Michael K. Lee . Photo by Lia Chang
Allegiance‘s Michael K. Lee will guest star on NBC’s LAW & ORDER: SVU on Wednesday, Feb. 3rd. The episode titled, “Forty-one Witnesses” airs on NBC at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Lee can currently be seen in Broadway’s Allegiance starring opposite Tony-winner Lea Salonga, Telly Leung and George Takei at the Longacre Theatre through February 14, 2016. The role won him the Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical for the Old Globe’s production of Allegiance.
Allegiance is the vibrant and unforgettable story of one family’s resilience in the face of seemingly-insurmountable odds, inspired by Takei’s real-life experience as a Japanese American during World War II. Allegiance opened at the Longacre Theatre on Sunday, November 8, 2015, and will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, February 14, 2016. Click here to purchase tickets. For more information go to www.AllegianceMusical.com.
Lee is featured on the original cast album of Allegiance, with music & lyrics by Jay Kuo, which was released last month and can be purchased here.
Michael K. Lee, George Takei and Lea Salonga. Photo by Matthew Murphy
Allegiance features a book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione with music and lyrics by Jay Kuo. Olivier Award nominee Stafford Arima directs, in his Broadway debut. Andrew Palermo serves as choreographer.
Lea Salonga, George Takei, Telly Leung, Michael K Lee and cast. Photo by Matthew Murphy
Allegiance illuminates one of American history’s lesser known chapters as it tells the story of Sam Kimura (Takei), transported back nearly six decades to when his younger self (Leung) and his sister Kei (Salonga) fought to stay connected to their heritage, their family, and themselves after Japanese Americans were wrongfully imprisoned during World War II. An epic story told with great intimacy, Allegiance explores the ties that bind us, the struggle to persevere, and the overwhelming power of forgiveness and, most especially, love.
The cast of ALLEGIANCE. Photo by Matthew Murphy
Lee was last seen on the Great White Way in the 2004 Revival of Pacific Overtures as Kayama opposite BD Wong. His other Broadway credits include Miss Saigon as Thuy, Jesus Christ Superstar as Simon Zealotes, and Rent.
Yoko Fumoto and Michael K. Lee in Roundabout Theatre’s PACIFIC OVERTURES. Photo by Joan Marcus
In recent years, Lee has become one of Korea’s most beloved and sought after musical actors. He has starred in numerous productions in Seoul, including Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Miss Saigon (Chris), Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Tick),Notre Dame de Paris (Gringoire), Amour (Dusoleil), and Gone with the Wind (Ashley).
The Korea Times: Lee pursues dream in Korea and on Broadway
MaryAnn Hu, Francis Jue, Alan Muraoka, Michael K. Lee, Yuka Takara, BD Wong and Jason Tam after the opening night performance of NYMF’s production of ‘The Yellow Wood’ at Theatre Row’s Acorn Theatre in New York on September 19, 2007. Photo by Lia Chang
Other international credits: Where Elephants Weep in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, They’re Playing Our Song in Manila, Philippines (opposite Lea Salonga), and A Twist of Fate in Singapore (opposite Laura Michelle Kelley). Favorite American non-traditional star turns include Tommy in The Who’s Tommy (Seattle Footlight Award for Best Actor in a Musical); Judas and Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Aladdin in Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular; and Jamie Willerstein in The Last 5 Years. Lee is a graduate of Stanford University.
Michael K. Lee’s Youtube Channel, Facebook Fan Page and Twitter.
Michael K. Lee and Lorenzo Thione at the Craig Noel Awards on February 4, 2013 in La Jolla, CA. The new musical Allegiance, which had its World Premiere at the Old Globe in September of 2012, took home the top award, for Outstanding New Musical, along with two other awards, for Outstanding Featured Performance Male (Michael K. Lee), and Outstanding Orchestrations. Photo by Lia Chang
Broadway’s ‘Allegiance’ starring George Takei, Lea Salonga and Telly Leung, ends run on February 14
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Broadway’s ‘Allegiance’ to Record Cast Album on Dec. 7
Scott Watanabe makes Broadway Principal Debut as Tatsuo Kimura in ‘Allegiance’
Marcus Choi Makes Broadway Principal Debut as Frankie Suzuki at Today’s Matinee of ‘Allegiance’
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Photos: Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
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Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee, a photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is profiled in Examiner.com, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
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