Musashi - Lincoln Center Festival 2010NEW

"A fascinating meaning-of-life scenario that Inoue invests with side-splitting humor to craft a powerful, life-affirming message." -The Japan Times on Musashi

Lincoln Center Festival welcomes director Yukio Ninagawa back to the stage after sell-out performances of Modern Noh Plays in 2005. Musashi, a noh-inspired play that depicts a ruthless hunt for revenge circa 1600 between two samurai, is brought to light through intense drama and riotous comedy, featuring 27-year-old (who will turn 28 on May 20) Japanese superstar Tatsuya Fujiwara.

Famed playwright Hisashi Inoue begins the saga with a showdown between Musashi and Kojiro, after which Kojiro is fatally defeated (whether or not Kojiro actually survived is unknown). The legend historically ends here, but Inoue continues to develop the plot. In this production, with its lush evocation of the countryside, the pair unexpectedly meets again six years later at a Zen temple, and agrees to a rematch.

Performed in Japanese with English supertitles.