A performance of Miss Saigon at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, was disrupted on 14 September 2024 when an audience member heckled actor Seann Miley Moore during his performance. Moore, who plays the Engineer in the musical, responded by telling the heckler to “shut up.” The incident occurred during the song “The American Dream.”
Background
Miss Saigon is a musical that tells the tragic love story between an American GI and a Vietnamese girl during the Vietnam War. Seann Miley Moore’s character, the Engineer, is a hustler who owns a bar and brothel and dreams of escaping to America. The musical has been highly acclaimed and has been seen by 38 million people worldwide. It is currently showing at the Sands Theatre until 29 September 2024.
“Make America Great Again!”
Moore took to Instagram to share the incident, explaining that he was unaware of what exactly was yelled at him during the performance. However, he quickly shut down the behaviour by telling the audience member to “shut up.”
After the show, other audience members and cast members informed Moore that the heckler had yelled “Make America Great Again” and “Go Trump.” According to a cast member, the heckler was a woman seated in the balcony, and this was not the only time she disrupted the performance. During the performers’ bows, she allegedly shouted, “America, f*ck yeah America!”
Audience and Cast Reactions
The incident drew reactions from both the audience and the cast. Many were shocked by the outburst, considering the context of the musical and its themes. One audience member remarked, “It was completely inappropriate and disrupted the entire experience.” Another cast member added, “We were all taken aback, but Seann handled it professionally.”
Previous Incidents and Future Implications
This is not the first time a performance of Miss Saigon has been disrupted by political statements. Similar incidents have occurred in other cities, raising questions about audience etiquette and the impact of political polarisation on the arts. The theatre management has yet to comment on whether any measures will be taken to prevent such disruptions in the future.
Miss Saigon continues to captivate audiences with its powerful storytelling and emotive performances. Tickets are available from $60, and the show runs until 29 September 2024 at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands.
