Love and internment

Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra presents this courtroom drama set in during World War II, dealing with the Japanese-American internment and corrosive racism. The show opens stiffly, like a spoken novel—it’s adapted from David Guterson’s novel of the same name—but things soon get lively as we observe a young couple (he’s white, her parents are Japanese) enter a relationship, only to be torn apart. Director and adapter Kevin McKeon uses flashes of inventive situational humor to balance the heavy social content; the wedding night scene at a crowded internment camp (where there’s no privacy) is priceless. The 15 actors range from well-trained community veterans to newbies; the technical aspects look professional. CATS seems to stage a handsome winner every year.

Snow Falling on Cedars, Thursday through Sunday (times vary; check the Web site). $15-$25. Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra at the Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street in Nevada City; (530) 273-6362; www.catsweb.org. Through April 10.