Tribute to 100th, 442nd
is July 4 fare with impactPlay: "Our Hearts Were Touched with Fire"
At: 2 and 7 p.m. today, and 7 p.m. tomorrow, Blaisdell Concert Hall
Tickets: $10 to $20
Charge at: 545-4000
All throughout World War II, African Americans usually served in support units, but Japanese Americans - or "AJAs" for short - eventually saw combat.
"Our Hearts Were Touched with Fire" retells the well-known tale of the successes and sacrifices of AJA units in Europe, but playwright Edward Sakamoto makes it a story that transcends race or ethnicity. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team Foundation presents it, through tomorrow, at Blaisdell Concert Hall.
Sakamoto tells this popular tale of triumph over adversity in great detail. At least 15 minutes have been cut from what was a slow-moving, three-hour, three-act Kennedy Theatre production in 1994. The cuts tighten the story and heighten its impact. There are still bits that add color rather than insight, but this is his best work to date. Director James A. Nakamoto does a great job with it.
Sakamoto includes unpalatable historical facts. Some AJAs had relatives or family members fighting for Japan. Others had divided loyalties. Some refused to sign loyalty oaths while behind barbed wire. Americans now condemn the incarceration of mainland AJAs. Sakamoto reminds us how easily the government stripped away their constitutional rights.
The characters reflect different aspects of the AJA experience. Yosuke "Froggie" Kumata (Devon M.T. Nekoba) is an irreverent AJA from Hawaii. Tad Nakamoto (Michel Ng) enlists while interned, but has a hard time as a "katonk" (mainland AJA) among pidgin-speaking Hawaii nisei. Fuji Nakamoto (Allan Y. Okubo) refuses to fight for the United States until the government restores his family's rights as American citizens; he goes to prison.
Nekoba gives an award-worthy performance as Sakamoto's protagonist; he's convincing and entertaining in both comic and poignant moments. Mitchell Goo, Justin S. Kuwamura, Thomas Isao Morinaka, Daniel Nishida, Tate Nojima, Marcus Oshiro, Howard Sugai and Elitei Tatafu Jr. stand out as other soldiers. David Minzt portrays the European-American officer who learns to trust them. (Historically, few white officers sought command of "colored" units).
Sylvia Hormann-Alper, Dennis Ihara, Dann Seki, Ben Tamashiro, Gloria Tamashiro and Tom Triggs add memorable performances in major secondary roles.
AJA units received a final Presidential Unit Citation in 1945. AJA loyalty was no longer in doubt.
John Berger has covered the local entertainment scene since 1972.
