Push Admin

What Lea Salonga thinks of new Filipina Kim in 'Miss Saigon'

Article (news)

Khrisma Virgilio

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/08/11/leajoreen.jpg"/><figcaption>Lea Salonga and Joreen Bautista. <em>Joreen Bautista&#x27;s Facebook page</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA – Tony award-winning theater actress Lea Salonga was impressed with fellow Filipina Joreen Bautista, who plays alternately for the lead role of Kim in the UK tour of “Miss Saigon.”</p><p>Salonga, who saw the show when she went to Birmingham last week, said she is proud to see a completely Filipino principal lineup.</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/missleasalonga/posts/10155391739540482?pnref=story" data-width="auto"> </div><p>“She was magnificent, I thought. She perfectly embodied that role but did not in any way look or sound like a carbon copy of any previous production. It was all hers but everything was right,” Salonga said in an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tozKMZHLxF0&amp;feature=youtu.be">interview</a> with a reporter at West End Proms.</p><p>In Salonga’s Inquirer column, the Broadway diva also praised the chemistry between Bautista and her partner on stage, Vinny Coyle, who played the character of Chris.</p><p>“The astounding part is that Joreen and Vinny haven’t even played that many shows, but on that stage, they were obviously very prepared. I believed everything that was happening between them, and most notable with Vinny, there is kindness and the purest kind of love every time he looked in Joreen’s direction,” she wrote.</p><p>Bautista expressed her gratitude on Facebook after receiving compliments from Salonga, who played Kim in the original production of “Miss Saigon.” </p><p>“I used to watch amazed in my seat in the audience as she performed since I was a little girl, and now the Kim from the original production watched me tonight as I took on the same role! How amazing is that,” she said.</p><p>“Your feedback about us means so much to me, Lea Salonga! Thank you very much again,” she added.</p>

<p>Lea Salonga, who saw “Miss Saigon” when she went to Birmingham last week, said she is proud to see a completely Filipino principal lineup.</p>

Lea Salonga, who saw “Miss Saigon” when she went to Birmingham last week, said she is proud to see a completely Filipino principal lineup.