George Takei’s Broadway musical “Allegiance” will make it's Los Angeles premiere at the JACCC’s Aratani Theatre from February 21st to April 1st; with opening night happening on February 28th.
George Takei as Sam Kimura in the original Broadway production of Allegiance. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Directed by East West Players’ Producing Artistic Director Snehal Desai, “Allegiance” is inspired by Takei’s childhood. The musical takes place after the events of Pearl Harbor and follows the lives of the Kimura family, who, along with 120,000 other Japanese Americans are forced to leave their homes. The play is described as “an uplifting testament to the power of the human spirit, “Allegiance” follows the Kimuras as they fight between duty and defiance, custom and change, family bonds and forbidden loves.”
“It’s an incredible honor to be able to direct the first production of “Allegiance” since it’s Broadway debut. There could not be a more vital and important time to be bringing “Allegiance” home to Los Angeles and Little Tokyo, where so many still remember the day when the government forced their families to leave their communities and homes. This powerful and moving musical sheds light on this dark chapter of US history with grace and humor. I am humbled to be leading this supremely talented company” said Allegiance (Los Angeles) Director Snehal Desai.
Joining George Takei in the musical will be Elena Wang, Janelle Dote, Eymard Cabling, Cesar Cirpirano, Natalie Holt MacDonald, Ethan Le Phong, Jordan Goodsell, Sharline Liu, Miyuki Miyagi, Glenn Shiroma, Chad Takeda, Grace Yoo, Scott Watanabe and Greg Watanabe.
The Los Angeles shows will be co-produced by East West Players and JACCC by special arrangement with Sing Out, Louise! Productions and ATA.
Performances will take place at JACCC’s Aratani Theatre – 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
For more information and tickets, you can head to www.AllegianceMusical.com
