Joanna Ampil cast as the Engineer in reimagined 'Miss Saigon' musical

Joanna Ampil is taking on the role of the Engineer in Sheffield Theatre’s reimagined “Miss Saigon.”

Originally played by a man, the Engineer is a hustler and owner of the nightclub Dreamland in Saigon, which caters to American soldiers.

"Miss Saigon" will be given a new version by co-directors Robert Hastie and Anthony Lau, set to be staged in 2023.

According to Artistic Director Hastie, this is the first “Miss Saigon” production in the UK to be given permission to explore new approaches in staging and casting since the musical premiered in 1989.

“Anthony and I are thrilled to be co-directing Boublil and Schönberg’s iconic show, and could not be more excited to be welcoming Joanna Ampil to Sheffield to play The Engineer," Hastie was quoted as saying by Playbill.

Co-director Lau added that they want the project to start new conversations and that they were encouraged to be bold and original in this new version.

"The subject matter compels us to delve sensitively and deeply into the complications of two cultures entwined. At a time when it feels like there is more division than ever in society, epic stories like this give us the opportunity to embrace nuance and complexity in exploring the human experience," he said.

Joanna has been in “Miss Saigon” prior to this upcoming one. She played the lead role of Kim in the West End, original Australian production, original UK and Ireland Tour, and for the 10th-anniversary performance.

The Filipina theater veteran has also appeared in the musicals “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Les Miserables,” “Hair,” “Rent,” “Cats,” and many more.

Set before the end of the Vietnam War, “Miss Saigon” tells the story of a doomed romance between a teenage Vietnamese bar girl named Kim, and Chris Scott, an American marine.

Lea Salonga was part of the original West End and Broadway cast, where she won a Tony Award for portraying Kim. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA News