Academy Award winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in FORD v FERRARI, inspired by the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and the fearless British driver Ken Miles (Bale), who together battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.
The film also stars Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone, Ray McKinnon, JJ Field and Jack McMullen. FORD v FERRARI is directed by James Mangold and produced by Peter Chernin, p.g.a. Jenno Topping, p.g.a. and James Mangold, p.g.a. Kevin Halloran, Dani Bernfeld and Michael Mann serve as executive producers. FORD v FERRARI was written by Jez Butterworth & Jon-Henry Butterworth and Jason Keller.
Tickets for FORD v FERRARI are now on sale everywhere tickets are sold.
FORD v FERRARI releases in U.S. theaters on November 15.
Red Rock Canyon and Mojave Airport offer unexpected adventure in Kern County (photo by Greg Aragon)
Even though my recent road trip to California’s Eastern Sierra was carefully planned out, I still couldn’t resist stopping along the way to investigate other places of interest that caught my eye. Such was the case with Red Rock Canyon State Park and the Mojave Air and Space Port, both located off Highway 14 in Kern County.
The Mojave Airport first opened in 1935 as a small, rural airfield serving the local gold and silver mining industry. In 1942, the U.S. Marine Corps took it over and expanded it as the Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station (MCAAS) Mojave. In 1961, Kern County obtained the title and in 2013, its name was changed to Mojave Air and Space Port.
While at the airfield we examined the Rotary Rocket Roton ATV, which in 1999 became the first rocket-powered vehicle to fly at Mojave Spaceport. Next to this craft, we encountered a replica of Space Ship One, which was part of the first private manned space program in the country.
The Draken jet fighter can be found at the airport entrance (photo -www.mojaveairport.com)
We then had lunch at the airport’s Voyager Restaurant, located on the runway. While eating a bowl of chili and onion rings, we watched planes and helicopters take-off. We also read about other cool things happening at the facility.
There is a Virgin Galactic hangar, where The Spaceship Company (TSC), Virgin Galactic’s sister company, is developing the world’s first commercial spaceline. Virgin Galactic, owned by Sir Richard Branson, aims to send members of the general public on suborbital flights to space. The company has sold numerous tickets to people wanting to be at the forefront of space tourism. The construction and test of space vehicles and carrier ships are completed here in Mojave.
The airport also currently houses Stratolauch Systems, a Paul G Allen Project, which is attempting to build the largest aircraft to ever fly. The vehicle is designed to bring manned and unmanned vehicles to space.
From space age rockets at the airport, we journeyed back in time to the ancient rock formations at Red Rock Canyon State Park.
Once home to the Kawaiisu Indians, who left petroglyphs and artifacts in the El Paso Mountains,
Red Rock Canyon State Park features scenic desert cliffs, buttes, and spectacular rock formations. The park is located where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada converges with the El Paso Range. Each tributary canyon is unique, with dramatic shapes and vivid colors.
The spectacular canyon was on the Native American trade route for thousands of years. During the 1870s, the colorful rock formations in the park served as landmarks for 20-mule team freight wagons that stopped for water. About 1850, it was used by survivors of the famous Death Valley trek. The park now protects significant paleontology sites and the remains of 1890s-era mining operations.
When my friends and I got to Red Rock, it was a windy October day. As we slowly drove around the one road that circles the sanctuary, it felt like we were in a scene from the dinosaur classic “Jurassic Park.” Maybe that’s because the movie was filmed here. In fact, due to its unique landscape, Red Rock was used in lots of movies, including “The Mummy,” “Zorro Rides Again,” “Westworld,” and “Airwolf,” to name a few.
The scenery was so impressive that we soon found a place to park and began to climb the rocks and take pictures and look for native wildlife such as snakes, roadrunners, hawks, lizards, mice, and squirrels.
Besides us, there were lots of campers in the rugged, 27,000-sq-ft park. They were staying at Ricardo Campground, which is tucked up against the base of dramatic desert cliffs, with 50 primitive campsites, potable water, pit toilets, fire rings, and tables. You must bring your own firewood or buy it at the visitor center.
For day visiting, there are miles of trails to explore and shaded picnic tables near the Visitor Center. The day-use parking lot and picnic area, open sunrise to sunset, is $6 per vehicle.
Red Rock Canyon State Park is located 120 miles north of Los Angeles off Highway 14. For more information on visiting the area, call (661) 946-6092 or visit: www.parks.ca.gov. For more info on visiting Mojave Air and Space Port, call 661-824-2433 or visit: www.mojaveairport.com/
Got treats? Popcornopolis sure does! Known for the Cone, Popcornopolis is celebrating the season of snacking with a ‘pop’ by offering spook-tacular, delicious treats perfect for any Halloween occasion. Indulge in a variety of mouthwatering flavors and festively fun packages that every witch, ghost, and the goblin is certain to love. Whether you’re shopping for trick-or-treating, Halloween parties, movie nights in, or unique gift-giving, this gourmet popcorn company provides satisfying snacks for every celebration.
Enchant your trick-or-treaters and party guests the Popcornopolis fan-favorite: Monster Mini Cones ($69.99 for a case of 40 at popcornopolis.com). The perfect candy bar alternative, each mini cone is dressed in its own adorable Halloween-themed costume and comes in one of four delectable flavors: Zebra Popcorn, Caramel Corn, Cheddar Cheese Popcorn, and Kettle Corn. Crafted with big flavor, Popcornopolis Monster Mini Cones are certified gluten-free with no high fructose corn syrup or added preservatives.
Bewitch friends and co-workers with the Mini Cone Gift Cauldron ($39.99 at popcornopolis.com), this fang-tastic gift basket features 8 Monster Mini Cones wrapped in cellophane and tied with a wickedly-striking dark ribbon. Elevate your monster mash with a bewitching 18″ Cauldron with 60 Monster Mini Cones or 2-Gallon Halloween Bats Popcorn Tin ($46.99 at popcornopolis.com), or cast a spell on your loved ones with the Halloween Spiders 5-Cone Popcorn Gift Basket ($44.99 at popcornopolis.com). Back by popular demand, Popcornopolis limited-edition Pumpkin Spice Popcorn returns to swoon all pumpkin pie lovers with the out-of-this-world seasonal treat.
Popcornopolis offers a variety of Halloween themed snacks that are certain to charm all Halloween revelers. “Made the way it oughta be”, Popcornopolis offers over 20 mouthwatering recipes and is made from American-grown, non-GMO corn, and only the finest ingredients and cooking practices. Make your Halloween celebration a ‘poppin’ one with Popcornopolis. For more information and a full list of Popcornopolis gourmet varieties visit www.popcornopolis.com.
The Creature from the Black Lagoon and other famous movie monsters are on display at Natural History Museum (photo – Natural History Museum)
If ancient dinosaur bones and bubbling tar pits aren’t scary enough, the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) now has a new exhibit that will bring guests up close to some of the creepiest characters of all time.
Entitled “Natural History of Horror,” the new exhibition links science, history, and the art of movie-making by exploring scientific discoveries from early experiments in animal electricity to the excavation of King Tut’s tomb. It was these discoveries that inspired some of Hollywood’s most iconic movie monsters.
The display, located at the Natural History Museum (NHM), features 17 objects from the museum’s own collection, and four ghoulish figures that starred in movies from Universal Pictures: Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Visitors will discover the scientific inspiration for each of these classic monsters through rare movie props, film footage, hands-on interactives, and specimens.
“It made sense that our classic monsters would be shown alongside the scientific artifacts from Natural History Museum’s collections, as they give background on the science that inspired their creation,” says Holly Goline, Universal Film Executive. “These iconic monsters have such an enduring legacy across generations of fans, so having them be part of this exhibition at a museum we all know and love gives guests the opportunity to see these stories come to life in a new way.”
Just in time for Halloween, visitors to the exhibit will have the opportunity to explore the origins of the monsters that inspire horror films to this day, and at the same time, get up close to rarely-seen objects from the Natural History Museum’s impressive Hollywood collection.
A highlight of the exhibit is the costume from “Creature from the Black Lagoon” movie that was released in 1954. Designed by Milicent Patrick, the monster was inspired by real animals, both living and extinct. To create it, she looked at reptiles, amphibians, fish, and at illustrations of life in the Devonian period, roughly 400 million years ago.
Alongside the iconic movie poster, there are silicone copies of the creature’s full bodysuit and the original mask. Next to this, the museum is showing a fossilized fish with unusual limb-like fins that look ready to crawl from the ocean onto solid ground, which was once believed to be the ancestor of all land animals. The Creature that Patrick designed reflects this imagined link between land and sea.
Another famous monster on display is Frankenstein. Dr. Frankenstein’s quest to reanimate the dead was based in part on the work of a real 19th-century scientist named Luigi Galvani. When the Frankenstein movie was released in 1931, many censors thought it too graphic and some scenes were cut. One of these scenes features the Frankenstein monster in shackles. These original shackles are part of the exhibition.
The Frankenstein display is paired with specimens and scientific instruments that show how early experiments with electricity led the way for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the film based on her novel.
Dracula is also spooking guests at the museum. This display tells the story of how vampire legends existed centuries before Bram Stoker published his 1897 novel Dracula. Scientists believe that deadly diseases from this era may have inspired the vampire myth we know today. The exhibition demonstrates these connections through artwork and illustrations from the 1830s paired with film stills and an actual prop bat from the film.
Dracula was one of the first horror films with sound. In the exhibition, an interactive Foley table display invites visitors to explore the sounds of horror and the techniques that early Foley artists used to create them.
The last famous monster on exhibit is The Mummy. Museum visitors will have an opportunity to view the wrappings from the 1932 movie, which were worn by actor Boris Karloff. It took eight hours to apply his makeup and the 150 feet of bandages he was wrapped in. The film was inspired by the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, which was opened by archaeologists in 1922 after lying untouched for over 3,000 years. Wrappings and other objects found in Egyptian tombs will help tell the real story behind the discoveries that gave rise to the idea of the mummy’s curse in popular culture.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is located at 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007. “The Natural History of Horror” runs through April 19, 2020. Admission to the museum is $6 – $15. For more information, visit: www.nhm.org
Museum of Monsters, or M.O.M. for short, is a fluffy museum that puts a whimsical twist on the selfie exhibition trend that has been on the rise the past few years. It’s an “all-ages” not-very-scary Halloween experience that seeks to re-imagine itself throughout the year with different seasonal overlays. For their first exhibit, guests are invited into the mind of a little girl as her imaginary monsters come to life through the child’s bedroom closet in a sort of “Where the Wild Things Are” vibe.
A child’s bedroom is the best place to find monstersA Whimsical playground
This first project took roughly three months from concept to final product. Designers aim to create a space that is immersive and engaging for the entire family. The final results have a homemade quality as much as a grade-school teacher would decorate her classroom for her students to enjoy. The walls are bombarded with color from fuzzy fur to shifting sequins. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their kid-friendly monster best and take photos amongst the zany backdrops. Feel free to touch and interact with the exhibit as it is designed to be immersive. You never know what you may find, even under a trash can lid.
A surprise waiting for you in the trash can!
The atmosphere is brightly lit, with no strobe lights, and with low noise levels. This actually makes it much more accessible with families who have members that may be disabled and would be unable to navigate bigger Halloween events in the greater Los Angeles area. The middle of the experience gives families a chance to hop into a ball pit for a family picture.
Museum of Monsters Photo Gallery
1 of 24
Drop on in and have a swim in the ball pit
A child goes missing
Drawings of monsters
An innocent bedroom
The portal to another world hides behind this closet
Keeping an eye out in this blacklit forest
A Whimsical playground
More shapes, sizes, and colors await
Be sure to bring your smile for camera!
Rub-a-dub-dub
A shower of rubber ducks
A suitcase full of tentacles
Getting bright ideas
A color-changing wall
Colorful pumpkins hiding from plain sight
Cloudy with a chance of AAHHHH!!!
Fresh from the farm and straight into the lab
Working in the lab late one night...
Books can get hungry, too
Experimenting with test tubes and slime
A surprise waiting for you in the trash can!
Observe and report your findings
Conservatory confessions: monsters are real
Carnivorous conservatories need plant food as well
The Museum of Monsters is located at 2927 S. Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Free parking is located in the back. Check out the selfie museum on social media like Instagram and Facebook for updates.
Inspired by the famous Disneyland theme park ride, Disney’s JUNGLE CRUISE is an adventure-filled, Amazon-jungle expedition starring Dwayne Johnson as the charismatic riverboat captain and Emily Blunt as a determined explorer on a research mission. Also starring in the film are Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti.
Jaume Collet-Serra is the director and John Davis, John Fox, Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, and Beau Flynn are the producers, with Doug Merrifield serving as executive producer.
Disney’s JUNGLE CRUISE opens in U.S. theaters on July 24, 2020.
In a tip of the Wildcat hat to fans of “High School Musical,” three television networks – ABC, Disney Channel and Freeform – will present the first episode of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” for one night only, FRIDAY, NOV. 8 (8:00 p.m. EST), in advance of the series’ bow on the highly anticipated streaming service, Disney+ (launching Tuesday, Nov. 12).
Created and executive produced by Tim Federle, a screenwriter, novelist, librettist, and self-described “musical theatre kid,” the series is marked by originality, relatability and a genuine reverence for the worldwide pop-culture sensation “High School Musical.” It begins another original, exciting story with both new and familiar songs and settings that both its longtime fans and new viewers can enjoy.
Starring an exciting, multitalented cast, the scripted Disney+ series introduces 10 main characters: Nini, Ricky, Gina, E.J., Ashlyn, Kourtney, Carlos, Big Red, Miss Jenn and Mr. Mazzara – a group of drama students and faculty members at East High, the Utah high school where the original “High School Musical” movie was filmed. Through the course of 10 episodes, these characters count down from auditions to the opening night of their school’s first-ever production of “High School Musical: The Musical.” They have budding romances, faltering friendships, and harsh rivalries as they experience the transformative power that only high school theater can provide.
(Disney+/Fred Hayes) JOSHUA BASSETT
Ricky (Joshua Bassett) is a charismatic teen auditioning for the musical so he can win back the heart of ex-girlfriend Nini (Olivia Rodrigo), who has just returned from summer theater camp with a new boyfriend – and the same insecurities that keep her from owning the spotlight. Miss Jenn (Kate Reinders) is East High’s supremely spirited drama teacher, who’s convinced that musicals can be lifesavers; Gina (Sofia Wylie) is a transfer student and diehard theater kid with plenty of secrets; E.J. (Matt Cornett) is Nini’s new beau from camp, who sees life as a competition and Ricky as his No. 1 foe. Kourtney (Dara Reneé) is Nini’s best friend and a fashionista equally obsessed with makeup tutorials and feminism. Ashlyn (Julia Lester) is E.J.’s cousin and an aspiring songwriter; Carlos (Frankie A. Rodriguez) is the student choreographer who has already memorized his Tony Award® speech; and Big Red (Larry Saperstein) is Ricky’s best friend, a dude who can best be described as a spiritual descendant of Bill and Ted. Mr. Mazzara (Mark St. Cyr) is East High’s by-the-book S.T.E.M. teacher.
The series was created and is executive produced by Golden Globe® and Academy Awardnominee Tim Federle (“Ferdinand”) who also wrote the first episode. The first episode was directed by Tamra Davis. Oliver Goldstick, Tamra Davis and Emmy® Award-winning “High School Musical” executive producers Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush also serve as executive producers of the first episode.
(Disney+/Fred Hayes) OLIVIA RODRIGO
Filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah, the high school serves as both the setting and film location for the original movie and the new series.
Launching on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, Disney+ will be the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more, together, for the first time. The direct-to-consumer streaming service will offer ad-free programming with a variety of original feature-length films, documentaries, live-action, and animated series and short-form content. In addition to “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” other original programming available at launch includes “The Mandalorian,” “The World According to Jeff Goldblum” and “Encore!,” and films “Lady and the Tramp” and “Noelle.”
Dive into the dark depths of the Aquarium, where there’s more fun than fright this Halloween season! Discover the eerie creatures lurking in the depths at the twentieth annual Scarium of the Pacific on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Kids of all ages can look for creepy-looking animals while enjoying special Halloween activities and learning about the ocean.
The event will feature various Halloween programs, including the annual children’s costume contest, magic shows, underwater pumpkin carving, spooky storytelling, kooky crafts, the creepy coloring contest, and otherworldly animals in the Great Hall.
Included with general admission $34.95 adult (12+), $31.95 senior (62+), $24.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.
The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature’s services by building the interactions between and among peoples. Home to more than 12,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include the new Pacific Visions wing, Ocean Science Center, Molina Animal Care Center, and the Tentacles and Ink and FROGS: Dazzling & Disappearing exhibits.
Now through October 31, 2019, you can receive $5 off regular Aquarium admission when you purchase your tickets online at aquariumofpacific.org. Convenient parking is available for $8 with Aquarium validation.
The AmtrakPacific Surfliner will soon offer an additional train in each direction between Los Angeles and San Diego, giving customers expanded options for travel along the southern California coast. Tickets can now be purchased for travel beginning October 14.
A schedule change, effective Monday, October 14, features the addition of a 13th Pacific Surfliner round trip between Los Angeles and San Diego. The new southbound Train 578 will depart Los Angeles at 1:15 p.m., arriving in San Diego at 4:12 p.m. Existing northbound Train 591 will be renumbered to Train 593. New Train 591 will depart San Diego at 5:25 p.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 8:34 p.m.
“Each of the new trains will fill a nearly three-hour gap in our existing schedule, providing expanded possibilities for business and leisure travel between Los Angeles and San Diego,” said Al Murray, chairman of the Los Angeles–San Diego–San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency, which oversees the Pacific Surfliner service. “We appreciate the support of the state of California, Amtrak, BNSF Railway, and our local member agencies in launching these additional trains, which mark the first expansion of Pacific Surfliner service in the past three years.”
The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with portions of the route hugging the Southern California coastline. As part of the new schedule, minor changes are also being made to arrival and departure times of other Pacific Surfliner trains to improve reliability and coordination with other trains.
Photo Credit: Amtrak
“This service expansion represents the initial benefit of a decades-long, multi-hundred million dollar capital investment by the state of California to add a third track and grade separations between Los Angeles and Fullerton, which will greatly expand capacity and reduce delays for passenger and freight trains on this busy rail corridor,” said Chad Edison, chief deputy secretary for rail and transit at the California State Transportation Agency.
“We look forward to adding additional passenger rail service in the near future, taking full advantage of the new frequencies enabled by the completion of this project.”
With almost 3 million riders in 2018, the Pacific Surfliner is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States and will now offer a total of 26 trains a day between Los Angeles and San Diego.
All Pacific Surfliner trains feature comfortable, reclining seats with power outlets, Wi-Fi, bike and luggage racks, a free and generous baggage policy, and an onboard Market Café that offers fresh food, snacks, and beverages, including California wines, cocktails, and local craft beer.
“As the second busiest rail corridor in the United States, the Pacific Surfliner has generated significant demand for customers,” said Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson. “The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency alongside the state of California had the vision to expand transportation and we are thrilled to see that investment realized. With service that connects major cities along the Southern California Coast – this increased service offers a significant benefit to customers.”
Ticketing and reservations are available on PacificSurfliner.com, Amtrak.com, Amtrak mobile apps, or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. Boarding documents can be self-printed, or customers using a smartphone or mobile device can present the eTicket to the conductor by opening a document in their email.
Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre presents a special engagement of Disney’s MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL, October 17 to November 17, shown in brilliant Dolby Vision Laser Projection & Dolby Atmos Sound Technology.
El Capitan Theatre Guests will be able to take their picture before and after the movie with a special Maleficent Wing photo op. Plus, costumes and props from the film will be on display throughout the theatre.
“The El Capitan Theatre is the place to be this Halloween season for Disney’s MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL,” said Ed Collins, General Manager of The El Capitan Theatre. “Guests will be treated to a magnificent opportunity as they enter the theater to take a unique photo featuring Maleficent’s Wings. Guests will also see props and costumes from the film on display before or after the movie; there’s just no better place to experience the magic and wonder of this exciting new fantasy adventure.”
El Capitan Theatre Guests can even be among the first to see the movie on Thursday, October 17 at 6:00 PM as the El Capitan Theatre hosts a Special Opening Night Fan Event. In addition to watching the movie early, all FAN EVENT guests will receive an exclusive poster, as well as the reserved seat, a souvenir popcorn container, and a 20 oz. bottled drink. Tickets to The Special Opening Night Fan Event are $35.
Disney’s MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL showtimes are daily from October 18th – November 17nd at 10:00 AM, 1:10 PM, 4:20 PM, and 7:30 PM. The film is also screened at 10:35 PM opening weekend and then Fridays and Saturdays only. Showtimes and dates are subject to change.
There are special group rates for Disney’s MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL of $10 for parties of 20 or more. Also during the run of Disney’s MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL, The El Capitan Theatre will also offer RED CARPET & PREMIERE PARTY PACKAGES that include Ghirardelli treats in the HOLLYWOOD ROOM and a HARD ROCK CAFÉ MOVIE & MEAL PACKAGE. A great opportunity for Colleges & Universities to have SPOOKTACULAR time!!
Tickets are now on sale at www.elcapitantickets.com, by calling 1-800-DISNEY6 and at The El Capitan Theatre box office. For more information, all groups, parties, and movie and meal package, call 1-818-845-3100.
HARD ROCK CAFÉ MOVIE & MEAL PACKAGE: $40.00 per person. Each ticket package includes a reserved seat (no concessions) to see the movie at The El Capitan Theatre, and a meal at Hard Rock Café. Reservations are required in advance (tickets must be booked no later than 24 hrs business days). Guests may choose one entrée from a special Hard Rock Cafe menu at the time of their seating. Tax & gratuity included. It does not include alcohol – guests can purchase and pay on their own.
TINY TOT TUESDAY: The El Capitan Theatre will also host a very special Tiny Tot Tuesday for the first show every Tuesday during the run of Disney’sMALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL. During these special screenings, parents and small children may enjoy the movie in a tot-friendly way—with lights dimmed rather than out and reduced sound levels.
Set in a suburban fantasy world, “Onward” introduces two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt), who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.
Also featuring the voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Ian and Barley’s mom, Laurel Lightfoot, and Octavia Spencer as the voice of the Manticore, Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new original feature film is directed by Dan Scanlon and produced by Kori Rae—the team behind “Monsters University.”
Hilarious and heartbreaking; Miss Saigon at Segerstrom Center for the Arts will take you on a visually stunning emotional journey to the end of the Vietnam War, and some of the lesser-known aftermath of America’s involvement in Vietnam.
Set in Saigon in 1975, we meet a boisterous club/brothel owner called “The Engineer” in his crudely built club called “Dreamland.” The Engineer has been profiting from the Americans who are in Vietnam at war, and the girls hope that they may meet one who will like them enough to take them back to America with them. Kim, a 17-year-old from the countryside, is the newest girl to join the Engineer’s harem. She is modest, still hurting from the destruction of her village, and is not interested in strutting her stuff for Americans. A group of American soldiers stops by Dreamland, knowing that they will not be in Vietnam much longer, to party with the girls. One soldier, Chris, is the only one not enjoying the experience. He seems completely uncomfortable with what is happening around him until he sees Kim and is immediately intrigued. He attempts to pay for her to leave Dreamland, and John ends up buying her for him, misunderstanding Chris’ intent. Ultimately, Chris falls in love with her but finds out they are leaving that week. The whirlwind set in motion by this one fateful night will take audiences on a rollercoaster of emotion through the shady and (nowadays) offensive world of The Engineer, Kim’s life in her village, and the romantic and heartbreaking journey of Kim and Chris.
Red Concepción really steals the show as the crass, smooth-talking, multi-lingual Engineer. His amazing delivery of one-liners, show-stopping numbers like ‘If You Want To Die In Bed,” and “The American Dream,” absolutely delight. Concepción really lends to the character with his insane level of sustained energy through some very difficult numbers and scenes. Important: Be mindful that this character was not written to appeal to some of the sensitivities of today’s culture. Emily Bautista (Kim) is a beautiful singer, gracing the stage with her amazingly powerful voice and heart-wrenching performance; I only cried twice! Anthony Festa (Chris) has such a clear voice and stage presence, it was no surprise to see that he has also toured with Wicked and Finding Neverland. Other stands out performances were Jinwoo Jung as Thuy, Christine Bunuan as Gigi, and Haven Je as Tam. The set design was just phenomenal; with relatively few actual set pieces, audiences will be transported all over the world in just a moment with the flip of a wall. The famous helicopter scene was amazing as hoped; utilizing projection, lighting, sound, and physical set work to create an amazing sensory experience. Conductor Will Curry did a great job with the orchestration, especially working with all the nuance of The Engineer.
I came to this show with no fond memory of it, having seen it in my younger years and not found it memorable. I was unsure what to expect of this performance despite having technically seen it before. The sheer magnitude of this performance completely took me by surprise. I laughed, I cried, I was a bit uncomfortable. I highly recommend going to see Cameron Mackintosh’s tour of Boublil and Schönberg’s Miss Saigon.
Tickets to MISS SAIGON start at $26 and are available for purchase at SCFTA.org, by calling (714) 556-2787 and at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. Performs until Oct 13, 2019.
