Audiobooks Narrated by Suzy Nakamura

Innocent When You Dream

80-something Dan Yamada has been rendered speechless after a stroke, and as he lies in bed, he vividly recalls his life, from his days in the World War 2-era internment camps, to serving in the US Army, to his one true love. At his bedside in the present, his adult children fight over his care and legacy, all while Dan tries to communicate his poignant final wish. Includes an interview with playwright Ken Narasaki. This play is sponsored by the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program, a state-funded grant project of the California State Library. Recorded at The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood, in January 2024. Directed by Anna Lyse Erikson Producing Director: Susan Albert Loewenberg An L.A. Theatre Works full cast recording, starring: Kurt Kanazawa as Frank Fujiyama John Miyasaki as Young Dan Yamada Suzy Nakamura as Joy Yamada-Hanke Ken Narasaki as Dr. Park Rosie Narasaki as Young Grace Hamamoto Sharon Omi as Adult Grace Hamamoto Sab Shimono as Dan Yamada Greg Watanabe as Merv Yamada Senior Producer: Anna Lyse Erikson Prepared for audio by Mark Holden Recorded and edited by Neil Wogenson Designed and mixed by Charles Carroll for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood. Senior Radio Producer: Ronn Lipkin Foley Artist: Stacey Martinez "Blue Skies" performed by Kurt Kanazawa

Ken Narasaki (Author), Greg Watanabe, John Miyasaki, Ken Narasaki, Kurt Kanazawa, Rosie Narasaki, Sab Shimono, Sharon Omi, Suzy Nakamura (Narrator)

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Hold These Truths

During WWII in Seattle, University of Washington student Gordon Hirabayashi fights the US government's orders to forcibly remove and incarcerate all people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast. As he struggles to reconcile his country's betrayal with his passionate belief in the US Constitution, Gordon begins a 50-year journey toward a greater understanding of America's triumphs - and a confrontation with its failures. Includes an interview with playwright Jeanne Sakata. Hold These Truths is sponsored in part by the California Civil Liberties Program from the California State Library. Directed by Jessica Kubzansky Producing Director Susan Albert Loewenberg Starring Ryun Yu as Gordon Hirabayashi Additional voices by Matthew Floyd Miller, Suzy Nakamura, Matt Walker, and Greg Watanabe Associate Artistic Director: Anna Lyse Erikson. Sound Designer and Mixing Engineer: Mark Holden for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood. Senior Radio Producer: Ronn Lipkin. Foley Artist: Jeff Gardner. Recording Engineer and Editor: Erick Cifuentes

Jeanne Sakata (Author), Greg Watanabe, Matt Walker, Matthew Floyd Miller, Ryun Yu, Suzy Nakamura (Narrator)

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Sisters Matsumoto

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the US government sent thousands of Japanese American citizens to detention camps. In 1945, three Japanese-American sisters return to their farm in Stockton, California, after years in an internment camp, but the once prosperous family finds it's not easy to pick up the pieces of their former lives. As the details of their deceased father's final arrangements emerge, the sisters must work together to keep their dreams alive. This recording is sponsored in part by California Civil Liberties Program from the California State Library. Includes a conversation with actor George Takei, playwright Philip Kan Gotanda, and director Tim Dang. Directed by Tim Dang. An L.A. Theatre Works full cast performance featuring: Keiko Agena as Rose Matsumoto June Angela as Grace Matsumoto Ron Bottitta as Mr. Hersham Kurt Kanazawa as Henry Suzy Nakamura as Chiz Matsumoto Greg Watanabe as Bola Ryun Yu as Hideo Sound Effects Artist, Jeff Gardner. Script Supervisor, Daniel Trostler. Production Manager, Nikki Hyde. Music Supervisor, Ronn Lipkin. Associate Artistic Director, Anna Lyse Erikson, Editor, Mitchell Lindskoog. Recording Engineer, Sound Designer and Mixer, Mark Holden for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood. Recorded in Los Angeles before a live audience at The James Bridges Theater, UCLA, in November of 2018.

Philip Kan Gotanda (Author), Greg Watanabe, June Angela, Keiko Agena, Kurt Kanazawa, Ron Bottitta, Ryun Yu, Suzy Nakamura (Narrator)

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