— Kate Lucchese
On an April three years ago, we commemorated the 80th anniversary of our church’s problematic hosting of the registration and removal of Berkeley’s Nikkei (people of Japanese descent) community in the wake of Executive Order 9066, which allowed the military to remove “enemy aliens” from communities along the Pacific Coast. The Berkeley Historical Society even struck a bronze plaque for the occasion, to be put on our new building one day soon.
This April, we will highlight that same anniversary with a new play I’m writing, called “A Cup of Cold Water.” Soon the call will go out for readers, but for now, please mark your calendars for the evening of Sat., April 26, 2025 as the premiere. Also, please feel free to print and post this artwork pictured (download here) wherever you do business. Thanks very much, “Cate.”
PS. Here’s an early review of the play from one of my readers:
“This is a wonderful – and singular – behind-the-scenes account of an unbelievable act of faithfully living out the Gospel. Bravo for giving life to the countless and detailed coordination tasks achieved by a few faithful servants, armed with the confidence of full pastoral support.”
This play is also part of a series of special events connected with the Berkeley Historical Society Museum’s ongoing exhibition “Roots, Removal, and Resistance: Japanese Americans in Berkeley,” which I hope church folks will visit, Thurs-Sat 1-4 PM inside the Veterans Building, 1931 Center Street, Berkeley, free admission.
And if you would like to be in the play, watch for auditions in March!