TEMECULA - It was an accident that brought the Tulalian family to New York City for an audition for the musical "The King and I." But it may have been fate that led not only 9-year-old Issabela Tulalian, but also her 6-year-old sister, Issadora Tulalian, to earn a big role in the well-loved Broadway musical.

Mother Machelle Tulalian said she avoids putting Issabela, who has been pursuing acting and singing for several years, up for East Coast auditions. But, she added, she accidentally submitted her daughter for consideration for the role not realizing the location.

Then, the family missed the flight out in December for the audition and had to book another.

When they finally arrived in the Big Apple, Issabela won the producers over, and so did her little sister, who was along for the ride when they spotted her and asked her to audition, too.

The sisters will both play the role of Princess Ying Yaowlak, each taking turns in the production, which is set to begin in March and continue through February of next year. It will be presented dozens of times in major cities throughout China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore.

"We are very excited about doing it," Issabela said. "We called everybody."

The girls said they are familiar with the musical and love its songs, especially "Getting to Know You."

The musical is being produced by the Broadway Asia Company. According to its Web site, broadwayasia.com, the company in the last five years has presented shows in more than 25 countries.

The Tulalian family said they are thrilled about the opportunity. The girls, who attend Temecula Elementary School, will be tutored by their mother while they travel across Asia in the coming year.

"We like exposing them to different types of cultures," said Machelle Tulalian, adding that the family's ethnicity is mostly Filipino with some Spanish. "For them to be able to travel is important."

Father Gary Martinez, who works at Abbott Laboratories in Temecula, said he plans to visit his girls "every chance I get," adding "I am pretty excited for them."

The family has lived in Temecula for about six years, and Issabela has been involved in various other productions on a smaller scale, chronicled on her Web site issabelatulalian.com, but this is her big break, her mom said.

Her sister, Issadora, is more interested in businesses and loans, like her mother, a loan originator, but Martinez said that "when it comes down to it, she'll perform."

"Issabela is really into (performing)," Machelle Tulalian said. "As long as she enjoys it, and Issadora as well, we'll support it. They work hard, and they deserve it."

- Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.