"Burai - Standing All Alone" Opening April 25

Three friends of mine, Kyoko Okazaki, Yuu Asakura and Masa Kanome, will be in a new Japanese samurai play starting in April:

Looking for a unique theatre? Interested in Japanese Katana, Samurai, Kimono, Geisha, Sword Fight, or all of the above? If so, this is the place to be! 

BURAI -Standing All Alone-
an original scripted drama, is a Japanese Samurai Play performed in English.

 "There once was a young man who had never held a sword before.
 Now it is time for him to face his destiny..." 

 We will take you to Japan in the 1840s, where samurais still existed. Experience the authentic sword fighting right in front of your eyes. Time travel with us and witness the world of BURAI! 

 At: Theatre Theater
 5041 W. Pico Blvd,
 Los Angeles, CA 90019 

 April 25th (Fri) 8pm
 April 26th (Sat) 8pm
 April 27th (Sun) 2pm
 May 2nd (Fri) 8pm
 May 3rd (Sat) 8pm
 May 4th (Sun) 2pm
 May 9th (Fri) 8pm
 May 10th (Sat) 8pm
 May 11th (Sun) 2pm
 Tickets at the Door：$25
 Online Pre-sale (Eventbrite): $20 + Fees

 http://www.eventbrite.com/e/burai-standing-all-alone--tickets-9456583897?aff=es2&rank=1&sid=9b328a1c607311e3aa181231381b30f6

 Writer, Director, Producer: Naoki Fujiyama
 Assistant Director: Masa Kanome
 Assistant Producer: Kohki Watabe
 Choreographer: Keiya Tabuchi
 Stage Manager/
 Light and Sound: Mai Kobayashi
 Music: Mali Matsuda
 Costume Designer: Sueko Oshimoto
 Assistant Costume Designer/
 Photographer: Kentaro Terauchi
 Hair&Make Up Supervisor: Akiko Matsumoto
 Camera: Doug Ito, Tatsuya Suzuki
 Organizer: Kyoko Okazaki 

CAST 

Masa Kanome
Takuma Anzai
Richard Lee
Hiro Matsunaga
Toshiya Agata
Eiji Inoue
Toshi Toda
Sachiyo Kanbayashi
Nobuo Inubushi
Moeko Yamazaki
Miho Ando
Steve Huang
Naoyuki Ikeda
Akiko 亜希子 Katagiri
Yuu Asakura
Tatsuya Shirato
Ryota Tatsumi Keiko Ki-ki
Mika Santohi
Kyoko Okazaki

I will try to attend a performance. I usually work the nights it is being performed, perhaps I can swap shifts with someone.

Above, from left are Kyoko Okazaki, Armand and Masa Kanome in 2010.

Above, Yuu Asakura and Armand in 2010.

Ryuji Yamakita In KATA-NA [SWORD]

Another friend is also appearing in the play, KATA-NA [Sword] in Santa Monica.  I just discovered this today.

Ryuji Yamakita, who I met at the press and kick-off party for Utsutsu in November 2010, is also appearing in the play along with Yuu Asakura and Kyoko Okazaki.

Above, Ryuji Yamakita (left) at the "Utsutsu" press and kick-off party in 2010.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

KATA-NA starts this Friday at the Morgan-Wixon Theatre.

Kyoko Okazaki in KATA-NA [SWORD]

Above, Kyoko Okazaki, Armand and Masa Kanome at the press and kick-off party for "Utsutsu" in  November 2010.

My friend, actress Kyoko Okazaki will be appearing in a new play in Santa Monica titled KATA-NA [Sword].

Go here for the trailer.

A Japanese sword action play: the end of Edo period.

 At the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica.

Show Schedule:
Aug. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 [in English]
Aug. 24, 25, 26 [in Japanese]

● For more info:
http://www.iki-e.com
https://www.facebook.com/ikicompanykatana

●For tickets:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3032332789

Spotlight On Actress Kyoko Okazaki

Kyoko Okazaki is a rising young actress who appeared in the play, Utsutsu in Los Angeles this month.

She played the character Otose, who was a tomboy and dressed in male clothing to hide from yakuza's boss, Gonzo.

Kyoko was born and raised in Okayama, Japan and has appeared in several movies this past year, including Mr. Sophistication, The Scenesters, Luster and The Runaways.

She attended the Theater of Arts, College For The Contemporary Actor in Los Angeles.



I first met Kyoko at the press and kick-off party for Utsutsu earlier this month and found her to have a bubbly personality.

She has a natural style to her acting and I found her performance in Utsutsu to be compelling.

Above, Kyoko Okazaki with Armand and "Utsutsu" co-star Masamichi Kanobe.

She graciously put me on her personal list for a performance of Utsutsu.

Here is the link to her IMDb page.

Kyoko Okazaki is one to keep an eye out for!