Firehall Arts Centre, in association with Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre, presents world premiere of Courage Now
Manami Hara’s new play tells the story of Japanese Consul Chiune Sugihara, who helped over 6,000 Polish and Lithuanian Jews escape the Nazis in 1940
Chiune Sugihara (right).
The Firehall Arts Centre, in association with Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre (vAct), is pleased to present the world premiere of Manami Hara’s Courage Now from Saturday, November 19 to Sunday, December 4.
Courage Now tells the story of Japanese Consul Chiune Sugihara, who helped over 6,000 Polish and Lithuanian Jews escape the Nazis in 1940. Going against his government orders, he issued more than 2,000 handwritten visas, risking his life and his career. Some of those whose lives were saved have families living in British Columbia today.
Born and raised in Tokyo, Hara is a playwright, producer, interpreter, and translator. She became fascinated with Western theatre and the English language, and at the age of 18, left Japan to become a stage actor in North America. She moved to Vancouver, took ESL classes, and graduated from Studio 58. Hara is a Jessie Richardson Theatre Award winner and nominee for her acting and collaborative creations.
“Bringing a new play to life takes time and dedication, and Manami has definitely demonstrated that,” says Firehall Arts Centre artistic producer Donna Spencer. “She has been so determined to share this amazing story of heroism with theatre audiences that throughout the past twelve years, she has been exploring ways to tell Sugihara’s story on stage. After hearing its first reading at The Firehall some time ago, I knew we needed to help make it happen, and I am so glad it will have its world premiere here in our theatre space.”
Courage Now is directed by Amiel Gladstone and features performances by Hara, Ryota Kaneko, Amitai Marmorstein, Katherine Matlashewski, and Advah Soudack. The crew also includes technical director Michael Hewitt; set and props designer: Kimira Reddy; costumes: Melicia Zaini; lighting designer: Itai Erdal; sound designer: Riley Hardwick; stage manager: Susan D. Currie; and dramaturgy: Carmen Aguirre.
Opening night for the Firehall Arts Centre production is November 23 at 7:30 pm.
Performances take place Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30pm as well as Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm. PWYC is on Tuesday at 7:30 pm and Wednesday at 1 pm.
Post Show Talkbacks happen on November 24 and December 1.
Tickets, from $25, and more details are at firehallartscentre.ca or 604.689.0926.
Post sponsored by The Firehall Arts Centre.