Original Miss Saigon star Lea Salonga will "probably" return to the Broadway production of that hit musical, according to her lawyer and spokesman Robert Perlstein. Rumors about the actress reprise of the role that made her famous have been flying for a month, but Perlstein told Playbill On-Line (Oct. 1) a deal may soon be imminent. Salonga would begin her Broadway stay Jan. 18, 1999 and the initial commitment would be four months.
Salonga found fame as the original Kim in both the London and New York premieres of Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil's retelling of the Madame Butterfly story. Miss Saigon opened on Apr. 11, 1991. Salonga went on to win a Tony for her performance.
The actress recently lent her voice to the animated Disney film Mulan. Salonga's agent, Jeff Hunter, did not return a phone call by press time. Marc Thibodeau of The Publicity Office (which reps Miss Saigon ) said (Oct. 1), "Discussions have taken place and we're hopeful, but there's no confirmation yet."