Katsura Sunshine's Rakugo

See it if you have a kid in tow for Long Name, Miso Bean, Tiger...the stories were kid pleasers. I found them repetitive and only mildly humorous

Don't see it if you expect a full program of entertainment; 11/19 was 50 minutes. KS ardently tried to please; interesting exposure to Japanese comedy.

Also I wish Katsura Sunshine had talked about what drew him to Rakugo and why he was allowed to study (and become a master). KS uses the towel (allowed to the storyteller) to constantly mop his brow; I found it distracting. The stories were charming, but drawn out (I don't know if they're allowed to be cut). I would have liked at least one or two more to fill out the program.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to experience a multi cultural stand up show or if you like one person shows.

Don't see it if If you don’t like one person shows.

See it if you want to see a good-humored, cheerful, unique brand of Eastern storytelling from a good-humored, cheerful master of the specialized art.

Don't see it if u prefer concise, succinct storytelling; u expect knee-slapping, side-splitting comedy [The humor's innocuous & cute, not esp. hilarious.]

Also Note: The stories change from month-to-month, so check the website before purchasing tickets. Last month (December) the stories were for children/families. This month (Jan), the stories are more "adult". Next month (Feb) will focus on love stories for Valentine's Day.

Katsura Sunshine brings a very specific form of Japanese storytelling to Western audiences, and he does so by both informing and entertaining. He doesn't just present his amusing yarns, but he provides interesting explanations of the art form and Japanese culture. His personal stories (all part of the Rakugo tradition) are less interesting than the scripted stories, but Katsura is so charming & enthusiastic that you'll happily go along for the ride.... Read more Read less

See it if Katsura's quirky, ingratiating persona is the highlight of this fusion evening of Japanese storytelling & stand-up Intro monologue well done

Don't see it if Evening a little long-ish w/ Katsura taking his time working the audience & often getting sidetracked while cultural stories (jokes) modest

See it if you'd like a little exposure to Japanese language and customs where you get a few chuckles by a charismatic storyteller.

Don't see it if you expect hilarity - I got to the punch lines before he did! Also, this adult version contained 1/3 of his family show by his own admission

See it if you are interested in Japanese culture. It is an opportunity to see this technique demonstrated in English with acknowledged differences

Don't see it if you dislike presentations with no physical action or humor that depends on lots of verbal repetitions.

See it if Tall, blond Slovenian/Canadian relates comedic dinnertime, bilingual stories on a lanterned set. It's proper to overfill the sake glass.

Don't see it if The host is an excellent, conversant performer and the cultural information is invaluable,but the constant hanky-dabbing is most distracting

Also Although generous with compliments, polite culture requires denial of a compliment with another compliment. There are 47 ways to express gratitude in Japanese.... Read more Read less

See it if You have an interest in Japanese theatre and/or social customs. You enjoy broad humor. You like solo shows. You like simple stagings.

Don't see it if Japanese culture doesn't interest you. You don't like the stand-up format. You don't like old-school, schtick-y humor.

Also Since the stories change monthly, this review is for the January shows. The humor in these stories was in the classic groaner mode, ala Jackie Mason. The stories are funny & I also enjoyed the stories about Japanese customs. I liked that he took the time to breakdown the Rakugo storytelling tropes. I could've done without the lengthy story about him performing in NY & Show Score. It started out well, though grew tiresome. I wanted more Japanese storytelling & thought he should've added another story rather than go on & on about himself. Otherwise, an entertaining & informative evening.... Read more Read less

See it if First part is stand-up & very short stories. Last part is an extended story. Builds rapport w/audience. Engaging w/many jokes. 90 minutes.

Don't see it if Performer may want to rethink asking audience who consider themselves "the elite" as it's now used as a derogatory term in politics.

Also Impressive how he called out Show-Score reviews during the show. And posed for pictures afterwards in the lobby. He wants everyone to have fun. Fun show.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a slice of Japanese culture and helpful travel tips. Blend of folk tale humor & colorful travel anecdotes.

Don't see it if you want something heavier that sticks to your bones.

Also I’d never heard of rakugo before and saw the Traditional Stories. Expected a show that felt more like 400 years old but this is actually a lot like standup—there was a microphone, lighting, and comic monologues in addition to kimonos, traditional greeting, and traditional props. Shows how an ancient performing art can adapt with the times. Katsura Sunshine is smart about lacing the monologues with informative details that make sure cultural nuances in subsequent stories don’t go unnoticed.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the Japanese culture and their approach to comedy or want to experience unusual storytelling stand-up comedy.

Don't see it if If you prefer traditional plays and comedy or do not particulary care to experience other cultures’ approach to comedy.

See it if you want a taste of Japanese culture in the form of comic story telling. Enjoyable night out, great delivery by a talented actor.

Don't see it if you have no interest in Japanese culture or one person shows.

Also Although I enjoyed this show, I was a bit put off when the performer spent about 10 minutes making fun of show score reviewers. It made me want to write something negative about the show but instead I took the high road and went with my honest opinion. I don't think it's right for a performer to use criticism of show score as a source for his comedy routine. He actually read reviews aloud and made fun of them.
I hope my review won't be part of his next routine. Was still a good show in spite of this detail, which I still maintain was in poor taste.... Read more Read less

See it if you like low key humor, a pleasant and appealing story teller and comedy that obvious and not "edgy."

Don't see it if you favor humor that is fast, timely, relevant, political, sexual, satiric or irascible.

See it if you would like to experience in English, instead of subtitles to Japanese, traditional Japanese storytelling or comedy by non-Japanese actor

Don't see it if you prefer experiencing this art form from a Japanese native, in English or Japanese, or cutting edge stand up comedy, drama, play, musical

Also I found solo storytelling for 90 minutes with no interval tedious.

See it if you'd enjoy a uniquely different experience. It's like stand-up (but kneeling). Well-meaning, genuine, culturally respectful, high-energy.

Don't see it if you want to see a str8 play. We mistakenly saw a Saturday "family" matinee, w/contents for more of a kids-filled audience. Mildly humorous.

Also Kudos to Katsura Sunshine.

We appreciate the introduction to the art of Rakugo. His passion is palpable. We just expected more, and perhaps should have tried to catch the more adult-version of his performances to better appreciate Sunshine's performance art.

We did not know in advance we'd be catching the "family" show. While descriptions state: "...a presentation that offers different stories according to the day", to us that didn't mean "children's version VS adult version". We thought different STORIES.

The promo we responded to said nothing about that particular day's "theme". There was no reason to think we should ask if it was a "kid's-day" performance. Wrong.

Our advice: ASK when you order tickets.... Read more Read less

See it if You like A special type of Japanese comedy.

Don't see it if You don’t like Japanese culture.

See it if You're familiar with Japanese culture. Or not; Sunshine is tremendously engaging, a skilled raconteur and the stories are universal.

Don't see it if You're looking for a play rather than experiencing a 400 year old yet totally modern Japanese entertainment and art form told by a Canadian.

Also Katsura Sunshine is blonde, Canadian, about six feet tall and the first-ever Western Master Rakugo storyteller, plying his art in English and Japanese.

Theatrical props limited to a fan and handkerchief, kneeling traditionally throughout, the performance a cross between a Greek symposium, telling pointed fables and stories, and a modern stand-up routine — but kneeling! — Sunshine recounts tales of his background, some of the oddities of living life in Japan and his travels.

Of course, the more one knows of Japan, its people, culture and language, the richer and funnier the evening is. Probably laughing the hardest are the Japanese in the audience, recognizing their cultural quirks described and explained in such fluent Japanese by someone so obviously not Japanese

Even so, people are people everywhere, human nature the tie that binds, and Sunshine is disarming in his ability to rapidly alternate between both languages, teach us a little about Japan and in so doing, about ourselves.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in Japanese culture--or open to learning more about it;like storytelling--this wasn't really a play;like physical comedy.

Don't see it if you're looking for a traditional theatre experience; dislike one-person shows

Also This is the kind of thing that I'd never try if it weren't for Show-Score. It's different & it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Half the humor in this comes from watching Sunshine's amazingly expressive face. (Agree with a previous poster that the handkerchief became distracting after awhile.)

You learn quite a bit about Japanese culture & you'll laugh a lot.

I assume the cultural explanations remain the same, but the stories change each month, so the folks who see it in November will see a different show than I saw. December is his family friendly show.... Read more Read less

See it if You're interested in this Japanese comedic storytelling art. Light hearted, amusing, enjoyable.

Don't see it if If you aren't interested in a solo show with minimal staging.

See it if you have children to take to the family show. The families loved it, especially the Japanese families.

Don't see it if don't see the afternoon performance for families - if you want to see an adult show. See the evening performance for adults

Also I made the mistake of seeing the afternoon play. It was cute and I was happy that the families got such a kick out of it.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a congenial, interesting evening. A rare treat to see an ancient art form presented in such a fun way.

Don't see it if don't like one man shows our you want an action filed show.

See it if This is a family freindly show. Learning about the Japanese culture relating to this show was great. No show like this.

Don't see it if You was to see a show that will make you cry laughing. This is a light hearted funny show.

See it if You enjoy standup comedy, but prefer to skip the two drink minimum. KS has audience in stitches throughout. Such a charming performer.

Don't see it if You need weightier theater with some meat on bones. Stories are very light and breezy. Walking on Sunshine music at close stroke of genius!

Also Rakugo is new to most New Yorkers, but has clearly done something right to survive 400 years. The cute Japanese kids in the audience laughing it up were very nice to see. An altogether pleasurable evening at friendly prices. It doesn't get much better for one person shows.... Read more Read less

See it if you are curious about other culture's art/entertainment forms

Don't see it if you want drama or comedy

See it if you wish to see one of the more lightweight Japanese art forms with simplistic stories drawn out almost ad nauseam with little ay off.

Don't see it if if ur tastes run to serious Japanese theater traditions like Butoh, you are not a Japanese child, you know something about Japanese culture