George Takei News

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.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Aladdin star Telly Leung in a new concert, "Sing Happy," on Monday, November 11.

Telly Leung recently received his portrait at Sardi's and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out the photos below!

Honoring one of the world's most revered artists, The Music Center celebrated Joni Mitchell on November 6 and 7, 2018, with two all-star concerts - JONI 75: A Birthday Celebration Live at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - and an exclusive gala, co-hosted with Vanity Fair and its editor Radhika Jones, which feted her 75th birthday and raised funds for The Music Center's artistic programming, specifically free and low cost programming for underserved communities. The concerts featured performances by Brandi Carlile; Glen Hansard; Emmylou Harris; Norah Jones; Chaka Khan; Diana Krall; Kris Kristofferson; Los Lobos with La Marisoul, Cesar Castro & Xochi Flores; Graham Nash; Seal; James Taylor; and Rufus Wainwright. The artists lit up the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage performing Mitchell's songs, which spanned all stages of her career. Co-musical directors Brain Blade and Jon Cowherd provided the evenings' musical arrangements.  

TELLY LEUNG - currently starring as the title role in Disney's Aladdin on Broadway - will release a new digital single, an updated version of the holiday classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You" to benefit ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty) from Yellow Sound Label on Friday, November 30. The song is arranged by Lynne Shankel.

Set in Stockton, California in 1946,Philip Kan Gotanda's acclaimed play about a Japanese-American family returning home after time in an Arkansas internment camp during World War II takes on renewed resonance as current government policies and rhetoric continue to inflame anti-immigrant sentiment. Starring Keiko Agena (Better Call Saul, 13 Reasons Why),June Angela (Tony and Drama Desk nominee forShogun on Broadway, The Electric Circus on PBS) and Suzy Nakamura (ABC's The Goldbergs, Blackish, Dr. Ken) as the sisters, with Greg Watanabe (Allegiance on Broadway, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Watch Over Me) and Ryun Yu (Hold These Truths at East West Players, Pasadena Playhouse), as their husbands. 

"Allegiance" returns to cinemas nationwide for an encore event on December 11. In addition to the film of the original Broadway production, Fathom Events is premiering a new documentary, "Allegiance to Broadway: The Dream. The Story. The Journey of A Musical," by director/filmmaker Greg Vander Veer on December 4, which gives audiences an in-depth look into the making of "Allegiance".

In its annual return to screens around the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day, Fathom Events is bringing George Takei's ("Star Trek," "Heroes") moving Broadway musical "Allegiance," also starring Tony Award® winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Mulan) and Telly Leung (Godspell, "Glee"), back to cinemas nationwide for an encore event on December 11. In addition to the film of the original Broadway production, Fathom Events is premiering a new documentary, "Allegiance to Broadway: The Dream. The Story. The Journey of A Musical," by director/filmmaker Greg Vander Veer on December 4, which gives audiences an in-depth look into the making of "Allegiance".

After a decade working in the New York City entertainment industry, veteran publicist Emily McGill founded Press Play, a boutique public relations firm serving the entertainment community. Prior to her most recent position with Disney Theatrical Productions where she handled the Broadway productions of The Lion King and Aladdin, Emily worked with boutique theatrical PR agencies The Hartman Group and Philip Rinaldi Publicity, as well as the 2015 New York Observer's number one public relations agency, DKC Public Relations.

TELLY LEUNG - currently starring as the title role in Disney's Aladdin on Broadway - will return to the "Broadway at Birdland" concert series to premiere his new show "Sing Happy" at Birldand Jazz Club

It's time to get off of the magic carpet! Telly Leung, who stepped into the title role in Aladdin last June, has just announced that he will depart the production early next year.

Contra Costa Civic Theatre (CCCT) today announced the cast for its season-opening production, Allegiance, directed by Lily Tung Crystal, with music direction by Kenji Higashihama and choreography by Allison Paraiso.

Contra Costa Civic Theatre (CCCT) presents Allegiance, directed by Lily Tung Crystal, with music direction by Kenji Higashihama and choreography by Allison Paraiso. This musical about the World War II experiences of Japanese-Americans in the US, with book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione, and music by Jay Kuo, makes its Bay Area premiere September 21 through October 21 at CCCT. For tickets and information visit the theatre's website at www.ccct.org or call 510.524.9012.

Theater Talk - the popular discussion show that has been a staple of New York- and later national- television for 26 years – will be ending as a weekly series. Executive Producer of Theater Talk Productions and co-creator of the show, Susan Haskins-Doloff, has announced an end to production of the program. 

The fourth annual GI Film Festival San Diego is getting ready to roll from Tuesday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. Organizers have once again curated a film lineup to feature the untold and underrepresented stories of America's military through film. The six-day San Diego military film festival features 34 films, including nine world premieres and five West Coast premieres, as well as several screenings, filmmaker appearances, and panel discussions. GI Film Festival San Diego attendees have opportunities to watch the films, meet filmmakers and film subjects, and have conversations to tackle topics that are usually unspoken.

YOSHIKI stunned an invitation-only audience at Hollywood & Highland with an emotional musical performance at the Japan House Los Angeles grand opening ceremony on Friday, August 24th.  

YOSHIKI has created a special musical performance to celebrate the Grand Opening of Japan House Los Angeles-a new cultural center between Japan and the world--at Hollywood & Highland on Friday, August 24th.

Contra Costa Civic Theatre (CCCT) today announced the cast for its season-opening production, Allegiance, directed by Lily Tung Crystal, with music direction by Kenji Higashihama and choreography by Allison Paraiso.

Now entering its 56th season, the New York Youth Symphony (NYYS) is launching a Musical Theater Composition (MTC) program, to be led by newly-appointed director Anna K. Jacobs. In a partnership with the Harlem School of the Arts, this new program aims to diversify the world of musical theater by creating opportunities for young composers to have their compositions workshopped and performed by both peers and professionals.

Now in its fourth year, the GI Film Festival San Diego, San Diego's six-day military film festival, is back to feature more untold and underrepresented stories of America's military through film. The six-day, San Diego military film festival kicks-off with the ever-popular Opening Night Screening and Reception on Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Museum of Photographic Arts in iconic Balboa Park. The evening includes screenings of the narrative short “American,” followed by the documentary short, “The Registry.” Special guest, George Takei, is anticipated to attend the Opening Night Screening and Reception as the leading actor in the film, “American.” Both films focus on World War II events and emphasize the important roles and services that Japanese-American military members provided throughout the war. In addition to Takei, the directors of each film are expected to attend the Opening Night celebration and will participate in a panel discussion after the screenings.