Allegiance NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (1,090)
See it if You want to be moved to tears while learning about a rarely mentioned piece of American history as portrayed by a talented cast.
Don't see it if You are afraid to look into the horrible things that have gone on right here in the USA.
See it if you are looking for a fresh, compelling story with great talent.
Don't see it if you are looking for traditional musicals.
See it if you want to hear a story that most people don't like to talk about. This time of history isn't shown enough, & this show tries to help that
Don't see it if you can't handle an honest show that won't keep you happy the whole time.
See it if you want to watch a beautiful story of a significant time in our history.
Don't see it if you want an easy going plot line.
See it if you want to feel every emotion in your body.
Don't see it if you want a history lesson.
See it if In support of diversity and Asian American experience on stage and to witness Lea Salonga's return and George Takei's debut.
Don't see it if You want to miss an important rarely told tale about the Japanese internment during World war 2.
See it if Rare depiction of the Japanese American struggle to endure racist treatment or to fight for a country that treats you like an enemy.
Don't see it if WWII narrative from interned Americans is too much of a dose of reality.
See it if you want to see a beautiful, moving story that should be talked about more often; you love Lea Salonga or the other great actors featured
Don't see it if you're looking for really original or exciting music; you don't want to feel deep feelings about a sensitive subject
Critic Reviews (82)
"'Allegiance' should be better served by its book, score and lyrics, most of which tend toward the generic. Stafford Arima’s direction does too. Composer and lyricist Jay Kuo and book writers Marc Acito and Lorenzo Thione are striving so hard for stirring nobility that individuality or particular characterization falls by the wayside...The show only really acquires force once the body count rises and the familiar tropes of melodrama are employed."
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"'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."
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"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."
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"'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. "
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"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."
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"'Allegiance' is as corny as Kansas in August. But darned if it won't get a grip on your heartstrings...The songs show little imagination in nodding to old-fashioned musical comedy. But Kuo's ballads offer flashes of poignance amid the banality...The book can deal affectingly with the conflicts that tradition and current events may pose in any family. And director Stafford Arima culls potent performances from his actors."
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"It's a shame 'Allegiance' isn't doing better at the box office because no other show on Broadway right now speaks more directly to this moment...It's all well-intentioned stuff and, under Stafford Arima's forthright direction, it's prettily presented but 'Allegiance' lacks the spark that would make it a must-see. Maybe it just isn't angry enough. And there's plenty to be angry about."
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"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."
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