CMU School of Drama


Friday, February 20, 2009

Jesus Christ goes kabuki in Japan Superstar play

Reuters: "A rickshaw, women in elaborate brocade kimonos, the echo of bamboo flutes. And Jesus of Nazareth, his face painted white with the flaring red lines typical of makeup in Japan's kabuki theater."

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

After reading something like this, I really don't know what to think. I am not a huge kabuki fan, it has always rubbed me the wrong. That being said, I get the impression that this might almost be a modernized version of kabuki, which I didn't know they were doing. I always thought of kabuki as something so traditional that they were hesitant about using electric lighting for it. Base on the description, it almost sounds like it could be fun to watch, even for those you don't enjoy kabuki. Given JC Super Star's popularity in the US, I'd be interested to see this come state side.

Megan Spatz said...

Cool!
What an interesting way to tell this story. I would be excited to see how this is received by Japanese audiences.

Josh Smith said...

I have mixed feelings about this. It's sort of the way that I feel about Shakespeare shows done out of period. Whether it's appropriate.

I think certainly for Jesus Christ Superstar, the show can be done out of period. Recently a tour focused on an almost post apocalyptic - mad max-ish design. I think it can go either way - as long as its justified.

Anonymous said...

Interesting!

I've always been a fan of FCSS because I view it as a self-parody. I'm not sure the Japanese have the same connotation to Western religious parables and may just think of it as an interesting story with catchy music. It would be like us putting on a rock opera about Amaterasu.