The Vietnam war has come a gone, with today’s youth giving little thought to the historic war.

Yet there are those who argue the stories produced from the war remain relevant even today .

Out of all the musicals to come through the Ames and Des Moines area this year, none may be as relevant to today’s society as the story of “Miss Saigon.”

“People can relate to it, especially now,” says Laurie Cadevida, who plays Kim.

“There is the love story, a mother’s love for her child, hopes and dreams for yourself, and wanting what is best for everyone.”

“Miss Saigon,” the sixth longest running show in Broadway’s history, is set during the Vietnam War and tells the true story of Chris, a Vietnam soldier, Kim, a Vietnamese prostitute, and their struggle for love.

Cadevida says “Miss Saigon” tends to hit close to home for many military veterans who watch the musical.

“A history teacher that I met after a show had a story exactly like this play,” Cadevida says. “He told me he met a girl who looked like me whose name was even Kim. They were together while he was in Vietnam. Stories like this bring the actors to a new level and make it reality.”

Cadevida, who has been listening to the soundtrack of “Miss Saigon” since age 8, was introduced to the show by her father, who loved the musical. Cadevida says she sat on the living room couch, not really knowing the words, but trying to sing along and learn them.

Her first taste of “Miss Saigon” was when she saw the show live in 2003, unaware that she would soon join the cast. Cadevida has since been part of the show for the past two and a half years, joining right after she turned 18.

Before joining the show, Cadevida took acting and vocal lessons while attending college. Now, at the age of 21, she has moved through the jobs of acting in matinees, to being an understudy, to finally being cast as the star.

“I can’t see myself doing anything else; it’s my passion and I love it,” Cadevida says.

One of the rewarding aspects in being selected to perform in the show, she said, is the opportunities she’s had to develop a second family through the show’s cast.

“The cast is so talented and amazing,” she says. “Even though we’ve only been together for a little while, there is chemistry both on- and off-stage. We tell the story together.”

In December the “Miss Saigon” tour will close completely, but Cadevida will continue playing Kim at a dinner theater in Janesville, Wis. Fortunately for her, she says this is her dream role and encourages people of all ages to attend.

“It’s a beautiful play, the cast is great and the music is gorgeous,” Cadevida says. “There are dance numbers and fun, but bring tissue boxes. You will laugh, cry – everything.”

“Miss Saigon” is being performed Saturday at Stephens Auditorium.