Review by Pamela Biery

When Jeannie Wood, CATS (Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra)  Executive Director, saw the documentary film “Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust”, she knew it was a perfect partner for CATS production of “Snow Falling on Cedars” at the Nevada Theatre.

Seeing both the” Snow Falling on Cedars” production, which is being performed through May 18, and “Manzanar, Diverted”, screening on May 26, offers a complementary and multidimensional perspective on several critical aspects of American history. Like bookends, we see the beginning exodus of tribes, incarceration, and where we are now with Manzanar in the Owens Valley.

The Play: Snow Falling on Cedars

The CATS production of Snow Falling on Cedars at the Nevada Theatre is playing through May 18, 2024.  This play is based on David Gutuerson’s best-selling novel, adapted and dirested by Kevin McKeon. McKeon previously directed here in 2010, at which time it won many accolades. He returned to Nevada City from Seattle to mount this performance. Clever and simple staging makes this story work. Local actors provide strong character representation as the story moves along a Post WWII reckoning of race, war wounds and a divided society in need of healing.

The Film: Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust

Documentary filmmaker Ann Kaneko’s connection to Manzanar is multi-generational. It is a place that family members just described as she was growing up in Los Angeles. Returning to Manzanar, she comes to understand the tribes that were removed from this land before the Japanese were turned here during World War II. Behind the story, moving the puppets across the high Sierra desert, is the Los Angeles power and water district. This thoughtful film shows a history as well as protections being put in place for future conservation.

The Book: Buddha in the Attic

Lastly, for those wanting to dig a little deeper and do some further learning through reading, take a look at Julie Otsuka’s book, “Buddha in the Attic.” This national bestseller and winner of the Pen/Faulkner Book Award provides a consciousness flow of Japanese women immigrants to San Francisco in the 1800’s through their Americanization and then, with the onset of the war, on to Manzanar. Rather than the usual storyline, the author gives us a raft of individual examples that taken together present a picture that is more complete than what we may have gotten from a traditional storyline.

Know & Go

Get tickets to “Snow Falling on Cedars” through May 18 at NevadaTheatre.com.

Tickets online and available at the door to “Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust” screening on May 26 at 7 PM The Onyx Downtown at the Nevada Theatre 401 Broad Street, Nevada City. Tickets at theonyxtheatre.com. The filmmaker will provide a virtual Q&A immediately filling this film. This screening is a community fundraiser for CATS, as is the play.

“Buddha in the Attic” by Julie Otsuka is available at local booksellers and on Amazon.

Note: This is an independent review.