“Surely you must be aware that a gift like yours comes by once in a generation.”

Mark Saltzman, Playwright
"Fleet yet unsuperficial direction"
John Simon
Bloomberg
"Episodes materialize with a certain visual grace... Arima brings a delicate touch"
David Rooney
Variety
"Fluidly staged"
Frank Scheck
The Hollywood Reporter
"Fluid direction... communicates the essence of the composers' parallel lives"
Brendan Lemon
Financial Times

Director's Note

The entire process of working on this show was magic. The experience of working with the late Todd Haimes and the team at the Roundabout Theatre Company in NYC was deeply rewarding. 

This beautifully written tapestry of fiction and history, bringing the works of two musical greats (Scott Joplin and Irving Berlin) to the stage, was a pleasure to explore and be enlightened by. (This was also the first time I had the pleasure of working with the late, great lighting designer Howell Binkley. We worked together many times over the years, with Allegiance being our last collaboration.)

A black and white photo of Stafford Arima standing with his arms crossed in dramatic lighting

Awards

Nominee — Outer Critics Circle Awards
Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical

Resources

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Credits

Production Credits

Book: Mark Saltzman

Music & Lyrics: Irving Berlin & Scott Joplin

Choreographer: Liza Gennaro

Musical Direction/Orchestrations/Arrangements: Michael Patrick Walker

Set: Beowulf Boritt

Lighting: Howell Binkley

Costumes: Jess Goldstein

Sound: Walter Trarbach

Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, in association with Rodger Hess Productions, Inc.

Theatre: Laura Pels Theatre