The Broadway bound production of Allegiance, a new American musical, is holding open call auditions in Toronto on Monday, April 6, 2015, at the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre Studios, 158 Victoria Street (Stage Door), Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 1T6. The auditions are from 11:00am – 3:00pm. Sign-in will begin at 10:30am; please do NOT arrive prior to 10:30am.
Star Trek‘s George Takei is making his Broadway debut in Allegiance, co-starring with Tony Award winner Lea Salonga and Glee’s Telly Leung. Set to begin preview performances on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street), the trio will reprise their roles which they originated in the record-breaking engagement of Allegiance at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Allegiance has a book by Marc Acito with music and lyrics by Jay Kuo. Helming the production is Olivier Award nominee Stafford Arima (London’s Ragtime, Off-Broadway’s Bare, Carrie, Altar Boyz). Opening night is Sunday, November 8, 2015.
Allegiance is inspired by Takei’s true childhood experiences. Traversing the lush California heartland, the windswept prairies of Wyoming and the battlefields of war-torn Europe, Allegiance tells the epic multi-generational tale of deep family loyalty, romance, humor, optimism and unparalleled heroism in the face of fear and prejudice against Japanese-Americans during World War II and beyond.
SEEKING:
Singers to play roles of Asian Males / Females, ages 20s-60s.
Dramatic Actor to play role of Asian Male, ages 20s.
Singers to play roles of Caucasian Females, ages 20s.
Singers (who dance well) to play roles of Caucasian Males, 20s-50s.
Preparation: For all roles except MIKE MASAOKA: Prepare 16 bars of a classic musical theatre song (Rodgers, Berlin, Gershwin, Porter, etc.) or 16 bars of a contemporary musical theatre song (Ahrens & Flaherty, Jason Robert Brown a la PARADE, etc.). Do not sing a pop/rock song. Bring sheet music; a piano accompanist will be provided. For MIKE MASAOKA: Prepare a brief contemporary monologue. All should bring a photo/resume stapled together. Equity performers are welcome to attend.
[TATSUO KIMURA] Male, Asian, to play 50s. A Japanese-born (Issei) farmer, father of Kei and Sammy. Striving to uphold what he believes are American ideals, his resistance to their internment drives a wedge between him and Sam, and leads to his segregation from his family. Classic baritone to F. PRINCIPAL
[MIKE MASAOKA] Male, Asian, to play mid to late 20s. A real-life historical figure, Mike is the newly appointed 26-year-old national spokesman for the Japanese American Citizens League. At the outbreak of war, he finds himself thrust onto the national stage, so he must summon the fortitude to speak on behalf of his people. He is sincerely determined to do what is best and turns to his deeply held faith in God to eventually find the confidence. But that zeal and certainty will eventually blind him to moral compromises that sacrifice lives. Requires a strong actor. This is a non-singing role. Singing is a plus but not necessary. PRINCIPAL
[HANNAH CAMPBELL] Female, Caucasian, to play early to late 20s. A small-town girl with big dreams, Hannah’s sense of justice motivates her to volunteer at the internment camps as an army nurse. Her forthright bravery bonds her with Sammy, in whom she finds an unexpected kindred spirit. Mezzo/belt to D/Eb. Classic Broadway with a contemporary twist. Strong mix to E. PRINCIPAL
[UNDERSTUDY FOR SAM KIMURA/KAITO KIMURA (“OJII-SAN”)] Male, Asian, 60s to play 70s. To appear in the ensemble and understudy the principal roles of SAM/KAITO (to be played byGeorge Takei): Both roles are played by the same actor, but they are complete opposites. Sam is a World War II hero, and Ojii-san is his grandfather. Sam is American-born, resolute and stern, military in bearing, a person who shut down a lifetime ago and has steadfastly refused to open up since. Ojii-san, or Ojii, is Japanese-born, sweet-natured and observant, quick to make a joke, even quicker to laugh at one. Uneducated, he is as free in spirit as Sam is locked up, though he does rely on the precepts of Japanese tradition to order his life and sustain him. Bass-baritone to classic baritone. ENSEMBLE
[UNDERSTUDY FOR KEI KIMURA] Female, Asian, to play early 30s. To appear in the ensemble and understudy the principal role of KEI (to be played by Lea Salonga): Kei is a single woman at the start of World War II, having dedicated her life to serving her family. Having lost her mother as a girl, she is the obedient daughter to her domineering father and the only mother her much younger brother has ever known. A hardworking farm girl, there’s a sturdy dependability to Kei, as if she’s constructed a solid well around a deep, dark reserve of emotion. Paradoxically, the internment provides her a liberation she’s never experienced, a chance to make up for the adolescence she lost and finally find love and become politically outspoken. Mezzo. Solid belt/mix to Eb. ENSEMBLE
[UNDERSTUDY FOR SAMMY KIMURA] Male, Asian, to play early to late 20s. To appear in the ensemble and understudy the principal role of SAMMY (to be played by Telly Leung): Sammy is an industrious and dutiful son but longs to find his own way in the world. Whip-smart and irrepressibly friendly, he secretly fears he will never measure up, particularly since he disappoints his father when he doesn’t get into law school. The internment provides him the opportunity to become an enthusiastic and effective community leader. He goes on to face unthinkable carnage as a platoon sergeant in World War II, earning him a Purple Heart. Strong tenor. Solid A. ENSEMBLE
[UNDERSTUDY FOR FRANKIE SUZUKI] Male, Asian, to play early 30s. To appear in the ensemble and understudy the principal role of FRANKIE: Japanese-American graduate student, bookish and serious. A natural-born leader, his inherent sense of justice is catalyzed by the internment to the point of open rebellion in the name of liberty. High baritone. High baritone to Ab. ENSEMBLE
[ASIAN FEMALE ENSEMBLE] Female, Asian, 20s – 60s. Strong singers. Excellent movers. Possible principal understudy assignments. ENSEMBLE
[ASIAN MALE ENSEMBLE] Male, Asian, 20s – 60s. Strong singers. Excellent movers. Possible principal understudy assignments. ENSEMBLE
[CAUCASIAN MALE ENSEMBLE] Male, Caucasian, 20s – 50s. Strong singers. Must have excellent dancing ability. Seeking a tenor, high baritone, and baritone. Masculine and authoritative. ENSEMBLE
Equity members will be seen first at all open audition calls. Equity members cast in this production will be engaged under an Equity form of contract. CAEA members: please bring your membership card to the audition.
Related articles
Star Trek’s George Takei & Broadway Bound ALLEGIANCE Create Indiegogo Campaign as Endowment for the Japanese American National Museum
Tony Award winner Lea Salonga and Telly Leung Set to Co-star with George Takei in ALLEGIANCE; Previews Begin at the Longacre Theatre on October 6
George Takei Set for Broadway Debut in ALLEGIANCE in October
The Old Globe’s Production Photos of George Takei, Lea Salonga, Telly Leung and Paolo Montalban in World Premiere of Allegiance – A New American Musical
George Takei, Lea Salonga, Telly Leung and Paolo Montalban star in the World Premiere of Allegiance – A New American Musical at The Old Globe, September 7 – October 21, 2012
Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington and Roscoe Orman. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Chinese American: Exclusion/Inclusion Exhibition on view at New-York Historical Society through April 19; Photos of An Evening with Amy Tan
“Water to Paper, Paint to Sky: The Art of Tyrus Wong,” – Retrospective of Disney Legend at MOCA through September 13
Dining out at élan with Artist Arlan Huang; New Paintings on view at Trestle Gallery
Photos and Video: Rachel York, Alan Ariano, YoonJeong Seong and More in Dallas Summer Musicals’ THE KING AND I at the Music Hall at Fair Park through April 5
Award Winning Actor Raul Aranas Talks THE BLACKLIST, NAAP’S OLIVER!, Songwriting and the Zen of Cycling
Tony Award Winners Chita Rivera and Roger Rees, Jason Danieley, Mary Beth Peil, David Garrison & More Begin Previews in Terrence McNally’s THE VISIT on March 26
11th annual 72 Hour Shootout™ Filmmaking How-To Workshop: Writing the Best Script on April 16; Enter to Win a Free 72 Hour Shootout Registration
Apr. 8: Big Trouble in Little Tokyo Screens John Carpenter’s BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA at the Japanese American National Museum
Vanity Fair: Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Jon Viktor Corpuz and More of Lincoln Center’s Revival of The King and I
Photos: David Byrne, Alex Timbers, Jaygee Macapugay, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Adam Guettel, Sarah Saltzberg and More Celebrate Jose Llana’s Lincoln Center American Songbook Debut
Signature Theatre Company’s Founding Artistic Director James Houghton To Step Down After 2015-16 25th Anniversary Season
Photos: Hudson Yang, Randall Park, Eddie Huang, Richard Lui, Lori Tan Chinn and More at #FreshOffTheBoat Viewing Party at The Circle NYC
The Women in the Arts & Media Coalition, Inc.: 2015 Collaboration Award recognizing Women Working with Women Open Call
Photo: Stan Egi, Ellen Crawford, Paige Lindsey White, Bruce Turk, Greg Watanabe and More in Jessica Kubzansky helmed PYGMALION at The Pasadena Playhouse through April 12; PYGMALION Themed Activities
The Women in the Arts & Media Coalition, Inc.: 2015 Collaboration Award recognizing Women Working with Women Open Call
LA Times Critic’s Choice FIGARO at A Noise Within; April 4, 5, 9, 10, 19, 30, May 1 and 10
Jon Tenney, Tessa Auberjonois, John de Lancie, Emily Ruth James and Kwana Martinez Set for World Premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s MR. WOLF at South Coast Repertory, April 12-May 3
Apr. 13:THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE Original Cast Album Release Party at Joe’s Pub will feature André De Shields, Adam Chanler-Berat, Kevin Mambo, Kyle Beltran, Ken Barnett, Britton Smith, Akron Watson and Juson Williams
Rebecca Naomi Jones kicks off run as Yitzhak in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH on April 14
East West Players’ Honors Paula Madison of Madison Media Management LLC and “Fresh Off The Boat” Executive Producers Nahnatchka Khan and Melvin Mar on April 20
Photos: Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Spring Exhibition, CHINA: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, May 7–August 16
Tony Award® Nominees Omar Metwally and Arian Moayed to star in Rajiv Joseph’s GUARDS AT THE TAJ, helmed by Amy Morton, at Atlantic Theater Company, May 20-June 28
World Premiere Musical HAMILTON Transfers to Broadway; Previews begin July 13
Photos: National Black Theatre Festival 2013; NBTF runs August 3-8, 2015 and will include Act III – A Celebration of Life Reception saluting the late theatre icon Garland Lee Thompson, Sr.
Photos: John W. Kuo, Jessica Hagedorn, and Neal Katyal Receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards
Suzan-Lori Parks’ FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS, PARTS 1, 2 & 3 is the 2015 Winner of the Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History
THE GET DOWN, Baz Luhrmann’s New Drama Series Set in 1970s NYC That Gave Birth to Hip-Hop, Punk and Disco, to Premiere on Netflix in 2016
Variety.com: Ken Jeong to Star in ABC Medical Comedy Pilot ‘Dr. Ken’
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Photos: Ellen Burstyn, Baz Luhrmann, John Leguizamo, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Stephen McKinley Henderson, John Patrick Shanley, David Henry Hwang, Liza Colón-Zayas, Kenneth Lonergan and More Celebrate Stephen Adly Guirgis at The Mimi Awards
Crafting a Career
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com
