Allegiance (musical) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Allegiance
Logo of the musical Allegiance
Music	Jay Kuo
Lyrics	Jay Kuo
Book	Marc Acito Jay Kuo Lorenzo Thione
Productions	2012 San Diego 2015 Broadway

Allegiance is a musical that tells a powerful story through songs and acting. The music and lyrics were created by Jay Kuo. The story was written by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione.

The musical is set during World War II. It focuses on a difficult time in American history called the Japanese American internment. This was when many Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes and live in special camps. The story was inspired by the real-life experiences of actor George Takei, who also stars in the musical.

Allegiance follows the Kimura family. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, they are forced to leave their farm in Salinas, California. They are sent to a camp called the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming. The musical also has a part of the story set in the present day.

The musical started being developed in 2008. It first opened in September 2012 in San Diego, California. Later, it played on Broadway in New York City from October 2015 to February 2016.

How the Musical Was Created

In 2008, George Takei and his husband, Brad, met Jay Kuo and Lorenzo Thione by chance at a theater show. The next day, they all met again at another Broadway show. During a break, Jay Kuo and Lorenzo Thione noticed how much George Takei was affected by a song about a father who couldn't help his family.

George Takei then shared his own childhood story. He told them about being a child in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. He also spoke about his own father's feelings of helplessness. Jay Kuo and Lorenzo Thione immediately felt that George Takei's family story would make a great musical.

Allegiance is special because it's one of the first Broadway musicals created by Asian Americans. It was also directed by an Asian American and features mostly Asian American actors. It tells the story from an Asian-American point of view.

The Story and History

The musical takes some creative freedom with history to make the story more dramatic. For example, some events shown in the musical are a mix of different internment camps. Also, some details about how people arrived at the camps or how resistance happened are changed for the stage.

For instance, the musical shows military police using handcuffs or physical abuse. However, this was not commonly reported in the real internment camps. The musical also shows resistance leaders being beaten or hunted. In reality, the resistance was more open and peaceful. Leaders were usually taken into custody quietly.

The musical aims to tell an emotional story. But it's important to remember that some parts are changed to fit the stage. The real experiences of Japanese Americans in the camps were very difficult. They often felt anger and sadness. The musical tries to show these feelings while also telling a hopeful story.

What Happens in the Musical

Act I

The musical begins in 2001. An old man named Sam Kimura, who fought in World War II, is getting ready for a ceremony. A woman tells him that his sister, Kei, has passed away. Sam is upset because he and Kei had not spoken for almost 60 years. Kei's ghost appears, hoping to reconnect with Sam one last time.

The story then goes back to 1941. Sammy, a young man, dreams of going to college and becoming a politician. His family, including his father Tatsuo and grandfather Kaito (Ojii-chan), owns a farm in Salinas, California. Sammy's older sister, Kei, has put her own dreams on hold to help raise him.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December, the U.S. government worried about Japanese Americans. They feared some might be loyal to Japan. Even though Sammy tries to join the military, he is turned away because he is Japanese American. Japanese Americans in the Western U.S. are forced into internment camps. Sammy's family has to sell their farm for a very low price. They are sent to the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming.

At the camp, Kei advises everyone to be patient. Tatsuo sadly accepts their situation. Sammy believes that joining the military is the best way to prove their loyalty and gain freedom. Ojii-chan gets sick, and Sammy asks Hannah, a kind nurse, for medicine. She gives it to him, even though it's only for staff. Sammy and Hannah start to like each other, which causes problems because laws at the time made it hard for people of different races to marry.

The government gives a "loyalty questionnaire" to Japanese Americans. It asks if they will swear allegiance to America. Tatsuo is angry about this unfair test and refuses to sign. But Sammy continues to try and enlist in the military, going against his father's wishes.

Ojii-chan encourages Kei to go to a dance, telling her that even big problems can be solved step by step. Sammy and Hannah wish for a world where they could be together. Kei falls in love with Frankie Suzuki, a leader who resists the draft. Many people are told to sign the loyalty questionnaire to avoid being separated from their families. Tatsuo is sent to a harsh prison for refusing to sign. Kei thinks about her mother and Sammy's childhood. Sammy decides to join the military, while Kei joins the resistance movement to fight for internees' rights.

Act II

The government allows Japanese Americans to enlist, but only for the most dangerous missions in Italy. Sammy joins the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, an all-Japanese American unit. Frankie promises to resist the draft unless his family is freed. Sammy speaks to Life magazine, calling Frankie a draft-dodger. This article highlights Sammy's bravery in combat. Because of Sammy's actions, Tatsuo is released from prison.

Kei and Frankie lead the camp's resistance, and Frankie is later jailed. Hannah promises to help Kei free Frankie. Sammy sees Hannah while on leave from the military. He then leads a dangerous mission where many of his fellow soldiers are lost. Back at the camp, during a struggle between Frankie and a military policeman, Hannah is accidentally shot and dies. Ojii-chan passes away peacefully in his garden. After Frankie is released, he asks Kei to marry him.

After atomic bombs are dropped on Japan, America celebrates victory. Each internee is released from the camps with $25 and a bus ticket.

After the war, Sammy learns that Frankie and Kei have a daughter named Hanako, named after Hannah. Sammy is very upset. He confronts Tatsuo, who tells him that Frankie was like the son he always wanted. Sammy is already angry at Kei and Frankie for their resistance and Hannah's death. He takes a job in Washington. Kei argues with Sammy, calling him a coward for leaving. She tries to stop him, tearing his Purple Heart medal from his uniform. Sammy bitterly says his sacrifice was worth losing his family.

Back in 2001, Sam opens the packet from Kei. Inside is the Life magazine issue featuring his wartime actions, which Tatsuo had kept. Sam goes to Kei's funeral. Kei's executor tells him his mother wanted to give him something else. She hands him his old Purple Heart medal. Sam realizes the executor is his niece, Hanako. He breaks down, finally ready to forgive and reconnect with his family.

Productions

Allegiance had its first reading in 2009. George Takei and Lea Salonga were among the actors. More readings happened in New York in 2010, with Telly Leung joining the cast. In 2011, a workshop was held in San Diego.

To help raise money for the show, George Takei started a crowd funding campaign online. The goal was $50,000, but they raised over $158,000!

The musical officially opened in September 2012 at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. It was a huge success, becoming the Old Globe's biggest box-office hit ever.

The musical then moved to Broadway in New York City. Previews began on October 6, 2015, and it officially opened on November 8, 2015. The cast and crew were mostly the same as in San Diego. The Broadway production closed on February 14, 2016, after 111 regular performances. A filmed version of the Broadway show was shown in movie theaters across North America in December 2016 and again in February 2017.

In 2018, the musical was performed in Los Angeles by East West Players. George Takei returned to his roles. The producers also created a special guide for teachers and students. This guide helps them learn about Japanese internment during World War II.

Main Characters and Original Actors

Musical Numbers