The women of Miss Saigon talk about inclusivity, the future of their craft, and the power of the Filipina artist
This is an excerpt from MEGA May 2024 Voices of the Future story.
Music is one of the platforms where Filipino talent triumphs—and it is in theater, a less- explored corner in our country, where the Filipina’s voice truly soars. Such is the case of Abigail Adriano and Kiara Dario, who play Kim and Gigi, respectively, in the latest production of the highly lauded musical Miss Saigon. With each storied note, they compose a melody of Filipino excellence, drawing inspiration from those who have paved the way before them.
RELATED: Abigail Adriano Connects with Her Filipino Heritage for Miss Saigon
The young actresses follow the footsteps of trailblazer Lea Salonga, who made history with her Tony Award-winning performance as Kim in the original West End production of Miss Saigon in the late ’80s. In the new era of theater, Adriano and Dario themselves are ready to make their own unforgettable contributions.
Filipinas Represent
The representation of Filipina actresses has undergone a remarkable transformation. Adriano and Dario stand as examples of this progress—from limited opportunities to limitless possibilities. Dario reflects on the evolution of theater, emphasizing the newfound opportunities for Filipinas to dream big and take on significant roles. “Now is the time we’re able to dream, to take on these amazing roles, because the Pinays before us were able to do it well,” she tells MEGA in our exclusive interview, where both actresses sit beside each other and fondly relive their theater stories.
Dario passionately highlights the impact of blind casting, which has opened doors for Asian women in the industry. Compared to earlier times when there were fewer Asian stories represented on stage, she sees Miss Saigon as a pioneer in creating diverse narratives and characters. Now, regardless of background or appearance, actresses can aspire to play substantial roles.
Similarly, Adriano shares her perspective on the significance of Miss Saigon in shaping the aspirations of young Filipina performers like herself. Growing up, the Australian-Filipina actress says Miss Saigon stood out as a beacon of Asian representation, offering a main character to admire and aspire to emulate. “I think the reason why Miss Saigon is such a popular show for girls like us is because when we were younger, it was the only show we looked up to,” Adriano recalls. “It was the only show where we can say, ‘Oh, she’s the main character. I want to be like her.’”
In fact, in her teens, Adriano once blurted out that she did want to be like Salonga: “I actually have a picture of me at the Sydney Opera House, holding a program of Lea, and it has her face on it. I was 14 years old, and I told my mom, as we were watching her concert, ‘Mommy, one day, I’m gonna perform here at the Opera House just like Lea.’”
Read more about how Abigail Adriano and Kiara Dario embrace their Filipino roots while on the Miss Saigon in MEGA’s May 2024 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Photographed by: DOOKIE DUCAY. Creative Direction: JONES PALTENG. Sittings Editor BAM ABELLON. Styling ROKO ARCEO assisted by GISELLE BARNACHEA. Makeup MILA GULFANF FOR ESTÉE LAUDER. Hair JAARON GO. Fashion BARDOT, NATORI, VIVENNE TAM. Shoot Coordination JOANA FERNANDO AND MELISSA TAN. Shot on Location SOLAIRE RESORT ENTERTAINMENT CITY. Special thanks to GMG PRODUCTIONS.
