Money, Tofu and Destiny of a Man

Enjoy a rare English-language performance of Rakugo, the classic Japanese comic storytelling entertainment now wildly popular in Japan. Takase Kazuki, acclaimed director of Theatre Japan Productions, Inc. will direct Obie Award winning actress Karen Kandel of Mabou Mines in the hilarious Rakugo tale Money, Tofu and Destiny of a Man. Music design will be provided by Yoshida Makoto.

In Rakugo (literally "fallen words") the storyteller sits alone onstage and depicts a comical story using spoken words, pantomime and mime, portraying the various characters and events without standing up from the seiza sitting position. The performance is usually accompanied by musical effects or live music. Rakugo performances may be found regularly on TV, on YouTube, and in live performance venues all over Japan.

"Warm, poised and casually magnetic…Ms. Kandel’s winning spirit shines through…." — Charles Isherwood, New York Times (7/29/06).

"Takase Kazuki’s concern with human freedom and bondage… (created) an excellent, intimate performance." — Takashi Nomura, actor and director

"I was intoxicated by Takase Kazuki’s bewitching spark of genius that vividly fused modern (performance techniques) with kabuki, East with West…" –Katsumi Oyama, theater producer