Allegiance

"Love prevails in 'Allegiance,' giving America and the globe one of the most important musicals ever written...The book by Lorenzo Thione is nuclear and deafening. Every word chosen propels the plot of each character leaving not one second for misunderstanding. The music, lyrics and book by Jay Kuo is triumphant! Every song takes a moving journey and with Andrew Palermo's choreography the outcome is entertaining, heartfelt, stylized for the historic times that it brings to life." Full Review

"'Allegiance,' the newest musical to hit the great white way is touching, endearing, well written and passionate. This is a musical that is important on so many levels, especially now...The book, music and intelligent lyrics by Marc Acito, Lorenzo Thione and Jay Kuo will draw you in and touch your soul. This story does not preach but unfolds like a novel you can’t put down." Full Review

"This is a musical? You bet, and a darned passionate one, too. The carefully researched book by Marc Acito, Lorenzo Thione and Jay Kuo, who also supplied the soaring music and intelligent lyrics, collates years of events into a gripping trajectory, while the stirring score perfectly illustrates the action, seamlessly staged by director Stafford Arima. " Full Review

"What struck me so much about this piece was not the music, normally my favorite entry point into the musical, but the storytelling...You must see this remarkable show. It is only here for two weeks and it will be one of those shows that if you miss it, you will regret it." Full Review

"I loved it....'Allegiance' was everything a musical is supposed to be - musically beautiful, politically poignant, romantically oriented, and emotionally gripping. What makes it stand out in the musical genre is that in the end there are as many questions as answers." Full Review

"If you haven’t seen it yet, book your flight, reserve your seat, and make your way to New York through the snow and cold, because you will witness and be a part of history…I highly recommend you be a part of history. Go see 'Allegiance.' You will laugh, you will cry, you will applaud, and then you will stand up at the end to pledge your allegiance." Full Review

"The musical is one of the best history musicals in years. The story of the relocation, and all of its problems, full of triumph and tragedy, is told eloquently. It is full of history and, at the same time, with superb acting, a strong plot and fine music, a pleasing stage musical for all...'Allegiance' is a must see for history lovers. It is a history lesson, but it is also stellar drama and good music in a bone-chilling and yet heart-warming story." Full Review

"The injustices they and their neighbors endure can be felt through songs that tug at the heartstrings of the audience...When the denouement eventually drops, it does so in a torrent of emotions, leaving audience members with lumps in throats and tears flowing...My advice is: go see it sooner than later. When it eventually sells out, you’ll be proud to say that you saw this groundbreaking American musical." Full Review

"'Allegiance' tells a story that is at once deeply personal and complex, and that boldly refuses the impulse to end in triumphant redemption…If the first act follows a somewhat predictable plot line, the second act gets decidedly more complicated...'Allegiance' succeeds as a musical on many levels. It is beautifully produced, and the cast shines through the performance." Full Review

"Fearful as I am of the big Broadway musical, I left 'Allegiance' Saturday afternoon delightfully blown away. This is really one musical you need to see...'Allegiance' is more than a well told historical play. It is a story of people and their stories. People living and breathing even in the face of the worst adversity, people trying to retain their spirit or 'Gaman' a word used often here and people we so come to care for." Full Review

"'Allegiance' is a beautifully mounted production thanks to Stafford Arima’s masterful direction...And there are moments here that will haunt you, especially the 'Itetsuita' number in the second act...It was one of the most stunning moments I’ve ever witnessed on stage. Which is why it pains me to say that the music and lyrics don’t quite rise to the subject matter of this important and ambitious piece. But, despite that, I swear 'Allegiance' deserves your attention." Full Review

"In fact, when it’s not threatening to rip your heartstrings out all together, 'Allegiance' is quite entertaining, with 1940s dance numbers, nods to the Andrews Sisters, and bits of jazz influence. Even if it’s not 100 percent original all the time, 'Allegiance' is an important show with a phenomenal cast, and it deserves to be seen." Full Review

"If you just hear about the subject matter, you might think this was a depressing or dark show. Yet in the end you are amazed at the joy you will find while also considering the issue at hand...Director Stafford Arima has done an excellent job at letting us know exactly where we are, which is not as easy as it seems...'Allegiance' is a moving and touching story with some delightful music." Full Review

"This is a production which features extraordinary talent. Broadway audiences are familiar with the stellar singing of Lea Salonga, and fans everywhere know George Takei as 'Star Trek’s' Sulu. The real eye opener is Telly Leung, who possesses not only a full, rich voice, but also first class dance moves...The rest of the ensemble is uniformly excellent; this is definitely a heartfelt experience for both those in the cast and audience members." Full Review

"'Allegiance' is the rare WWII-era piece of drama that actually feels fresh and necessary. A family splintering as they decide how to react to the internment is not a story that's been done to death, and 'Allegiance' deftly handles the high emotions and conflicting schools of thought...While Takei is certainly the celebrity draw, this production is entirely worth seeing on its own merits. If you get the chance, check this one out." Full Review

"A fascinating character study that forces its audience to think about what patriotism means to them, 'Allegiance' is a thought-provoking, unique look at a dark chapter in American history that must not be forgotten. As always, Salonga is a vocal titan." Full Review

"Shockingly, it works: Not only is 'Allegiance' a grandiose epic reminiscent of Miss Saigon, it also serves as a compelling family drama...'Allegiance' is delightfully old-school: a big schmaltzy musical of dubious historical accuracy delivered with ample humor and heart...Stafford Arima's fast-paced, ever-moving production reinforces that tone." Full Review

"'Allegiance' is more of an operetta than a musical. As such the characters find their voices in the music. There is little in the dialog that is remarkable or revealing. There is an interracial love story that livens up the plot, but other than that the story and the blocking are fairly predictable. Which is not to say boring. Because it is the music that tells the tale, and the music is quite wonderful...Ultimately what wins you over is the heart to heart connection. " Full Review

"The real success of the 'Allegiance' book, however, isn’t its depiction of injustice, which is vivid. What distinguishes the show is its extremely varied portraits of the Japanese-American characters…That’s a lot of history to pack into a two-and-half-hour show, and yet the authors and the cast (under the sure-footed direction of Stafford Arima) never reduce 'Allegiance' to a lecture…It’s unfortunate that the score by Kuo doesn’t enhance this harrowing story." Full Review

"A majestic and moving musical, 'Allegiance' is strikingly mounted under the direction of Arima...Many hands have helped give the production its impressive look in the face of the challenge of having to cover the sweep of family history as well as the trajectory of the war. 'Allegiance' is a big show, but its success lies in the intimate ways in which it examines its characters and in their connecting emotionally with the audience." Full Review

"'Allegiance' is a sometimes moving, sometimes stodgy musical about this terrible injustice...George Takei has a strange way of growing on you. Even when he is the sullen older Sam he is movingly human, his face registering warmth and pain. He is heartbreaking in the finale. Stafford Arima’s direction keeps all the plot lines clear, smartly speeding things up in the second act so when all the emotional threads are woven together, the effect is quite moving." Full Review

"'Allegiance' is both intimate and sweeping in scope. Director Stafford Arima keeps the action moving at a swift pace...Other elements have needlessly been polished to a Broadway shine, which undermines the story’s truthfulness...'Allegiance,' above all, has heart. And though it sometimes feels as though it’s been molded to fit a preconceived idea of what a Broadway show 'should' look like, the musical’s relevance is a haunting reminder of how fragile and fleeting our freedom can be." Full Review

"The show isn't bombastic or preachy, though some may find the well-structured book too earnest. Kuo's serviceable score is loaded with anthems...Although we hear enticing Japanese flute and percussion between scenes, this more 'Le Miz'-lite pop opera than a fusion of musical cultures. But I was engrossed throughout. The show has fully developed characters, a strong cast and a new story to tell in an old-fashioned way." Full Review

"It’s a poignant and well-crafted story, with a title that operates on multiple levels. Here, allegiance refers to the loyalty we feel for country. And, obligations we have to family and friends. And finally, truths we live by as individuals—the determination to stand our ground when life sours. All these ideas are woven smartly into the often-stirring drama." Full Review

"Maybe a bit schmaltzy, but heaven knows, we can all use some schmaltz these days...'Allegiance' is a story that needs to be told. We witness the enduring spirit of people during the most trying of times, and the power of love which incites transformation and redemption...I truly enjoyed 'Allegiance,' but worry that it is not finding its audience. Go see it." Full Review