Lyric Stage Breaks New Ground With "Hold These Truths" by Jeanne Sakata - A MUST SEE!!!

A very rich and satisfying season of theater in our town continues with the latest offering from the Lyric Stage Company of Boston. "Hold These Truths" by Jeanne Sakata examines the dark and shameful history of our nation locking up thousands of Japanese Americans during WWII. The story is told through the eyes and voice of one man who courageously stood up to the egregious abrogation of constitutional protections. Gordon Hirabayashi was that man, who survived to age 93 and served as a professor of Sociology.

The playwright, and the brilliant Director of this production, Benny Sato Ambush, have chosen to use traditional Japanese storytelling forms familiar to Kabuki theatre, especially the use of mute "Kurogo" - stagehands who double as silent representations of some of the characters with whom Gordon interacts during the 90 minutes of this one act play. The result is a beautiful, evocative, and very moving work of art that must be seen.

The burden of telling the story of a young college student who stood up to the machinery of the entire U.S. government falls on the shoulders of gifted actor Michael Hisamoto. Each time I have seen him perform, he has shown me more facets of his breadth and depth as an actor. He brings Gordon Hirabayashi to life on the stage in a performance that is one of the best of this season. He is mesmerizing as he walks us through the trek that Mr. Hirabayashi took in refusing to present himself for internment in a concentration camp. Along the way, he portrays a wide variety of other characters, using remarkable versatility of voice, accent, and physicality, to suggest the voices of parents,teachers, government officials, prison administrators, friends, and girlfriend. He seamlessly weaves in phrases in the Japanese language to add a layer of linguistic texturing to the monologue.

Michael Hisamoto
"Hold These Truths" by Jeanne Sakata
Directed by Benny Sato Ambush
Lyric Stage Company of Boston
Through December 31st
Photo by Mark S. Howard

Mr. Hisamoto's memorable performance is supported by the silent Kurogo, played by Khloe Alice Lin, Gary Thomas Ng, and Samantha Richert. The simple Scenic Design by Shelley Barish consists of sliding screens and rice paper backdrop that suggest a delicate Japanese home, but also transforms to suggest a prison, an office, a college setting. Aiding in these transformations is brilliant Lighting Design by Karen Perlow. Costume Design is by Tobi Rinaldi, and Sound Design and Original Music is by Arshan Gailus. Projection Design is by Jonathan Carr. Choreography is by Jubilith Moore. The work of Dialect Coach Bryn Austin is very much in evidence.

Michael Hisamoto
"Hold These Truths" by Jeanne Sakata
Directed by Benny Sato Ambush
Lyric Stage Company of Boston
Through December 31st
Photo by Mark S. Howard

The constitutional struggles that were embodied in Mr. Hirabayashi's campaign to seek the protection of the law for himself and fellow Japanese Americans in no mere historical footnote. This production is being staged very intentionally at a time when we face similar assaults upon the bedrock of our nation's values and the rule of law. Do we indeed "hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal"? Several branches of our current government belie these foundational values by their actions, words, and tweets. This brilliantly conceived and executed play serves as a cautionary tale to call us to action and to greater diligence in protecting the fragile freedoms that are in jeopardy for so many today.

A technique that is used to indicate Mr. Hirabayashi aging is to have him wear different eyeglasses during some scenes. This play functions for the audience as a way of offering us new sets of lenses through which to look at the past, to view the troubled present, and to envision more clearly a future free from the abuses highlighted here.

The play runs through December 31st.  Do not miss this remarkable work of art.

Lyric Stage Website

Enjoy!

Al