(The 99 Cent) Miss Saigon

Thu, Mar 9 - Sat, Mar 25
7:30pm
$10-15, no one turned away for lack of funds

Ten Red Hen's 99-cent production of Miss Saigon is an attempt to do
the unimaginable: present this epitome of late 20th century musical
excess as a piece of poor theater. All the problems of the show - the
huge orchestrations, sets, costumes, and yes, the helicopter - have
been re-imagined and solved purely through performance. Using
abstraction, movement and irrational earnestness, we have extracted
the pure exuberance of musical theater from its traditionally heavy
melodrama and production values. A non-theatrical setting and
stripped-down orchestra of actors further distinguish this
production's deconstructionist innovation.

Miss Saigon has been a touchstone of controversy since it first
opened in London's West End in 1989. The story of a doomed romance
between a local prostitute and an American GI during the last days of
the Vietnam War, Miss Saigon has fascinated countless protestors,
critics and audiences with its uneasy balance of awkward politics and
its undeniable appeal.

The artistic team behind the production, director Maya Gurantz,
actress Jane Chen (The Chinese Clown Cabaret) and musical director
Dave Malloy (Banana, Bag & Bodice), share a life-long obsession with
musicals and Miss Saigon, sometimes in spite of themselves.
Collaborating with an outstanding cast, they have combined their post-
ironic visions of the piece to create a unique, shamelessly
theatrical experience.

Cast and Crew
Brittany Bexton (Ellen), Erick Casanova (Thuy), George Chan (John),
Jane Chen (Kim), Jenny Cho (Ensemble), Kazumi Kusano (Ensemble), Dave
Malloy (Chris), Teresa Moore (Ensemble), Dale Murphy (Ensemble),
Andre Nigoghossian (Guitar), Issabella Shields (Ensemble), Raphi
Soifer (Ensemble), Alexis P. Wong (Gigi)
and European-American actor Mark Romyn as The Engineer

Director: Maya Gurantz
Musical Director: Dave Malloy
Design Consultant: Jon Wai-keung Lowe
Choreographic Assistance: Tracy Dorrance
Vocal Assistance: Alexis P. Wong

Venue:

Willard Middle School Metalshop Theater
2425 Stuart Street (right next to Willard Park)
Berkeley



Willard Middle School is at the corner of Stuart St. and Telegraph
Ave. in Berkeley. Take BART to Ashby; head east on Ashby, take a left
on Telegraph and walk to Stuart. Take a right on Stuart, and your
FIRST LEFT onto Regent (unmarked). Walk one block. The entrance to
the Metalshop Theater is located on your left, by the Willard Park
Tennis Courts.

Additional Info:

(510) 547-8932
http://tenredhen.net/saigon.htm