The New Canadians

The New Canadians (Preview)
(ザ・ニュー・カナディアンズ (予告編) - キャロリン・ナカガワ | PSF 2021
2021, 5:33

Video preview of a musical in development. which is inspired by the true story of the grassroots Japanese Canadian newspaper The New Canadian. Vancouver, 1930s. A generation of Japanese Canadians is coming of age. Born in Canada and raised to be proud of their citizenship and Canadian democracy, but barred from the right to vote on racial grounds. A group of friends decides to do something about it: they found a newspaper, and call it The New Canadian. Two generations later, young Japanese Canadians reunite from a community fractured by internment. They follow the story of The New Canadian as it continues to advocate for faith in Canada even as Japanese Canadians are forced into internment camps for no reason other than their race. They challenge and continue the legacy they inherit from this model-minority newspaper.

Script, lyrics, and introduction: Carolyn Nakagawa
Music composition and direction, additional lyrics: Peter Abando
Dramaturgy: Joanna Garfinkel Featuring: Peter Abando, Brent Hirose, Kaitlyn Yott, Chris Lam
Videography and editing: Christian Yves Jones
Set dressing: Laura Fukumoto
Stage manager: Jillian Perry

This project was made possible with support and funding from Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, Firehall Arts Centre, Touchstone Theatre, and the Powell Street Festival.