Final Touches Underway for "Othello's Passion: A Kabuki Play

Date: 10/23/06
Contact: Marc Lebovitz

The world's audiences took notice when Zen arts master and theatre director Shozo Sato created Kabuki-style productions of well-known theatre classics. His "Kabuki Lady Macbeth" last year at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre won five Joseph Jefferson Awards, and his "Iago's Plot," "Achilles: A Kabuki Play," "Kabuki Othello," "Kabuki Faust" and others have captivated audiences in the U.S., Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Japan.

Sato's latest and final academic Kabuki production, "Othello's Passion: A Kabuki Play," will be presented by the School of Theatre at Illinois State University from Nov. 8 to 12 in the Center for the Performing Arts Theatre. There will be 7:30 p.m. performances Nov. 8 through 11 plus 2 p.m. matinee performances on Nov. 11 and 12. Tickets can be purchased at the CPA box office at (309) 438-2535 or through Ticketmaster on line at (309) 454-5500. The box office is open noon to 5 p.m. weekdays.

This rare production is a combination of ancient Japanese traditions and cutting-edge modern life. Kabuki play is composed of varying elements - story, music, dramatic content, dance, costume, make-up, theatre design - that are colorful and glamorous. Traditional Kabuki plays are about society in a particular period, historical events, moral conflicts, love relationships, etc., and are performed using a combination of dramatic dialogue and dance, accompanied by musical instruments and chanting.

"Illinois State University is a global leader in fine arts education," said College of Fine Arts Dean Lon Gordon, "and being part of this rare opportunity to work with Shozo Sato is giving our students a brilliant learning/growth experience."

Sato, a professor emeritus of the University of Illinois (and founding director of Japan House at the University of Illinois), conceived the production, written by Karen Sunde, who has written numerous other Kabuki-genre plays conceived by Sato, including the award-winning "Kabuki Lady Macbeth" last year.

On the heels of his well-received Oct. 6 demonstration of a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, Sato will have a book-signing from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, on the main floor of Milner Library. His new book is titled "Soul of Japan: Introducing Traditional Japanese Arts to the New Generations."