George Takei's internment musical Allegiance to screen in Vancouver

While you may be aware of George Takei as a social-media personality and an LGBT activist, he's also an activist for Japanese American communities.

The former Star Trek star also devoted himself to creating a musical about his family's experiences of being interned during the Second World War for being a Japanese American.

Allegiance, starring George Takei, was staged in San Diego in 2012 and on Broadway in 2015.

George Takei's Allegiance: The Broadway Musical on the Big Screen will be shown in select Canadian theatres on December 13, including the Park Theatre in Vancouver. It will also screen in Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, and Calgary on the same day.

The film includes an introduction by Takei, as well as behind-the-scenes footage of and interviews with the cast and creators of the show.

“Allegiance has been a passion project from the beginning,” Takei stated in a news release. “This deeply-moving story based on my family’s experiences could not be more timely, or poignant, considering the current political climate. So many people around the globe have never heard about this dark part of our nation’s history, and it is an honor and privilege for me to help tell this story, so that we can avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. I am deeply grateful that almost 120,000 people experienced the Broadway production during its run, an eerie reflection of the number of Japanese Americans who were directly impacted by the events depicted in Allegiance. This event—with Allegiance coming to cinema screens all around the country—will give to so many more the opportunity to experience and see this musical, which I consider my legacy.”

For full screening details, visit the Cineplex website.