Overview
Synopsis
Based on the life of George Takei, Allegiance explores one family’s journey during the Japanese internment camps during World War II. Sammy and Kei Kimura are the Japanese-American children of Tatsuo Kimura, a domineering father and first generation Japanese-American immigrant (or Issei). The family struggles with their opposing views of America when anti-Japanese sentiments begin to sweep across the country after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. While Sammy wants to join the army to prove his American loyalty, Kei protests against the unfair treatment of the Japanese people and demands freedom for her people. As their family is torn apart in the internment camps, Sammy and Kei fight in their own ways for freedom and acceptance for themselves and for their culture. Allegiance features a beautiful score by Jay Kuo and highlights the lesser known struggles of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
Show Information
- Book
- Jay Kuo , Marc Acito , Lorenzo Thione
- Lyrics
- Jay Kuo
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2012
- Genres
- Historical/Biographical, Drama
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- United States of America, 1941 - 2001
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Ideal For
- Diverse Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Elderly, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone, Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
ACT ONE
- Prologue - Kei and Company
- *Wishes on the Wind - Kei, Sammy and Company
- Do Not Fight the Storm - Company
- Gaman - Kei, Tatsuo and Company
- What Makes a Man - Sammy
- I Oughta Go - Hannah and Sammy
- *Get in the Game - Sammy, Kei and Company
- Should I - Hannah and Kei
- Allegiance - Tatsuo, Sammy, Kei, and Company
- Ishi Kara Ishi - Ojii-Chan and Kei
- With You - Big Band Singer, Sammy and Hannah
- Paradise - Frankie and Company
- Higher - Kei
- Our Time Now - Sammy, Frankie, Kei, Hannah, Company
ACT TWO
- Resist - Frankie and Company
- This Is Not Over - Kei and Frankie
- Higher/Resist (Reprises) - Kei and Company
- Stronger Than Before - Kei and Hannah
- With You (Reprise) - Sammy and Hannah
- Nothing in Our Way - Frankie and Kei
- Itetsuita - Company
- 422 Victory Swing - USO Pilots and Company
- Higher/Ishi Kara Ishi (Reprises) - Kei and Tatsuo
- How Can You Go - Kei and Sammy
- Still a Chance - Kei and Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.