It's been 35 years since its debut, and 23 years since it first came to Singapore, but Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s musical Miss Saigon still hits hard. Yes, this much-hyped revival of British theatrical giant Cameron Mackintosh’s award-winning blockbuster has arrived at Marina Bay Sands’ Sands Theatre (following acclaimed runs in Australia, the Philippines and Taiwan), and it remains a must-see experience.

Based on Giacomo Puccini's 1904 opera Madama Butterfly, the tragic story follows a young woman named Kim (Abigail Adriano) who is orphaned during the Vietnam War. She’s then forced to work in a bar run by the notorious Engineer (Seann Miley Moore), where she falls for American G.I. Chris (Nigel Huckle). Unfortunately the lovers are torn apart by the fall of Saigon, and for 3 gruelling years, Kim embarks upon an epic journey of survival to find her way back to Chris, who has no idea he’s fathered a son.

The enduring story could be moving enough, even without any bells and whistles, but oh boy, does this staging have bells and whistles in spades. Kudos must go out to director Laurence Connor - alongside production designers Totie Driver and Matt Kinley, costume designer Andreane Neofitou, lighting designer Bruno Poet and projectionist Luke Halls - who delivered visually immersive and breathtaking setpieces (that helicopter!) from start to finish. This was a masterclass in lighting, set design and staging from start to finish.

Likewise, the cast were all stellar in their performances - although Adriano (we did not get to see Singaporean alternate lead Louisa Vilinne as Kim at this showing) and Moore were the clear MVPs in an ensemble brimming with talent. As Kim, Adriano not only possessed a powerful singing voice that could move even the coldest of hearts, she also embodied the character's fraught emotional journey from naive girl to scarred woman brilliantly. Meanwhile, Moore’s alternately charming and despicable take on the Engineer was a flamboyantly multifaceted portrayal of what could have been a cartoonish antagonist. 

But what makes a musical truly great is its song and dance numbers. In that respect, the cast and crew (musical staging by Bob Avian, additional choreography by Geoffrey Garratt, sound design by Mick Potter, orchestrations by William David Brohn and music supervision Alfonso Casado Trigo and Guy Simpson) were phenomenal. From the electrifying curtain-raiser ‘The Heat Is On In Saigon’, to the moving ‘Sun and Moon’, to the Engineer’s showstopper ‘The American Dream’ - each number was executed to perfection and with aplomb.

Miss Saigon has won 70 major theatre awards during its illustrious run - including two Olivier Awards, three Tony Awards and four Drama Desk Awards - but this particular iteration might just be one the very best in the musical’s storied history.

Presented by BASE Entertainment Asia, Miss Saigon will be showing at the Sands Theatre until 29 September. Tickets are available via SISTIC and Marina Bay Sands.