NOW Live from the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

To mark the 66th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt which led to the incarceration of 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II, the Smithsonian APA program proudly presented the critically acclaimed new play, Innocent When You Dream, by Ken Narasaki and directed by Alberto Isaac.

Time:
Saturday, February 23, 2008, 3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Location:
Meyer Auditorium
Freer Gallery of Art
12th Street and Independence Avenue, SW
Metro:
Smithsonian or L’Enfant Plaza

Fresh from its Los Angeles world premiere, the original cast traveled three time zones to present a staged reading of their production, which was named a “Critic’s Choice” by the Los Angeles Times, a “Pick of the Week” by LA Weekly, and won the 2006 Kumu Kahua Pacific Rim Playwriting Award.

A nisei, (second-generation Japanese American) father lies in a hospital bed, only partly aware of his two adult children who have arrived at his bedside, unsure their father will survive. While the father returns to his interned past searching for a lost first love, his children bicker and argue, not quite ready to let their last parent go.

Playwright Narasaki, whose father was a 442nd veteran (the most decorated unit in U.S. military history, made up predominantly of Japanese American young men whose families ironically languished in camps, deprived of their civil rights), brings to life two disparate generations, separated by age and experience, bound together by misunderstanding and, ultimately, deep love.

The reading featured the renowned Sab Shimono (who was interned as a young child!) of stage, film, and television acclaim as the father. Emily Kuroda and Ken Narasaki appeared as his adult children. John Miyasaki, Sharon Omi, and Mike Hagiwara rounded out the talented cast.

Former Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta (also a former internee!) was a surprise guest who helped welcome the near-capacity crowd.

For more information about the production, please visit www.timescapearts.com.

This program was presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program and co-sponsored by the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, the Japanese American Citizens League, and the Japanese American Veterans Association.