We often see some of Calgary's best and brightest on the professional theatre stage here in Calgary, in the many theatre companies that can be found around the city. We often forget that they had to start somewhere, as young actors hoping to someday grace the stage of ATP, Stage West, or even Broadway.

Fortunately there are places to see these rising stars, and the University of Calgary Operetta Company's production of Miss Saigon, playing at the University Theatre until January 24th, is a prime example of that – and at an affordable price of $15!

Set in 1975 during the final days of the American occupation of Saigon, Miss Saigon is an epic love story about the relationship between a young GI named Chris (Bryan Smith) and a young Vietnamese woman named Kim (Selina Wong).

The show is simplistic, with basic moving sets, which puts more emphasis on the characters and story to carry the show. The cast of 49 is backed up by a 24 piece orchestra conducted by Wendy Freeman. At times it was hard to understand the ensemble but the leads came through clearly. Wong's voice especially was beautiful and she infused legitimate emotion into her character Kim. Smith's young GI was believable, and full of passion. While the two truly absorbed their characters, the first act seemed to lack chemistry between them. But by the finale I truly believed the feelings that they had for each other.

Dean Combitis is a show stealer as The Engineer. I saw Dean earlier this year in RENT at Olympic Plaza as Roger, and he hits another home run as the puppetmaster to sin and sleaze. The American Dream relies on his showmanship to lead. This kid has charisma in spades and I fully expect to see big things from him.

Clocking in at just under three hours with intermission, Miss Saigon can be trying. A lot of the music does become repetitive, but that is often the case with classic musicals. The story at the heart of the show itself is a powerful one, and I can't even begin to grasp what the Vietnamese felt watching those helicopters fly off.

Is this a Broadway-quality production? Voice wise, yes, show wise, not yet. But there are plenty of Broadway shows coming through town at five times the price. If you are a fan of musicals, of Miss Saigon, and of seeing raw talent who love theatre portraying their craft, this production is well worth a look.