Toledo Opera is set to hold a special talk to highlight its upcoming production of “South Pacific.”

The company will host “Roots and Route: A South Pacific Tuesday Talk” on Feb. 4, 2025, at The Toledo Lucas County Public Library. The free panel discussion will feature  Hajime “Jimmy” Kishimori, Consul General of Japan in Detroit; Mary Kamidoi, a survivor of a World War II Japanese internment camp; Keiko Hahn, a World War II Japanese war bride who made her home in Lima, Ohio; and Akiko Jones, educator, community leader, and founder of BGSU’s Peace & Conflict Studies program.

The topics of conversation will center on the history of Japanese emigration to the industrial Midwest and “the long journey to build a home in the region.”

“We believe that the power of opera lies in its ability to connect us – to history, to each other, and to the world around us. With ‘South Pacific, we are thrilled to engage our community through this timeless story of love, resilience, and cultural understanding. With Roots and Routes, we aim to spark conversations and foster connections that resonate far beyond the stage,” said James M. Norman, general director of Toledo Opera.

The production of “South Pacific” takes the stage on Feb. 14 and 16, 2025 at the Valentine Theatre.

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