SAN DIEGO — The Old Globe has announced that the world premiere of “Allegiance – A New American Musical” will receive an additional week of performances and will now run through Oct. 28.
The production, originally set to close on Oct. 21, stars television and film icon George Takei, Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga and Broadway favorite Telly Leung. “Allegiance” features music and lyrics by Jay Kuo, book by Marc Acito, Kuo and Lorenzo Thione, direction by Stafford Arima, choreography by Andrew Palermo and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Lynne Shankel.
Remaining shows:
Oct. 2 (Tue.), 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 (Wed.), 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 (Thur.), 8 p.m.
Oct. 5 (Fri.), 8 p.m.
Oct. 6 (Sat.), 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Oct. 7 (Sun.), 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 (Tue.), 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 (Wed.), 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 (Fri.), 8 p.m.
Oct. 13 (Sat.), 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Oct. 14 (Sun.), 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 (Tue.), 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 (Wed.), 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 (Thur.), 8 p.m.
Oct. 19 (Fri.), 8 p.m.
Oct. 20 (Sat.), 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Oct. 21 (Sun.), 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 (Thur.), 8 p.m.
Oct. 26 (Fri.), 8 p.m.
Oct. 27 (Sat.), 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Oct. 28 (Sun.), 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets for the extension week can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.
Sixty years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a chance meeting forces World War II veteran Sam Kimura to remember his family’s relocation from their California farm to the Heart Mountain internment camp. As they struggle to adjust to their new home, young Sam and his sister Kei find themselves torn between loyalty to their family and allegiance to their country.
Takei plays Sam, a former internee who revisits the ghosts of his past, and Ojii-san, the grandfather and pillar of strength of the Kimura family. Best known for portraying Mr. Sulu in “Star Trek,” Takei’s acting career has spanned more than five decades with more than 40 feature films and hundreds of television roles to his credit.
Takei and his family were among 120,000 Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated behind the barbed-wire enclosures of U.S. internment camps at the outbreak of World War II. He spent part of his childhood at Rohwer in Arkansas and at Tule Lake in Northern California.
Meeting Takei and hearing his personal story inspired “Allegiance” creators Kuo and Thione to bring the story of the Japanese American internment to the stage.
Salonga appears as Kei Kimura, a young internee who falls in with a group of activists. She originated the role of Kim in the West End and Broadway productions of “Miss Saigon,” winning the Tony and Olivier awards, among others. She was the first Asian to play Eponine in “Les Misérables” on Broadway, returned to the show in 2007 as Fantine and reprised the role for the sold-out 25th anniversary concert in London. Salonga’s feature film credits include the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in “Aladdin” and Fa Mulan in “Mulan.”
Leung plays young Sammy Kimura, who is torn between fighting for his country and honoring his community – and his family. He most recently appeared in the Broadway revival of “Godspell.” His other Broadway credits include “Flower Drum Song,” “Pacific Overtures” and the final company of “Rent.” Leung also originated the role of Boq in the Chicago company of “Wicked.” His television and film credits include “Glee” (Wes, Dalton Academy Warblers) and “Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway.” His first solo CD, “I’ll Cover You,” will be released in the fall.
The cast also features Michael K. Lee (Frankie Suzuki), Paolo Montalban (Mike Masaoka), Paul Nakauchi (Tatsuo Kimura) and Allie Trimm (Hannah Campbell) with Katie Boren, Jon Jon Briones, Geno Carr, Karl Josef Co, Marc de la Cruz, MaryAnn Hu, Brandon Joel Maier, Kürt Norby, Ann Sanders, Jill Townsend, Kay Trinidad and Scott Watanabe (ensemble) and Jennifer Hubilla and Conrad Ricamora (swings).
The creative team includes Laura Bergquist (music direction), Donyale Werle (scenic design), Alejo Vietti (costume design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jonathan Deans (sound design), Darrel Maloney (projection design), Jan Gist (dialect coach), Telsey + Company (casting) and Anjee Nero (stage manager).
“Allegiance” is supported in part through gifts from production sponsors Conrad Prebys and Debbie Turner, Mary Beth Adderley and Elizabeth and Ryan Williams, the family of Elaine Lipinsky, and HME.
The Old Globe is presenting a variety of supplemental seminars and exhibits during the run of “Allegiance” that explore the history and significance of the internment.
Post-Show Forums: Tuesday, Oct. 2, Wednesday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 13 (matinee). Free. Discuss the play with members of the cast and crew in discussions led by the Globe’s creative staff after the performances.
In Their Own Words: Stories From Former Internees: Free seminar on Monday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. Former internees share their unique, first-hand perspective of the historical events that take place in “Allegiance.” (RSVPs are required. Email RSVP@theoldglobe.org to reserve a seat.)
“The Tag Project”: Wendy Maruyama’s “The Tag Project” features groupings of ID tags resembling those worn by Japanese Americans as they were sent to the internment camps. Approximately 11 feet tall and weighing more than 100 pounds, each grouping contains enough tags to represent every person in one of the 10 U.S. internment camps. Available for viewing 45 minutes prior to showtime and also 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays.
“Allegiance: A San Diego Perspective”: The Old Globe and the Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego present a museum exhibit throughout the run of “Allegiance” about the history of Japanese Americans who lived in San Diego prior to World War II and their removal to the internment camps. The exhibit contains photographs, artifacts and materials about the internment and how it affected San Diego County and its citizens. Located in the Museum of Man Annex directly adjacent to the Old Globe Theatre, the exhibit is free to the public and is open two hours prior to each performance on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays; from noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays; and from noon to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays as part of Balboa Park’s Free Tuesdays.
The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Free parking is available throughout the park. Valet parking is also available for $10. For maps and directions, visit www.balboapark.org.