This touching and historic opera, set during the Second World War, tells the dramatic story of nine-year old Naomi’s journey, with her Japanese Canadian family, from Vancouver to an internment camp in the interior of B.C. In a sensitive, visually-evocative production filled with emotion, humour and soaring melodies, Naomi and her older brother Stephen struggle with the harsh realities of war, racism, bullying and the loss of family. Ultimately brother and sister triumph by discovering the gifts that sustain them: music, words and love. Their resilience offers hope for the future and will inspire audiences to discover the power of human understanding and the beauty of compassion.
This was the only performance in Vancouver, and attended by 140 people, on the Tuesday Night. Next and final public performance is May 5th at Coquitlam’s Evergreen Cultural Centre.
The cast is great, with strong performances all around. Sam Chung returns as Stephen. The new singers are all very good. Hiather Darnel-Kadonaga plays Naomi, Erica Iris plays the 3 roles Mother, Obasan and Mitzie. Henry Chen plays Daddy, Bully, Rough Lock Bill, Trainmaster.
The story is based on Joy Kogawa’s prize winning novel Obasan and the adaption from the children’s novel Naomi’s Road works out really well. Watching the perfomers, we were amazed at both the choreography of the movement on stage, as well as how the small versatile set is used and moved to simulate so many scenes: Powell Street, Living Room, Train, Internment Camp. There were tears in my eyes as I watched the pinnacle scene of the opera. It makes a powerful statement against racism and bullying.
I saw the original production in 2005/06 five times and enjoyed it immensely.