Miss Saigon

Miss Saigon came to Korea. Well, actually it was translated and now lives in Korea, is the more correct way to say it! I was thinking it was a bit crazy to go to a musical in a language I don't really understand, but I really wanted to see it since I've heard about it so many times. I mentioned it to one of my Korean friends, and she told me that one of her former students landed a role in it, and could get me cheaper tickets - woohooooo!!  Done*and*Done, I got me a ticket and went to the show on Wednesday night after school.

The SeongNam Arts Centre is only 3 subway stops up from my house so it was a quick n' easy ride. Finding my ticket on reserve wasn't that hard either (the girl was almost jumping over the counter when she heard my name, it was very funny). I didn't listen to the CD English version before I went (though I meant to!), so I wasn't sure what to expect, but on the subway over I was thinking even a foreign musical will be all singing and dancing, and I'm sure to enjoy it even if I don't understand!

The cast of Miss Saigon didn't let me down, it was WONderful! And the part that surprised me the most is that I really did understand most of the storyline... parts of songs were still in English, and for many things context spoke volumes (e.g. drunken GIs wandering around the neon-lit Bangkok streets recognizable by anyone who's been to KhaoSan Road) so it was easy to understand.

Some of the parts that stayed English due to context (Bangkok hawkers convincing GIs to come "try my sek-shee gulls," and a pimp dreaming his "Amelican Dweem" of being whisked off to the US post-war had me giggling in my chair. Even though I went by myself, I wasn't the only single person in the theatre by far, many people were on their own (which also surprised me because Koreans seem to do most everything in groups).

I asked a girl to take my photo in front of the play's banner (note to self: next time ask an adult who will be able to stand without shaking!), and after lamenting about the size (small ONLY) bought myself a shirt (picture later!) to remember the show. I had a copy of the London recording at home to listen to already, so I didn't buy the CD. When I got home I did listen to the CD from the original London cast recording, and it helped me fill in the couple of gaps of things I'd missed (e.g. the full reason behind why Kim, Miss Saigon, killed herself), and I recognized every song from the show, fully translated near word-for-word!!

What a wonderful time... Overall I *loved* the show, and I'm so happy I went, it was worth every penny!