The Bradenton area's most highly anticipated show of recent memory, the Manatee Players' production of "Miss Saigon" that will open the brand new Manatee Performing Arts Center in March, has been cast.

Holmes Beach resident and Manatee High School student Holly Rizzo will play the lead, Kim, a 17-year-old girl recently orphaned and forced to work at "Dreamland."

Rizzo's numerous theater credits include the Manatee Players' current production "Anything Goes" and Young Bonnie in the Asolo Repertory Theatre's 2010 regional premiere of the "Bonnie & Clyde" musical that later had an engagement on Broadway,

Billy Masuck, a Manatee Players veteran recently seen in "Legally Blonde," will play Chris, the American G.I. sergeant prepared to leave Saigon and return to America.

Brian Chunn, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in "Anything Goes," will play Chris' friend John.

Omar Montes, Billy Crocker in "Anything Goes," will play Engineer, a French-Vietnamese club owner.

"Miss Saigon" will be directed and choreographed by Rick Kerby, the Manatee Players' producing artistic director, with Aaron Cassette as musical director and costumes by David Walker.

Stay tuned for who will play the stripper Gigi Van Tranh, Ellen, Tam, Thuy and the rest of the famed roles.

Details: March 28-April 14, Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Tickets: TBA. Information: 941-748-5875 or www.manateeplayers.com.

Wade Tatangelo, features writer/columnist, can be reached at 941-745-7057.Follow Twitter.com/wtatangelo.