One whole new world after another for LEA SALONGA The Philippines’ national treasure returns to the MACC

Adapting Puccini’s opera “Madame Butterfly,” the British producers of “Miss Saigon” tried vainly to find a young Asian actress/singer in the U.K. who could play the lead role of a Vietnamese orphan. Scouring many countries they eventually found 17-year-old Lea Salonga in the Philippines. Initially opening in London, “Miss Saigon” became a massive hit, later breaking box office records on Broadway (with advance ticket sales at $24 million), and established Salonga as an international star. She became the first actress to win multiple awards for a single role, including the Tony, Laurence Olivier, Drama Desk and Theatre World awards. “I had no idea it would be as successful as it ended up being,” Salonga reports. “It’s still being produced in regional productions all over the country, which makes me very proud to have been a part of it.  It ran for 10 years both in London and New York, and spawned two national tours. As for its impact on my career, it most certainly didn’t hurt.