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 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'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 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'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'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 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 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

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're interested in Japanese culture, and how a Canadian adapts to its subtleties and performance traditions; you like comic storytelling

Don't see it if you're not into solo performance; you don't like being asked to mimic Japanese phrases and gestures; you prefer edgier comedy

Also Sunshine varies the selection of stories at each performance; my reactions are based on Momotaro / Chiritotechen (Rotten Tofu). The Japanese in the audience were most vocally appreciative of the stories. The Westerners responded more to the standup style stories of cultural confusion bookending the stories. What is never really addressed is the phenomenon of a Westerner wearing a kimono performing a 400-year-old traditional Japanese form. Some context about his curiosity and clear passion for the form, as well as how he came to it would have helped allay questions about appropriation.... Read more Read less

See it if U want to experience an old traditional Japenese art from a master story teller. He not only tells the old stories but also his experience

Don't see it if You do not like comedy, one man show, Japanese culture, tales. Traditional art is not your thing.

See it if If you know what RAKUGO means

Don't see it if You want a show that is more than a gussied up lecture

See it if you are interested in traditional Japanese cultural performed by a Canadian who traveled to Japan, learnt the language & studied Rakugo

Don't see it if you're expecting American-style stand-up with material reflecting the cultural, political, social customs of today; if you need a big show

Also A native of Canada, Katsura Sunshine is pleasant -- but his material was only mildly amusing, in my opinion. Only 2 props are permitted: a towel & a fan.

Unless you were born in Japan, Rakugo will be new to you. I was curious; I went for the value of a new experience.

Would I go again? No.

Note: In the middle of the Meiji period (1868–1912), the expression "Rakugo" first started being used.

Note: However, Rakugo was invented by Buddhist monks in the 9th-10th century to make their sermons more interesting. Gradually the form turned from humorous narrative into monologue, perhaps upon the request of the daimyōs (feudal lords), seeking people skilled enough to entertain with various kinds of storytelling.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy one-person comedic shows, with a long tradition behind them...it combined traditional Japanese storytelling and biographical bits.

Don't see it if you like a strict structured show with a script, plot, and sets. Also, if you consider your sense of humor overly "sophisticated".

See it if You like Japanese culture and comic monologues and storytelling with clear punchlines. Interested in a different theater experience.

Don't see it if You are not a fan of solo performances, funny voices or classically structured jokes. Are uninterested by Japan.

See it if you like storytelling and standup, you are okay with a short show (ours was only 50 minutes)

Don't see it if you don't like stories. I wish he told more stories and spent less time talking to the audience about other stuff! Altogether, enjoyable.

See it if You want to learn about Japanese jokes culture and language with humor

Don't see it if You want a large musical production and dont like one man shows

See it if if you want an entertaining evening with a story teller trained in the Japanese tradition told with mastery and skill

Don't see it if you aren't interested in Japanese culture, solar actor

See it if you want to see some traditional Japanese influences

Don't see it if you prefer a musical

See it if you like standup comedies or are interested in another form to make you laugh.

Don't see it if you want to see something serious.

See it if You want to learn about another culture while having a good time as well

Don't see it if You expect typical "stand-up" comedy. Don't enjoy "family friendly" comedy

See it if You want to see something funny and a little different. Want to learn a bit about Japanese culture and laugh and be entertained.

Don't see it if You want a serious story or a big production with music

See it if you are interested in Japanese culture.

Don't see it if you don't like seeing someone perform something from another culture outside their own.

See it if Enjoy good clean fun! Have any knowledge of Japanese culture Enjoy a high energy performer

Don't see it if Looking for serious stuff Don't want to be transported to a different place