Faces to Watch in ’95 : We’re Counting on Them : THEATER

Some of them you know. Some you don’t. But the following artists, entertainers and executives have one thing in common: We’re counting on each to mae a significant impact or difference in their respective fields this year. Sure, there will be thers who make a splash, but after we talked with dozens of people who work in entertainment and the arts, these were the names mentioned most often. You might say that Jim Carrey was a face to watch in ‘94, and you would be right. But, based on “Ace Ventura,” “The Mask,” and “Dumb and Dumber,” Carrey’s ’95 should bear watching. Another pair of familiar faces--Jay Leno and David Letterman--appear on our list. Why? Haven’t we looked at these guys enough? Well, truth be told, how do you know what’s going to happen to them this year? Fame can be sooooo fleeting.

Jennifer Paz

Forget the helicopter, the thing to look out for in “Miss Saigon” is 22-year-old Jennifer Paz, who won the role of Kim with no professional experience in an open audition when she was a mere 19. Critics in Boston, Washington, Denver and Detroit have hailed her naturalness and lovely voice.

Longtime “Saigon” watchers say she’s the best Kim ever. Watch her find her love and lose him (that damn helicopter is in the way) at the renovated Ahmanson Theatre when the show opens on Jan. 25.