MISS SAIGON Lea Salonga & Margaret Ann Gates 

Having Ellen be played by another Asian adds a whole new racial dynamic and layer to this...WOW

Casting Ellen as an Asian-American makes it more poignant - that Chris did not forget Kim and attempted to replace her with an Asian when he returned to the US ... Kim realises this when she sees a mirror-image of herself, and Ellen's heart just shatters especially when she sings "Now that I've Seen Her" ...

I love having an Asian-American as Ellen. It feels like Chris is wanting her to BE Kim, and then when Ellen meets her and realises the depth of Kim and Chris' relationship, she must wonder if that's why he is with her, because she reminds him of Kim. So many extra layers. Love it.

It's an interesting change for Ellen to also be an Asian woman.

I saw this production I thought it was great to have Ellen be Asian because it means that Chris was looking for Kim substitute in America. Also practically it means they don’t even need to have a white woman in the ensemble to cover a white Ellen when now any of the bar girls can cover Ellen.

Lea was amazing in the show. So was Margaret. I loved playing in the pit when they were on the stage.

I saw Margaret Ann Gates in this show as both Ellen and Gigi…very solid consistent powerful voice in both roles.

wow! I never thought the idea of two Asians in two significant roles would hit a REAL substantial different angle of a story

Man, no one beat Lea in this role.

No other actor sings that low E in the “Sun and Moon Reprise” as well (or even actually hits the note) as Lea Salonga. I’m so glad I saw Lea’s 1999 return to the show multiple times, and I’m grateful this clip exists. Margaret Ann Gates was a fantastic Ellen.

Wow, it changes the whole thing Ellen being cast as an Asian-american, very interesting.

WOW. I always regretted not getting to see Margaret Ann Gates as Ellen. Thank you for this. I wish you had her in "I Still Believe". And I completely agree with those who feel that an Asian Ellen really shook up the dynamic.

They should have left this scene alone. Its heartbreaking they changed it. I love this so much...

her voice is so amazing, especially during this time period, with the most incredibly controlled vibrato that literally soars and sings. Outstanding musicianship as well. Just incredibly beautiful.

I would so love to see footage of Margaret Ann Gates as Christine in "Phantom". So very talented, both of them.

I had heard an Asian actress had been cast as Ellen & I am so glad to see her in this wonderful clip with Lea. I also like the lower register of her voice. Ellen's duet with Kim is one of my favorites in the show; however, Ellen's solo in the second act is one of my least favorites. Ms Gates really delivers it well & I definitely like her version. Thanks so much! :)

I'm blown away by Margaret's performance, I wonder what she's up to now?

This is the best Ellen version I’d ever seen.

I saw this production in Broadway. One of my fondest memories and one that I will never forget. I still have my tickets, the poster, and the program. The news clippings featuring Lea's return in the newspaper in currently framed in my office. Not sure if it is the New York Times. I only kept the part with her picture.

It's been so many years ago, Margaret (Ellen). I was so happy to call you my friend and was so proud of you and your amazing gift!

Oh my - Margaret Ann Gates is great!

Thanks for uploading this! I've always wanted to hear what Margaret Ann Gates sounded like in this role and she did great. Her voice feels a bit deeper than other Ellens but it gives her great richness and gravity.

I love Lea Salonga and Margret Ann Gates.

One of the best Ellen's

Omg i love Lea. If you have more of her pls upload..thank you very much!

More Lea Salonga clips please...

Back after 2 years watching this. Margarett is really amazing

I saw the two on them on Broadway. Really added something to the show. Thanks for uploading this

I saw the show in May of 1999, this brings back memories...

Simple yet beautiful and powerful

Wonderful lea

Not gonna lie, I can't get over the fact that Ellen is played by an asian american actress. I see what they were trying to do, but in my opinion it changes the story substantially and makes Chris a villain where he isn't supposed to be one. Regardless, she does a good job with the singing and acting.

I've been curious and hoping to see how casting Ellen as Asian-American would work and now think (at least just seeing an excerpt) that it doesn't, in my opinion. Kim has been holding out hope to be reunited with Chris, but she sees he has found someone else. Someone who looks nothing like her. It emphasizes that he has not been clinging to her memory the same way she was clinging to his. John tells Kim Chris said "I'm home now, my life has to go on here". And Chris tells Ellen the story of his life began again with her. He is trying to let go of the past that haunts him and falls in love with someone who doesn't remind him of that. The acting choices in the recent Broadway revival gave me the sense that there was no affection between Chris & Ellen and I didn't like that, and this casting makes it seem even more like Chris doesn't love Ellen and wants Kim. They're all hurting and broken but I do think Chris loves Ellen for Ellen. And while Ellen does tell Chris she would take Tam if Kim wasn't in the picture, I think her inner struggle is also heightened if she knows that nobody would ever think Tam is her biological son and the looks and questions that could arise from that. All this aside though, Margaret Ann Gates sings this brilliantly and it was a treat to listen to.

Thanks for uploading!

I know these are just YT videos, but I never felt I would come into conclusion that I so much prefer this scene with Ms Gates compared to Ms Henshall. Gates I think was the understudy of Henshall during those times. I felt so much angst and pain on both women on this clip. I saw Henshall with Lea in Broadway.

Great performances! It just occurred to me that if Ellen had not been so quickly against bringing the boy to America, and at least waited it out a bit, Kim might have survived. But that certainly would have destroyed the sad and effective ending. Even sadder than Madame Butterfly.

First video that has no dislikes.

Is there a full performance of this, that can be traded or bought?

Bravo! Thank you for sharing. Do you have the video of the entire show?

I didn't know that you can play the role ellen even though you're asian. But it's interesting ❤️

Iba talaga pag orihinal

Is this manila production?

Tami Tappan as Ellen owns this role but margaret ann gates comes a close second.

It's alright It's alright when you can just imagine There's no face, she's not real And you can tell yourself it's all okay But she's here And my heart cries this isn't happening But the truth is cold and real And I know this storm won't go away Now that I've seen her There's no way to hide She is not some fling From long ago Now that I've seen her I know why he lied And I think it was better when I didn't know In her eyes, in her voice In the heat that filled the air Part of him still lingers there I know what pain her life today must be But if it all comes down to her or me I don't care, I swear, I'll fight Now that I've seen her She's more than a name I don't hate this girl even so Now that I've seen her I can't stay the same Who's this man that I always trusted? Now I have to know

I think I prefer “it’s her or me”