Newcomer Eva Noblezada got the most-coveted role of Kim in the West End revival of worldwide hit musical Miss Saigon. The 17-year-old half Filipino is a student at the NorthWest School Of The Arts in her native Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to The Daily Mail, Noblezada was spotted by Broadway casting director Tara Rubin when she attended an awards show in New York for U.S. high school singers. Eva, according to the same report reminded Mackintosh of the then 17-year-old Lea Salonga, who played Kim in the original production.
Meanwhile, Rachelle Ann Go was given the role of the hardened bar girl Gigi, which was originally portrayed by fellow Filipina Isay Alvarez. Rachelle will get to sing Movie In My Mind, one of the show’s most outstanding songs.
Another Filipino, Jon Jon Briones is also in the cast of Miss Saigon's West End revival. He bagged one of the most important roles as the Engineer. Other members of the cast include Alistair Brammer as Chris, Hugh Maynard as John, and Tamsin Carroll as Ellen.
The new production of Miss Saigon will be directed by Laurence Connor. The show will open at the Prince Edward Theatre in London on May 3, 2014 in time for the musical's 25th anniversary celebration.
Check out Eva Noblezada's singing prowess in the video below.
