Zenbu To Sell

 “Dear Miss Breed” tickets

 

 

Zenbu, in conjunction with the Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego (JAHSSD), is offering group discount tickets to the world premiere of “Dear Miss Breed,” a stage adaptation by Joanne Oppenheim of her book of the same title. The City of San Diego Public Library and the Asian Story Theater will present the play at the Lyceum Space Theater at Horton Plaza, September 16-30.

Zenbu tickets are for specific performances (tentatively Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, Sept. 23 at 2:00 pm). As soon as prices and details are available, they will be announced at services and posted at http://www.btsd.net/.

The discounted tickets will be offered after Sunday services at the Temple, by e-mail (zenbu@cox.net) or by calling Joyce Teague, 619/527-7855. A portion of the group sales will benefit JAHSSD.

A San Diego Story

The play is based on correspondence that San Diego Public Librarian Clara Breed maintained with over two dozen young San Diegans of Japanese American descent whose families were evacuated from the County during World War II. Miss Breed, as she was known, kept every letter written to her by her children ages 5 through 19 who were taken to the Santa Anita Race Track for processing and eventually incarcerated in Poston, Arizona. Some of the letter writers are Sangha members, including Margaret Asakawa and Louise Watanabe.

            Their letters captured the frustration, patriotism, and perseverance of these young Americans as they wrote to Miss Breed about a range of subjects—from homesickness and the quality of the food in camp, to worries about relocation, and their deeply patriotic hopes for a speedy American victory. The letters, now at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, inspired both Oppenheim’s book and play.

More information on the production can be found at http://www.sandiegorep.com/pages/about/lyceumevents.html