The Legend of Oni (FringeNYC)
About the show
Part of FringeNYC: We'll take you to the pre Samurai world. The world of Onis, which are Japanese ogres. Onis with a human heart or a human turned to an Oni... Be lost in the beautiful Japanese old world with wonderful Kimono costumes. More…
Categories: Musical/Opera, Drama, International. From Musical Company OZmate. Written, directed and choreographed by Naoko Tsujii, Music & Lyrics by Naoko Tsujii, Translated by Hiromi Zeppieri.
"The authentic sights and sounds of the spectacular show will transport you to another time and bring to life the age-old traditions of historic Japanese culture...Each and every member of the thirteen-woman ensemble is heartfelt in her delivery and expressive in her performance and vocals…They fully engage the audience for every second of this compelling and meaningful top-quality production." Full Review
“It’s like experiencing ‘live’ anime, spiriting you away on a visual merry-go-round of fantastical creatures, stories, and sensations...The performers are feisty warriors who whip around the stage like runaway Catherine wheels...A beautiful piece full of lush visual imagery, intense emotional performances, and rich theatricality...I wish I could bottle the enthusiasm and effervescence of this company.” Full Review
"Everything, right down to the movement of the scenery, is performed with precision and skill. The book, music, lyrics and staging are all by the enormously talented Tsujii, who has rehearsed her troupe very thoroughly. The production evokes traditional Japanese theatre forms, yet is as light and nimble as a contemporary musical...The color, exuberance and music make 'The Legend of Oni' a delight. It is a production full of warmth and magic." Full Review
“The all-female cast, while not the most polished vocalists, are incredibly energetic and expressive. Indeed, I sometimes abandoned the subtitles entirely because, even if I missed a detail here and there, it became clear that the acting would communicate whatever I needed to know...For those looking for something fun and easy to digest, this is probably not the best production to see. But for those who like being challenged, there is a lot to appreciate and grapple with.” Full Review
"With its syrupy ballads and lavish stage pictures, the Takarazuka-based all-female company seems to be trying to emulate its more famous big sister. In practice, the shaky vocals and tinny canned music makes this event feel more like a high-concept karaoke lounge...Messiness aside, no serious Fringer would want to miss the opportunity to see a Japanese musical...Even if the show isn't very good, you are still transported to a land of pure fantasy and unapologetic entertainment." Full Review
See it if you like asian drama. Female playing male roles, interesting idea. Entertaining enough but not as entertaining as I wanted. Great costume
Don't see it if you don't like subtitles (though imo not a problem). Bit slow, bit long. could fall asleep in hot theater
See it if You're looking for a unique experience or if you're an anime fan. At times the show feels like live action anime.
Don't see it if You're not prepared for a show with subtitles. It's all I'm Japanese with a subtitles board giving English translations.
See it if you enjoy a marvelous Japanese romp
Don't see it if you find mythology annoying
See it if You enjoy singing, dancing, and legends! The drumming was a thrill to see and hear!
Don't see it if You don't want to read subtitles. I didn't read them and I understood just fine.
See it if You like folktales, musicals, and/or Japanese culture.
Don't see it if You don't want to read supertitles.
See it if ...you are open-minded and curious about musical theater from other cultures.
Don't see it if ...you are locked into the opinion that the only theater worth seeing is the same old stuff they keep showing on Broadway.
See it if You love amazing theater
Don't see it if Worried about not being able to understand! There are subtitles!
See it if You enjoy Japanese culture, supporting an all female troupe, gorgeous costumes, performances full of emotion. Beautifully done.
Don't see it if You have no soul.
See it if You like Musicals, Japanese theater, folklore stories, or you just have a heartbeat. Go see it! it's good, bring water the theater's hot.
Don't see it if don't see it if you're lame.
See it if Love Japanese traditional culture. Love costumes. Love musical. Love Japanese history.
Don't see it if Don't like subtitle.
See it if you enjoy folkloric dramas with a mysterious edge that are both very funny and entertaining.
Don't see it if if you prefer a something more traditional
See it if Love japanese culture. Love musicals. Can deal with reading subtitles. Love stories of feudal japan. Love original performances.
Don't see it if You don't like reading subtitles. You don't like musicals. Don't like quaint theatrical performances. You cannot sit for an hour plus.
See it if You enjoy folklore of different cultures, watching beautiful choreography and seeing Kabuki and Noh theatre styles brought to modern life.
Don't see it if You don't like musicals, or you are not a fan of sur-titled theatre.
See it if You enjoy mythology and parables. Definitely also if you want to try something different and appreciate Japanese culture.
Don't see it if you don't understand Japanese and have no patience with subtitles.
See it if Interested in Japanese musical and fantasy at the same time. The costumes are very original and also the story line too
Don't see it if Small theater shows. Reading subtitles.
See it if If you are interested in Japanese mythology and women-only performance. If you like to think about humanity underneath of everyday life.
Don't see it if If you don't want to live and think outside of the box.
See it if you like Japanese mythology and culture.
Don't see it if you are not interested in Japanese culture.
See it if You like something different
Don't see it if You don't like reading subtitles
See it if You're really into Japanese culture and history (even though this more like a folklore)
Don't see it if You're expecting a great performance because it's nothing like a American broadway play & you have to read subtitles. Sorry (not sorry).