though there had been a large, well-publicised international search among asian actresses to play kim, there had been no equivalent search for asian actors to play the major asian male roles—specifically, those of the engineer (pryce) and thuy (keith burns). however, others pointed out that since the engineer's character was eurasian (french-vietnamese), they argued that pryce was being discriminated against on the basis that he was caucasian. also, pryce was considered by many in britain to have "star status," a clause that allows a well-known foreign actor to recreate a role on broadway without an american casting call. after pressure from mackintosh, the general public, and many of its own members, actors' equity reversed its decision. pryce starred alongside salonga and willy falk (as chris) when the show opened on broadway.