Japantown Returning
135 Years of Japantown History to be Commemorated in Staged Reading with Music
SAN JOSE, CA (April 30, 2025) - The Japanese American Museum of San Jose
(JAMsj), Wesley United Methodist Church, and Contemporary Asian Theater Scene
(CATS) present the world premiere of “Japantown Returnings,” an original play
commemorating 135 years of San Jose Japantown, on Saturday, May 31st, 2025.
Directed by Tasi Alabastro and written by Mark Teagle, with musical direction from
Wayne Adachi, the staged reading performances are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
“Japantown Returnings’’ tells the story of one of the last three remaining Japantowns in
the United States. This original work explores the community's enduring legacy through
five pivotal days in history, illuminating the spirit, resilience, and evolution of San Jose’s
Japantown.
“San Jose Japantown is more than a historic district—it’s a living community shaped by
generations of resilience,” said playwright Mark Teagle. “As one of only three
Japantowns to survive the forced removals of World War II, it carries stories that are not
just about survival, but about cultural endurance, activism, and the power of collective
memory.”
The idea for the production emerged from the vision of Wayne Adachi, director of the
Wesley Jazz Ensemble, who sought to create a play intertwining music and the
neighborhood’s rich history. To bring this vision to life, Adachi partnered with Playwright
Mark Teagle, a staff member at Wesley United Methodist Church. Together, they drew
inspiration from interviews with key community figures including Roy Hirabayashi, Rev.
Keith and Viki Inouye, Shelley Nakashima, Reiko Iwanaga, Richard Kogura, Bob
Nakano, and Lynne Yamaichi.
“In a time when the stories of immigrant and diasporic communities face ongoing threats
of erasure, art offers a vital way to resist,” said Director Tasi Alabastro. “Through
storytelling and performance, we reclaim space and visibility, affirming that these
histories not only matter—they are foundational to the American experience.”
Alabastro, a celebrated San Jose-based artist, brings a multidisciplinary perspective to
the production. He is the recent recipient of the SVCreates Emerging Artist Laureate and
the Leigh Weimer’s Emerging Artist Award.
Admission is free, with sliding scale donations encouraged. Tickets and more
information are available at www.jamsj.org/upcoming-events/japantownreturnings
Media Contact:
Vanessa Hatakeyama
408.294.3138
About Wesley United Methodist Church | www.wesleysj.net
Wesley United Methodist Church has been a spiritual and cultural anchor in San Jose’s
Japantown since 1895, dedicated to faith, community service, and social justice.
About the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj) | www.jamsj.org
Founded in 1987, JAMsj preserves and shares the rich history and heritage of Japanese
Americans in the San Jose area through exhibitions, educational programs, and
community engagement.
About Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS) | www.catsasiantheaterscene.org
Since its founding in 1995, CATS has been a vibrant platform for celebrating AAPI artists
in Silicon Valley and beyond. Our mission: to spotlight emerging and established AAPI
talents in theater, film, music, visual arts, and cultural programs that uplift diverse voices.