The new play, with Lane Nishikawa and Chloris Li, opened to rave reviews (see below example), and is written by Roy Sekigahama and produced by New Village Arts.

Days of Remembrance continue in San Diego County with the play, “Desert Rock Garden” at the New Village Arts in Carlsbad. The play previewed on the 80th Anniversary of Executive Order 9066.

Set in the Topaz Relocation Center (Utah), the one-act play focuses on the interactions of a 12-year-old orphan, Penny (Chloris Li) and the elderly man she calls Fuzzy (Lane Nishikawa). In part a memory play, it starts in 1964, with an adult Penny taking stock in her war-time experiences. In 1964 she visits the remnants of the rock garden Fuzzy worked to create during the camp days, and she re-experiences and re-considers her past.

The play is directed by Yari Cervas, singled out for his sensitive approach in the review below.

In addition to the positive review by critic David Codden below, the play is recommended by several Temple members who have seen it already. David Codden publishes Stage West and helps produce the Union-Tribunes weekly arts newsletter. See the online version of his review here.

Lead actor Lane Nishikawa has been a friend to the Temple over the years and is well-known for his community activity.

Performances as listed on the Theater’s calendar include

Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.
Fridays, 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sundays, 2 p.m.
ALSO: Wednesdays, March 2 and March 9, 2 p.m.; one or both is a special show discounted for students, with after-show talk-back with Japanese-American Community Leaders.

See the New Village Arts website for details. Call the Theater Box Office at (760) 433-3245 for questions. Like many theaters in San Diego, New Village Arts had Covid precautions and restrictions in place. See the website or call for more information.

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