The performer talks about touring, challenges and rewards, and more.

PHOTOGRAPHY Belg Belgica
STYLING Gee Jocson

Nothing is lost on Nigel Huckle. The full-circle moment of starring as Chris in Miss Saigon, as well as the impact of the musical on the Philippines is something he's realized. And, it's all added to his performance as the American G.I. who falls in love with Vietnamese bar girl Kim in the days leading up to the fall of Saigon. In this exclusive interview, the performer shares his experience with Miss Saigon, from being on tour and the challenges and rewards of the role to the Philippines' connection to the musical.

Hi Nigel, did you manage to catch Miss Saigon beforehand? What about&nbsp;Miss Saigon drew you to audition?
I first did the show in 2014 at a really small theater in Colorado. And funnily enough, when I was here in Manila in 2016 doing Les Mis, I had an audition for the Broadway production of Miss Saigon. All the creatives were here with Les Mis and they were seeking people to take from the Philippines to Broadway. I had my first audition for this production, but on Broadway back then, and it didn't work out at the time. But, all I needed was eight years of seasoning and here I am again. Chris is a dream role. "Why God Why?" is something that every young tenor in musical theater sings for juries or for concerts. To bring it on a big tour was amazing, but to bring it back to Manila, where it got its first heartbeat is super special.
Which song was the most challenging to learn and which is your personal favorite?
I think maybe the hotel scene is the most challenging, vocally and emotionally. In that same vein, you don't often get the chance to unleash emotionally in any other show, so the challenge really has its rewards. But, I think my favorite song in the show is "Sun and Moon" because it's just so intimate and all you have to do is be with each other and share this beautiful moment and this declaration of love. Yeah, "Sun and Moon" is the best.

What has the preparation and training process been like at each stop on the tour? Are they different for each city and what has been the biggest challenge so far?
I think just the environments for each city are different. When we were in Sydney, we were at the Opera House it had all that grandeur. And when we moved to Melbourne, it was just a completely different city. Then, when we got to Adelaide, it was different again, because it's a smaller city, but people are so excited to get a big blockbuster musical. Bringing it to Manila is just special in its own way because of the connection that people have to the show here, and just how many people came back multiple times and how many people were moved by the show. And, this stage door culture and the excitement to bring the show back after 24 years. It's different every city and each has its own special experiences.
What are you looking forward to most when visiting the Philippines?
I think just the fandom was exciting to return to. I know how excited Manila audiences get just for musical theater in general. But for Miss Saigon in particular. It's part of culture here. So that's what I think I was most looking forward to&mdash;bringing that back.

What is the one theme explored in Miss Saigon that personally speaks to you the most and why?
Well, the show is about hope and it's about resilience. You attach to Kim's story and Chris is a vehicle for that hope, but when it ends in tragedy, that's what makes it so devastating. You had so much hope for this character and how her relationships changed: the love between a man and a woman, a husband and a wife, and the love between a mother and a son&mdash;how those evolve through tragedy and through war but, most of all, as it clings on to that hope in the story. I think that's the most important thing.
What is one scene or song from Miss Saigon that stands out for you and why?
I think "Why God Why?" is just such a challenge in that there are so many emotions and feelings to explore for my character, Chris. He starts the show very disillusioned and then Kim is thrust into his life, and "Why God Why?" explores the complexity of the emotions that he's feeling and it's a journey from start to finish. And then, how he reckons with Kim and identifying his love and affection for Kim.

What has been your strongest memory and greatest takeaway from the international touring experience so far?
Maybe a bit selfish, I was telling these guys like a year ago today I was serving pizza in a loud and dark restaurant. And then a year later, I'm doing an amazing shoot like this because of the opportunities that the show has given me to expand and really come into my sense of confidence in leading a show. I think that's been a personal reward that has been 12 years in the making. Musical theater is contractual and a career that I'm really proud of but now, for the first time, I've been on a show for a long time now that has made me feel like I'm where I belong.

CREATIVE DIRECTION Markarvin Patiag
MAKEUP Christian Arapoc
HAIR Bryan Eusebio
PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANT Sarah El-Ali
STYLING ASSISTANT Angelo Vassalo
LOCATION Espacio Creativo Escolta

An Exclusive Interview With Nigel Huckle of ‘Miss Saigon’

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