ALLEGIANCE SHARES A FORGOTTEN HISTORY
REVIEW: ALLEGIANCE
BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO
The musical Allegiance, which had a short run on Broadway from October 2015 to February 2016, is experiencing it’s Los Angeles premiere by the East West Players and the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center featuring George Takei reprising his original role from the Broadway run. Also reprising their Broadway roles are Elena Wang as Kei Kimura, Greg Watanabe as Mike Masaoka, Scott Watanabe as Tatsuo Kimura, and Janelle Dote as Executor.
The cast performing “Wishes on the Wind” in the Los Angeles premiere of Allegiance. Photo by Michael Lamont.
With music and lyrics by Jay Kuo and a book by Marc Acito, Kuo and Lorenzo Thione, Allegiance was inspired by George Takei’s own experience growing up in an internment camp. Takei shared his experience with Kuo during intermission at a production of In the Heights in 2008, and after hearing this Kuo told Takei, “this is crazy, but I think this would make a great show. Can I write to you in a few weeks with a storyboard and a few songs?” With that Allegiance was born.
(L-R) Ethan Le Phong as Sammy Kimura, George Takei as Ojii-chan, and
Elena Wang as Kei Kimura. Photo by Michael Lamont.
What makes Allegiance special is that it tells a story that’s often overlooked in the history books—the story of the forced relocation of 120,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps during World War II. Unfortunately, the craftsmanship of the musical by the writers does not always do this story justice. The book is more concerned with being pedantic than entertaining, the music is easily forgettable, and the lyrics are prosaic. All of this should come of no surprise as the original reviews echoed these same points. Even so, the production by East West Players is significant, with this LA premiere the musical serves a the perfect vehicle to shed light on this forgotten time in history—a history that, unfortunately in today’s political climate proves that history does repeat itself.
Snehal Desai’s direction is swift and to the point—he brings out the cinematic elements in the work that rides a fine line between drama and documentary. The use of projections provides not only scenic elements but also opportunities to orient the audience to passing of time, location and historical context. Desai always seizes the opportunity to make iconic moments from the most salient dramatic points creating picturesque tableaus throughout the show.
(L-R) Scott Watanabe as Tatsuo Kimura, George Takei as Ojii-chan, Jordan
Goodsell as Hakujin, Elena Wang as Kei Kimura, and Ethan Le Phong as Sammy Kimura. Photo by Michael
Lamont.
While not readily familiar with George Takei’s acting work, beyond his most famous role in the Star Trek series, seeing his performance in Allegiance is astounding. Although Takei is not a featured singer in this musical, he is the strongest actor on stage playing dual roles that include an older version of his grandson Sammy Kimura and grandfather Ojii-chan. Takei brings so much individuality and dimensionality to each of these roles that it’s truly affecting—LA audiences are lucky to see him in this production, that for him is no doubt intensely personal.
Ethan Le Phong (Sammy Kimura) is one of the only leads who was not part of the original Broadway cast of Allegiance, yet his performance gives the impression that he’s been a part of this show since its Broadway debut. Le Phong’s strong tenor voice is compelling in “What Makes a Man” and everything he does on stage is character driven. Elena Wang (Kei Kimura) is the gem of the show with a robust voice that glistens song after song, another Broadway performer that is a treat for LA audiences.
George Takei as Sam Kimura in the original Broadway production of Allegiance. Photo by
Matthew Murphy.
WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC DIRECTOR?
Music director Marc Macalintal leads this orchestra and cast from the keyboard engineering a full orchestral sound that effortlessly balances with the voices on stage. Allegiance’s Craig Noel Award winning orchestrations by Lynne Shankel sparkle from beginning to end.
East West Players’ revival of Allegiance is a genuine gift to Los Angeles audiences revealing that at the heart of this flawed musical is an illuminating history with unforgettable performances.
Tickets and More Information
Where: JACCC’s Aratani Theatre at 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
When: February 21, 2018 to April 1, 2018
Playing Previews: Wednesday, February 21 at 8 pm; Thursday, February 22 at 8pm
Schedule: Friday, February 23 at 8pm; Saturday, February 24 at 8pm; Sunday, February 25 at 2pm
Runs – Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Evenings at 8pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm; Sundays at 2pm
Note: no performance on Sunday, March 18
Tickets: For tickets and information, please visit AllegianceMusical.com
