It's not necessary to have any prior knowledge of kabuki traditions to be thoroughly entertained.
David Furumoto, Kyle Kakuno and Brian Wake prepare the audience for a full-costume performance of Okamuka Shiko's one-act comedy, "The Zen Substitute," by explaining the basics of kabuki.
The tone is light and the educational aspects painless as Kakuno and Wake clash. Kakuno represents the graceful and aristocratic style; Wake is the exponent of a rougher, more physical approach.
Furumoto presides at first in gender-neutral backstage garb. Then, with the assistance of koken ("invisible" stagehands) Elizabeth P. Casper and Casey Cameron Dinmore, he removes his outer kimono and completes his transformation into the third character in the tale, the fearsome Lady Tamanoi.
At each step he explains the purpose of the accoutrements and significance of the makeup he's applying. Then it's time for "The Zen Substitute." Lord Ukyo (Kakuno) wants to visit his mistress but his wife, Tamanoi, won't allow him to leave the house. He convinces her that he needs to spend a night alone meditating under a cloak and gets her to promise that she won't interrupt, then forces his servant, Tarokaja (Wake), to sit under the cloak while he sneaks out.
Tamanoi discovers the deception and takes Tarokaja's place. So it's Tamanoi who is listening as Ukyo returns and talks of his mistress' beauty while making unflattering comments about his wife.
Wake is excellent as both demonstrator and actor. Kakuno's lengthy resume goes back years; this is one of his all-time best performances, remarkable for such expression and emotion within the constraints of the kabuki tradition. Furumoto created "Pocket Kabuki" and is outstanding in all capacities.
This is a perfect introduction to kabuki and one of HTY's most substantial productions in recent years. Don't miss it.
When: 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and March 1