SALONGA (with George Takei) in “Allegiance.” Her voice is as “clear and sparkling as Baccarat crystal.” Matthew Murphy
CRITICS may not be in agreement, but early reviews for the stage musical, “Allegiance,” are unequivocal in heaping plaudits on Filipino singer-actress Lea Salonga, who returns to Broadway after an eight-year absence. (She last trod the boards on the Great White Way as Fantine in “Les Miserables” in 2008.)
The reviews for Jay Kuo’s “Allegiance,” which was inspired by “Star Trek” icon George Takei’s childhood in an internment camp, are decidedly mixed—with Time Out New York calling it “well-intentioned but mawkish” and USA Today describing it “flawed but definitely moving.”
Still, Entertainment Weekly lauds it as “an important show with a phenomenal cast.”
Critics from major media outfits have singled out Salonga, singing her unambiguous praises: The Guardian’s Alexis Soloski remarks that Salonga’s voice is “still a stunner.”
Variety’s Marilyn Stasio agrees, saying that the actress, who plays a Japanese-American woman interned in a camp during World War II, is “golden-voiced.”
Exquisite, stirring
The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney points out that the “Tony winner and erstwhile Disney princess’… voice [has] lost none of the exquisite airiness or the stirring power of her ‘Miss Saigon’ days more than 25 years ago. Even with forgettable numbers, it’s always a pleasure to hear her sing.”
The New York Times’ Charles Isherwood concurs: “Her voice retains its plush beauty and her solo (‘Higher’), while doing nothing to move the story forward, is perhaps the show’s musical highlight.”
The Associated Press’ Mark Kennedy notes that Salonga’s solo is “a rare moment when the musical’s onstage talent is beautifully served by a tender song.” Time Out New York’s David Cote asserts that “her glorious singing is so much better than the generic… ballads.”
New York Observer’s Rex Reed enthuses that Salonga’s voice is as “clear and sparkling as Baccarat crystal.” USA Today’s Elysa Gardner quips that Salonga’s portrayal possesses “no-nonsense clarity,” while New York Daily News’ Joe Dziemianowicz says that her performance is “very fine,” indeed.
All in all, Entertainment Weekly’s Isabella Biedenham hails Salonga’s Broadway comeback as “triumphant.”