I feel like Ruthie Henshall is one of the only LIKABLE Ellen's. everyone else you kinda just dislike by default but with her portrayal she seems much more likeable
i think it's because the way she sang really evoked ellen's frustration, sympathy and helplessness for kim. her intentional vocal break in "you don't know how he needed a new start" is a great example.
One of the things I love about Miss Saigon, is how Ellen's character has a dignified presence in the story and not someone close-minded to the struggles that both Chris and Kim had. And though we ought to root for Kim till the end, Ellen's efforts in trying understand the situation despite her conflicting emotions really made me truly invested in the situation they were all put in.
I realize that this comes 4 years after your writing, but I categorically disagree with your assessment of Ellen. I have always seen her as understanding that there is a situation that must be dealt with, but in the most American way possible. She wants to have Chris resolve this by throwing money at Kim and Tam then go home and forget again so they can have their American life. Even the thought of giving Chris's son a true opportunity in life is immediately rejected by her. She isn't understanding, she is just trying to run out the ugliness of the situation as quickly as possible to get back to her life plans. Her admission after Kim leaves is as much. She sings Her or me and says I don't care. She steels herself to win, even at the cost of Tam. That is not understanding. That is vial jealousy that will end in a woman's death.
@@FreeTheGingersyou must think the same of Kim then: Her love for Chris isn’t pure love but a hope for a better life and her love for Tam is her comfort zone, the best relationships she’s had in her life…To have a loving mother is the best for a child, not the US citizenship. Dreaming of American life was Kim’s ambition, not Tam’s… Ellen is human, of course she wants Chris to herself, it is her husband. She’s never met Kim or Tam before. She is trying to find the best solution how to help them but also to keep peace in her marriage as well.
For me, one of the most powerful aspects of the story line is that there really are no true bad guys in this show as with any truly great drama. They are all victims of circumstance and/or products of their environment...
To be honest I've seen other versions that really kind of made me hate Ellen especially because of how much of my personal bias following Kim's heartwrenching story but Ruthie Henshall created such an honest and passionate performance it matches Lea Sologena's emotional Kim and now I'm a fan of both Ellen and the Glorious Miss Henshall. ( sorry about spelling)
I am totally in agreement with your sentiment, Miss Saigon was presented here in Manila, Phils. about a decade ago but I am one of those unfortunate ones who could not afford to buy a ticket and ever so thankful that clips like this gave me the opportunity to experience even in glimpses Miss Saigon.
"Now That I've Seen Her" is such a fantastic piece and Ruthie just takes it and owns it. She's scared, she's hurt, she's defiant, she's resolved, and she still hits every note so well.
She initially didn’t think she was a threat. Like “she was just a fling from long ago…” Then Kim let’s out her ferocity. Ellen is the one who is going to get hurt.
It looks like someone put up snippets of this performance with Lea Salonga, Ruthie Henshaw and Will Chase. It's in 3 parts and is shown in the order of the show, but it isn't the full show, just excerpts from it.
When she sings "Tell me you are lying" it's simply beautiful and magic, you could hear a pin drop in the room, it was so emotional and soft but strong. ❤
Ruthie really interprets this character in this scene with such understanding! While perhaps not the most vocally amazing, the sense of this woman is so real in her performance.
She interprets it slightly differently from most performers, but she drills that closing phrase into your soul. Ruthis is my favorite Ellen and I love many of them.
It is so difficult to find a recording of “Now that I’ve seen here” because it got rewritten to “It’s her or me,” which simply doesn’t pack the same emotional punch. THIS is brilliance. THANK YOU FOR POSTING!!!!! ❤️
"Now That I've Seen Her" and "Her or Me" are pretty much the same song. It was titled the latter in the original West End production; it became the former when it transferred to Broadway. I think you're referring to the song "Maybe," which was written for a 2011 Dutch production and has since replaced "Now That I've Seen Her" in subsequent productions, including the 2014 London and 2017 Broadway revivals. I agree that "Maybe" is a terrible song and much prefer "Now That I've Seen Her." I don't know why they keep tinkering with the show; they keep making it progressively worse. IMO, the perfect version was the original 1991-2001 Broadway production. (It was still a work-in-progress when it debuted in London in 1989.) But since the 2000s, they keep making inexplicable, unnecessary changes to the score/script. Needless to say, I hated the recent revivals.
No, "Her or Me" was the original version of the song, the one the West End production started out with. The revision, "Now that I've Seen Her," replaced it some time after opening night, was the version sung on Broadway, and has been the version most consistently heard in the years since then. The first issues of the original West End cast CD actually contained "Her or Me" (I own an old, used copy like this), whereas the issue currently in print has "Now that I've Seen Her" (though it may be mislabeled "Her or Me" in the track list).
@@detectivefiction3701… it’s not a miss print. I bought the original London cast on cd when it originally came out ( I still like Her or Me the best) and years later I noticed that the OLC was remastered on iTunes and I downloaded it. Her or Me was listed as Now That I See Her. I thought it was a mistake but listening to it, it’s Claire Moore singing that new line. The rest of the song is the same. I don’t know when they re-recorded the song with the new line? Maybe after the Broadway production started ? When I saw Miss Saigon in London in 91, Claire Moore and pretty much the rest of the original London cast was still in the show except for Lea and Jonathan , who had gone on to Broadway at that point.
Room 317 (A hotel room) Kim Good evening, maam Ellen Don't turn the bed yet Kim I'm not the maid Ellen What do you want then? Kim They must have written the room number wrong I am looking for someone named Christopher Scott Three-seventeen, oh I'm sorry... Unless Well, you must be, of course, you're John's wife, are you not? Ellen Oh God, I see It had to happen You must be Kim Chris went to find you Please come inside No one will hurt you I'm Chris's wife My name is Ellen (Kim doesn't move) Ellen In a way, I am glad I am meeting you first Understand, you were only a name till tonight I don't know how I'd feel if our roles were reversed Please won't you sit down Kim Tell me you are lying Ellen We've been married a year, I am sorry, it's true Kim He said he'd come to get me Ellen He says he tried to reach you, but what could he do? Kim Please tell me you're not married You don't know, you can't know what I've done to be here Ellen You don't know how he needed a new start Kim I feel walls in my heart Closing in I can't breathe I can't win Ellen As for the child You say it's Chris's Kim Oh yes, Madame My son is Chris's I had a dream for my son to belong And not live his life in the streets like a rat Ellen We aren't rich, but we'll shoulder our load Chris and I are totally together on that Kim Then you must take Tam with you Ellen Take a child from his mother, impossible Kim Kim You will take Tam with you Then he'll get what I wanted for him Ellen But Kim, your child needs you Chris is married to me, we want kids of our own Kim Tam's chance lies with you now, not with me Both No! Can't you see It won't work It can't be Kim If you're saying that because you've made him change his mind Chris must go away and leave me and his son behind If you're saying that because my husband has another wife My child has no future, like the dust of life He must come tonight to my place Tell me so to my face (Kim exits) Ellen I don't want this I didn't come here To meet a girl Who loves my husband I came here to help, but what do I do? Now, after this, what do I. ..
Thanks for this! I wanted to sing along with Ellen too haha so I'll continue: 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 the 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 Ive seen her shes more than a name I dont hate this girl even so now that Ive seen her I cant stay the same Whos this man that I always trusted? Now I have to know
Wow 😲😭... I just listen to this without watching... my heart just broke when Kim found out that Chris has married someone.. especially when she said “take tam with you” 😭😭😭 2018 and still crying... Ruthie is great too..
I'm in LOVE with Ruthie's interpretation of "I don't care!" just after 5:20 as something almost like a verbal slap. It's not "pretty" or "melodic" at all. It's an ultimatum, and for a show that often prettifies the raw stuff ("tale of a Vietnam girl" for instance), this sharp break from sing-acting to straight up acting is captivating.
i never get tired watching this over and over and over again. You will never see such two brilliant and great broadway royalty ever again. They are both unique and incomparable!
Thanks for letting me know. I think I mainly had in mind to post Ruthie's big song, but when I looked at the clip, I realized how powerful the whole Kim-Ellen confrontation was, and the fact that these ladies are both 1989 original London cast members makes it even more meaningful.
Grabe ang bigat talaga ng Miss Saigon. By "ang bigat", I mean, the themes. The conflicts are so raw and real, not written cheaply just to elicit emotions by force but naturally draws them out instead. These two women in this scene are amazing. How I wish I was old enough to watch this live. I imagine I'd be getting chills with each scene. Soooo good. 😭
This was so beautiful, I have been repeating this for 2 days now I'm so obsessed with this especially on how lea expressed her anger in 2:53 it was so amazing it made me loose my breath. this is such a masterpiece
[KIM] Good evening, maam [ELLEN] Don't turn the bed yet [KIM] I'm not the maid [ELLEN] What do you want then? [KIM] They must have written the room number wrong I am looking for someone named Christopher Scott Three-seventeen, oh I'm sorry... unless Well, you must be, of course, you're John's wife, are you not? [ELLEN] Oh God, I see It had to happen You must be Kim, Chris went to find you Please come inside, no one will hurt you I'm Chris' wife, my name is Ellen In a way, I am glad I am meeting you first Understand, you were only a name till tonight I don't know how I'd feel if our roles were reversed Please won't you sit down? [KIM] Tell me you are lying [ELLEN] We've been married a year, I am sorry, it's true [KIM] He said he'd come to get me [ELLEN] He says he tried to reach you, but what could he do? [KIM] Please tell me you're not married You don't know, you can't know what I've done to be here [ELLEN] You don't know how he needed a new start [KIM] I feel walls in my heart Closing in I can't breathe I can't win [ELLEN] As for the child, you say it's Chris' [KIM] Oh yes, Madame, my son is Chris' [ELLEN] Of course we'll help [KIM] Please keep your pity [ELLEN] It's not a gift, it is our duty [KIM] I had a dream for my son to belong Not live his life in the streets like a rat [ELLEN] We aren't rich, but we'll shoulder our load Chris and I are totally together on that [KIM] Then you must take Tam with you [ELLEN] Take a child from his mother, impossible! Kim - [KIM] You will take Tam with you Then he'll get what I wanted for him [ELLEN] But Kim, your child needs you Chris is married to me, we want kids of our own [KIM] Tam's chance lies with you now, not with me [BOTH] No! Can't you see It won't work It can't be [KIM] If you're saying that because you've made him change his mind Chris must go away and leave me and his son behind If you're saying that because my husband has another wife My child has no future, like the dust of life He must come tonight to my place Tell me so to my face [ELLEN] I don't want this I didn't come here To meet a girl Who loves my husband I came here to help, but what do I do? Now, after this, what do I-
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
Wowww... Ruth is so impressive, she elicits that emotion parallel to her singing. By far the most expressive, if not, the best Ellen who played this part so wellll 😍❤
Thanks so much for this clip--these two captivate me. Ruthie's interpretation of Ellen--I just lose myself in her performance; I can't imagine what it must have been like live.
WOW!!! Thank you so for sharing this most amazing set of songs performed beyond perfection in a way that I'd never heard until just now... The revival rid of "Now That I've Seen Her" and replaced it with a lame song that I can't even remember (even though I only saw the revival 3 weeks ago)... I saw the original with the OBC multiple times while living in the city, and this scene was always amongst my favorites from Miss Saigon. Thank you so very much!!!
Have you seen the revival? I am lucky in that I have a friend who is a Broadway Critic, and I was able to see the show in its last previews a few days before it opened on Broadway. I knew that they were going to be cutting the one song, but I sure didn't expect them to change so much. I know that there was talk about a film eventually becoming available but assume that it will be based on the revival and not the original. So much was changed that simply made no sense, and outside of The Engineer's performance, nothing was memorable. I can't begin to say how disappointed I was in the revival... By the way, I've seen VERY little footage of Kiss of the Spiderwoman which was phenomenal and given your screenname, no doubt you are in agreement :) Hoping to find more of this specific performance... I still have chills... Thank you for posting it!!!
Ruthie's rendition here is great. Listen to her vocals and near flawless belt at "now that I've seen her I cant stay the same, who's this man . . . ? She sings this phrase better than any other version I have heard. If there is a better one, please let me know. I always wish that the song ended a 5th above where it does in order to keep the drama, the power, the moment as tense and high pitched as it was in the previous phrase. On the lower ending note, the song loses just a bit of fizzle for me, but I love how Ruthie gives it as much bite as possible. And, I agree with some of the others here that her Fantine on the 10th Anniversary live performance of Les Mis is just excellent.
It's not right to end that with a 5th above coz that would be out of character and out of context from the emotions intended for the song. It's not meant to sound triumphant or belty; the emotion that flows through the lyrics and melody is meant to sound regretful and resentful but with just the right amount of conviction.
Sad to hear that this is not in the revival, this song originally named "Room 317" and later renamed "Now That I Seen Her" really touched me all those years ago!
+A H They brought it back? If so, then that's good to hear. It's not in the 25th Anniversary so I'm really worried that they're going to not include it in the movie adaptation as well.
The revival which I saw in both London and in New York is so lackluster on so many levels compared to the original Drury Lane and Broadway productions. This is a prime example of why that is so.
There something about Lea in her portrayal of Kim ... maybe the aura of innocence, that seems not present in the revival. I find there's just too much kissing in the revival.
Seems like you either get singers singing, or actors acting, but not both. This clip has great singers plus the delivery of gut punching emotion that would be honest in this situation. Compelling to say the least. I have not found any two other women having the chemistry/vocals necessary to deliver this adequately. Perfectly done! Bravo!
Just saw the show yesterday, and of course, this song was replaced with "Maybe," which is a decent song but doesn't have the emotional punch of "Now That I've Seen Her." I have no idea why they dumped this song, but it was one of the best songs in the show. Show is still great, but there was a little less to look forward to after the intermission knowing this song was gone. Perhaps the producers thought this song was too defiant and turned too many people off to Ellen, whereas Ellen is more self-sacrificing in "Maybe", but personally, I preferred the defiant Ellen more. I mean, what is Ellen's sin? That she loves her husband and won't just give him up? Get real. Any man would love to have a wife like Ellen. THREE spine-tingling moments here- "Tell me you are lying." ... "If it is because MY HUSBAND has another wife!" ... and "I don't care! I swear I will fight!"
And then Fantine meets Fantine(25th anniversary)! Also Fantine meets Marguerite(Ruthie in the title role of “Marguerite”, written by Schoenberg and Boublil with music by Michel Legrand(instead of Schoenberg)). m.th-cam.com/video/OM69CABo6Tk/w-d-xo.html
It's alright It's alright when I just imagine There's no face, she's not real And I can tell myself 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
Would have loved to have seen this! They're both such great performers and perfect for their roles, even so many years after they originally performed them (and Lea being older in particular, given Kim's age). Would also have loved to have seen Jo Ampil and Ruthie together in London, but alas, I was too late! I did get to see Jo though when she came back.
So good. What Icons. An escalating musical verbal confrontation that breaks your heart but also doesnt let you breathe for about 2 min. The way Lea says “My Husband” wow. Anger and disbelief turn to desperation for her son. The intensity from both and the last demand Kim makes almost screaming at Ellen but in key somehow. The acting is so good its uncomfortable to see this play out for them.
I saw Lea as an 18-year old a couple of months into the London production in 1989. She was very good. In this clip, she must have been 30, and her acting and singing were substantially better, if that's even possible.
I feel like Ruthie Henshall is one of the only LIKABLE Ellen's. everyone else you kinda just dislike by default but with her portrayal she seems much more likeable
I like all the Ellens... the character by herself is a comprehensible woman who wants to help!!
Ruthie made me cry here
i think it's because the way she sang really evoked ellen's frustration, sympathy and helplessness for kim. her intentional vocal break in "you don't know how he needed a new start" is a great example.
Ive always liked Ellen
Absolutely!! Such a nuanced performance x
Wow, the best fantine and the best eponine, here playing the best Kim and best Ellen
Callum
Hm no
Yes!
just as good maybe for the first two, not necessarily the best BUT certainly the best and the original Kim.
@@romaengholm lea is not the best kim...she is kim
One of the things I love about Miss Saigon, is how Ellen's character has a dignified presence in the story and not someone close-minded to the struggles that both Chris and Kim had. And though we ought to root for Kim till the end, Ellen's efforts in trying understand the situation despite her conflicting emotions really made me truly invested in the situation they were all put in.
Well-said!
I always ask my student about this conflict.
Ruthie has that pain and steadfastness in her voice
I realize that this comes 4 years after your writing, but I categorically disagree with your assessment of Ellen. I have always seen her as understanding that there is a situation that must be dealt with, but in the most American way possible. She wants to have Chris resolve this by throwing money at Kim and Tam then go home and forget again so they can have their American life. Even the thought of giving Chris's son a true opportunity in life is immediately rejected by her. She isn't understanding, she is just trying to run out the ugliness of the situation as quickly as possible to get back to her life plans. Her admission after Kim leaves is as much. She sings Her or me and says I don't care. She steels herself to win, even at the cost of Tam. That is not understanding. That is vial jealousy that will end in a woman's death.
@@FreeTheGingersyou must think the same of Kim then: Her love for Chris isn’t pure love but a hope for a better life and her love for Tam is her comfort zone, the best relationships she’s had in her life…To have a loving mother is the best for a child, not the US citizenship. Dreaming of American life was Kim’s ambition, not Tam’s…
Ellen is human, of course she wants Chris to herself, it is her husband. She’s never met Kim or Tam before. She is trying to find the best solution how to help them but also to keep peace in her marriage as well.
2:53 Wow, the rage in Lea's voice is something to behold. It is so hard to scream and sing.. so powerful.
I love when Kim rips into Ellen before leaving. It's as if she's casting a curse on her- and in a way, she kinda is.
I love how most girls that are against the main character in anything are portrayed as ' bad girls ', but I don't think that Ellen really is that.
For me, one of the most powerful aspects of the story line is that there really are no true bad guys in this show as with any truly great drama. They are all victims of circumstance and/or products of their environment...
Victims of war?
Absolutely...
Kayleigh Wilson it really isn’t Ellen’s fault at all she didn’t do anything wrong :/
To be honest I've seen other versions that really kind of made me hate Ellen especially because of how much of my personal bias following Kim's heartwrenching story but Ruthie Henshall created such an honest and passionate performance it matches Lea Sologena's emotional Kim and now I'm a fan of both Ellen and the Glorious Miss Henshall. ( sorry about spelling)
I know bootlegs are wrong but how else could we see such performances like these?
Thumbs up to this comment.
I am totally in agreement with your sentiment, Miss Saigon was presented here in Manila, Phils. about a decade ago but I am one of those unfortunate ones who could not afford to buy a ticket and ever so thankful that clips like this gave me the opportunity to experience even in glimpses Miss Saigon.
@@donpedroarellano There are both acts in Manila 2000 on the Internet. So you can techinically watch the full show in 2 videos!
@@justanotherbohemian3827 sorry, what do I look in the internet to watch the whole show? I would really appreciate it
@@BabyGirl-mg5je Miss Saigon Act 1 and Miss Saigon Act 2 :)
"Now That I've Seen Her" is such a fantastic piece and Ruthie just takes it and owns it. She's scared, she's hurt, she's defiant, she's resolved, and she still hits every note so well.
Jordan Keller The feels such as these you've described are what keeps me mesmerized in musicals. Theater movies just fails me so much by comparison.
Spot on
What an intense. I love how Leah projects. She's not just singing. She's also acting. Her face screams talent.
“Come inside, no one will hurt you” then proceeds telling her she’s Chris’ wife lmao girl, you just stabbed her that! I can’tttt
She initially didn’t think she was a threat. Like “she was just a fling from long ago…” Then Kim let’s out her ferocity. Ellen is the one who is going to get hurt.
This needs to made into a movie so people won’t forget this unfortunate period in history and the magic of this musical.
I am SOOOO glad I stumbled on this clip. Ruthie Henshall and Lea Salonga are goddesses
ThT is not lea
God bless anyone reading this.
Kayleigh Wilson God bless you as well
Thank you.
Life is beautiful.
God bless you too
Aw thanks.
Ruthie Henshall’s singing is just as amazing as her acting. Both of them are just power houses with those voices.
The people who have seen this live are so lucky. Theater is only for the super rich. Very grateful this is in TH-cam.
Lea Salonga and Ruthie Henshall are both beautiful women with beautiful voices.
Well said.
only Ruthie.
No Vo the xenophobia jumped out
@@mangie6923 ñ.
J0l.
@@lachlangmbh8947 What do you mean, Lea is extremely beautiful!
This is an absolutely fabulous performance of "Now That I've Seen Her." No one sang it better.
I agree!
Claire Moore - she was brilliant
@@archerblake1418… Claire Moore soars in this song!
Look up Tami Tappan. She belted this role. Luv her!
THIS IS SO HIGH QUALITY BLESS WHOEVER RECORDED THIS LEA AND RUTHIE ARE MY FAVOURITE KIM-ELLEN PAIR
It looks like someone put up snippets of this performance with Lea Salonga, Ruthie Henshaw and Will Chase. It's in 3 parts and is shown in the order of the show, but it isn't the full show, just excerpts from it.
Ruthie Henshall is legendary! Her voice is so iconic!
Two legends standing face to face...Epic!
Agreed---both wonderful singing actresses.
When she sings "Tell me you are lying" it's simply beautiful and magic, you could hear a pin drop in the room, it was so emotional and soft but strong. ❤
Ruthie simply blows me away. So much power and passion in her voice.
Nice, they eventually both played the same role in les miz (Fantine).
Nice observation!
Lea Salonga also performed on Broadway as Eponine if I remember correctly.
yes, she's the first Asian Eponine on broadway. She's on the 10th anniv as Eponine & fantine on the 25th.
aragonjr also they were in the 10th anniversary concert together :)
Lea played Éponine in London as well. I saw her in the role. Amazing, obviously :)
I feel for Ellen so much in "Now that I've seen her." I cant imagine anyone else playing her except Ruthie. Exceptional.
Ruthie really interprets this character in this scene with such understanding! While perhaps not the most vocally amazing, the sense of this woman is so real in her performance.
come on she is vocally amazing
Crap Bag truth. best ellen i’ve heard.
Not sure who you've heard sing this any better...
She interprets it slightly differently from most performers, but she drills that closing phrase into your soul. Ruthis is my favorite Ellen and I love many of them.
Oh come on, Ruthie's been cast as Fantine on Les Mis' DREAM cast - she's spectacular
2 legends, both perfect for their roles
I really like Ruthie Henshall's voice and face expression. I just fall into a character and story when she sings. She is a real singer.
Ruthie is just mindblowing here. First actress that got me to not hate Ellen
I've seen this before of course but back here after watching Ruthie on I'm a Celeb... (plus Miss Saigon is my favourite musical)
Exactly the same 😃
Ruthie as Ellen gave me goosebumps when she reached the climax of the song. I love her voice.
two strong women. Magnificent acting and emotional singing. probably the best 2 actresses for the parts
You couldn't do better.
It is so difficult to find a recording of “Now that I’ve seen here” because it got rewritten to “It’s her or me,” which simply doesn’t pack the same emotional punch. THIS is brilliance. THANK YOU FOR POSTING!!!!! ❤️
"Now That I've Seen Her" and "Her or Me" are pretty much the same song. It was titled the latter in the original West End production; it became the former when it transferred to Broadway. I think you're referring to the song "Maybe," which was written for a 2011 Dutch production and has since replaced "Now That I've Seen Her" in subsequent productions, including the 2014 London and 2017 Broadway revivals. I agree that "Maybe" is a terrible song and much prefer "Now That I've Seen Her."
I don't know why they keep tinkering with the show; they keep making it progressively worse. IMO, the perfect version was the original 1991-2001 Broadway production. (It was still a work-in-progress when it debuted in London in 1989.) But since the 2000s, they keep making inexplicable, unnecessary changes to the score/script. Needless to say, I hated the recent revivals.
No, "Her or Me" was the original version of the song, the one the West End production started out with. The revision, "Now that I've Seen Her," replaced it some time after opening night, was the version sung on Broadway, and has been the version most consistently heard in the years since then.
The first issues of the original West End cast CD actually contained "Her or Me" (I own an old, used copy like this), whereas the issue currently in print has "Now that I've Seen Her" (though it may be mislabeled "Her or Me" in the track list).
Her or Me was the original version.
@@detectivefiction3701… it’s not a miss print. I bought the original London cast on cd when it originally came out ( I still like Her or Me the best) and years later I noticed that the OLC was remastered on iTunes and I downloaded it. Her or Me was listed as Now That I See Her. I thought it was a mistake but listening to it, it’s Claire Moore singing that new line. The rest of the song is the same. I don’t know when they re-recorded the song with the new line? Maybe after the Broadway production started ? When I saw Miss Saigon in London in 91, Claire Moore and pretty much the rest of the original London cast was still in the show except for Lea and Jonathan , who had gone on to Broadway at that point.
her or me was the original. Some of us have the polar opposite opinion lol.
Ruthie and Lea are actually my all time favourites on broadway.
Room 317
(A hotel room)
Kim
Good evening, maam
Ellen
Don't turn the bed yet
Kim
I'm not the maid
Ellen
What do you want then?
Kim
They must have written the room number wrong
I am looking for someone named Christopher Scott
Three-seventeen, oh I'm sorry... Unless
Well, you must be, of course, you're John's wife, are you not?
Ellen
Oh God, I see
It had to happen
You must be Kim
Chris went to find you
Please come inside
No one will hurt you
I'm Chris's wife
My name is Ellen
(Kim doesn't move)
Ellen
In a way, I am glad I am meeting you first
Understand, you were only a name till tonight
I don't know how I'd feel if our roles were reversed
Please won't you sit down
Kim
Tell me you are lying
Ellen
We've been married a year, I am sorry, it's true
Kim
He said he'd come to get me
Ellen
He says he tried to reach you, but what could he do?
Kim
Please tell me you're not married
You don't know, you can't know what I've done to be here
Ellen
You don't know how he needed a new start
Kim
I feel walls in my heart
Closing in
I can't breathe
I can't win
Ellen
As for the child
You say it's Chris's
Kim
Oh yes, Madame
My son is Chris's
I had a dream for my son to belong
And not live his life in the streets like a rat
Ellen
We aren't rich, but we'll shoulder our load
Chris and I are totally together on that
Kim
Then you must take Tam with you
Ellen
Take a child from his mother, impossible Kim
Kim
You will take Tam with you
Then he'll get what I wanted for him
Ellen
But Kim, your child needs you
Chris is married to me, we want kids of our own
Kim
Tam's chance lies with you now, not with me
Both
No!
Can't you see
It won't work
It can't be
Kim
If you're saying that because you've made him change his mind
Chris must go away and leave me and his son behind
If you're saying that because my husband has another wife
My child has no future, like the dust of life
He must come tonight to my place
Tell me so to my face
(Kim exits)
Ellen
I don't want this
I didn't come here
To meet a girl
Who loves my husband
I came here to help, but what do I do?
Now, after this, what do I. ..
Thanks for this! I wanted to sing along with Ellen too haha so I'll continue:
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 the 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 Ive seen her shes more than a name
I dont hate this girl even so
now that Ive seen her I cant stay the same
Whos this man that I always trusted?
Now I have to know
put two legends in a musical = magnificence
Wow 😲😭... I just listen to this without watching... my heart just broke when Kim found out that Chris has married someone.. especially when she said “take tam with you” 😭😭😭 2018 and still crying... Ruthie is great too..
I'm in LOVE with Ruthie's interpretation of "I don't care!" just after 5:20 as something almost like a verbal slap. It's not "pretty" or "melodic" at all. It's an ultimatum, and for a show that often prettifies the raw stuff ("tale of a Vietnam girl" for instance), this sharp break from sing-acting to straight up acting is captivating.
Goosebumps at 1:41
Tell me you are lying!!
i never get tired watching this over and over and over again. You will never see such two brilliant and great broadway royalty ever again. They are both unique and incomparable!
Thanks for letting me know. I think I mainly had in mind to post Ruthie's big song, but when I looked at the clip, I realized how powerful the whole Kim-Ellen confrontation was, and the fact that these ladies are both 1989 original London cast members makes it even more meaningful.
Grabe ang bigat talaga ng Miss Saigon. By "ang bigat", I mean, the themes. The conflicts are so raw and real, not written cheaply just to elicit emotions by force but naturally draws them out instead. These two women in this scene are amazing. How I wish I was old enough to watch this live. I imagine I'd be getting chills with each scene. Soooo good. 😭
This was so beautiful, I have been repeating this for 2 days now I'm so obsessed with this especially on how lea expressed her anger in 2:53 it was so amazing it made me loose my breath. this is such a masterpiece
I am delighted to hear how much you enjoyed this. It's always among the most popular videos on this channel.
Ruthie in her solo act is darn epic! #legend
I love how Lea and Ruthie were both in this and then they were both in the 10th anniversary version of Les Mis as the best Eponine and Fantine,
Such powerful performances from two excellent singers!!!!
[KIM]
Good evening, maam
[ELLEN]
Don't turn the bed yet
[KIM]
I'm not the maid
[ELLEN]
What do you want then?
[KIM]
They must have written the room number wrong
I am looking for someone named Christopher Scott
Three-seventeen, oh I'm sorry... unless
Well, you must be, of course, you're John's wife, are you not?
[ELLEN]
Oh God, I see
It had to happen
You must be Kim, Chris went to find you
Please come inside, no one will hurt you
I'm Chris' wife, my name is Ellen
In a way, I am glad I am meeting you first
Understand, you were only a name till tonight
I don't know how I'd feel if our roles were reversed
Please won't you sit down?
[KIM]
Tell me you are lying
[ELLEN]
We've been married a year, I am sorry, it's true
[KIM]
He said he'd come to get me
[ELLEN]
He says he tried to reach you, but what could he do?
[KIM]
Please tell me you're not married
You don't know, you can't know what I've done to be here
[ELLEN]
You don't know how he needed a new start
[KIM]
I feel walls in my heart
Closing in
I can't breathe
I can't win
[ELLEN]
As for the child, you say it's Chris'
[KIM]
Oh yes, Madame, my son is Chris'
[ELLEN]
Of course we'll help
[KIM]
Please keep your pity
[ELLEN]
It's not a gift, it is our duty
[KIM]
I had a dream for my son to belong
Not live his life in the streets like a rat
[ELLEN]
We aren't rich, but we'll shoulder our load
Chris and I are totally together on that
[KIM]
Then you must take Tam with you
[ELLEN]
Take a child from his mother, impossible! Kim -
[KIM]
You will take Tam with you
Then he'll get what I wanted for him
[ELLEN]
But Kim, your child needs you
Chris is married to me, we want kids of our own
[KIM]
Tam's chance lies with you now, not with me
[BOTH]
No!
Can't you see
It won't work
It can't be
[KIM]
If you're saying that because you've made him change his mind
Chris must go away and leave me and his son behind
If you're saying that because my husband has another wife
My child has no future, like the dust of life
He must come tonight to my place
Tell me so to my face
[ELLEN]
I don't want this
I didn't come here
To meet a girl
Who loves my husband
I came here to help, but what do I do?
Now, after this, what do I-
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
Ruthie and Lea are magnificent!!! BOTH ARE AMONG MY FAVORITE BWAY LEGENDSSSS. This is by far THE BEST version of "Room 317" and Ellen's soliloquy.
Wowww... Ruth is so impressive, she elicits that emotion parallel to her singing. By far the most expressive, if not, the best Ellen who played this part so wellll 😍❤
I love how Kim's tone changes when Tam is brought up, I don't know why exactly, I just do.
Great singers Ruthie and Lea, superb acting
Thanks so much for this clip--these two captivate me. Ruthie's interpretation of Ellen--I just lose myself in her performance; I can't imagine what it must have been like live.
Wow Ruthie’s performance was breathtaking.
Brilliant..... thanks for sharing 😀 The power in their voices is out of this world!!!
after watching this a few times the goosebumps still there.. wow
I liked Ruthie better than the other lady they had for Ellen in the 10th anniversary. Ruthie has a more maternal, sympathetic vibe.
She’s my favorite Ellen no one can sing this better than she does .She nailed it 😍
What s voice Ruthie_..
And it takes Leas fantastic voice to appreciate it. X
Amazing. Brings me to tears. I really wish I saw this live.
WOW!!! Thank you so for sharing this most amazing set of songs performed beyond perfection in a way that I'd never heard until just now... The revival rid of "Now That I've Seen Her" and replaced it with a lame song that I can't even remember (even though I only saw the revival 3 weeks ago)... I saw the original with the OBC multiple times while living in the city, and this scene was always amongst my favorites from Miss Saigon. Thank you so very much!!!
Thanks and I'm very glad you liked it. I've heard the replacement song "Maybe" at least three times and it makes no impression.
Have you seen the revival? I am lucky in that I have a friend who is a Broadway Critic, and I was able to see the show in its last previews a few days before it opened on Broadway. I knew that they were going to be cutting the one song, but I sure didn't expect them to change so much. I know that there was talk about a film eventually becoming available but assume that it will be based on the revival and not the original. So much was changed that simply made no sense, and outside of The Engineer's performance, nothing was memorable. I can't begin to say how disappointed I was in the revival... By the way, I've seen VERY little footage of Kiss of the Spiderwoman which was phenomenal and given your screenname, no doubt you are in agreement :) Hoping to find more of this specific performance... I still have chills... Thank you for posting it!!!
i really liked Ruthie's Ellen!!!
Ruthie's rendition here is great. Listen to her vocals and near flawless belt at "now that I've seen her I cant stay the same, who's this man . . . ? She sings this phrase better than any other version I have heard. If there is a better one, please let me know. I always wish that the song ended a 5th above where it does in order to keep the drama, the power, the moment as tense and high pitched as it was in the previous phrase. On the lower ending note, the song loses just a bit of fizzle for me, but I love how Ruthie gives it as much bite as possible. And, I agree with some of the others here that her Fantine on the 10th Anniversary live performance of Les Mis is just excellent.
Musical Director doesn’t sound like a belt to me!
There notes she didn't hit...
It's not right to end that with a 5th above coz that would be out of character and out of context from the emotions intended for the song. It's not meant to sound triumphant or belty; the emotion that flows through the lyrics and melody is meant to sound regretful and resentful but with just the right amount of conviction.
@@rustyasplico6548 Yes, but the angst she uses in her vocal interpretation and the dramatic way she shows her pain is thrilling.
Sad to hear that this is not in the revival, this song originally named "Room 317" and later renamed "Now That I Seen Her" really touched me all those years ago!
cliffdotcomdotau actually the first song was ROOM 317. And then the one Ruthie sang, Now that Ive Seen Her, was originally entitled "IT'S HER OR ME"
I saw this two weeks ago on Broadway and this song was performed.
+A H They brought it back? If so, then that's good to hear. It's not in the 25th Anniversary so I'm really worried that they're going to not include it in the movie adaptation as well.
@@jp3813 wait i think Room 317 was in the 25th anniversary tho! Not sure about the second one.
+Kiko Li I was referring to Ellen's solo.
The revival which I saw in both London and in New York is so lackluster on so many levels compared to the original Drury Lane and Broadway productions. This is a prime example of why that is so.
So perfectly said!
There something about Lea in her portrayal of Kim ... maybe the aura of innocence, that seems not present in the revival. I find there's just too much kissing in the revival.
+alpha shanahan that's directors input though, not Eva's...
Not about the kissing scenes.. for me i can see Lea's innocence as if she's really Kim and not trying to act as Kim. I don't see that as much in Eva.
Seems like you either get singers singing, or actors acting, but not both. This clip has great singers plus the delivery of gut punching emotion that would be honest in this situation. Compelling to say the least. I have not found any two other women having the chemistry/vocals necessary to deliver this adequately. Perfectly done! Bravo!
Just saw the show yesterday, and of course, this song was replaced with "Maybe," which is a decent song but doesn't have the emotional punch of "Now That I've Seen Her."
I have no idea why they dumped this song, but it was one of the best songs in the show. Show is still great, but there was a little less to look forward to after the intermission knowing this song was gone.
Perhaps the producers thought this song was too defiant and turned too many people off to Ellen, whereas Ellen is more self-sacrificing in "Maybe", but personally, I preferred the defiant Ellen more. I mean, what is Ellen's sin? That she loves her husband and won't just give him up? Get real. Any man would love to have a wife like Ellen.
THREE spine-tingling moments here- "Tell me you are lying." ... "If it is because MY HUSBAND has another wife!" ... and "I don't care! I swear I will fight!"
Oh Ruthie Hensall and Lea Salonga
Sad that Ellen's part is no longer part of the current production. Amazing performance for both artist
Kinda dumb to take her part away. It gives her so much depth.
They took Ellen's part of this out?
They didn't take Ellen's part out; they replaced "Now That I've Seen Her" with "Maybe."
why am I crying in this scene?? I really wanted to see the original play so bad. 😭
Great post. Thank you very much for posting. A joy to see & hear Ruth Henshall.
Glad you enjoyed it
those people who have watched this live is truly lucky.
I just realized, this is two Fantines singing together without even realizing it.
Eponine meets Fantine (ref. Les Miz 10th) Brava! 👏🏼👏🏼
And then Fantine meets Fantine(25th anniversary)!
Also Fantine meets Marguerite(Ruthie in the title role of “Marguerite”, written by Schoenberg and Boublil with music by Michel Legrand(instead of Schoenberg)).
m.th-cam.com/video/OM69CABo6Tk/w-d-xo.html
Henshalls eyebrows are so sharp, so defined and expressive holy crap
Wow thanks for this! I love Ruthie
omg goosebumps! 😘 glad i found this. thanks!
It's alright
It's alright when I just imagine
There's no face, she's not real
And I can tell myself 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
Ruthie's performance is breathtaking. I have no words
I knew them from Les Misérables first and then Miss Saigon. They’re both so talented!
Would have loved to have seen this! They're both such great performers and perfect for their roles, even so many years after they originally performed them (and Lea being older in particular, given Kim's age). Would also have loved to have seen Jo Ampil and Ruthie together in London, but alas, I was too late! I did get to see Jo though when she came back.
wow, i just love Ruthie Henshall
Wow! Amazing performance.... I’m tearing up. She did an amazing job as Ellen
WOW! This is a totally explosive performance!
I totally agree.
Wow! Magnificent scene in Miss Saigon.
Wow! Ruthie was on fire!!!
The amazing Ruthie Henshall - brava !
So good. What Icons. An escalating musical verbal confrontation that breaks your heart but also doesnt let you breathe for about 2 min. The way Lea says “My Husband” wow. Anger and disbelief turn to desperation for her son. The intensity from both and the last demand Kim makes almost screaming at Ellen but in key somehow. The acting is so good its uncomfortable to see this play out for them.
The best Eponine and the best Fantine ever walked on earth Lea and Ruthie
This is giving me chills.. brilliant performance
First time seeing Ruthie Henshall in this role. Love her vocals. We all know there’s only one Kim!!
Still goosebumps 2019
this is mind blowing. fantastic! thank you!
Henshall does a good a job acting and singing here. Impressive.
Powerful performance. Love this so much.
thanks so much for this!!
I shed a tear or two. Period.
I don't know what's happening but I felt the chills and I was ao horrid holy shit this preformance is brilliant
The perfect human doesn't exi-
Superb performance, both Lea and Ruth
Ruthie'a voice just.. whew! Has me in a puddle
I saw Lea as an 18-year old a couple of months into the London production in 1989. She was very good. In this clip, she must have been 30, and her acting and singing were substantially better, if that's even possible.
no she's not 30 here
original london cast ruthie played as a bargirl and as 'ellen' in 89-90....so lea is 18-19yrs old in this clip and ruthie in her early 20's
@@sgtjoe2008 if the video's description is correct (read it!) this clip was from a Broadway performance in 2001, so Lea was around 30.
two of my theater idols!!!
It's soooooooooooooooo funny when it is Eponine and Fantine singing together!!!
So talented ladies
I'd never seen or heard that performance before but I loved it Claire Moore is good but Ruthie Henshall is awesome!!!