Fast forward to the year 2000 and the little boy is no longer little anymore. He's a twenty-five-year-old young man performing in the principle role of dancer, coincidentally enough, in Miss Saigon, the blockbuster musical production set during the Vietnam War. It tells the love story between an American GI and a young Vietnamese woman.

As I sat in the armchair waiting for Phong Truong, I couldn't help but feel nervous. The opening show of Miss Saigon had just ended with a standing ovation and I was at the Locke-Ober, a restaurant off Winter Street near Downtown Crossing, where the cast members along with their family and friends were celebrating. When Phong appeared, he greeted me with a warm smile. He was very open and what struck me was how easy it was to talk to him.

What I discovered was how free-spirited Phong is. As he was discussing his thoughts on destiny, he was telling me how his zodiac signs seem to correspond to his lifestyle. His birthday falls under the Cat sign in the Vietnamese zodiac and Pisces in the western zodiac. He was comparing himself to cats and fish - how cats are curious creatures and how fish swim and go everywhere, which accounts for him having traveled to places such as Poland, Paris, and Italy to name just a few. He's almost halfway there to accomplishing his goal of traveling all over the world. Throw in the meaning of his name, which is the word for "wind," and you get the feeling that his future is boundless.

Talking about his experience with Miss Saigon, there is a mixture of surprise and awe with his "climb to the top so fast." He made his debut in the German production of Miss Saigon as a dancer. After sending his head shot in and auditioning, he got the call back to join the cast. At the time, Phong was pursuing his college education. But, with this newfound opportunity, he decided that this was something he just could not miss. So, he packed up his bags and the next thing he knew he was on a flight headed for Germany.

I asked him how his parents reacted to his decision. At first, he said his parents thought of his dancing and acting as a hobby. They had dreams of him pursuing a career in the medical field. But, once Phong told them about Miss Saigon, they were in total support.

In researching for his role to "make it more personal," Phong asked his father about what exactly happened when they escaped from Vietnam. It was then that the story unfolded. Phong's father recounted to him of their harrowing journey. How they almost missed meeting up with Phong's mother and little sister; how a storm almost sank the boat with the rain and huge waves it brought along with it; and, how while they were drifting at sea they became so hungry that they caught a sea turtle. They cooked it in the ocean water for a long time so that they could chew because their teeth had gotten so loose from the lack of nutrition. They ate it even though superstition says that it is bad luck and will bring misfortune. All the suffering they endured was in the hopes of a better future that they felt so strongly for.

Knowing fully what took place, Phong now has a greater appreciation of how far he and his family has come. It has also given him the conviction to "always live for today." He brings that to his performance and gives it his all.

He feels the responsibility also in representing his community. There is the additional fact that he is the first Vietnamese cast member of Miss Saigon. He is proud of that distinction. At the same time, he wants his work and talent to speak for him first and foremost.

Phong is a performance actor and wants to make sure that the work he does is of quality. He wants to break down stereotypes that have been perpetuated in the media especially within the movie industry.

"Not all Asians own Laundromats. And, not all Asians work in Chinese restaurants," he said.

What Phong wants is real roles that will give him credibility and satisfaction. He sees the onslaught of kung fu fighting roles and that's not what he wants.

The passion he has for his work, the satisfaction and joy he has in "being a working actor," and the tenacity he has in making it in film is inspiring. Here's a young man who with his family overcame tremendous adversity and is now living life as he wants.

It's been quite a career so far for Phong and he has a very bright future ahead of him. In October, he will be leaving the cast of Miss Saigon and heading off to London to join the production of the King and I where he'll be working alongside Jason Scott Lee, best known for his role in Dragon, the Bruce Lee Story.

You can catch Phong at the Wang Center until June 25. It is the last run of Miss Saigon in Boston as well as nationally.

printed in the Sampan, New England's Only Chinese-English Newspaper, on June 16, 2000