Lea Salonga, 1991 Tony Award-winner for creating the role of Kim in Broadway’s Miss Saigon, will return to the production at the Broadway Theatre Jan. 18, 1999.

As previously reported by Playbill On-Line, Salonga has been in quiet limited rehearsal toward her return to the role, which, before Broadway, she created in London in 1989.

The Oct. 15 announcement did not indicate how long she would remain with the show, but Salonga told Playbill On-Line that her run lasts until May 15. Salonga plays a Vietnam teen who falls for an American GI in 1975. The Alain Boublil-Claude Michel Schonberg mega musical was inspired by the Madame Butterfly story.

Manila native Salonga will sing the Monday through Friday evening performances and, because of the role’s huge vocal demands, only play one of two performances on two-show days. She will do no Wednesday matinees and alternate evening and matinee shows on Saturdays.

After leaving Miss Saigon in 1992, Salonga sang the role of Jasmine in Disney’s animated Aladdin (singing “A Whole New World”). She also played Eponine on Les Miserables on Broadway in 1993.

For tickets and information, call (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250.

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A source close to the Broadway production told Playbill On-Line Oct. 4 that Salonga had been in the Broadway Theatre to see the show in the past few weeks, and that there is talk in the company of a more extensive Salonga rehearsal period -- perhaps two weeks -- in November.

Such early rehearsals for the January return would allow Salonga time to be with her family in the Philippines over the holidays, according to the source.

Salonga lawyer and spokesman Robert Perlstein told Playbill On Line (Oct. 1) Salonga would likely initially commit to four months.