Fans, Fans, Fans

In the space of 24 hours, two people have ordered Eric's CD from the fansite and three have left rave comments about Eric:

Maggi.
My name is Jennifer. I went last night to see Miss Saigon for the second time at the WST. I first saw it on Broadway. When I heard Eric's voice last night, I was mesmerized! He and the entire cast at the WST did a wonderful job! The emotion and sincerity on how they portrayed their roles was amazing! Also, Eric is very easy on the eyes! :) In short, please pass along to Eric and the entire cast of the WST that I really enjoyed the show. As someone who does not have any musical talent what so ever-I truly enjoy watching good theatre. Thank you! Eric- I have become a fan!
Jennifer, South Jersey"

Dear Maggi,

I was excited to order the CD. Can't wait to get it...What is interesting to me is that Eric's performance really moved me. I have seen a lot of shows. This was the first time that I felt mesmerized, emotionally engaged. It was weird that in a matter of few days I went from "it'd be interesting to see the same chris" to "I need to hear him sing". This is the first time I have contacted any fan club of any sort. I guess I am a fan.

S.D.

From Michele:

We went to see the show in Philly and loved the entire cast. Eric's voice is the best I have heard in the role of Chris, and we've seen the show several times. I am anxious to listen to the CD.

Eric Kunze and Melinda Chua at the Walnut Street Gala May 13th

(Photo by Mark Garvin)

Don't miss Eric and Melinda in "Miss Saigon" at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. Many are saying this is the best production they have seen, including Broadway. Due to the overwhelming demand, the show has been held over and will run until July 24th.

Fan Mail

An interesting comment was left on the fansite today:

I am a specialist in voice care (Vocologist), and a Professor in Speech Pathology. During this week I am visiting Philadelphia as I am attending the 40th Annual Symposium of The Voice Foundation. Today I saw the Miss Saigon show at Walnut Street Theatre. I was seriously impressed with Eric Kunze's voice. Beautiful! He has a new fan.

And this comment was sent to me via email:

Dear Maggi,

I found your fansite for Eric as I was checking out the info for Miss Saigon at the WST [Walnut Street Theater]. What a great way to let people know about the talented Mr. Kunze!

Miss Saigon is my favorite Broadway show and I have seen it at least ten times in many different states. I was lucky enough to see Lea Solanga in it when she returned to Broadway but unlucky in Dublin, Ireland when the show was canceled due to mechanical troubles, if you can believe that! As every theater lover knows, each time the curtain goes up it's a different show and atmosphere each time. When I saw it on May 25th, I was totally blown away by the entire production! It was the most emotional and excellent production I have ever seen!!!

Whenever I see Miss Saigon, I always fall in love with Chris during the first act but really change my mind when he pretty much kicks Kim to the curb in the bedroom scene with John and Ellen. It always bothers me that he decides to leave Kim and Tam to fend for themselves. Each performer I've seen portray Chris has always been good but not memorable in any emotional way. Eric's acting talents really came across and I finally believed that it was heartwrenching and horrible for him to decide what to do. I still loved him by the time the curtain came down! The entire cast was so believable that I felt like I was watching it for the first time. It broke my heart and I quickly tried to get rid of the tears when the lights came on so people didn't think I was a basket case!

I purchased Eric's CD before I saw the show and his voice was phenomenal in person. While I sat in the audience at intermission, I thought about the difficult role Eric has playing Chris and wondered if he ever looks out at the audience and imagines if any of the men sitting there has left a child behind in Vietnam. It makes me sad to think that and I can't even watch the film they show when John sings Bui-Doi.

Thanks for the great website about Eric and I look forward to following his career and seeing him on stage again. Will you be doing any more special fan club events before the show ends in July? How do I join the fanclub?

          Sincerely, Susie M.

I replied to Susie that the next fanclub dinner will be held Friday, July 15th at 5:00 p.m. at Marathon Grill, just 1-1/2 blocks from the theater.  All are welcome to attend, just email me at maggiwun@yahoo.com to rsvp.  Anyone wishing to be on our mailing list to be notified of Eric news should email me as well.  Thanks Susie!  I'm sure Eric and the cast will be blessed to read your kind remarks.

Miss Saigon Extended at Walnut Street

Good news Eric fans!  This note was posted on the Walnut Street Theater's Facebook page:

Just a heads up for our MISS SAIGON fans: Due to popularity, we're extending MISS SAIGON until July 24...The Heat is On - LONGER! Tickets for the extension are on sale this Monday.

Review of Miss Saigon in STAGE, by Patricia Bradford

As one would expect in a musical production of this caliber, all the voices in the cast are excellent; but it is the quality of the acting that sets the WST production apart from others. The chemistry between the American GI, Chris (Eric Kunze) and the young Vietnamese girl, Kim (Melinda Chua) is palpable in the duet, “Sun and Moon”, aided in part by the tender staging, deftly handled by veteran director, Bruce Lumpkin. This team has worked together before, so perhaps that accounts for the level of intimacy achieved in the lovers’ early scenes. Whatever the reason, the result is beautiful to behold. Chua makes a fine Kim, fragile and sweet of voice, but with the core of strength the role demands. Kunze’s vocals are masterful and his portrayal of Chris completely truthful.

From Marius to Miss Saigon, a Broadway Star Makes His Walnut Debut!

The Walnut Street Theater June 2011 Newsletter features Eric:


"When you have a man like Eric Kunze playing Chris in MISS SAIGON, it's easy to understand how Kim can carry a torch for him after so many years. There's no denying that he's a handsome fella, but furthermore, he's an enormously talented performer with the kind of leading-man good looks you'd expect for the role. And boy, does he deliver the goods! Originally from San Diego (which he still calls home today), his first theatrical performance was at the age of 17 in a production of Tom Sawyer at the Moonlight Ampitheater. He spent many summers on that stage growing as a young performer before going to college after high school. "I love coming home to family, friends, weather and ocean air that San Diego provides" gushed Eric.

In the last quarter of his college year, he was in New York City on an internship studying theatre, and auditioned for Les Miserables, landing the role of Marius. It was time for Eric to make his Broadway debut in the world's most popular musical. Who could ask for anything more? There was no where to go but up from that point on. "About nine months later," Eric explained "I was moved into the role of Chris in MISS SAIGON, also performing in the First National Company (where I met and worked with Melinda Chua and Phillip Michael Baskerville from our current production) as well as the Broadway company."

Working with the big stars and big lights on Broadway could make an actor jaded, but not so in the case of Eric. He couldn't be more thrilled to be here in Philadelphia at America's oldest theatre reprising his MISS SAIGON role. "This production at The Walnut is by far one of the most passionate, well sung, and beautifully directed productions I have ever been a part of - thanks to Bruce Lumpkin. This story and music that Philly audiences are experiencing is absolutely TOP NOTCH and I am fortunate to be part of something that affects hundreds of people every night." As for what part of the show is his favorite, all he can say is "it is difficult to point out a particular moment that is my favorite, but I suppose every time I get to sing into my co-star's eyes, that is a pretty special moment to me." And when you hear Eric singing such anthems as "Why, God, Why," it will be a special moment for you too. We can't wait to see what's next for him after his Walnut debut in MISS SAIGON!"

Also from their newsletter:

THIS IS THE HOUR OF MISS SAIGON!

Such an amazing production! I am honored to have seen it! And the cast was out of this world! - David McCloughan Jr.


Rarely am I as blown away as I was by Miss Saigon. Thank you for a fabulous night of theatre. - Debbie Bradin Silverstone


The show was amazing...so emotional it had me crying! I loved it! - Cathie Polchenko Josaphouitch


100% standing O from the top of the balcony down to the front row. There was so much passion, energy and talent onstage! Amazing show - do not miss it! - Margaret Stava Wunschl

These are quotes from actual audience members who have experienced the sensation at the Walnut Street Theatre that is MISS SAIGON! The standing ovations keep on coming. The applause is louder than the helicopter. The critics agree that MISS SAIGON is really going to heat up Philadelphia this summer. MISS SAIGON is a blockbuster that audiences can't stop raving about. With Bruce Lumpkin's brilliantly nuanced direction, Michelle Gaudette's heart-stopping choreography and the star-making performances of Melinda Chua and Eric Kunze, MISS SAIGON is a masterpiece that will dazzle your senses.

Just for fun...

Recognize anyone?

Eric and Lea Salonga in "Les Miserables" on Broadway

Walnut Street Miss Saigon: Day 3 Fanclub Dinner

To see the photos in a full size slideshow or to download, click on the round Picasa icon in the right hand corner.

The fanclub dinner was a big success! We met at Marathon Grill, just two blocks from the theater. Present were fans from Houston, Michigan, northern and southern Jersey. We celebrated Eric's birthday belatedly with handmade E and K cookies. Everyone (including our lone male, Jake with the crooked little finger) got official Eric Kunze fanclub rings. Eric's fans are all so nice. We always have a great time together. Afterward we attended the show and were able to visit with the cast, including Angelica-Lee Aspiras and Melinda Chua, in the lobby following the performance.

Walnut Street Miss Saigon: Day Two

The second night of theater at Walnut Street!  Instead of sitting in the back row, this time I was in the front row.  What a difference!  What impressed me was the intensity each person brought to their roles, whether lead or chorus. This night I focused more on some of the other roles.  Especially impressive was Angelica-Lee Aspiras, playing a dual role (Gigi and Assistant Commissar).  Her interpretation of "Movie in My Mind" was one of the best I've heard.  Mel Sagrado Maghuyop as Thuy stood out as well.  Walnut Street should cast him in the upcoming "King and I".  I could clearly see the faces of the ensemble, during the Morning of the Dragon number, for example, fully committed to their characterizations.  This is the type of musical that, no matter how many times I have seen it, I always pick up something new with each performance.  I look forward to another new experience tonight.  Fanclub dinner at 5:00!  What fun!

Walnut Street Miss Saigon: Day One

Opening night, Wednesday, May 25th
The theater was sold out, except for one seat left in the upper balcony, back row, which I snapped up.  It was a treat to see the capacity crowd clap, whistle and roar in appreciation after the musical numbers.  Apparently, there have been standing ovations every night and this was no exception.  Every person stood, from the upper balcony to the front row. 

The reason for that is, this cast is exceptional.  Eric is joined by his Houston Kim, Melinda Chua.  They know each other inside and out, having done the show so often together, every move looks entirely natural and believable. They have worked with Philip Michael Baskerville before as well and he always turns in consistently excellent performances.   The part of the engineer always has been a scene stealer and show stopper, but the spin Bobby Martino puts on the role takes it up a whole other notch.  I don't know how he does it but he elicits real sympathy for his sleazy character expecially during the re-education sequence. 

Having seen Eric perform this role at the Muny and at TUTS in Houston, I felt he played his character in a slightly more hardened, jaded way than before.  That made his falling in love with Kim all the more poignant. 

The pivital helicopter scene is a challenge depending on the limitations of the venue.  Director Bruce Lumpkin is especially inventive here at the Walnut and is able to use smoke and mirrors for a realistic evacuation sequence.  I've seen the show produced four different times.  I've never been quite so moved to tears as this production.  Kudos to the entire cast, director and crew for their superb work! 
(written by Maggi Wunschl)

Miss Saigon's Official Opening Today

Toi, toi, toi!!!!! 
That's the opera equivalent of "break a leg", the pre-show good luck wish. It's to represent spitting, and properly done, it is said over the left shoulder of the recipient of the wishes.  So, to Eric and the cast of Miss Saigon on the opening of the show,  "toi, toi, toi".

And the raves are pouring in for Miss Saigon...

The buzz on the Walnut Street Facebook page is that the show is wowing audiences:

"I have been a subscriber for nearly a decade. While I truly enjoy most productions, rarely am I as blown away as I was by Miss Saigon. Thank you for a fabulous night of theatre."

"Another Standing O last night at MISS SAIGON! The "Heat is On" with this fantastic cast gracing the Walnut's stage. We're all very excited for Opening night next week!"

"Such an amazing production!!!! I am honored to have seen it!!!! And the cast was out of this world!!!!!"

And on Eric's Fanclub Facebook page:
"I saw the show last night at WST. Such an amazing voice!"

"I agree with Ella!! You were amazing!!!"