Opera Australia has announced that 18-year-old Abigail Adriano will make her mainstage lead debut after being cast as Kim in the new Australian production of Miss Saigon. The musical, which premieres at the Sydney Opera House in August 2023, is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and has won 70 major theatre awards worldwide. Adriano was chosen out of hundreds of hopefuls who auditioned for the role.
A dream come true for a rising star
Adriano’s journey to being cast as Kim began in Sydney, where she was born to Filipino parents. She grew up singing and performing, and her talent was evident from a young age. At the age of 11, she landed a role in Tim Minchin’s Matilda the Musical, and later appeared on The Voice Kids Australia and in the Netflix/ABC television series The Unlisted.
Despite her success as a young performer, Adriano’s dream was always to perform on the mainstage. She made the difficult decision to put her double degree in law and arts on hold in order to pursue her passion for singing and acting.
“When I found out that I was playing Kim, I told my parents that dreams come first so my studies will need to wait,” said Adriano. “Performing has been an absolute dream of mine ever since I picked up a microphone at family karaoke.”
A star in the making
Adriano’s talent and hard work have paid off, as she has now been cast as the lead in one of the most successful musicals of all time. Opera Australia CEO Fiona Allan expressed her delight in having found such an accomplished young performer to play the role of Kim.
“It was clear from seeing her audition that Abi is a star in the making,” said Allan. “Developing and giving opportunities to young talent is an extremely important part of Opera Australia’s contribution to cultural life and being able to give Abi this opportunity to make her mainstage lead debut, and in her hometown, is thrilling.”
The enduring popularity of Miss Saigon
Miss Saigon is a beloved musical that has touched audiences around the world with its moving story and powerful music. The musical was created by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, the same team behind Les Misérables, and premiered in London’s West End in 1989. Set during the Vietnam War, the musical tells the story of a young Vietnamese woman named Kim who falls in love with an American G.I. named Chris. The couple is separated when Saigon falls, and Kim embarks on a journey to find Chris and their son. The musical is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the human cost of war.
Miss Saigon has a rich history in the world of musical theatre, having won three Tony Awards and two Olivier Awards, and been performed in 15 different languages, in over 32 countries and 350 cities.
Following in the footsteps of distinguished performers
The role of Kim in Miss Saigon has launched the careers of many performers and earned them critical acclaim, including Lea Salonga, who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Kim in the original production. Adriano is honored to follow in the footsteps of these talented actresses and hopes to bring her own unique interpretation to the role.
“Growing up I would binge-watch clips online of the iconic Lea Salonga as Kim and I’ve watched the 25th anniversary Miss Saigon film with Eva multiple times. I snot-level-cry every single time,” said Adriano. “As a kid you’re drawn to characters you can see yourself in. Kim was that role. Not only because she is Asian like me, but because in the face of it all she never ever backs down.”
Adriano sees Kim as a strong, resilient character who never gives up, even in the face of adversity. She believes that her story of survival, love, and war is a deep and scary reality, and hopes to do justice to the role with her performance.
Adriano’s journey to being cast as Kim is an inspiring example of following one’s dreams and pursuing one’s passion. Her talent and hard work have paid off, and she is poised to make a powerful impact with her performance in Miss Saigon. Opera Australia’s production promises to be a must-see event, and Adriano’s portrayal of Kim is sure to be a highlight.
Presented by Opera Australia and Cameron Mackintosh and supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, Miss Saigon promises to be an epic production. Tickets for the highly anticipated musical are currently available for purchase at www.miss-saigon.com.au.
