Friday, March 2, 2018
Review: ALLEGIANCE - A Full Circle Moment for an Important Work
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| George Takei as Sam Kimura. All photos by Michael Lamont |
After nearly nine years, Allegiance has come home to Southern California. The co-production by East West Players and the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center opened to a sold out crowd on Wednesday night, less than half a mile from the Japanese American National Museum where it had its first reading in 2009.
Additional workshops and readings followed before the production’s world premiere in 2012 at The Old Globe in San Diego. In 2015, it moved to Broadway for a 4-month run, which was filmed and screened in cinemas across the country. Not bad considering most musicals of this size and scale never make it to the finish line.
But Allegiance is special. It has historical significance and the potential to educate generations of Americans about a part of our past we cannot afford to forget. You have only to look around at what is happening in our country today to see how important it is that we remember to bring our better selves to the table and not jump to conclusions when it comes to our fellow man.
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| The cast of Allegiance |
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 and FDR’s subsequent signing of Executive Order 9066, approximately 120,000 Japanese American citizens were removed from their homes and relocated to government-run internment camps. Allegiance is the story of how one family endures in a country that now views them as the enemy, even though they had nothing to do with the war. It highlights the incredible resilience of the human spirit and its never-ending ability to carry on, make due, and above all, survive.
The musical is a legacy piece for George Takei who was only a child when he and his family were sent to the camps. It was his story that inspired Marc Acito, Jay Kuo and Lorenzo Thione to write Allegiance and for whom they created the central role of Sam Kimura/Ojii-chan. He has played it in all of the previous productions and does so again, with humor and heart, in LA accompanied by several of his Broadway castmates and a capable local cast directed by East West Player’s artistic director, Snehal Desai. The performance style is heightened and dramatic, at times a bit overly so, but the ensemble is sincere in its desire to communicate how deeply this story resonates with them.
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| L-R: Ethan Le Phong, George Takei, and Elena Wang |
Energetic Ethan Le Phong plays the younger version of Takei’s character, an all American boy full of youthful verve and idealistic optimism. Elena Wang is his sister Kei, sounding like a Disney princess about to get her warrior wings, and Scott Watanabe is their gruff and unwavering father, Tatsuo. Greg Watanabe takes on the controversial role of real-life Japanese Citizens League representative Mike Masaoka who was used by the government to secure cooperation among the camps.
Kuo’s score is full of power ballads and galvanizing anthems that the characters deliver with stirring authority, despite the fact that some of the lyrics are set rather awkwardly to music. The occasional boogie-woogie dance number or delicate Japanese folk melody is interspersed among the more typical musical theatre-sounding songs.
An 11-piece orchestra conducted by musical director Marc Macalintal provides thrilling accompaniment, nowhere more affecting than in the dissonances that underscore conflicting passions. The vocal sound is perennially bright, amplified by an abundance of treble in the sound system that pierces even when it doesn’t need to.
The story, which spans a 60-year time frame, plays out on a sparsely decorated set (scenic design by Se Hyun Oh, lighting by Karyn Lawrence) against a compelling backdrop of grainy black and white historical images, sepia-toned photographs, and full-color projections (by Adam Fleming). Its combined visuals create a starkly dramatic foundation for Allegiance’s underlying human story of family, loyalty, and honor.
Though the story is largely fictional, the historical context is not. It happened. It wasn’t right. It’s up to us not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Consider Allegiance a musical reminder that we have a social responsibility to each other, “…with liberty and justice for all.”
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| Greg Watanabe |
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| Elena Wang |
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| Eymard Cabling, Elena Wang, and George Takei |
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| L-R: Scott Watanabe, George Takei, Jordan Goodsell, Elena Wang, and Ethan Le Phong |
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| Natalie Holt McDonald and Ethan Le Phong |
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| L-R: Miyuki Miyagi, Chad Takeda, Janelle Dote, Eymard Cabling (center) as Frankie Suzuki, Sharline Liu, Cesar Cipriano, and Grace Yoo |
ALLEGIANCE
February 21 – April 1, 2018
East West Players at JACCC’s Aratani Theatre
244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tickets and Info: AllegianceMusical.com/LA
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Labels: aratani theatre, east west players, jaccc
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
MUSICAL NEWS: Get Your Year Started Right with these Marvelous Musicals!
2018 is going to be a great year for musicals in Southern California so mark your calendars now and I’ll see you at the theater!
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| Isabelle McCalla and Adam Jacobs in Aladdin. Photo by Deen van Meer |
Aladdin – Hollywood Pantages
Jan 10 – March 31, 2018
The Hollywood Pantages Theatre begins 2018 with Disney’s Aladdin, a big, bright musical for the whole family starring original Broadway cast members Adam Jacobs as Aladdin and Michael James Scott as the Genie. Get ready to take a magical carpet ride into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance in this new production featuring a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more, written especially for the stage. Hollywoodpantages.com/aladdin
Cabaret – La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
Jan 19 – Feb 11, 2018
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts opens its 40th anniversary season with Kander & Ebb’s Cabaret, directed by Larry Carpenter. Starring Jeff Skowron as The Emcee, Zarah Mahler as Sally Bowles, and Christian Pedersen as Clifford Bradshaw, and featuring musical direction by David O and choreography by Dana Solimando, its story is more relevant today than ever before. The seedy glamour of the Kit Kat Club with its bawdy Emcee provide an unsettling but fitting backdrop to the tale of the hard-living entertainer Sally Bowles in the decadent nightlife of Germany in the early thirties. LaMiradaTheatre.com/cabaret
Candide – LA Opera
Jan 27 – Feb 18, 2018
Kelsey Grammer and Christine Ebersole star in Leonard Bernstein’s funny, satirical whirlwind tour of human folly and foolishness. Brimming with youthful innocence, Candide is certain he lives in the best of all possible worlds. But an unrelenting series of ridiculously unfortunate events makes him question everything he has been taught. Kelsey Grammer takes on the delightful double role of satirical author Voltaire and optimistic philosopher Pangloss, with two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole in the riotous role of the Old Lady. Bernstein’s brilliant score features some of musical theater’s greatest hits, from its exuberant overture, to the show-stopping “Glitter and Be Gay.” More info: www.laopera.org
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| The Hypocrites’ Pirates Of Penzance at Arizona Repertory Theatre courtesy of The Hypocrites |
Pirates of Penzance – Pasadena Playhouse
Jan 23 – Feb 18, 2018
Pasadena Playhouse turns its theater into a wacky beach party for Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, as reimagined by the Chicago theatre hooligans, The Hypocrites. For the first time in its history, the Playhouse will be completely transformed into a new configuration. All of the orchestra seats will be removed, and in their place there will be a deck, making the entire orchestra level of the theatre a playing area with actors and audience sharing the space promenade style. Expect flying beach balls, rubber duckies, ukuleles, banjos, plastic swimming pools, and even a tiki bar, for a night you won’t forget as Frederic, an orphan mistakenly apprenticed to an ineffectual but raucous band of pirates, disavows the pirates’ way of life and falls for the beautiful Mabel. Adapted and directed by Sean Graney, co-adapted by Kevin O’Donnell, and featuring music direction by Andra Velis Simon. www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
Million Dollar Quartet – 3-D Theatricals
Feb 9 –18 (Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center)
Feb 23 – March 4 (Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts)
David Lober directs the 3DT production which goes back to when Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who launched the careers of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, brought the four superstars together at the Sun Records studio for the first and only time, in what became known as one of the greatest jam sessions in rock ‘n’ roll history. Starring Cole as Elvis Presley, John Countryman as Jerry Lee Lewis, David Elkins as Johnny Cash, and Michael Monroe Goodman as Carl Perkins, this one is sure to get the house rockin’. 3dtheatricals.org/milliondollar
Allegiance – East West Players
Feb 21 – April 1, 2018
George Takei will be joined by Broadway cast members Elena Wang (Kei Kimura), Greg Watanabe (Mike Masaoka), Scott Watanabe (Tatsuo Kimura), and Janelle Dote (Hanako) for the LA premiere of Allegiance, produced by East West Players and Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. The production is directed by Snehal Desai with musical direction by Marc Macalintal and choreography by Rumi Oyama and performances will take place at JACCC’s Aratani Theatre. With gorgeous music and lyrics by Jay Kuo and a book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione, Allegiance tells the story of the Kimura family, whose lives are upended when they and 120,000 other Japanese Americans are forced to leave their homes following the events of Pearl Harbor. This is definitely a don’t-miss production. EastWestPlayers.org
Feb 2 – 25, 2018
Chromolume Theatre’s first production of 2018 will be Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flhery’s Dessa Rose. James Esposito directs and the show will feature musical direction by Daniel Yokomizo and choreography by Michael Marchak. Dessa Rose is the story of a young black runaway slave (Shauntee Tabb) and a white abandoned mother (Abby Carlson) and their journey to acceptance in the antebellum South as they tell their story to their grandchildren. www.crtheatre.com
Feb 21 – March 11, 2018
This two-hander by Paul Gordon and John Caird transforms Jean Webster’s novel into a charming and poignant musical that tells the story of Jerusha Abbott, an 18 year old young woman who has grown up at the John Grier Home for orphans. When a trustee of the home reads one of her essays and sees promise in her writing, he offers to send her to college to continue her education. His only requirements are that she must write him monthly letters, even though he will not write her back, and that she will never know his identity. Jerusha’s heartwarming journey to independence, education and romance is a journey every woman can understand. If you’re looking for the secret of happiness, you just may find it in this lovely musical. ICTLongbeach.org
Feb 2 – March 4, 2018
Set in the Deep South during the early days of the civil rights movement, this powerful musical by Jeanine Tesori tells the touching story of a young woman accidentally scarred on the face as a child. Hoping that a TV evangelist can cure her, Violet sets out on a long bus ride from her sleepy North Carolina town through Memphis to Oklahoma. Along the way, she meets two young soldiers who teach her about love, courage and the true meaning of beauty. Use online code “POKER” for 20% off tickets. Discount expires February 1st. Good for any performance before February 19, except opening. ChanceTheater.com
Feb 11, 2018
Up next for Musical Theatre Guild is High Society, the 1956 musical film adaption of Philip Barry’s sparkling stage play The Philadelphia Story, which starred Grace Kelly, Bring Crosby and Frank Sinatra. The plot centers on pretentious socialite, Tracy Samantha Lord, who is planning to wed an equally pretentious executive when her ex-husband arrives to disrupt all her plans. AlexTheatre.org/highsociety
Feb 18 & 20, 2018
An original musical comedy by Manny Hagopian, this 50 minute show is the little known story of Amelia Earhart. For 50 years, Earhart has been known as only an unexplained mystery, but she was, and is, much more than that - especially today. Earhart delivers the story of a proud, kickass girl, who set out to change the world and to prove once and for all that she is more than an f-ing mystery. www.Rockwell-LA.com
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Labels: 3D Theatricals, chance theater, chromolume theatre, east west players, hollywood pantages, international city theatre, la mirada theatre, la opera, musical theatre guild, pasadena playhouse
Monday, May 27, 2013
What's Happening Around Town for May 27, 2013
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| Dianna Hollowell |
The Grove Theatre announces the opening of South Pacific on May 31st, under the direction of Frank Minano. Set on a tropical island during World War II, the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. The score’s songs also include such classics as “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “A Wonderful Guy” and “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.” The show will run weekends, May 31 – June 16 and tickets can be purchased by calling (909) 920-4343, or by visiting The Grove box office or website at www.grovetheatre.com. The Grove Theatre is located at 276 E. Ninth Street, Upland, CA 91786.
Free For All Movie Mondays returns to Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center. This summer’s special screenings include: The Wedding Singer (July 8), Buena Vista Social Club (July 15), The Lion King (July 22), The Phantom of the Opera (July 29) and Evita (August 5). Movie Mondays are held on the Center’s 46,000-square-foot Arts Plaza. The popular films are projected on the side of Segerstrom Hall. Guests are encouraged to bring beach chairs or other easily portable seating items. Set-up begins at 5:30 pm, with the movie starting at dusk (approximately 8:00 pm). Guests may bring their own snacks and picnic suppers. This year, Patina Catering has created special themed menus for each movie in addition to offering a selection of assorted snacks and beverages available for purchase. Barbecues and similar food preparation are not permitted. Click Here for more info.
CHESS Extends
East West Players has extended the run of CHESS, now through June 23, 2013. All performances are staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. www.eastwestplayers.org
One night only, June 16, 7pm at Sierra Madre Playhouse. It’s Chicago in the 1920’s at the Kitchy Koo Klub – a speakeasy in the basement of a burned out church – with gangsters, flappers, an aging prima donna and…someone’s funeral! The twist? Instead of guessing whodunit, the audience votes and the denouement is tailored to match. 4 Flappers and a Funeral features book by Larry Johnson, original music by Alan Hong and is directed by Ken Salzman with musical staging by Kim Eberhardt. Presented by SanZman Productions, Renaissance Murder Mystery Players and Sierra Madre Playhouse. Tickets are $20. Call (626) 355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Ample free parking behind theatre.
The Meat City Beatniks
Eclectic Voices presents a staged reading of the new musical The Meat City Beatniks on Tuesday, May 28 at 8:00 pm at The Eclectic Company. Book and lyrics are by James Dryden, Andrew Osborne & Scott Von Doviak, music & lyrics by Eric Jacobson. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village, CA 91607. Free admission and complimentary wine and cheese reception. www.eclecticcompanytheatre.org
Ryan Black’s 88’s is back at Don’t Tell Mama every Wednesday at 8pm. There is no cover charge and seats may be reserved with a dinner reservation by calling (323) 380-7209, or you can reserve online HERE. Special guest co-host for May 29 is Del Shores, writer/prod/director of Sordid Lives, Southern Baptist Sissies, Daddy's Dyin': Who's Got The Will? and The Trial & Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife. Performers include Brandon Alameda, Gina Coconato, Courtney Freed, Debby Holiday, Jalin Hsu, Jennifer Korbee, Tom Korbee, Alex Mohajer, Diane Pancel, Brett Ryback, Craig Taggart, Pam Trotter and guest pianist - Bryan Blaskie. Open mic after the show so bring your music. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/RyanBlacks88s.
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Labels: east west players, eclectic company, ryan black, segerstrom center, sierra madre playhouse, the grove theatre
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
What's Happening Around Town for May 14, 2013
Creating Arts Presents Peter Pan
Creating Arts Company brings to life the classic story of Peter Pan, the mischievous boy who refuses to grow up Saturdays at 2:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm, now through June 30 at Promenade Playhouse. Join Peter in an adventure of a lifetime as he introduces Wendy, John and Michael Darling to his world of Never Neverland, where they meet the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily and her Indian Braves and the mean Captain Hook and his Pirates. Cheer for Peter, Boo for Captain Hook, Laugh along with Tinkerbell and help Wendy, John and Michael discover that growing up isn't quite so bad. This fun one hour audience interactive musical will have children of all ages singing and dancing along. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401. For more information call (310) 804-0223 or go to www.creatingarts.org.
East West Players - CHESS
CHESS officially opens at East West Players Wednesday, May 15 at 8pm and will run through June 9. The musical features book by Richard Nelson, lyrics by Tim Rice, and music by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus and is directed by Tim Dang, with musical direction by Marc Macalintal and choreography by Marc Oka. From the lyricist of Jesus Christ Superstar and the composers of Mamma Mia!, the story involves a romantic triangle between two top chess players - an American and a Russian - and a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other. It takes place within the context of the Cold War, as both countries vie for international chess victories for propaganda purposes. Featuring: Joan Almedilla, Elijah Rock, Victor E. Chan, Carey Rebecca Brown, Ray A. Rochelle, Michael Alexander Henry, and Ryan Castellino with Cesar Cipriano, Stephanie Mieko Cohen, Jasmine Ejan, Shay Louise, D.T. Matias, Maegan McConnell, Alex Sanchez, and Justin Vasquez. Click Here for more information.
Lillias White, A Woman On Love
Chris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret proudly present the west coast club return of Broadway diva and Tony Award-winner Lillias White in her new show, A Woman On Love, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. There will be two performances only, on Mondays, June 3 and 10 at 8:30 pm, with cocktail and dinner service beginning at 6:30 pm. The June 10 show also marks the second anniversary of The Night After The Tonys, a tradition begun in 2012 by Ms. White and Upright Cabaret. Lillias White is currently starring in the critically acclaimed production of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come And Gone, under the direction of Phylicia Rashad at the Mark Taper Forum. The music director for A Woman On Love is Abdul Hamid, and Ms. White will be joined onstage by OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) star Jake Simpson.
Admission is $30, and VIP seating is available. Tickets may be obtained by calling (866) 468-3399 or by visiting www.UprightCabaret.com/events. Tickets purchased online will receive priority seating.
Terri White Concert Debut at Sterling’s
Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal welcomes Broadway’s Terri White Sunday, May 19... direct from her critically acclaimed cabaret concert in the Barbara Cook Spotlight Series at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ in Washington, D.C. White, who was also featured in the Kennedy Center’s Washington-to-Broadway production of Follies, as well as Follies at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, has appeared in several Broadway and Off-Broadway shows including Barnum, Ain't Misbehavin', Nunsense I & II, Nuncrackers, Finian's Rainbow, and Liza Minnelli Stepping Out at Radio City Music Hall.
Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal is located at 5303 Lankershim Blvd. (at Weddington Street) in North Hollywood, CA. Attendance is by advance reservation only: (818) 754-8700. Dinner Seating for Terri White is 5:30 – 6:00 pm; Showtime: 7:00 pm. VIP Reserved Seating is available at $25 per person; as well as non-reserved general admission Seating at $15 per person. A $10 food and/or beverage minimum and $3 Facility/Security charge also applies to each ticket price. For more information about Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal, visit www.msapr.net.
We’re All in the Mood for a Melody
This Performance Benefit for SkyPilot Theater Company’s 2013 Season takes place Friday, May 17, at 7:00 pm at River Rock Lounge. Welcome to the Cafe Chanteuse, where in between performances of classic pop and Broadway tunes, hearts are broken, lives are changed and maybe even one or two dreams come true. Because everyone is beautiful at the ballet -- but at the Cafe Chanteuse, everyone has a chance to be a star. Happy Hour starts at 5:00 pm (full menu also available) and the show begins at 8:00 pm. Cocktail attire is encouraged. Tickets: $10.
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Labels: creating arts company, east west players, skypilot, sterling's, upright cabaret