ALLEGIANCE on Broadway Starring George Takei and Lea Salonga To Hold Open Call Auditions In Toronto

BroadwayWorld Toronto has learned that the Broadway production of ALLEGIANCE will hold open auditions in Toronto. Previews on Broadway are set to begin on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 with opening night set for Sunday, November 8, 2015.

Television and film star George Takei will star in the new musical which had its world premiere in a record-breaking engagement at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Allegiance has 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).

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.

See the full audition listing below!

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.

Additional information:
Date: Monday, April 6, 2015

Time: 11:00am - 3:00pm
Sign-in will begin at 10:30am; please do NOT arrive prior to 10:30am.

Location: Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre Studios, 158 Victoria
Street (Stage Door), Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 1T6

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 by George 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.