The Manoa Valley Theatre Announces the Cast of ALLEGIANCE

Manoa Valley Theatre is thrilled to announce a star-studded cast for Allegiance, the headliner of its 50th Anniversary season, presented at the Hawaii Theatre March 28th - April 7th, 2019. Allegiance, a musical drama by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione, is about the Japanese American internment during WWII and one family's extraordinarily divisive experience, was inspired by the true-life experience of its original star, George Takei. It tells the story of one family's extraordinary experience suffering the wrongful imprisonment of Japanese Americans during World War II, creating familial turmoil in a troubling time of a nation at war.

Ticket buyers for Allegiance will be treated to a Black Friday offer as a celebration of the amazing cast. Customers who purchase tickets via any portal from November 23rd through November 26th will receive 5% off the price of admission for the Tuesday, April 2nd and Wednesday, April 3rd performances.

Broadway star Ethan Le Phong headlines the MVT cast in the role of Young Sammy. Most recently a company member of Disney's Aladdin on Broadway and understudy for the title character, Ethan played Young Sammy in the highly celebrated East-West Players production of Allegiance last spring with George Takei. He has extensive credits from New York's Broadway, London's West End, U.S. Regional Theatres, national tours, film and television.

The role of Kei Kimura will be performed by Hawaii music composer, vocalist and producer, Kristian Lei. She has played the lead role of Kim in Miss Saigon in Germany, performed in Hong Kong Disneyland's Festival of the Lion King, and starred in the Kristian Lei Show with Walt Disney Theatre on Disney Cruise Lines.

Nurse Hannah will be portrayed by Hawaii native daughter Kathleen Stuart who currently works professionally in New York theatre. She has had co-starring and lead roles in television and film such as "C'est Tout" and "Inside Llewyn Davis," as well as lead roles on stage in The King & I and Evita.

MVT's talent-packed cast also includes Dann Seki as Sam Kimura/Ojii-Chan, Brad Yamamoto as Tatsuo Kimura, Devon Nekoba as Mike Masaoka, Miguel Cadoy III as Frankie Suzuki, KoDee Martin as Dr. Hideo Tanaka/Ben Masaoka/Johnny Goto, Sharline Liu as Mrs. Natsumi Tanaka, Charles Mukaida as Mr. Masato Maruyama, Melani Carrié as Mrs. Kaori Maruyama/Sansei Woman, Austin Yoshida as Tom Muruyama, Shayna Yasunaga as Peggy Maruyama, Lauren Cabrera as Nan Goto, Kyle McNamara, and Dwayne Sakaguchi and Kailee Brandt as ensemble.

Guest directing the production is Paul Mitri. Guest musical director is Kip Wilborn. Guest choreographer is Christine Yasunaga. Assistant director is Ron Heller. The design team includes Michelle Bisbee as set designer, Janine Myers as lighting designer, Jennifer Hart and Trudy Hodnefield as co-costume designers, Lisa Ponce de Leon as hair/makeup designer, and Sara Ward as props designer.

The production will run March 28th - April 7th at the Hawaii Theatre. Show times are Thursday, March 28, 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 31 at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 02 at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday April 03 at 7:00 p.m., Thursday April 04 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 05 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 06 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 07 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $75, $55, $35. Minimum age is 4. For more information call 988-6131 or visit manoavalleytheatre.com. Tickets can be purchased at the Hawaii Theatre Box Office by calling 528-0506 or at hawaiitheatre.com. The doors will open for seating 30 minutes prior to each performance. Beverages will be available for purchase on site. No outside food or drinks are allowed. The play is performed in 2 acts with one intermission. The running time is approximately 2hrs 45 min.

Play sponsors are ABC Stores, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., First Hawaii Bank Foundation, HEMIC, HMSA, iHeart Media, Tom and Sally Ishii, Island Insurance, JACL, John and Kalowena Komeiji, Mary and Dexter Kubota, Edison Miyawaki, Jerry and Jane Mount, Mark Mugiishi, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Jeffrey S. Portnoy in memory of Sandi Portnoy, Bob and Corinne Taylor and Territorial Savings Bank. The Golden Anniversary Season Sponsor is D. Suehiro Electric, Inc. The Season Benefactor Sponsor is Cades Schutte and the Cades Foundation. Season Presenter Sponsors are First Insurance Company of Hawaii Charitable Foundation, Honolulu Star-Advertiser and `Iolani School. Season Sponsors are Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. and Ramona Sayre In Memory of Jeff Sayre.

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