MISS SAIGON AUDITIONS

Monique Wilson, one of the original Miss Saigon London cast, sang "I'd Give My Life For You" as her second audition part.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• miss
• saigon
• lea
• salonga

[blackberri64]

They both are very talented but Lea's voice is more suited to Kim.

[myraceleste]

they both are talented but lea has a more angelic voice..... kim role, tailored for lea...ONLY...

[SuperAzkals]

@TimKoopman10 london cast understudy and alternate kim

[TimKoopman10]

She is great, did she become alternate or understudy or so? I dont know much about the original cast, sorry!

[sarahgfan24]

(Cont.) -- an IMPORTANT edge at that given that this was musical theater. They were BOTH great Kims, however, so there should be no cause for arguments. While Salonga went on for more projects and awards afterwards, Wilson continued her studies at the prestigious Royal Academy for the Arts and eventually put up her own theater company in the Philippines. Both are giving back to the community and have made the Philippines proud!

[sarahgfan24]

At the time of the auditions, Monique Wilson had the most acting exp, Salonga the most extensive singing experience. Talented girl that she was, however, Salonga stepped up to the plate acting-wise after being offered the role. Wilson was her alternate & got the chance to play Kim after several months (the formidable Salonga sang in ALL performances each week for months, until she developed nodules in her throat). Wilson's ability was NEVER in question; Salonga simply had the edge in singing.

[BettinaBalser]

I remember what the producers of the show said about Lea and Monique: Lea was a singer who could do some acting and Monique was an actor who could do some singing. It is my guess that Monique grew quite nicely into the role, as she went on to play Kim on the London stage for years after Lea left and was Lea's understudy during the show's first London run. There are many who swear the Monique is, in fact, the best Kim.

[neil4668]

@mobee1028 nahhhhh! lea is miles better than monique, in terms of voice and acting. If monique is better, why didn't she win a tony award of olivier award? Lea did win those awards in 1990 and 1991 for the role of Kim in Miss Saigon.

Conclusion: Lea is miles better than Monique.

[sday813]

i cant tell the difference between there voices ! there both magnificint

[mobee1028]

but monique is a damn better actress than lea ...leajust sings better coz of her angelic voice which is suppose to be her role as a virgin bar girl at 17 so maybe tha;swhy...but monique sings good too...diff style and pitch but not bad...otherwisaeshe wouldn;t have landedt he job too....

[isnukwin]

@ed10908

She was the second Kim for three years after Lea left the production.

[ricstars95]

both lea and monique are great. no fight. its a win-win for two world-class theater artists.