Tag: George Takei

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George Takei’s ALLEGIANCE To Premiere On Broadway This Fall

A musical based on the early life of Star Trek star (and everyone’s favorite gay uncle) George Takei will finally take a bow on Broadway in October 2015, after years of waiting for an appropriate theater to become available.

“Allegiance” is a multigenerational tale with two love stories that’s framed by a Japanese-American war veteran looking back on his family’s time in a Wyoming camp. Previews are set to begin on Oct. 6 at a Shubert Theatre still to be announced.

It will mark the first Asian-led cast of a musical on Broadway in more than a decade, since “Flower Drum Song.” David Henry Hwang’s play “Chinglish,” with a predominantly Asian cast, played 109 total performances in 2011-12.

“Allegiance” features music and lyrics by Jay Kuo — which blends Big Band sounds with Japanese folk melodies and brassy Broadway numbers — and a book by Marc Acito, Kuo and Thione. It is being directed by Stafford Arima, who directed “Carrie” and “Altar Boyz” off-Broadway and whose own father was interned in Canada during the war, a dark chapter in American history that not everyone knows.

“I’m always shocked by the number of people I consider to be well informed who, when I tell them about my childhood and growing up behind barbed-wire fences, they are aghast and shocked. They’d never heard of it,” Takei said.

The show had a sold-out premiere in 2012 at the Old Globe in San Diego, starring Takei, Lea Salonga and Telly Leung. So far, only Takei has signed on for the Broadway run but he said “we are working to recreate that.” The producers are Lorenzo Thione and Andrew Treagus.

I’m currently working in San Diego near the Old Globe, as I was two years ago when the show had just wowed audiences. Word of mouth on the show is very strong, and I’m thrilled to see this story brought to life for a wider audience. It’s a powerful journey for an audience. At a time when immigration and “immigrants” are in the forefront of the news, too many forget how terribly innocent Japanese-Americans were treated during WWII.

Here’s a highlight reel from the Old Globe production of Allegiance:

I have to add that I’ve worked with the director, Stafford Arima. Last summer, we collaborated on a production of A Chorus Line for Sacramento Music Circus. Like everything that Stafford touches, the hallmark of the show was it’s completely new approach. (Let’s face it, it had to be. It was A Chorus Line “in the round”). I can freely say that Stafford is universally admired and respected for his creativity and his balanced, confident, almost “zen-like” approach to his actors.

I also recently interviewed the intrepid George Takei for his appearance in the award-winning LGBT musical short film hopefulROMANTIC by Matt Zarley. George was as awesome, warm and wise in real life as he is on the interwebs.

I’m thrilled for all involved in Allegiance. Congrats to George Takei, Stafford Arima and all involved. I can’t wait to see what you give us.

Forward.

Working with director Stafford Arima at Sacramento Music Circus

Hiding my inner fanboy as I chat with Star Trek
legend and LGBT hero George Takei (photo: Michael Caprio)
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Parody: George Takei’s “My Husband’s Not Straight”

You knew a parody of the recent TLC show, My Husband’s Not Gay, would land eventually.

And thanks to George Takei, My Husband’s Not Straight has arrived.

From the YouTube description: “Some friends of mine had fun lampooning My Husband’s Not Gay on TLC, which showcases gays in Salt Lake who are married to women. What if straight men tried the same in a gay world? Have a look friends.”

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Special Screening of short film “hopefulROMANTIC”

George Takei and husband Brad with Matt Zarley and Benjamin Pollack at the LA premiere of "hopefulROMANTIC"
From L to R: Brad Takei, George Takei, Matt Zarley and Benjamin Pollack

This weekend I was invited to attend the first screening of the new musical short film hopefulROMANTIC by award-winning out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley.

Starring Zarley – along with Chuck Saculla, Jolie Jenkins and the uber-wise & wonderful George Takei – the film is a universal story about loving, letting go, and holding onto faith that there’s somebody for everybody. The film is practically dialogue-free with the narrative articulated solely through Matt Zarley and Emmy & Grammy award-winning Andy Zulla’s soulful pop score.

After the film, I moderated a Q&A with the creative team including Zarley, Takei, Saculla plus director Benjamin Pollack and director of photography Chris Ekstein.

I also conducted interviews on the “orange carpet” before the screening where I kept my inner “fan boy” in check as I interviewed openly gay TV legend (and internet wiseman) George Takei – who is EVERYTHING you want him to be and more. Serious honor.

Also in attendance were tons of favorites from the LGBT entertainment world including singer/songwriters Tom Goss and Jeb Havens, Haviland Stillwell of the upcoming Magic Mike XXL, recording artist and Broadway fave Shoshana Bean (who contributes vocals to the soundtrack), “Fashion Police” writer Dennis Hensley and many more.

About hopefulROMANTIC from Matt Zarley:

“When I first started writing the music for this, I was deeply in love. The original plan was to write a simple little EP of love songs. I was so happy and I wanted everyone to know it.

“A few weeks into the process, my relationship ended abruptly without warning. I was devastated. It was hard for me to access a lot of positive loving feelings at the time. Out of that temporary writer’s block, I wrote ‘Constantly’. As I was finishing that song, I began to rethink my project. What was originally gonna be a 5 song EP of love songs suddenly took a turn.

“I had decided to construct a narrative… a journey with music being the guide. Having had an extensive background in Broadway and musical theatre, it seemed natural to finally merge my two worlds together. Much of what I was writing about was also what I was experiencing in real life. Thru this creative journey, I began to heal myself.

“In the end, my faith and belief that there’s someone out there for all of us was restored. Holding onto the eternal cliche that ‘everything happens for a reason’ couldn’t hold more truth for me now.

“I’m convinced that had I not loved as deeply as I did and had I not been so devastated, this project surely wouldn’t have happened. For that, I’m thankful for my once broken heart.”

If the Sunday night audience is any indication, the future looks bright for hopefulROMANTIC. The crowd was clearly with the filmmakers from the opening notes of the driving “I Just Knew,” to the quietly heartfelt “Let Me Let Go,” to the sweeping emotional release of “Hopeful.” As the film credits rolled, the entire audience stood with applause and approval.

Matt is currently submitting the musical short film to film festivals now. Check out the trailer for the film below, along with pics from the evening.

All photos by Nina Prommer unless otherwise noted.

George Takei and Matt Zarley at the premiere of “hopefulROMANTIC”

Cast members Chuck Saculla, George Takei and Matt Zarley with director Benjamin Pollack (hat)

Recording artist and Broadway favorite Shoshana Bean with Matt Zarley

From Broadway and the upcoming “Magic Mike XXL” – Haviland Stillwell

Hottie singer/songwriter Jeb Havens with Matt Zarley
Havens co-wrote one of the songs featured in hopefulROMANTIC with Zarley

Matt Zarley beams on the “orange carpet” at the premiere of his short musical film hopefulROMANTIC

Music hotness in the house! Singer/songwriters Tom Goss (L) and Jeb Havens (L) on the carpet

Interviewing Matt Zarley on the “orange carpet” of hopefulROMANTIC

Interviewing TV legend George Takei (photo: Michael Caprio)

Moderating Q&A after the screening of hopefulROMANTIC

I finally met super-talented singer/songwriter Tom Goss! (photo: Michael Caprio)

With Jeb Havens on the “orange carpet”
I’m a huge fan of the singer/songwriter (and hottie) whose video cover of “Fast Car” went wildly viral recently

Hubby Michael and I on the “orange carpet”

Hiding my inner fanboy as I chat with legend and LGBT hero George Takei (photo: Michael Caprio)

With Matt Zarley at the end of the night
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Sassy George Takei On The Meredith Vieira Show

George Takei – actor, Star Trek legend and pop culture icon – stopped by “The Meredith Vieira Show” this week where Meredith brought up Takei’s Buzzfeed bit where he answered questions about the gays.

Sample:

“Why do gay guys always hit on me? Please stop!”

“They’re not hitting on you — they’re judging your outfit.”

Vieira also announced that for every hug Takei received while at the studio, the show will be donating $25 to GLAAD.

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Documentary: “To Be Takei”

Star Trek alum and pop culture phenom George Takei is the subject of “To Be Takei” – a new documentary that covers his days on the hit sci-fi show as well as the time his family spent in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during WWII, and his emergence as a pop culture icon.

Now in limited movie theaters as well as VOD and on  iTunes.

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George Takei answers deep, meaningful questions about “the gays”

As we ready ourselves for the fab new documentary, To Be Takei, about Star Trek alum George Takei, to be released on VOD Platforms, iTunes, and in select theaters this Friday, Aug. 22, I was reminded of the wit and wisdom of the pop culture icon.

Buzzfeed has assembled a collection of some of the deep, important questions that have come Takei’s way in terms of “the gays.”

Here’s just a bit of the wisdom that is Takei.  More at Buzzfeed.

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George Takei explains to Bill Maher the realities of gay issues, Bill Shatner and television in the 1960s

From the YouTube clip description:

One of the saddest facts about the original Star Trek cast is that actors George Takei and William Shatner can’t stand each other in real life.

During his appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, Takei was grilled by Bill Maher on that never-ending feud that reminds millions of Americans of the time members of their favorite band didn’t get along. “You just want to go, ‘Come on, Bee Gees, just get along!'” the host joked.

“Well, we’re human,” Takei explained, with Maher expressing confusion that someone from our northern neighboring country couldn’t get along with someone else.

“Canadians have a certain image of being even-tempered and friendly and all that,” Takei continued. “Well, he is a person who is that way with himself. He is very self-centered.”

After a hearty laugh, the geek celebrity-turned-Internet-sensation said, “We work together. We’re professionals. We get the work done, but, it’s with a lot of difficulty.” He joked with Maher that the temptation is sometimes there to just “drive the starship into a death star” just to spite Shatner (weird mix of geek references, eh?).

The feud came up again when Takei talked about how his cast-mates all knew was gay except for one. “It went right over his head.” The obvious answer: William Shatner.

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George Takei calls for boycott of Hobby Lobby

George Takei writes a lengthy essay on the Hobby Lobby ruling by SCOTUS yesterday:

In this case, the owners happen to be deeply Christian; one wonders whether the case would have come out differently if a Muslim-run chain business attempted to impose Sharia law on its employees.

As many have pointed out, Hobby Lobby is the same company that invests in Pfizer and Teva Pharmaceuticals, makers of abortion inducing-drugs and the morning after pill. It also buys most of its inventory from China, where forced abortions are common. The hypocrisy is galling.

Hobby Lobby is not a church. It’s a business — and a big one at that. Businesses must and should be required to comply with neutrally crafted laws of general applicability. Your boss should not have a say over your healthcare. Once the law starts permitting exceptions based on “sincerely held religious beliefs” there’s no end to the mischief and discrimination that will ensue. Indeed, this is the same logic that certain restaurants and hotels have been trying to deploy to allow proprietors to refuse service to gay couples.

We are a nation that respects religious beliefs, but also the right not to have those beliefs imposed upon you by others. Our personal beliefs stop at the end of our noses, and your should therefore keep it out of other people’s business — and bedrooms.

While we work to overturn this decision by legislation, people of good conscious should BOYCOTT any for-profit business, including Hobby Lobby, which chooses to impose its religious beliefs on its employees. The only way such companies ever learn to treat people with decency and tolerance is to hit them where it counts–in their pocketbooks. I won’t be shopping there, and women everywhere should exercise their right of protest and refuse to shop there as well.

Read the full essay here.

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Documentary: “To Be Takei”

Over seven decades, actor and activist George Takei boldly journeyed from a WWII internment camp, to the helm of the starship Enterprise, to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans.

Join George and his husband Brad on this star’s playful and profound trek for life, liberty, and love.

Opens August 22nd in theaters and on iTunes.

More info at ToBeTakei.com

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First Lady of Japan supports LGBT pride

Akie Abe, the First Lady of Japan, spoke today in support of same-sex marriage at a gay pride event sponsored by the US embassy in Tokyo:

“There is no difference to importance of love from sexual orientation. There should not be any discrimination because who you love. I am going to raise my voice. If my raised voice could contribute to the pride of LGBT people, there is no greater joy.”

Star Trek star and LGBT activist George Takei, also in attendance,  had this to say:

“They have to have courage to come out and share their lives honestly,” Takei said. Once they get a ball rolling, more movement would follow, like “a ripple effect” that spreads, he added.

“So I’m optimistic. I do think that Japan will be one of the nations that have equality and that too will serve as an example for other Asian nations.”

(source)