Now playing at the Majestic Theatre is Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical ‘Miss Saigon,’ a smash hit in London, Broadway and across the UK. It is based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera ‘Madame Butterfly’ and similarly tells the tragic story of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover. The setting of ‘Miss Saigon’ is relocated to 1970s Saigon during the Vietnam War and ‘Madame Butterfly’s’ story of marriage between an American lieutenant and a geisha is replaced by a romance between a United States Marine and a seventeen-year old South Vietnamese bargirl. This highly anticipated engagement will play for eight performances through Sunday January 12 with upcoming performances on Thursday at 7:30p.m., Friday at 8p.m., Saturday at 2p.m. and 8p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. Tickets start at $45 and are available online, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-982-2787, or by visiting the Majestic Box Office.

‘Miss Saigon’ begins in April 1975 at “Dreamland,” a Saigon bar and brothel, shortly before the end of the Vietnam War where it is Kim’s (Emily Bautista) first day working at as a bargirl. She is a teenage peasant lured in by the Engineer (Red Concepción), a hustler who owns the bar and the rest of the workers tease her for her inexperience. U.S. Marines are there to party with the Vietnamese sex workers knowing they will be leaving soon. “The Heat Is On” This is where Chris Scott (Anthony Festa) meets Kim and they spend the night together. “The Transaction” They soon fall in love “Sun and Moon” and Chris promises to take her with him when he leaves Vietnam “Last Night of the World.” They get separated during the fall of Saigon and reconnect years later but Chris is already married. When he finds out that he and Kim had a son (Tam), he promises to take care of them. Not wanting to break her promise to Tam that he would one day meet his father, she makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure he has the future he deserves. “Little God of My Heart”

This new production is unlike the usual featured at the Majestic Theater. With themes including war, lost loves and suicide, it is darker than most audiences are used to but is well worth experiencing. It includes a sensational cast of 42 performing the soaring score, including Broadway hits like “The Heat is On in Saigon,” “The Movie in My Mind,” “Last Night of the World” and “American Dream.” Even though the Engineer is a money-grubbing hustler, he provides much needed comic relief and quickly becomes an audience favorite, especially during “The American Dream” where he fantasizes about the glamorous life he will have in America. On Wednesday, during one of the most intense scenes, “Kim’s Nightmare (Fall of Saigon 1975)” there was a technical glitch but the expert crew had the show back on track within minutes. Anthony Festa and Emily Bautista have excellent stage chemistry and are believable as the doomed lovers and Anthony’s anguished scream during the final scene is heartbreaking. Show highlights include “Sun and Moon,” when the couple falls in love, “The Morning of the Dragon” during the parade celebrating the anniversary of Vietnam’s unification because of the gorgeous costumes and dancing and “You Will Not Touch Him” when Kim saves Tam’s life. Overall, “Miss Saigon” is an intense and tragic tale of lost love and war but is a must-see production for fans of the genre.

Majestic Theater disclaimer: ‘Miss Saigon’ contains some scenes and language which may not be suitable for younger audience members, including scenes of a sexual nature. The production includes strobe lights, gun shots and pyrotechnic effects. We encourage patrons to consider these factors when making their decision about attending the performance. Recommended for ages 14 and up.