Kinoshita Kabuki’s Kanjincho

When a group of refugees flee to safety, they are approached by an uncompromising inspector whose life depends on apprehending the fugitive among the group. Can the refugees cross the border? Recognized as a masterpiece of kabuki theater, the original Kanjincho tale dates from the 12th century with a story that swirls with deception, quick wit, high stakes, and a riotous, nail-biting climax as its centerpiece. Kinoshita Kabuki gleefully twists this bombastic traditional kabuki drama through the prism of contemporary theater in this hip, pop culture-drenched take on a surprisingly evergreen tale about transcending borders. Created by the brilliant young dramaturg Yuichi Kinoshita and led by the much-in-demand guest director Kunio Sugihara, Kanjincho is an international sensation that has cemented Kinoshita Kabuki’s place among the modern pantheon of theater companies.

This work is performed live in Japanese with English supertitles. The January 8 performance of Kanjincho will be followed by a reception; the January 9 performance will be followed by an artist Q&A session.