George Takei & Telly Leung to Screen ALLEGIANCE in Austin, Texas on 9/3

Allegiance Texas has announced that George Takei will be coming to Austin on September 3 for an exclusive screening of the New American Musical Allegiance, with a live performance by Telly Leung and a Q&A immediately following.

Allegiance, the award-winning new American musical about family, freedom, love and loss in Japanese internment camps on U.S. soil during World War II, is headed to Broadway as early as 2014 and is actively seeking supporters, sponsors, and co-producers.

"We are beyond excited to welcome Mr. Takei, Mr. Leung, Mr. Kuo and Mr. Thione to Austin for this special event," said Victoria Osborne, founder of Allegiance Texas. "Allegiance is the rare show that is equally moving artistically and historically. Out hope is that our efforts will aid the production's move from San Diego to Broadway where it will reach a wider audience."

In addition to Mr. Takei, the cast includes Tony Award winner Lea Salonga and Telly Leung (Godspell, "Glee"). The show, named Outstanding New Musical in San Diego's Craig Noel Awards following its 2012 world premiere at The Old Globe, is an "epic story of family, love and patriotism set during the Japanese American internment of World War II."

"When Victoria first approached the Chamber about her support of "Allegiance," it was a project that brought together so many of our initiatives in Austin: our focus on the creative arts, our efforts to support new Asian American events to expand the range of cultural tourism offerings and to promote exchange with other cities both nationally and abroad," said Marina Bhargava, Executive Director, Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce. "How could we not help to bring George Takei, one of the most recognizable Asian Americans and human rights activists, here to start a conversation about an important episode in our community's history in America?"

From the program at The Old Globe: "On the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, a meeting with a young journalist forces World War II veteran Sam Kimura [played by Takei, in a dual role later playing a grandfather] to remember his family's relocation from their California farm to the Heart Mountain internment camp in Wyoming.

As they struggle to adjust to their new home, Young Sam [Telly Leung] and his sister Kei [Lea Salonga] find themselves torn between loyalty to their family and allegiance to their country. With its moving score, Allegiance takes audiences on a journey into our nation's history through the eyes of one American family."

"George, Telly, Jay and I are all delighted to be able to speak to supporters in Austin who are passionate about seeing this story being brought to life on America's stage. Developing a new Broadway musical is a long and arduous process that requires the work and support of many - and those who have been involved in getting Allegiance to where it is today have become somewhat of a family. We look forward to welcoming quite a few Austinites into our family."

This event is invitation-only, intended to identify and thank potential sponsors and supporters.

Photo Credit: Henry DiRocco

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