Tickets for Hold These Truths Concert Dramatic Reading Benefitting SF JACL available at: https://fortmason.org/event/sfjacl-hold-these-truths/

Fresh from his Broadway debut in George Takei’s “Allegiance,” Greg Watanabe will be returning to the San Francisco Bay Area for a heartwarming and entertaining concert dramatic reading of Hold These Truths. Local performing arts fans will remember Watanabe from his performances with the comedy sketch group 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors and with the Asian American Theater Company.

The San Francisco chapter of the Japanese American Citizen’s League has chosen to present Jeanne Sakata’s Hold These Truths at this time because it brings to life the courageous actions of Gordon Hirabayashi who challenged the government’s orders to forcibly remove and mass incarcerate all people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast. Hirabayashi’s case made it all the way to the Supreme Court where he was not successful but he was vindicated 44 years later and posthumously awarded the 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“When I discovered Gordon’s story in the late 1990’s – so full of heartbreak, but also his irrepressible humor and zest for life – it was a life-changing experience,” said playwright Jeanne Sakata. “I knew I had to try to bring his story to the American stage, not just as an act of healing for myself, my family and my community, but also to inspire and give hope to any American citizen who has been denied equal treatment under the law promised by our Constitution because of factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and who must battle constantly to make those promises a living reality.”

During World War II, University of Washington student Gordon Hirabayashi fought the government’s orders to forcibly remove and mass incarcerate all people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast. As he struggled to reconcile his country’s betrayal with his passionate belief in the U.S. Constitution, Hirabayashi journeyed toward a greater understanding of America’s triumphs — and a confrontation with its failures. Hold These Truths was first produced in 2007 by East West Players in Los Angeles under the title Dawn’s Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi.

The plot has a strong and timely message about civil rights, the Constitution, and one man's battle against civil liberty violations. The evening performance will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by SF-JACL’s John Hayashi with Dale Minami, Don Tamaki, and Greg Watanabe. Generous support has been received by the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program and proceeds from the performances will benefit the SF JACL’s Arts and Advocacy activism programs and anti-bullying education.

TICKET AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

WHEN:
Saturday, November 18th
2pm Matinee
7pm Evening Performance

WHERE:
Cowell Theater | Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture
2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123

TO PURCHASE:
2pm:
$25
$20 for seniors

7pm:
$50 General
$100 VIP (reserved seating and acknowledgment in printed program)
$40 Early Birds (before 11/1/17)
$45 JACL Members
Performance followed by a panel discussion moderated by SF-JACL’s John Hayashi with Dale Minami, Don Tamaki, and Greg Watanabe, plus a post-panel reception.

For more info, please email judy.hamaguchi@gmail.com

Please Note:
Recommended for ages 14 and up. Contains mature language.
The estimated run time is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission

2pm performance invitation:
https://www.facebook.com/events/532593157108203/

7pm performance invitation:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1321709651285221