Inspired by the life story of renowned actor and activist George Takei, the UK premiere of the uplifting Broadway musical, Allegiance, follows the story of the Kimura family and their struggles in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
In a world ravaged by the effects of war, Allegiance reveals the courage and loyalty of family in a time of great injustice as 120,000 Japanese Americans are forced into internment camps, testing the power and resilience of the human spirit.
Sam Kimura believes enlisting is the way to demonstrate his patriotism and win the freedom of his people. His sister Kei (Aynrand Ferrer) sides against him and joins the resistance movement in the camp. Soon the political conflict is mirrored within the Kimura family, leading brother and sister down starkly different paths as they decide where their allegiance lies.
Created by Lorenzo Thione and Jay Kuo with a book by Marc Acito, George Takei’s Allegiance held its world premiere at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in 2012, setting box-office records.
After a triumphant run on Broadway and a subsequent film seen around the world, Allegiance transfers to London for its European premiere in a newly conceived production directed and choreographed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson.
Joining George Takei from the 2015 Broadway production of Allegiance is US actor, TV and Broadway star Telly Leung, best known to UK audiences as Wes, the Warbler on TV’s ‘Glee’ and to Broadway audiences for the title role in ‘Aladdin’. His other Broadway and US national touring credits include ‘Flower Drum Song’, ‘Pacific Overtures’, ‘Wicked’ (Boq, original Chicago company) and Angel in ‘Rent’ at the Hollywood Bowl, directed by Neil Patrick Harris.
Aynrand Ferrer has just played the alternate Kim in ‘Miss Saigon’ in Vienna.
All three are making their London stage debuts.
The multi-national cast also features Iroy Abesamis, Mark Anderson, Masashi Fujimoto, Megan Gardiner, Raiko Gohara, Eu Jin Hwang, Hana Ichijo, Misa Koide, Patrick Munday, Rachel Jayne Picar, Sario Solomon, Joy Tan, Iverson Yabut.
George Takei is best known for his portrayal of Mr Sulu in the acclaimed television and film series ‘Star Trek’. He is an actor, civil rights activist, social media mega-power, and New York Times bestselling author, he originated the role of Sam Kimura and Ojii-chan in the Broadway musical Allegiance and was the subject of ‘To Be Takei’, a documentary on his life and career.
Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL from Saturday 7 January to Saturday 8 April 2023. Time: Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm; Wednesday and Saturday matinees (excluding Saturday 7 January)at 2.30pm.
