\Wondrous Tales of Old Japan"" written and directed by David Furumoto, manages to make kabuki theatre seem like child's play.'?
The University Theatre's latest production infuses Japanese folklore with kabuki theatre styles and promises a great time for children. The production succeeds in breathing new life into old tales.?? The story of Urashimataro is similar to Rip Van Wrinkle, but through the costuming, kabuki acting and staging, it feels fresh to seasoned theatergoers.
The actors switch between roles and costumes effortlessly. Aaliyah Sams, who plays the princess in the tale of Urashimataro shine . Her controlled movements and subtle posturing, paired with the kabuki dialogue, make her a convincing underwater ruler. Momotaro, played by Jonathon Gregory, also gives an impressive performance. The classic Kabuki stances and intonations used in his performance add depth to a flat hero.
In addition to the kabuki acting, the movements give flavor to the simple tales. Sams captivates the audience with a fan dance. But all the actor's movements onstage are reminders of the kabuki undertones of the play. Umbrella dances and fight scenes retain the grace of characters swimming underwater.
The traditional music used in the play is a welcome experience. The music creates the actor's world on a vastly bare set. In the story of Momotaro, as the characters travel to the land of the ogres, a jungle is constructed by Japanese instruments.
The play's enchantment lay in the costuming as well as the music. While the kimonos are elegant, it's the animal costuming throughout the play that is truly eye-catching. In the tale of Urashimataro, turtles dance onstage with sparkly masks and flowing blue and green robes. Sarah Reever, the costuming coordinator, does an excellent job with the costumes in the tale of Momotaro. The peasant is surreal with a beak-like mask and small Japanese fans held as wings. An ogre, played by Adam Panucci, wears a bright blue full body costume, with a giant stomach and bright red hair.?? Its appearance manages to be threatening but cuddly. The costuming looks like something out of ""Labyrinth,"" a wonderful mix of absurdity and realism.
The costumes are set off by the simpler sets, created by Jason Whittle.??The mountains painted on a screen give audiences a sense of Japan. There is only a small podium for furniture and the stage remains otherwise bare. The set works well within that context of a traveling show, allowing the audience to rely on the other elements of the production for entertainment.
The use of kabuki theatre styles opens up audiences to a whole new culture. In the beginning of the play, Gregory switches out of character to explain the basics of kabuki, from the makeup to the stances.?? It's a brief but useful crash course geared for the younger audience.
Even the playbill targets children, with word searches and mazes placed between the actor's bios. The games are a good way to keep antsy kids in their seats before the show.
Though all the elements come together to create a solid and beautiful performance in ""The Wondrous Tales of Old Japan,"" the play itself wouldn't interest most college students. Unless you have a nephew to bring with you, you might be better off spending your $12 catching a film at this weekend's festival.
