Theater Thursday - Katsura Sunshine's Rakugo

What: Katsura Sunshine's Rakugo

Where: Katsura Sunshine's Facebook page and Katsura Sunshine's YouTube channel

When: Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM EDT

Mom: Rakugo is a form of Japanese storytelling where a lone performer on a stage tells a long complicated comical story. In the Rakugo tradition stories are passed down from a master to an apprentice. Katsura Sunshine is a Canadian traditional Rakugo comic and storyteller.  He is the only non Japanese Rakugo Master out of 800 Rakugo masters. His one man show had been appearing at New World Stages in New York City since September 4. Now, that the show has been temporarily shuttered because of the social distancing requirements due to the Coronavirus, he has taken his show online. He is making regular live appearances on his Facebook page and YouTube channel on Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM EDT, the same time his show would have been playing if the theaters were still open. The online show is not exactly the same format as the show in the theater. In the online version, only a short portion of the show is actually devoted to storytelling. It is more of a bonding experience between the audience and the performer. In addition to the stories the online shows including a brief discussion of current events, an instructional segment about Rakugo traditions or Japanese words or something else depending on the episode and audience questions and comments.The stories are amusing although not hilariously so, the educational segments are interesting, the sense of community and feeling like part of a group and enjoying a shared experience for a little is priceless especially in this time of extreme social distancing.

For more visit Katsura Sunshine's Facebook page or YouTube channel listed above or visit his website at https://www.rakugo.lol. The show is expected to return to New World Stage on June 20 and run through Labor Day.

Photo credits: All production photos from the original stage production by Russ Rowland