Allegiance (musical)

Allegiance is a musical with music and lyrics by Jay Kuo, and a book by Marc Acito, Lorenzo Thione, and Kuo. The story is inspired by the childhood experiences of actor George Takei, and is set during the Japanese American internment of World War II.

The musical follows the Kimura family, specifically siblings Sammy and Kei, as they are forcibly relocated from their California farm to the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The narrative explores their struggles to maintain their identity, family bonds, and sense of patriotism in the face of injustice and prejudice. Sammy, driven by a desire to prove his loyalty, enlists in the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a segregated unit composed of Japanese American soldiers, while Kei becomes involved in the camp's resistance movement, challenging the government's actions.

The musical explores themes of family, love, loyalty, prejudice, and the complex ethical dilemmas faced by Japanese Americans during this period. It examines the divisions within the community between those who chose to cooperate with the government to demonstrate their loyalty and those who resisted what they saw as unjust treatment.

Allegiance premiered at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in 2012, before opening on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre in 2015. The Broadway production starred George Takei, Lea Salonga, and Telly Leung. While the Broadway run was relatively short, the musical has garnered attention for bringing an important and often overlooked chapter of American history to the stage. It has continued to be produced in regional theaters and has been filmed for cinematic release. The musical sought to educate audiences about the internment experience and promote dialogue about the importance of civil liberties and the dangers of prejudice.