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TexasTowelie

(111,292 posts)
Fri Sep 7, 2018, 02:05 AM Sep 2018

A Portland opera company sets 'The Mikado' in outer space to avoid racism -- is it enough?

Members of the Portland Asian community and their allies are asking Light Opera of Portland to stop a planned production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado" at Alpenrose Dairy later this month.

An open letter to the production company, signed by well over 100 people, as well as the Portland Japanese American Citizens League and the band The Slants, is asking Light Opera of Portland, or LOoP to cancel the show.

After the production company announced the upcoming show in July, several people voiced objections to the company. "The Mikado" has been controversial, almost since the comedic opera was written in 1885, spurring protests over what critics contend are racist portrayals of Japanese characters and culture.

"I am a Japanese American who lives in Portland and I find this production inappropriate," Jenna Yokoyama wrote on Facebook. "I am also someone who walked away from the opera world many years ago because of operas and productions like this."

Read more: https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2018/09/a_portland_opera_company_sets.html

Cross-posted in the Asian Group.

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