Imagine a Broadway musical about a half-black, half-white pimp and his black girlfriend, where the producer says he must use a white actor in ”black face” because he couldn`t find a black actor who was talented enough and the right age to fill this role. Would there be a public outcry? Of course. Yet this is what British producer Cameron Mackintosh expects Americans to accept without outrage over his musical ”Miss Saigon.” The only difference is that the character in his play is Eurasian and most of the cast is of Asian descent.
With $25 million in tickets sold, ”Miss Saigon” is being billed as the largest advance sale in Broadway history. But it also has generated more than a million dollars worth of controversy and publicity for Mackintosh with his casting of Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce in the starring role of the Eurasian pimp.
Last week, when Actors` Equity voted against allowing Pryce to perform in the U.S., Mackintosh and many others accused the union of reverse discrimination and racial prejudice. But in spite of Mackintosh`s repeated statements that ”Miss Saigon” is about racial prejudice and is employing more than 30 minority actors, he has learned nothing about the feelings of Asians, Asian-Britons or Asian-Americans.
Mackintosh`s remarks are very similar to those uttered in the early `70s when ”The Return of Charlie Chan,” starring white actor Ross Martin, was being made. Although Asian-American actors and non-actors protested, they were told this wasn`t really a slur on them and this was providing work for Asian- American actors.
This is the same mentality that for decades allowed white actors to continually play Asians, Asian-Americans and Eurasians at the expense of minority actors.
If you think Asian-Americans are too sensitive about this, answer these two questions: Can you name one Asian-American actor who has a regular role in a TV series? Can you name five Asian-American actors?
There is no lack of talent within the Asian-American community-but there is a serious lack of opportunity when whites fill Asian roles.
While African-Americans are finally making strides in television, film and theatre, Asian-Americans are still having a hard time breaking into these areas. After decades of not being allowed to portray anything but houseboys, maids and gardeners because of discrimination, they are now being told they can`t have parts for Asians because of reverse discrimination.
Who is the big loser in ”Miss Saigon”? Certainly not Cameron Mackintosh or Jonathan Pryce. If Actors` Equity allows its decision against Pryce to stand this Thursday, after a review of the situation, both Mackintosh and Pryce will be martyrs, wronged by ”racial discrimination.” If the decision is overturned, both will feel vindicated-and Asian-Americans will once again be pushed aside in favor of discrimination and the power of ticket sales.
In the midst of this controversy, famed Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa announced he has begun shooting a new film to depict the horrors of nuclear war. One of the characters in his film is a Japanese-American. Actor Richard Gere will play this role.
Ironically, it isn`t only Caucasians who discriminate against Asians.
