‘Miss Saigon’ expands
casting call in Honolulu

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

For the first time, "Miss Saigon" directors will be auditioning local actors for non-Asian roles in the Broadway and national touring company of the musical.

Open auditions will be held Oct. 13-14 at Leeward Community College Theatre. The casting team will be seeing hopefuls for the parts of "Ellen," "Chris" and "John," as well as Asian males and females aspiring to play "Kim," "The Engineer" and "Thuy," or ensemble positions.

Sign-up is 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. only on each day, with auditions beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Union performers will be seen first; others will be seen as time permits.

For more information on the auditions call Elissa Josephsohn Public Relations at 732-7733.

"Miss Saigon" is entirely sung. The music is stylistically similar to "Les Miserables" and other pop-influenced contemporary theater scores. For those unfamiliar with the score, the audition team suggests a review of the London cast recording.

Here are the descriptions of the non-Asian roles of "Ellen," "Chris" and "John:"

Chris is a major leading role, a young, leading man, aged 20-30. He's an American G.I., handsome, passionate, sexy, yet vulnerable and sympathetic. He should be a contemporary theatrical or pop high baritone or bari-tenor to a B flat.

John is a major supporting role, aged 25-35, an African-American. This American G.I. is reliable, responsible, strong and positive; a leader type who is charismatic and strong. The actor needs a strong, high baritone to B-flat, with a vocal range down to a low A flat.

Ellen is a major supporting role, aged 20-30. She is Chris' wife, positive, sensitive, bright. May be Caucasian, African-American or Hispanic. She needs a contemporary belt from G (below middle C) and up to E.

Those seeking these roles should be prepared with a powerful or hard-driving contemporary pop, rock or theater song, as well as a strong, rangy and dramatic contemporary theater or pop ballad. Women are asked to show off belt range. All auditioners may sing from "Miss Saigon," but are requested to bring other selections as well.

Casting directors also are seeking young Asian male and female singers (ages 18-35) who can sing in contemporary theatrical or pop styles and have "terrific singing voices." Women should bring two contemporary theatrical or pop ballads which show off high range in chest/belt voice. Two women must have soprano voices to high C as well.

Men should have a high baritone or tenor range to A or B flat, and bring a hard-driving contemporary pop, rock or theater song, and a ballad which shows off range. Performers may sing from "Miss Saigon."

All performers are asked to bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. No one will be permitted to audition with a tape recorder. All auditioners also should bring a current photo and resume stapled together. Professional experience is not required.

Women should bring tights or leotards and character shoes with heels or flat jazz shoes.

Men should bring dance clothes or clothes comfortable for movement (sneakers or jazz shoes are acceptable). Several men are needed with aerial acrobatic skills.

Here are the primary Asian role descriptions:

Kim (18-25): Lead; Vietnamese girl. We see her first as a frightened, innocent young girl and watch her transform into a determined, valiant, fearless heroine. This is a huge role and she must have a magnificent voice, both in high belt and contemporary pop soprano (like Linda Ronstadt). Please bring two contemporary pop or theatrical ballads, one of which should show off high belt range. Seeking Asian or Amer-Asian performer.

The Engineer (35-50): Lead; Eurasian. A wily schemer, con man, two-bit entrepreneur. Role requires a first-class, experienced character man with considerable theater background in major roles. High Baritone to A. Please be prepared to sing a big showy personality song with drive and narrative ballad. Please sing contemporary theatrical material and note that one of the songs should have an A flat. Seeking Asian or Amer-Asian actor.

Thuy (20-30): Male; supporting role. Vietnamese. Fanatical member of the Vietcong. Violent and possessive. Contemporary rock tenor to B flat. Seeking Asian or Amer-Asian actor.

Past Honolulu auditions have resulted in the casting of such local talents as Melanie Tojio, Michael Bright, Cliffton Hall, Robert Orosco, Jade Stice and Chloe Stewart (now alternating in the role of "Kim" on Broadway) for various casts of "Miss Saigon."

Those unable to make the October open call in Honolulu should send photo and resume to: Johnson-Liff Casting Associates Ltd., 1501 Broadway, Suite 1400, New York, NY 10036; Attention: Miss Saigon/Hawaii 1998.