The World of Ryuji Sawa

Producer Toshi Hirano of TKO Entertainment presents two special commissioned performances of The World of Ryuji Sawa, a Japanese show that incorporates various elements of Japanese popular theater, including Kabuki dance, Taiko drumming, sword fighting and instant costume changes. There is no dialogue in this show, making it ideal for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

The cast of twelve is led by the show’s creator and director, Ryuji Sawa, a prominent Japanese actor in theater, television and film, who was born in a dressing room during a tour and debuted at the age of four. At the age of only sixteen, Mr. Sawa became the head of his own 40-member touring company, “Ryuji Sawa’s Theatrical Group.” At the height of the rockabilly frenzy in the early 1960s, he combined rockabilly with Japanese sword fighting to create Rockabilly Sword Fight, an instant hit. In 1974 the musical Yume No Wataridori, a huge success, was written specifically for Mr. Sawa by Japanese writer and director Yoshiyuki Fukuda.

In addition to the performances, there are also workshops by Mr. Sawa on Thursday, July 6 from 2-3:30pm (Kabuki dance) and 4-5:30pm (sword fighting) at Nola Studio (250 West 54th St., 11th Floor) in NYC.

Appropriate For Ages: 6+