Overture (序曲) - Original London Cast

A Friday night in April 1975. Backstage at an after-hours club in Saigon.

Vietnamese bar-girls are getting into costumes.)

GIRLS

Tonight I will be Miss Saigon

GIGI

Tonight you'll be miss "jumped upon"

GIRLS

I'll win a GI and be gone

GIGI

He'll screw you with your crown still on

MIMI

What happens when the Cong attack?

GIGI

They'll rip the hot pants off your back

ALL GIRLS

The VC all wear basic black

(a new girl, KIM, is trying to stuff cotton into her bra.)

KIM

Is this the way you make a chest?

GIGI

(removes the cotton)

Hey, give that virgin act a rest

ALL GIRLS

(mocking the new girl)

"you are my first American"

(they laugh)

(the ENGINEER enters)

ENGINEER

Allez! allez! allez!

Why does it take all day?

Get your asses on stage... I'm raising cash tonight

GIRLS

Tonight I will be Miss Saigon

ENGINEER

Tell yourself that your passport's standing at the bar

GIRLS

Tonight I will be Miss Saigon

ENGINEER

Each day these little bums of yours are worth less and less

Rake in the dollars now before the market falls too far

(the ENGINEER looks through the door into the club.)

ENGINEER

Look who I got out here

I can still engineer

It's like the old days, my little gamines

GIRLS

Oh sure!

ENGINEER

You know who's out here? a gang of marines!

GIRLS

They're here?

ENGINEER

We'll clean them out the American way

GIRLS

Yes, sir!

ENGINEER

For something free, they don't care what they pay

(turns to KIM)

Why are you in that dress?

Ah! it's my new princess

Ah, yes...

That bridal gown gives you some class

Lower your eyelids as you pass

Men pay a lot for virgin ass

Allez! allez! allez!

Get out and do your song!

Don't make the show too long

Voila'! on stage all! welcome to...

Dreamland