For the first time in downtown Los Angeles, a live action stage play evokes the dramatic style and excitement of Japanese samurai films when the curtain rises on Burai: Standing All Alone at the Aratani Theatre Aug. 28, 29, and 30.
The remarkable production features powerful sword-fighting scenes staged by Keiya Tabuchi, one of Japan's leading film and TV stunt choreographers, and will be performed by a cast of 24.
Written and directed by Naoki Fujiyama, Burai is an original story set in the 19th century Japan when political power was becoming more centralized, and the samurai class was beginning to disappear.
Masa Kanome stars as Sadatora, an expert swordsman who is forced to become a henchman for the ruthless and ambitious Lord Shigemori. Under orders from Shigemori, Sadataro fights members of the Sugiyama clan one by one as he struggles to retain his inner spirit in this story of family honor, integrity, loyalty, and revenge.
Ultimately, each man finds himself alone and must choose his own destiny.
The play, initially performed in a small, 99-seat theater in West Los Angeles last year, is presented for the first time on a full-sized stage with state-of-the-art technical amenities.
The Little Tokyo Business Association presents Burai in collaboration with the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and Burai Productions. Proceeds will benefit JACCC's educational mission and LTBA's program to keep Little Tokyo clean and safe.
Performances during this limited engagement will take place;
Friday, Aug. 28, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2 p.m. matinee
Aratani Theatre is located at 244 S. San Pedro St. Parking is available nearby at the Sho Tokyo Garage, 350 East 2nd Street. For the best seats, reserve early.
Tickets are $35 and $25. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more and for JACCC members, Little Tokyo BID stakeholders and LTBA members. Enter the discount code: LTBA. For reservations, visit www.jaccc.org or go to https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10014091.
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