Jo to make West End debut

Musical actor Jo Sang-woong has been cast for the part of Thuy in the West End musical “Miss Saigon.”

According to Cameron Mackintosh, the production company behind the musical’s London revival, Jo will be replacing Korean actor Hong Kwang-ho for the part starting May 11. He will be a member of the new cast for the production’s second year at the Prince Edward Theatre in West End.

“Miss Saigon” is one of the world’s most successful musicals. It is an adaptation of Puccini’s opera “Madame Butterfly” set in the 1970s Vietnam, creating a star-crossed romance between an American GI and a Vietnamese bargirl.

Jo’s character Thuy is the main character Kim’s betrothed. In the story, he is abandoned by his love and eventually meets a tragic death.

In Korea, the actor is known for his work as Ichki in “Love Letter,” Fiyero in “Wicked” and Marius in “Les Miserables.”

By Won Ho-jung(hjwon@heraldcorp.com)