In an online message Takei writes, "As an actor and an activist, it has been my life’s mission to tell the incredible story of the thousands of families who endured the Japanese American Internment during World War II. The upcoming Broadway musical Allegiance and the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) are the intersection of my art and activism. Inspired by my life experiences and those of internees like me, the show celebrates the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. I consider it my Legacy Project, and I've come up with a way for the JANM to be a part of it. But I need your help.…
"Typically, a show gets to Broadway with funding by a group of producers and investors. Allegiance’s producers have accepted my call to action for crowdfunding, with a minimum goal of $250,000, but with the potential for much more. The contributions here will act as if they had been invested by the JANM. The show will assign a proportional percentage of its profits to the museum, creating a source of funding for it in perpetuity."
In 17 days of fundraising, more than $275,000 has been donated. For more information about "George Takei's Legacy Project," click here.
Producers Lorenzo Thione and Andrew Treagus announced March 12 that Tony Award winner Lea Salonga and Telly Leung will join Takei in Allegiance, which is scheduled to begin previews Oct. 6 at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street) prior to an official opening Nov. 8. All three actors were part of the musical's world-premiere engagement at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.
Allegiance has a book by Marc Acito with music and lyrics by Jay Kuo. Helming the production is Olivier Award nominee Stafford Arima.
Allegiance, which is inspired by Takei’s true childhood experiences, is described as such: "Traversing the lush California heartland, the windswept prairies of Wyoming and the battlefields of war-torn Europe, Allegiance tells the epic multi-generational tale of deep family loyalty, romance, humor, optimism and unparalleled heroism in the face of fear and prejudice against Japanese-Americans during World War II and beyond."
Additional casting and ticket information will be announced at a later date.
Lea Salonga won Tony and Olivier Awards for her performance in Miss Saigon. She was the first Asian to play Eponine in Les Misérables on Broadway and returned to the show as Fantine in the 2006 revival. Salonga, also seen on Broadway in the revival of Flower Drum Song, garnered a Craig Noel nomination for Outstanding Featured Performance in the musical Allegiance at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego.
Telly Leung’s Broadway and national touring credits include Flower Drum Song, Pacific Overtures, Wicked (Boq, original Chicago company), Rent (final Broadway company) and Godspell. He can currently be seen in Off-Broadway's The World of Extreme Happiness.
For more information visit AllegianceMusical.com.
