Actor George Takei, best known for his character Sulu in the
original Star Trek, makes his Broadway debut at the
Longacre Theater in Allegiance, which
opens tonight. Allegiance is a
musical about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and is
partly based on Takei's own experience. When Takei was five years old his family was
sent to an internment camp for almost four years. His childhood imprisonment taught
him about gaman which means “to carry
on.” Takei says of resilience that it includes “the ability to find joy — even
under those harsh circumstances— and love.”
Takei recalls having chastised his own father with “you
led us like sheep to slaughter.” His father agreed. Takei felt so guilty that
he never apologized to his father. But now he says he can apologize nightly through
his participation in this musical, the humanization of those injured by this protracted
injustice in America’s history.
