Young people think large about their ambitions but many times parents just say "Hush, you don't know where you're going and what you're going to be." Then a little boy by the name of Wallace responded, "Yes I am. I'm going to be on the stage, I'm going to sing and dance." Mom just said, "Hush, finish your breakfast and go school."
When Miss Saigon returns to Chicago for two weeks only, Tuesday, June 10 through Sunday, June 22 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theater, 24 W. Randolph St. that same little boy, now a young singer and actor, will be on the stage interpreting the character of John, who is a friend of the principal character.
When talking to Wallace, I asked, "Well, how did you become one of the stars in Miss Saigon?" His answer was, "I auditioned in New York City and in two weeks they called. I was ready because when I was very young I began singing at 5 years old in the Pentecostal Church where my grand parents would take me every week. I was five years old and every time the choir would perform, I would be right there."
It was the same thing at school, little Wallace was always singing and dancing and even at home his folks could hardly shut his mouth. Finally they realized that he had talent and would be singing somewhere or burst. He lived with his single mother and two other sisters who gave him all their love and support even when he was a little boy. After chores, he didn't run to the basketball court, or the baseball ground to play sports. Don't get him wrong, he did play sports a little. His whole mind, however, was on the theater, the television or music.
Wallace was 10 years old when he made his stage debut as Travis in a production of Raisin In The Sun. He was in his own little heaven, but shared his make-believe-people with others.
As a teenager, Wallace was constantly involved in some kind of theatrical activity. He has appeared in many cameo roles in television. Constantly performed on stage in his neighborhood. All of these activities kept him busy during his teenage years. His two years in college prepared him for greater activities.
Among his most important roles was Soul Food and Port Charles on ABC. He finished Junior College in Santa Monica after deciding to fulfill his own aspirations and become a great artist on the stage, thus making his own vision come true. His mother would often say that "My son knew he was going to be an actor," and she gave him the freedom too fulfill his ambition. She is one of those mothers who permitted their son to live his life.
Miss Saigon is, at the present time, his first big Broadway production and his first tour. "Music," he says, "has brought me this far.
"Traveling around the United States and now the Middle West has been a great experience. Wallace is one of the many young people who have realized their destiny and are appearing in the modern love-story.
Set in 1975 during the final days leading up to the American evacuation of Saigon, Miss Saigon is the story of two young lovers torn apart by the fortunes of destiny and held together by a burning passion and the fate of a small child. This musical, from the creators of Les Miserables, with its soaring melodies and powerful emotions has captured hearts - and awards - around the world.
Miss Saigon is written by Alain Boublil (book, lyrics and original French lyrics), Claude-Michel Schonberg (book and music) and Richard Maltby Jr. (lyrics), Miss Saigon was originally produced by Cameron Mackintosh at The Theater Royal Drury Lane, London, in September 1989.
Subsequently, the production opened on Broadway in April 1998 with three North American Companies following. This newly conceived touring production of Miss Saigon that will play the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theater is produced by Big League Theatrical.
Photograph (Wallace Smith)
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