The Denver Post: George Takei has plenty of practice exploring strange new worlds on TV and film, but delving into a painful time in his family's life onstage is something even he never imagined.
Takei and his family were among thousands of Japanese-Americans put in internment camps during World War II. The 75-year-old "Star Trek" actor's memories inspired composer/lyricist Jay Kuo to write "Allegiance—A New American Musical," which has high hopes of making it to Broadway.
13 comments:
YES! I love this idea. I feel that the history of internment camps are something that Americans never recount and remember as a notable (in a bad way) part of history. We often diagnose grouping of racial groups and communities upon other countries, some versions of this "grouping" of communities for example in Germany- Holocaust, even Argentina with the "Dirty Wars". Japanese Internment Camps, however, often go under the radar, they affected so many Japanese American families- It was certainly a shameful time for America, or atleast it should have been! I also give props to the fact that this might be an all/ majority leading Asian cast, ASWELL as the fact that this was based on the accounts of this former StarTrek actors childhood. I think it takes a lot of courage to have your life be turned into a musical, I only hope the best for him and the production itself, hopefully it will make its way to Broadway, and if so I would love to see it!
I'm interested in seeing how this show is received. The Japanese Internment Camps is a subject that I know wasn't really mentioned in my history classes growing up. Even if they are only bringing it to the awareness of the Theatre going crowds it could be a really interesting production and even history lesson. I'm also interested in seeing how Mr. Takai's life experiences shaped his life and career. This could be a very enlightening production.
I think this show is a very brave idea. As Tyler said, I never knew about the Internment Camps until my sophomore year of high school. Usually the shows about minorities that i've always been aware of are about Jews, such as Fiddler and Anne Frank. I love the idea of telling a story that I really don't think a lot of us have heard before, and I also think it's a very bold choice making it a musical right off the start instead of a straight play. I'm eager to hear how the music sounds and how people respond to this show.
This is a brilliant idea for a show. I love how they threw fiddler on the roof into the mix when talking about the show. There are so many shows out there that have a very specific cast and" audience" but that doesn't prevent them from reaching more people. What I do wonder about from the article is the comment about not connecting with an all asian audience. While yes, that is a little unusual for a broadways show, that doesn't mean people will struggle to connect. Porgy and Bess is a musical with all an all back ensemble and that didn't stop people from flocking to the theater. Aside from the issue of an entirely asian cast making the show hard to connect with there is also the whole issue of Americans being the oppressors in this particular situation. Shows about racial oppression always inevitably cause guilt in some people, and therefor the show will have decreased fan base. While that may be true I think it is very important that this show succeed because it has an important message that many don't know enough about.
I think this play is a wonderful idea. I'm a big history buff and I'm very interested in American history as well as genocide studies. Americans don't usually talk about our own wrongdoings, such as the Japanese Internment Camps, or the Native American genocides, or the mistreatments of the Irish, Italians, Jews, etc. I'm happy to hear that a play about social justice is coming to light. I think it's about time theatre welcomes more historical pieces that would open people's eyes. Art itself is one of the most powerful things in the world, because it can shape a person's mind and encourage that person to action. I believe if there are more historical pieces, the world would be more educated and aware of its surroundings. I doubt many think about the genocides in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the Invisible Children. Theatre has the opportunity to bring these events into the light and hopefully help change the world. I applaud George Takei and Jay Kuo for their work. I looked up pictures of the production, and the set looks quite interesting with its projections. I'm hoping this does make it to Broadway, because I would love to have as many people as possible see the production
I want to talk about how I hope this revitalizes Lea Salonga’s career. By career I mean Broadway career. She has been very active in her home country the last 5years. She has not been on the Great White Way since 2002 and frankly I think Broadway misses her. I have been a fan since her Les Miserable days. (Secret crush) and I would love to see her perform live. If The Old Globe was not 2,500 miles away I would go this weekend. I hope it makes it to broad way. I really like the concept. Broadway NEEDS musicals not based on movies it needs musicals that have Lea Salonga in it. This is a win win.
George Takei is everywhere. But most of his roles are in reference to his most famous role in Star Trek. Although he has done all these roles, very few of them relate to his life as far as I know (I am not the most knowledgeable of tv and movies). It is always very interesting for both actors and viewers. Internment camps, and world war II is very trying to begin with. Because George has this special connection to this particular show, as they mostly come from his family's life, will be spectacular. I would love to go see it if it ever comes here!
I used to see some of the internment camp sights on my way to mammoth mountain in California and my parents had to explain to me what they were because no one had ever mentioned them before and I hadn't learned about them in school. The Japanese internment camps are something that the United States really doesn't like to talk about and they are never really mentioned in modern life other than a brief over view in high school. Producing a musical about that time period is an excellent idea because its an easy way to convey alot of information to the general public that is actually interesting. Ill be sure to follow the progress of this production.
I completely agree with Hunter. This show is so compelling. It's a very interesting view from WWII that isn't told often and is not what people think of right off the bat when the subject of WWII comes up.
I hate how we were never taught about the camps. It's a part of our history even if it wasn't our best moment. We need to learn from it either way.
Its also nice to see something original that is not related to a book or movie. There needs to be more original shows written and produced on Broadway.
This show sounds heartbreaking. I would very much like to see it. I am from Arkansas and I had no idea that we had a Asian-American camp there. That says a lot about our country and my state in particular. We often leave out history that we are ashamed of and don't like. Those are the stories that we should be telling.
I disagree that a show is more powerful as a musical. I have seen more powerful plays, but musicals have the ability to bring a larger crowd. I hope this show has great success.
I am in complete agreement. It is important to remember that not only were the Jews not the only people discriminated against, but also that the United States exhibited intense acts of racism and ignorance during those times as well. Unfortunately, this wasn't even the first time this country has treated so wrongly a whole group of people. We tend to place blame on other countries and criticize their close mindedness but we need to realize that the United States hasn't exactly been the friendliest either.
This is an amazing idea. I embarrassingly didnt know what internment camps were until reading this article. I would love to learn more about in an anecdotal approach.
I'm interested in this concept of personal narrative and it becoming performance. I understand that in writing often people dwell on personal experiences or knowledge, but personal narrative at times is so specific and individually unique that it's a wonder that people can relate. But I of course find the power in our ability as humans to commiserate and connect with one another simply on an emotional level. This is what I feel theatre can be based on. Is the audience ability to emotionally relate or at least interact with what is being presented on stage
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