Miss Saigon is one of the great sung-through musicals of its era. It comes from Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, the team behind Les Misérables, with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Boublil. The show opened in London’s West End at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in 1989.
Inspired by Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly, it moves the story to the final days of the Vietnam War. Kim, a young Vietnamese woman, falls in love with Chris, an American Marine, on the eve of the fall of Saigon. Their story continues years later, across Vietnam, Thailand and the United States.
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Miss Saigon deals with war, sex work, trauma and loss. We’ll stay spoiler-light, but be aware it’s an intense, mature show.
Miss Saigon and Filipino Talent
For Filipino fans, Miss Saigon holds a special place. Lea Salonga originated the role of Kim in the 1989 West End production, and the original London company included several other Filipino performers. Among them were Isay Alvarez, who originated the role of Gigi; Monique Wilson, who originated Mimi and also played Kim at certain performances; Robert Seña, who began in the ensemble and later took over as Thuy; and Jon Jon Briones, then an ensemble member.
The connection continued with the 2014 West End revival, which again featured Filipino talent in major roles: Jon Jon Briones as the Engineer, Rachelle Ann Go as Gigi and Filipino-American Eva Noblezada as Kim. For many fans in the Philippines, Miss Saigon is a source of national pride.
The Characters
- Kim, a 17-year-old Vietnamese girl orphaned by war.
- Chris, an American Marine sergeant.
- The Engineer, a hustler who runs a Saigon nightclub and dreams of America.
- John, Chris’s friend and fellow Marine.
- Ellen, Chris’s American wife.
- Thuy, Kim’s cousin, to whom she was promised as a child.
- Gigi, a worker at the Engineer’s club.
- Tam, Kim’s young son.
Act One
“Backstage Dreamland” and “The Heat Is On in Saigon”
The show opens in a Saigon nightclub in 1975 as the Americans prepare to leave. “The Heat Is On in Saigon” is loud, chaotic and seedy, introducing the Engineer, the Marines and the women working at the club. It sets a tense, desperate mood.
“The Movie in My Mind”
Gigi and the other women sing about their dreams of escaping to a better life in America. It’s one of the most powerful songs in the show, showing hope and despair at the same time. Kim, new to the club, joins in.
“The Transaction”
The Engineer arranges for Chris to spend the night with Kim. The song shows how people are bought and sold in the chaos of war.
“Why God Why?”
Chris, alone, reflects on his feelings about Vietnam and his growing attachment to Kim. It’s a soaring ballad about confusion and longing.
“Sun and Moon”
Kim and Chris sing a gentle, intimate love duet. It’s one of the most beloved songs in the score, showing the tenderness between them despite everything around them.
“The Wedding Ceremony”
Kim’s friends celebrate an informal wedding between her and Chris. It’s a moment of joy, but trouble arrives in the form of Thuy, who claims Kim was promised to him.
“Last Night of the World”
Chris and Kim dream of escaping together. The duet is romantic and urgent, sung while the city falls apart around them.
“The Morning of the Dragon”
The story jumps forward three years. Saigon is now Ho Chi Minh City, and the new regime holds a parade. Thuy, now an official, searches for Kim.
“I Still Believe”
Kim, in Vietnam, and Ellen, in America, sing about the man they both love. Each believes in her own future with Chris. It’s a striking duet that shows two sides of the same story.
“You Will Not Touch Him”
A dramatic confrontation in which Kim fiercely protects her son. It’s a major turning point in the story.
“I’d Give My Life for You”
Kim sings to Tam, promising to do anything to protect him. It closes Act One with a powerful, heart-wrenching moment.
Act Two
“Bui Doi”
John opens Act Two in America with a song about the children born to Vietnamese mothers and American fathers during the war, many left behind. “Bui Doi” is a gospel-flavored anthem calling for awareness and responsibility.
“The Revelation”
Chris learns news that changes everything. These scenes set up the confrontation and choices to come.
“What a Waste”
The Engineer sings about life in Bangkok and his dreams of getting out. It’s a cynical, energetic number.
“Kim’s Nightmare” and the Fall of Saigon
Kim remembers the night Saigon fell. This flashback includes the show’s famous helicopter scene, one of the most talked-about pieces of stagecraft in musical theater.
“Room 317”
Kim meets Ellen for the first time in a Bangkok hotel room. It’s a short, painful scene between two women who both have a claim on the same man and neither is a villain. The music keeps the tension high and leads directly into Ellen’s solo.
“Now That I’ve Seen Her”
Ellen sings about learning the truth and her complicated feelings about Kim. Productions have used different songs at this point over the years, but the emotional purpose is the same.
“The Confrontation”
Chris, Ellen and John try to work out what to do. It’s a tense, honest scene of people facing the consequences of war.
“The American Dream”
The Engineer’s showstopper is a satirical, flashy fantasy about America, full of glitz and irony. It’s one of the most memorable numbers in the show and a big moment for any actor in the role.
“Finale”
We won’t spoil it, but the ending is famous for its emotional impact and echoes the tragedy of Madama Butterfly.
Why the Songs Still Matter
Miss Saigon’s songs combine sweeping melodies with stories about the real cost of war. “Sun and Moon” and “Last Night of the World” have become classic love duets. “The Movie in My Mind” and “Bui Doi” give voice to people often left out of history. And “The American Dream” remains a sharp, theatrical piece of satire.
If you love this score, see our Les Misérables songs explained guide, from the same composer and lyricist.
Keep exploring: see our Les Misérables complete fan guide and guide to watching musicals in Manila.
Want to play these songs yourself? If you’d like to learn piano by ear and play Miss Saigon ballads like Sun and Moon at home, Pianoforall is a beginner-friendly course worth a look.
Disclosure: this is an affiliate link; Musicals On Line may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Where to Listen Legally
- The Original London Cast Recording (1989), featuring Lea Salonga, is on Spotify, Apple Music and other major services.
- The 2014 London revival cast recording is also available on streaming services.
- Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary, a filmed performance with a special gala finale, has been released and is available on some digital platforms depending on your region.
FAQ
Who played the original Kim in Miss Saigon?
Lea Salonga originated the role of Kim in the 1989 West End production.
What is Miss Saigon based on?
It’s inspired by Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly, moved to the Vietnam War.
Is Miss Saigon suitable for kids?
Not usually. It contains mature themes, including war, violence and sex work. It’s better suited to older teens and adults.
Is there a helicopter in Miss Saigon?
Yes. The helicopter scene during the fall of Saigon is one of the show’s most famous moments.
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