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Overview

Synopsis

Miss Saigon is an epic, stunning adaptation of Puccini’s opera, Madame Butterfly, by the writers behind Les Miserables. Reframing Puccini’s story by setting it during the Vietnam War, Miss Saigon is a powerful and poignant tale of love in a war-torn country. In the dangerous days before Saigon’s fall in 1975, Chris (an American GI) and Kim (a destitute Vietnamese orphan working her first night as a prostitute) fall in love. When the city falls, the lovers are forced apart, and each must find their own way, alone. When, years later, Chris is able to return to Vietnam, he brings with him an American wife. Kim, who has waited for Chris, has raised their son, Tam, who is “bui-doi”-- a term for a child conceived during the horrors of war. With so much devastation behind them, Kim and Chris must decide how to move forward. Miss Saigon is a tragedy of massive proportions: passionate, profound, and heart-wrenchingly honest. With a sung-through score and tour-de-force roles for actors, Miss Saigon is a theatrical experience that will stay with you for years to come.

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
Madama Butterfly, opera by Giacomo Puccini
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1989
Genres
Drama, Romance
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings, Spectacle
Time & Place
saigon, 1975
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal For
College/University, Diverse Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

The Engineer (aka Trahn Van Dinh)

Lead

Male

Baritone

Chris Scott

Lead

Male

Tenor

Kim

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

John Thomas

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Thuy

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Ellen Scott

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Gigi Van Tranh

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Tam

Featured

Male

Spoken

Female Ensemble

Ensemble

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Male Ensemble

Ensemble

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

  • Overture/Opening Act I -- Gigi, Kim, The Engineer, and Bar Girls
  • The Heat Is on in Saigon -- Soldiers, Bar Girls, The Engineer, Kim, John, Chris, and Gigi
  • The Movie in My Mind -- Gigi, Kim, and Bar Girls
  • The Transaction -- The Engineer, John, Soldiers, Chris, and Kim
  • The Dance -- Kim, Chris, and the Engineer
  • Why, God, Why? -- Chris
  • This Money’s Yours -- Chris and Kim
  • Sun and Moon -- Chris and Kim
  • The Telephone Song -- Chris and John
  • The Deal -- The Engineer and Chris
  • The Wedding Ceremony -- Gigi, Kim, Bar Girls, and Chris
  • Thuy’s Arrival -- Thuy, Chris, and Kim
  • Last Night of the World -- Chris and Kim
  • The Morning of the Dragon -- Soldiers, The Engineer, Two Guards, and Thuy
  • I Still Believe -- Kim and Ellen
  • Back in Town -- The Engineer, Kim, Thuy and Soldiers
  • Thuy’s Death -- Kim and Thuy
  • If You Want to Die in Bed -- The Engineer
  • Let Me See His Western Nose -- The Engineer and Kim
  • I’d Give My Life for You -- Kim

Act Two

  • Bui Doi -- John and Male Ensemble
  • The Revelation -- Chris and John
  • What a Waste -- The Engineer, Hustlers, Tourists, John, and Kim
  • Please -- John and Kim
  • Chris Is Here -- The Engineer, Kim, Club Owner, and John
  • Kim’s Nightmare -- Thuy
  • Fall of Saigon -- Soldiers, Kim, John, and Citizens
  • Sun and Moon (Reprise) -- Kim
  • Room 317 -- Kim and Ellen
  • Now That I’ve Seen Her -- Ellen
  • The Confrontation -- Chris, Ellen, and John
  • Paper Dragons -- The Engineer and Kim
  • The American Dream -- The Engineer
  • Finale -- Full Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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