Gateway Playhouse Press Release – Auditioning Child Actors Now
EPIC PRODUCTION OF MISS SAIGON SEEKS CHILD – GATEWAY PLAYHOUSE
Seeking – One Asian or Eurasian child who must look 4 years old and not be afraid of large crowds, fake helicopters and tumultuous applause. Also must be able to withstand blaring lights and blazing heat as Gateway Playhouse turns it up for the encore performances of its groundbreaking production of Miss Saigon.
Korean pop star Sojung Lee, known to American audiences as Alex Lee Tano, is flying across the continents to reprise her Broadway and National Tour performances of the role of Kim, in the Gateway production on the Patchogue stage July 8-25th. All the show needs is the right child. In my mind there was just no other ‘Kim’, said Robin Joy Allan, Gateways casting and artistic director.
She played the role for our spectacular production in 2003. Ms. Allan said Ms. Tano was quintessential to the part of Kim in Gateways reissuing of the tragic tale of lost love and struggle for survival in a war torn land. But Ms. Tano, who was also the voice in the Korean version of Disney’s Mulan, initially turned down the part of Kim, her representatives at SONY records noting she was booked with stadium sized concerts throughout the month of July and could not make the Gateway show.
However, the recent turmoil in her native homeland, caused by missile tests and nuclear threats by North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-il, shut down Ms. Tanos performance schedule, and freed her up to do the show for Gateway.We’re just thrilled to have gotten her back,?Gateway producer Paul Allan said, Alex has the ability to lift you out of the theater and transport you to Vietnam in the 1970’s. Her performance makes you forget you are sitting in a theater.
Based loosely on Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, the pop-opera tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover. Set in 1975 during the final days of the American occupation of Saigon, Miss Saigon is an epic love story about the relationship between an American GI and a young Vietnamese woman. The sweeping, impassioned score includes, “Why God, Why,” “Sun and Moon,” “The Last Night of the World,” “I Still Believe,” “I’d Give My Life for You” and “The American Dream.” Raul Aranas also returns as the “Engineer. Mr. Aranas starred as the Engineer at Gateway in 2003, and the first national tour of Miss Saigon. The seasoned Broadway actor starred recently in the world premiere of the musical Giant at the Signature Theater.
The show also features Mary Mossberg playing “Ellen” and Allen D. Hong, playing “Thuy.” Ms. Mossberg has performed in the second national tour of Mamma Mia and in the Will Rogers Follies role of “Betty Blake Rogers” at Gateway Playhouse. Mr. Hong originated the role of “Thuy” for the first national tour of Miss Saigon and played the role for three years.
Gateway Playhouse is on the lookout for an Asian child male or female to play the part of Tam Ms. Allan noted that the part is not a speaking or singing role, and that the candidate simply has to look like a 4-year-old Asian or Eurasian child. Also required of the young thespian are a strong stage presence, discipline, and availability to deal with rigorous rehearsal and performance schedules.Ms. Allan noted that the child actor would not have to attend all rehearsals, but would have to show up for every performance.
Rehearsals for Miss Saigon began on June 23 and will be held at Gateways main production studios in Bellport. Miss Saigon opens at The Patchogue Theatre on Wednesday, July 8 with performances through Saturday, July 25.
Anyone interested in having his or her child audition for Miss Saigon should visit www.gatewayplayhouse.com for the complete Miss Saigon performance schedule and then set up an audition by calling 286-0555, ext. 2123 or sending an e-mail to artsoffice@gatewayplayhouse.com.
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