Swing-era music, holiday classics featured in musical drama set in WWII camp.

In conjunction with the installation of the photographic exhibition, “Ansel Adams at Manzanar,” the Japanese American National Museum is presenting the musical drama, “A Jive Bomber’s Christmas,” with limited performances set for Dec. 8-10 and 16-17, at the Democracy Forum of the museum’s National Center for the Preservation of Democracy.

The original musical, developed for the museum by Saachiko and Dom Magwili, became a holiday classic for many former inmates of the domestic World War II concentration camps and their families. The story is set in a fictional camp in 1943 where thousands of Japanese Americans have been unconstitutionally incarcerated by the U.S. government since 1942. Uncertain of their future and living under harsh conditions, the inmates nevertheless attempt to create a normal life. But with Christmas approaching, it is harder than ever to keep spirits up.

A group of younger inmates take it upon themselves to celebrate the holidays, including the younger sister of a Japanese American soldier who has volunteered to fight with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and a young man who calls himself the Jive Bomber after a musical group in the Manzanar camp. This sets the stage for classic songs from the 1940s to be sung along with holiday music and produces a play that elicits a unique mixture of laughter and tears and ultimately a celebration of the indomitable human spirit.

This production includes a brand new cast, featuring Melissa Bechthold, Loryce Hashimoto, Derek Kadota, Grace Kim, Kenzo Lee, Leonard Wu, and Tadamori Yagi. With each production of “A Jive Bomber’s Christmas,” Dom and Saachiko Magwili ensure the cast understands the historical context of the setting and how it impacts on each of the characters. Since rehearsals are held at the museum, the cast has a unique opportunity to learn more about the Japanese American World War II experience.

For Loryce Hashimoto, who plays Alice Nishi/Hannah, it gave her greater insight into her mother’s experience.

“Talking to my mom who was atHeart Mountain and talking to other people, you don’t really hear a lot of talk of being upset. The negative things, I had a feeling, they did not want to burden their children with this. (But) if these stories aren’t told, the younger generation won’t know.”

Performances of “A Jive Bomber’s Christmas” are set for Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for museum members and $15 for non-members (excluding Dec. 8 and 17). For tickets, call JANM at (213) 625-0414.