(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents Hold These Truths weekends from September 24 to October 18, 2026. It's a one man play starring Joel de la Fuente portraying 36 characters. The play, written by Jeanne Sakata, was inspired by the real story of civil rights pioneer Gordon Hirabayashi.
In Seattle during World War II, University of Washington student Gordon Hirabayashi agonizes over US government orders to forcibly remove and mass incarcerate all people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast without due process of law. As he fights to reconcile his country's betrayal with his passionate belief in the U.S. Constitution, Gordon journeys toward a greater understanding of America's triumps - and a confrontation with its failure.
Lisa Rothe directs Luna Stage's production.
Performances take place Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 8:00pm; and Sundays at 3:00pm. There is a special 1:00pm matinee in place of the 7:30pm performance on Thursday, October 1st. Tickets are available for purchase online. Luna Stage is located at 555 Valley Road in West Orange, New Jersey.
Jeanne Sakata is an award-winning actor and playwright whose versatility spans across theater, television, film, voiceover animation, and audiobooks.
Recent TV recurring and guest star roles include ABC/Shondaland’s Station 19, CBS’ Magnum P.I., NCIS Hawai’i, NCIS Los Angeles, and Disney Plus’ High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, with her voice talents featured in Marvel’s animated series Hit Monkey, Apple TV’s Stillwater, Disney’s Big Hero 6, and Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, as well as the audiobooks How High We Go In The Dark (2023 Audie Award Finalist for Science Fiction) and Trust.
Luna Stage was founded in 1992 by Jane Mandel and became a professional theatre in 1995. For eighteen years, the company made its home in Montclair - first in a small space on Walnut Street and then in a larger facility on Bloomfield Avenue. In 2010, it moved to its current location in the Valley Arts District as an anchor organization in the dynamic movement to inspire creativity, vitality, and community engagement in the region.
Luna Stage develops and produces vibrant plays about local and global experiences. They bring communities together for artistic events that spark conversations and create understanding and change. Firmly rooted in New Jersey's Valley Arts District — a crossroads of cultures — they celebrate the diverse voices that surround us. As producer, innovator, and educator, they are dedicated to eliminating barriers to participation and nurturing the next generation of audiences and artists.
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