Discord Over ‘Miss Saigon’ Accord : Stage: Asian-Americans say they had no representation in the negotiations.

“What do we want? Equity! When do we want it? Now!”

Chanting those words, about 60 picketers wearing yellow armbands marched on the sidewalk Friday in front of the Hollywood office of Actors’ Equity, protesting the Monday accord between the union and “Miss Saigon” producer Cameron Mackintosh over the casting of the Broadway production. The $10-million London musical is scheduled to begin previews March 23 in New York and open April 11.

Most of the protesters were Asian-American activists critical of the accord and what they see as lack of representation from Asian-Americans in the negotiations that resulted in the agreement. Simultaneous events were also scheduled for New York and San Francisco.

According to a copy of the agreement obtained by The Times, Equity agreed to allow Mackintosh to alternate two non-American Asian actors in the title role of the musical, “if no American Asian actors can be found.” The agreement stipulated that eight candidates are under consideration for the role, including two who are not American citizens, and added, “it is hoped that future auditions may provide additional Asian American candidates.”

Open auditions for the Asian roles in the show will be Friday and next Saturday at the Los Angeles Music Center and Oct. 1 and 2 in New York.

However, “if none of the candidates proves to have the specific qualities necessary to originate this major role on Broadway,” Mackintosh reserved the right to request permission for Lea Salonga, the Filipina actress who created the role in London, to do it in New York.

Mackintosh also agreed that “for all U.S. productions of ‘Miss Saigon,’ neither ‘yellowface’ makeup nor prosthetics for eyes will be used for any actor.” Mackintosh asserted that the white actor who is being imported from London to play the Engineer, Jonathan Pryce, had never used “yellowface” in his London performance, but he acknowledged that Pryce had initially used prosthetics to make his eyes look more Asian until he “became aware that their use was offensive to the American Asian community.”

The agreement also established that “these special arrangements for ‘Miss Saigon’ are not intended to establish a precedent” and will be binding “subject to written confirmation from the League of American Theatres and Producers.”

The agreement contains “too many loopholes, too many exceptions,” said demonstrator James Hong, who said he has been a working actor for 37 years. “There was no representation from the Asian side (in the negotiations). Is the (union) trying to hide something? The modern generation (of Asian-American actors) isn’t going to give any more ground.”

There was some disagreement over whether a demonstration would be mounted at the Music Center auditions next week. Dom Magwili said he doubted it. “This is not censorship. Actors who choose to audition are working on their own conscience.” But actor Tzi Ma said “I think we will be down there (to demonstrate).”

Meanwhile, in New York, an Equity statement announced that executive secretary Alan Eisenberg and Carole Hughes, equal employment opportunity business representative for the union, will meet with minority members to discuss ‘Saigon’-related issues on Monday in New York and Thursday in Los Angeles.

Equity “is aware of the frustration, anger and outrage . . . ,” according to the statement, and “continues to maintain its commitment to increased employment for its ethnic minority members.”