Good morning, Vietnam

A fiery sun consumes a dark, smoky stage as the curtain rises on the Pittsburgh Civic Light… A fiery sun consumes a dark, smoky stage as the curtain rises on the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera’s “Miss Saigon.” Blending a powerful love story with the horror and aftermath of the Vietnam war, director and choreographer Barry Ivan creates a musical that is intensely emotional and painfully true to life.

Set in April 1975, shortly before the fall of Saigon, we are introduced to a world of uncertainty and desperation with an energetic, raunchy opening number, “The Heat is on in Saigon.”

In a bar called Dreamland, headed up by the Engineer (Kevin Gray) who longs for the “American Dream,” they are about to crown a “Miss Saigon.” Among the competitors is a new addition to the regular prostitutes, a young, timid girl named Kim (Ma-Anne Dionisio).

As the Engineer pushes her – his “fresh meat” – he is really after a visa to America, just as most of the girls are hoping a G.I. will be their ticket out of Saigon.

While Kim loses the contest, she finds herself bought by a soldier named John (Alan H. Green) for his friend Chris (Brian Noonan). Chris and Kim spend the night together. Falling in love, they vow to be with each other and to dance like it’s “The Last Night of the World.” But their happiness is cut short when Chris is ordered to move out and the two are separated.

Three years pass and Chris has married an American woman named Ellen, believing Kim is lost to him. Meanwhile, Kim has endured “The Morning of the Dragon,” Saigon’s fall to Ho Chi Minh. She lives on the love she has for Chris and the son she bore him, hoping they will one day be together. What follows is a story of pain, courage and a mother’s love, as Kim finds herself in a position many Vietnamese women faced after the war.

“Miss Saigon” explodes with an intensity that stems from the human struggle to survive, succeed and find love, thanks in great part to the tremendous cast the Civic Light Opera put together.

Dionisio is a strong actress who brings to life the suffering and strength of Kim. Her voice is both powerful and gentle, each note fueled by an inner ferocity that allows her character to do what is necessary. She and Noonan perform well together, bringing a sense of urgency to each of their songs. While Noonan is both a solid actor and fine voice, he lacks the charisma and charm needed to carry the role to perfection.Kevin Gray provides a measure of comic relief to the show. His portrayal of the underhanded Engineer, who often directly addresses the audience, is captivating. Gray’s superb dancing and singing ability brings a vibrance to each of his numbers, often giving the audience a much-needed break from the intensity of the war and its aftermath.

The production’s scenery, lighting and effects are fantastic, from elaborate city streets to misty mornings and humble interiors. Its most notable technical achievement, perhaps, is the front part of the helicopter that lands on stage, accented by fog, strobe lights, and the thunderous beating of the propeller. With this and other such spectacular effects, the audience is given a taste of the sights and sounds of the Vietnam War.

The Pittsburgh CLO, one of only three theaters nationwide with permission to produce “Miss Saigon” this year, has created an absolutely tremendous show. Its soulful musical numbers are sure to strike a chord in the hearts of its audience members. Following the struggle of its characters, “Miss Saigon” leaves us with a message that still resonates today – “War isn’t over when it ends.”