FIRST TME WATCHING Miss Saigon (Lea Salonga) Part 2

[@jeandiatasmith4512]

All the dancers are part of the ensemble cast. They've been the Gi's, club girls, townspeople throughout the show. Being part of the ensemble or taking on bit roles is how you begin your climb to the top. The time jump was on the flags (1975 - 1978) and in the Engineer's lyrics (3 years in the re-education camp). 1975 was the Fall of Saigon: The Fall of Saigon, also known as the Liberation of Saigon by North Vietnamese or Liberation of the South by the Vietnamese government, and known as Black April by anti-communist overseas Vietnamese was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam on 30 April 1975. Saigon was renamed to Ho Chi Minh city.

[@thomasbradley4505]

I personally enjoy the stopping and discussing of points and asking questions. And it’s fun answering back to the screen even though you can’t hear 😁.

[@WoodsWoman822]

OMG, It's So Funny, I Do Too!

[@oliviarivera3680]

As someone who’s studied musical theatre for the majority of my life your questions are so funny in an endearing way. I think it’s so cool how interested in it you are.

[@lizhol]

Best Ellen ever is Claire Moore who originated the role in London alongside Lea who was then very young.

[@thingtwo3996]

As others have said, there’s a three year timelapse that’s a bit abrupt, but it’ll be explained better later on. Something I wanted to mention that I wasn’t sure you noticed: Kim’s cousin, the man in uniform in the scene with the Engineer, is the same man to whom she was betrothed, who crashed Kim and Chris’s wedding. Just wanted to make sure you knew that! That’s why he’s searching for her. Enjoying this reaction! You’re in for a wild ride, it’s a wonderful story!

[@frankennyg1]

All the non-main characters play multiple roles. There's about 20-25 or so people in the total ensemble plus the main characters. They're all super talented and can all act, sing and dance. That's what it takes to be a professional theatre performer.

[@ASchwa29]

A bit of History about the Vietnam War. Ho Chi Minh was a communist that was elected President of Vietnam. The French Army fought with the Vietnamese who didn’t want a communist government in charge. The country split in two, there was North Vietnam whose Capital was Hanoi, South Vietnam whose Capital was Saigon. The French left and the United States took over. It was fought from 1955 - 1975. Miss Saigon takes place in 1975, the withdrawal of troops from Saigon is like what happened in Afghanistan. People who supported the United States were left behind. John and Chris have that phone call, saying that it was a mess and things were changing rapidly. The Engineer tells that he was in a reeducation camp, he was arrested because of his working with the United States. Reeducation camps were more like Concentration camps. Prisoners were starved and made to work while being taught the Communist ideology. The Engineer tells that he was in a reeducation camp for 3 years. The man in the uniform was the guy that Kim was promised to and who Chris threw out. He wants the Engineer to find Kim.

[@meredithchandler73]

And rewatching this AGAIN. Just like in LES MISERABLES, many musical themes come back again and again throughout the show. "Last Night of the World" - the love song Chris and Kim sing right after Thuy leaves - was the music playing in the club when they had their first slow dance.

[@hillerymcdonald2303]

Please consider doing a live stream!!! I can't be the only one who has the urge to answer your questions and discuss it with you live (would also help you demonstrate your videos are indeed commentary, not just reproduction, a platform to discuss and analyze together...legally it'd give you a stronger leg to stand on I bet, just saying because I love your work and want to see it grow) :)

[@mhlkta8516]

Just like watching a movie, bro. Just be patient and pay close attention to the words of the songs and everything will be explained. The time lapse will be explained in a flashback which is the highlight of this show. It involves a helicopter live onstage which made this show the blockbuster it is. Nothing like seeing it live in a theater. It will blow you away!

[@davidbangtson3109]

"The engineer" was her pimp, I think, and The military guy was the guy she was formerly promised to when she was 13.

[@davidbangtson3109]

Every musical has tons of people who just dance or mostly just dance. Think "A Chorus Line". Or "The Music Man". Or many others. I'm enjoying this so much. I'm glad you did it!

[@VonPatzy]

Saigon fell (the US left Vietnam) in 1975 which is where we were before the banner dance. They read 1975-1978 which speaks to the 3 years that have passed under new government post war rule. The Engineer has survived and never got his Visa but is swept up by Thuy (Kim’s betrothed cousin) who is now a communist officer and demands the Engineer find Kim for him under threat of death. Kim is still in Saigon so this is a possibility. That’s all I will say spoiler free - I’m mostly filling you in on some Vietnam historical context time wise. The story is non linear so the gap is supposed to be jarring - we will go back in time in act 2.

[@cherylsanguyo2805]

Jusr watch, you will understand what happened in Act II. You're just watching Act I.

[@jamesbartley6964]

The time lapse of three years is shown in when the ensemble enters with banners reading 1975-1978. Easy to miss the significance of that! There is a flashback in act 2 that fills in the gap.

[@meredithchandler73]

Rewatching this for the 4th time. (Yeah - I enjoy your reactions.) Their love story may have seemed very sudden, but I love how invested you are in wanting them to be together. I have seen clips of Lea performing songs from MISS SAIGON with a few different leading men. Her chemistry with Simon Bowman (her original leading man) and Will Chase (here) are the best. But to be fair, most of the performances I’m comparing them to were for one night concerts or very limited engagements.

[@thomasbradley4505]

The time jump is approximately 3 years. It will be explained later in act 2. And The Last Night of the World is one of the most beautiful songs written for the theater

[@callalily3994]

Remember that this was written only about ten years after the events depicted, and that the political stuff going on had repercussions for years afterwards. So the writers could put in just a few quick references to events and expect that the audience would know what they were talking about. Now, almost fifty years later, a lot of new viewers aren't seeing things they remember, but things that they learned about in history class. It makes for a different experience. (Don't do this until you've seen the end, but if you google the original review of Miss Saigon from the Village Voice, it was brutal, but I think made a lot of good points about how the show looked at US and French culpability in Vietnam.)

[@hillerymcdonald2303]

YAY SO EXCITED to watch this!!!! I love seeing your reactions, to see broadway shows through a dude's eyes is really interesting. And PLEASE OH PLEASE consider doing Chess!! There are so many reasons (1) some of the most gorgeous, complex music ever written for musical theater, (2) it's sort of a rock opera, written in part by ABBA, (3) it's about the Cold War, not really about Chess at all, (4) one in-concert version stars Josh Groban and Edina Menzel, which is pretty cool, and (5) I believe there are free versions floating around on youtube and elsewhere, if intellectual property issues are holding you back, this one will be pretty available. I LOVE THIS SERIES, thank you for your work!!!!

[@tomlen]

Yes there is a time jump between “Last Night of the World” and “I Still Believe”. What happens during that time is shown in act 2 in a flashback. Keep watching and it will be explained.

[@tamiw.166]

The timeline does skip back and forth, and can get confusing. The chaos and lack of communication as Saigon fell, the tragedy of Kim thinking Chris abandoned her,. and her refusal to give up hope, is heartbreaiing. The helicopter and then the Thai bells at the very opening are visceral, and you know where this story is going. It also addresses the emotional toll on soldiers, who have to try to put their lives back together after war.

[@marxsescondo1352]

Just wanna say... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THIS!

[@anab.8204]

I'm enjoying watching this again with you. Miss Saigon is the one show that introduced me to musical theater.

[@lsa2470]

Queen Lea ❤ I can’t thank you enough for reacting to Miss Saigon 🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@manxkin]

I saw Miss Saigon way back when on Broadway. Cried at the end.

[@girlfrompa1]

The tape left the scene were the soldiers were scrambling to get to the last flight getting out of Saigon. Chris could not find Kim and she was left and could not get in the gates of the embassy. It was a heartbreaking scene when we watched it. We were crying 🥲 It was when Saigon was falling and the communict forces were closing in.

[@frankennyg1]

Nothing was left out; it will all make sense in the end!

[@teresataniegra8055]

Lea Salonga and the Isay Alvarez (Gigi) are the original cast of Miss saigon... Even Robert Seña (Thuy) original cast as well. Eva Noblezada is the new version of Miss Saigon. The original version has an helicopter scene when Chris left Kim for USA by force of the marines...Chris was devastated and didn't talk for a year while Kim was suffering back in Vietnam. I love and enjoy your pausing while watching and putting your input to the video. It's rare that i see reactor watching Lea Salonga's Miss Saigon and finished it all the way. Kudos to you for being such a sensible reactor and enjoying it. Thanks and hope you react more on Filipinos. Can you please react to Casual Chuck's video on SB19 or any random video of his. Thanks again and you gain a subs in me!❤

[@rodb9275]

Those "dancing ones" are DEFINITELY part of the show. It is generally called "the company" (or "ensemble"). Those same dancers play many small roles throughout the show. There was a 3 year time jump in the story. It's on purpose. Makes the story great. Especially that surprise moment when you realize what's happened in those 3 years. AND you'll definitely understand it even more, later.

[@maguitorres9616]

I actually prefer the questions and commentary throughout the video

[@rodb9275]

Please don't google and search for answers. Please. We couldn't do that when we watched the show, and we all got it. Trust me, it's not necessary. It's a wonderfully told story, and it all comes together. Trust me!

[@LlamaLlamaMamaJamaac]

YES 💯 Googling everything detracts from the reaction…. I didn’t even like him Googling the cast list bc some of the characters’ existence gives away major parts of the plot

[@Movidude74]

So back in the golden age of broadway, a cast was 3 groups. The principal cast, a singing chorus and a dancing chorus. The latter have been combined into one, and minor characters come out of that group. So the ensemble has to be full of people that can sing dance and act. Some lean more to dance than sing and vice versa. But know for many that being a lead is not the end goal. Many have a fulfilling career in the ensemble.

[@nilodejos3134]

Oh this is also my first time to watch but i can follow the story! A native English speaker like you can't? Oh my!

[@joyelizabethsutton-pelczyn2211]

Dont worry about the time lapse. It's three years and Saigon fell. Chris got married after he returned from Saigon and you'll get the details vividly later, quite vividly. Just wait

[@davlki]

The dancers probably part of chorus. It was after US left Viet NAM-a celebration of victory

[@betheboss6979]

On the lyrics of the Engineer's song when he entered after he became poor, he said that 3 years had passed. Saigon was bombed and 3 years had passed since Kim and Chris' wedding.

[@JoanLicata]

I love the musical Miss Saigon❤

[@marekanthony3935]

SalvoG, enjoying watching this with you. There is a great music video on KZbin with Rachelle Ann Go and Lea singing The Movie In My Mind from Miss Saigon. One of the best duets I have ever heard. The song was from part 1 so you already passed it so it won’t spoil anything for you. Lea is of course Kim in the KZbin version Rachelle Ann plays Gigi in the patreon version. In case you want to react to it the Video title is: Rachelle Ann Go and Lea Salonga - The Movie In My Mind

[@meredithchandler73]

Look for Rachelle Ann Go and Lea Salonga sing The Movie In My Mind MISS SAIGON 25th Anniversary. I think there are a couple of other videos of Lea and Rachelle Ann singing the song together from different concerts, but this one is definitely the best!!!

[@rodb9275]

Yes, I've seen that. It's awesome.

[@capullete1]

You said the time is very fast but in the movie version was the same speed. In the movie, they change a lot of the words in the lyrics. They even have some new songs in the movie version. For me, I prefer the original version of the music. In the movie version, Eve is good but compared with Lea. I still enjoy more of Lea's voice and emotions and her deliveries. Thanks.

[@lesliemendoza5750]

Hi! Love you’re doing the Ms. Saigon reaction. Highly appreciated. But can you also react to G22’s BANG on Wish Bus

[@larissabrewington9065]

18:00 Is the fall of Saigon to be replaced by Hochiman City and until you mentioned, I didn't realize how unclear that whole moment was till now. It's to stress the absolute chaos Kim and Chris were facing getting out of Vietnam.

[@mjmatousek]

Yes, I think it helps the audience understand how quickly things can go wrong, especially as Ho Chi Minh was taking over and U.S. troops evacuated. Good things may not last.

[@samueljravestruz4702]

Greetings from the Philippines!!❤️❤️❤️🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@WoodsWoman822]

Don't Worry, They Will Go Back and Fill in Later.

[@ejonesjones23]

Yes and no they practice first by themselves then they come and practice with the main leads

[@davlki]

This is about 5 years laterrChris left with US Armymarried to American

[@alishagrossman4080]

Solo Saxophone is my favorite! ❤️

[@rodb9275]

Your pausing is fine, bud. I'd rather you pause than talk over it. But, may I suggest that you make a habit of backing up at least 5 seconds after a pause? (even in "regular music" reaction vids)

[@VaughanCockell]

"I don't think people would want to go to the theatre just for dance, you know?" Oh, my friend, wait till you hear bout Ballet...

[@davlki]

The guy that came for Kim was her fiancee😮-arranged by Kim’s parents before they died

[@jeffcochran6101]

Dude you went ms Saigon? Respect. Not my goto lol. But yup. Spread your knowlege. Respect

[@VonPatzy]

Non linear story telling - your answers are coming.

[@jeffcochran6101]

Honesy tho. Jamel aka must see this. Different audience

[@ejonesjones23]

I think it's 3 years

[@vbymarcus]

There will be a flashback later where we get to see what happened.

[@RobotShowtunes]

Those dancers are the same people in the background in the previous scenes and the scenes to come. They just put on new costumes to match the characters they are playing. When everyone takes their bows at the end, you'll be surprised how small the cast is. It's nowhere near a hundred players, or even fifty. That's how shows work on a day-to-day basis. It's not like in the Les Mis concert where there's a massive choir of singers and each costumed player has only one role.

[@hillerymcdonald2303]

Question - please consider as you watch -- Who really IS the villain here? Is it war? Or, is it Chris? I think there's a good argument here the villain is Chris, actually. Didn't realize until you brought it up.

[@terrelgeer7298]

It's what you call a "chorus" part. Those people were soldiers and prostitutes at the beginning, then changed for the military number, then changed costumes and were in the helicopter scene. It's all one company. I used to be in the industry, I knew a LOT of people who did chorus work for years. It doesn't make you famous but it's a great way to pay the bills.

[@7rippster7]

Part one is showing unavailable 🙁

[@andrewwells3367]

Chris didn't realize that he had undergone a wedding ceremony with Kim - he just thought it was something pretty. He returned to the US and married Ellen.

[@rickardroach9075]

30:11 It’s 3 years. They say 3 years… a few times. It’s written on all the flags (1975 to 1978). Saigon has been renamed Ho Chi Minh City. Thuy is now a high ranking person in the new Communist govt and has ordered the Engineer to find his betrothed. The previous scene hinted that the Fall of Saigon was imminent. Do you know any American history? Stop pausing to ask questions that are answered if you’d just open your ears.

[@leadingblind1629]

It's not a love story my man LOL

[@rodb9275]

Of course it is.

[@jeffcochran6101]

Hit me up bro. Serious. Send an email. We have to talk