Naomi’s Road, which details a young Japanese-Canadian girl’s experiences as her family is interned during World War II, is a coming-of-age story that celebrates the power of hope, cultural understanding and compassion. This compelling and emotional story is taken from one of our country’s most painful and complex social periods, a time that for many years was not discussed in our schools.

This touching, instructive opera, set during World War II, tells the dramatic story of nine-year old Naomi’s journey, with her Japanese Canadian family, from Vancouver to an internment camp in the interior of B.C. Naomi and her older brother Stephen struggle with the harshness of war, racism, bullying and loss of family. Ultimately brother and sister triumph over their fears and discover the gifts that sustain them: music, words and love. Their resilience of spirit offers hope for the future and will lead audiences to discover the power of understanding and the beauty of compassion.