dance majors Kawehi Kanoho-Kalahiki and Kawai Soares created original choreography for “The Fall of Saigon” and “The Heat Is On In Saigon,” two iconic numbers that set the backdrop of the war.

The dances feature College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management faculty member Norman Arancon as The Engineer; Rachel Edwards, a Performing Arts Department Senior as Kim; community member Scott Wuscher as the American GI; and UH Hilo students Lilinoe Kauahikaua, Angeline Jara, Bailey Woolridge, and Kanoho-Kalahiki as the working girls of the Dreamland Bar — Gigi, Mimi, Yvette and Yvonne.

This performance of Miss Saigon, written by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, also marks the musical debut of Performing Arts graduate Kimo Apaka and senior Denyse Woo-Ockerman, who completed the University’s stage directing course and will stage several songs in the production.

Public performances will be held on Fridays and Saturdays, April 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices are $20 General, $15 Discount and $10 for children 17 & under and UH students with valid ID.

There will also be an Opening Night Reception, Thursday, April 10 at 5 p.m. in Campus Center 301, featuring Southeast Asian flavors and ambiance prior to the opening performance. This is a special event that requires a separate $40 ticket, which includes heavy pupus and one drink.

Tickets are available at 932-7490 or visit the web site here.