Equity to Reconsider Ban on ‘Miss Saigon’ Star

Actors’ Equity union announced today its governing council will meet next week to consider reversing a ruling banning an English actor from playing a Eurasian on Broadway in the hit British musical “Miss Saigon.”

Pressure has been mounting on the 79-member council to reconsider its Tuesday decision to bar British actor Jonathan Pryce from coming to New York in the lead role of a Eurasian pimp in the multimillion production.

The council ruled by a 22-18 vote that an actor of Asian racial background must be cast in the role so as not miss a “significant opportunity to break the usual pattern of casting Asians in minor roles.”

On Thursday, show producer Cameron Mackintosh canceled the March opening of the New York production, citing violation of his artistic freedom, racial discrimination and breach of contract on the part of Equity.

Nearly 150 members of Equity also presented their 40,000-member union with petitions asking for a general membership or council meeting to reconsider the action against Pryce. Under Equity’s constitution, a council meeting must be held if petitions are signed by at least 100 members.

Equity spokesman Richard Moore said the council will reconsider its action because of the protests.

The announcement came after Mayor David N. Dinkins offered to help in the dispute and a stinging rebuke to the council by the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, saying casting decisions “should be based on individual talent and merit, not on race or ethnicity.”

Dinkins’ concern, he said, was based on an advance ticket sale of $25 million for “Miss Saigon,” a Broadway record indicating that the show would potentially mean a $100-million tourist windfall for the city.

Earlier story, F1.