Opera San Luis Obispo Presents
BEHIND BARBED WIRE REDUX
A Glimpse at Central Coast Japanese American Life During WWII
In 1942, a few weeks prior to graduation, nearly 45% of the Arroyo Grande High School Graduating Class were bussed with their Japanese-American families to isolated internment camps. Historian Jim Gregory (author of World War II Arroyo Grande), composer Deon Nielsen Price (BEHIND BARBED WIRE), and conductor Brian Alhadeff (OperaSLO Grand Orchestra), are pleased to present a commemoration of that tumultuous time.
With a live orchestra and a big band, guest performers, video, poetry, swing music of the 1940’s and narration, this special production shares this region’s local heritage of sacrifice, friendship, patriotism, hard work, and community solidarity.
Perhaps the highlight of the BEHIND BARBED WIRE Commemoration presented last January (2025) was the spirit of community that seemed to connect the people in the audience with those on the stage. The enthusiastic responses throughout the show culminated in a standing ovation. Comments from attendees included:
What a story! So much to absorb!
Amazing! Best show I have seen at the Clark Center!
We returned to San Francisco, and I am getting this email off to you tonight to tell you how much our family all enjoyed the performance of Beyond Barbed Wire. Each of us had a favorite part – the Swing Band, the Orchestra, Chika Inouye and Mary Au, poetry, dancers, singer, the photo montage and videos of camp, and personal stories of the families who had to leave their farms – all of these came together to make a wonderful story that none of us had experienced before. Thank you so much for bringing this story to life, for introducing it to the Central Coast community, and for making it possible for us to contribute in a small way.
In this REDUX commemoration we will again enjoy the Friendly Neighborhood Big Band, Opera SLO Grand Orchestra, saxophone soloist Chika Inoue, and family stories. Also, we are excited to present operatic bass- baritone Eric J. McConnell, Jazz vocalist Kathryn Loomis, and 95-year-old Margaret Nakamura Cooper, who will share her experience as a young internee in the Heart Mountain camp. Tickets for the 2025 BEHIND BARBED WIRE Commemoration sold out a week prior to the event. Avoid disappointment and buy tickets today!
Featuring:
- Chika Inoue, saxophone
- Eric J. McConnell, bass-baritone
- Kathryn Loomis, Jazz vocalist
- Deon Nielsen Price, piano
- Jim Gregory, People of Honor Video
- Len and Kazumi Kawamoto, swing dance
- Family testimonials from incarceration camp survivors
- Mitch Latting, Director, Friendly Neighborhood Big Band
- Brian Asher Alhadeff, Music Director and Conductor, Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra
- Justine Prado-Manro, Stage Director
- Christina Bearce, Highlight Media, video editing
Sponsored by:
- Culver Crest Publications
- Michael and Kelly Osumi Family
- South County Historical Society
- Hayashi Family Farms
- Opera San Luis Obispo
- Clark Center for the Performing Arts
- Wilson Oral Surgery
- Mechanics Bank
- Jan Rantanen
- Chevrolet, Arroyo Grande
- Bavarian Auto Haus
- Beck Family Dentist
- Kenneth Spearman MD
- Mary Einkauf, Accountant
- Century 21
- Jim Seeber
- U. S. Bank
- Menchies Frozen Yogurt
- Sierra Body Shop
- Byron Grant
- Etric Wahl
- San Luis Obispo Heart INC
- Linda Hansen
- Josh Fielder
- Richard Smurdin
- Mary McGuyver
Featured Bios:
Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra
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Dr. Chika Inoue 井上知香
Saxophone
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Friendly Neighborhood Big Band
Mitch Latting
Director
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Kathryn Loomis
Jazz Vocalist
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Eric J. McConnell
Bass-Baritone
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Deon Nielsen Price
Composer/Pianist
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Ticket revenue alone does not cover expenses for this production. Please help us continue to bring this important commemoration to the community. Corporate, family, or individual donations are welcome and are tax-deductible.
- By check: Write your check to Opera San Luis Obispo, mark it Behind Barbed Wire, and mail to P.O. Box 14760, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
- Online: Click here to donate by PayPal or Credit Card. Be sure to change "General Operations" to "Behind Barbed Wire - 2026" when donating.
MEDIA
The Music of BEHIND BARBED WIRE - Composer Dr. Deon Nielsen Price
BEHIND BARBED WIRE - Historian Jim Gregory
PRICING
General Admission
| PRICING | |
|---|---|
| Regular | $28.00 |
* Listed prices include Per Ticket Fee and are identical whether purchased online, by phone, or in person.
DETAILS
Running Time: Approximately 75 minutes. No intermission.
