MOMOTARO -Peach Boy- (2017)

MOMOTARO (Peach Boy): A Quest of a Hero Comes from the Giant Peach
Conceived, co-written and directed by Sonoko Kawahara
Co-written by: Leah Nanako Winkler

Theater presentation is partially adapted from Momotaro, written by Tadashi Matsui, illustrated by Suekichi Akaba, published by Fukuinkan Shoten Publishers, Inc., 1965.

Japan’s Children’s Day Festival hosted by Japan Society Education and Family Program
at Japan Society’s Lila Acheson Wallace Theater

Oni, you are different from us and we are different from you, but we can both exist in this world.

A story for an awareness of importance of diverse cultural experiences for all ages

A baby who was found inside of a giant peach grows into a boy of amazing strength. When he found out that his village was in danger and by the princess was abducted by a wicked oni (ogres), he and his trusted sidekicks—a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant—each one who represents benevolence, wisdom and bravery but does not get along well, set out to rescue the princess and save the village.

Culturally integrated, an interactive modern retelling of the Japanese classic folktale, the play explores the young warriors’ quest to find the hidden truth of personal and universal harmony as well as compassion with songs, dance, martial arts, samurai sword fighting and live music of traditional Japanese drums and flutes.

Produced by the Japan Society’s Family and Education Program, various festival craft items participants made on the day or beforehand were used as props during the theater presentation offering the audience an interactive experience with actors and a participation to the theatrical effects.

MOMOTARO & Students from NYC schools

STORY

A Long, long, time ago, there lived an old man and an old woman. One day, on old woman found a giant peach drifting down the stream. When the old couple tried to cut the peach open, a baby boy popped out of the peach. Rejoiced, because they could not have any children, they name him Momotaro (Peach Boy). He grew up strong and was a very kind young man and became very popular among the villagers. One day he found out that the village’s princess was abducted by an oni. Sensing the danger that would come over to the village and his family, he decided to fight against the Oni. On the way to Oni-ga-shima (Ogre’s Island), he met a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant; each admires Momotaro’s strength but has their reasons to join Momotaro’s quests. At the Oni-ga-shima, Momotaro faces overwhelming difficulty, however, with the support from three of his friends, they finally beat the Oni. The Oni offered Momotaro all of the island’s treasure to save his realm from being destroyed. Despite the cries of victory of his sidekicks, Momotaro found his real reason for this quest and faced the moment of decision.

Production Credits

Conceived, co-written and directed by Sonoko Kawahara
Co-written by: Leah Nanako Winkler
Performed by
Asuka MorinagaOneesan (MC/Hime)
Kazuhiro Imafuku (Momotaro)
Yoshi Amao (Oni)
Kiyo Takami (Dog/Obaasan/Singer1)
Tomoko Tokugaki (Monkey/Ojiisan/Singer2)
Ai Ikeda (Pheasant/Crow/River)
Fumi Tanakadate (Taiko/Fue/Piano)
Fight choreographed by Yoshi Amao
Dance choreographed by Tomoko Tokugaki
Lighting by Takaaki Ando
Production assistant: Yuki Okamoto

May 7: Performance in Children’s Day Festival for Families and Children (public program)
May 8: Performance for NYC School Groups (closed program) MOMOTARO & Students from NYC schools

Iazuhiro Imafuku (Momotaro) is a native of Tokyo, studied acting at The Neighborhood Playhouse. He has appeared in a short “PALM” and also will be performing in “The Seagull” (The Instigators present) at Access Theater from May 26th. Kazuhiro is very excited to play Momotaro with all talented cast and crew for Children’s Day Festival at Japan Society for the first time. kazuimafuku.com

Kiyo Takami (Dog/Obaasan/Singer1) Kiyo is an actress/singer/dancer born and raised in Sapporo, Japan. Some of her favorite projects: Leonard Melfi’s “Birdbath” (Velma Sparrow), “S/K“ (co-creator), “Dojoji-The Man Inside the Bell” (Kiyohime), “Seussical the Musical” (Gertrude McFuzz), and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Marcy Park). She is a founder of Brooklyn based theater company Kitchen Table Works, where she collaborates with fellow artists to create bold and adventurous theater experience for New Yorkers.

Tomoko Tokugaki (Monkey/Ojiisan/Singer2) Tomoko has been performing in the US and Japan for over 35 years. When she was a young student, she saw the kid’s musical of MOMOTARO in Japan, and from that point, she knew she wanted to be an actor someday. She has performed in the musical: “Annie Get Your Gun” (Winne); “The Wedding Singer” (Linda); “Godspell”; “42nd Street”; “SEMPO”; “Elisabeth”; Mozart, the play: “Hedda Gabler” (Hedda Gabler); “Nogikunohaka” (Tamiko); “The Kitchen”; “Pericles”; “The Lady Aoi” (Nippon Experimental Theater), Publication: NIPPON-JIN(Model) and Film/TV (Oneesan, Singer, Navigator)/ Commercial (choreographer)/CD/PV/ Concert Love/Thanks to MOMOTARO family! I found my new dream right now 🙂

Ai Ikeda (Pheasant/Crow/River) Ai began her ballet training at Tokyo Ballet School at the age of 6. Since moving to New York, she has worked with numerous companies such as Sony in “Photo Plus Expo” at Jacob Javits Center; Peggy Choy Dance in “Flight” at Kumble Theater and Gelsey Kirkland; Crossing Jamaica Avenue in “Fan Macbeth” at LaMaMa Theater and Mabou Mines; Big Red Media Inc. in “Deadly She-Wolf Assassin at Armageddon!” at Japan Society, Mandell Theater, PH and LaMaMa Theater. Ai worked with Xavier Cha in Miami Art Basel and Barneys New York Magazine. A 2-time gold medal winner of the USA WKF National Championship in Wushu, she has been selected to be on the 2014 USA Traditional Wushu Team.

Yoshi Amao (Oni) Since arriving in New York in 1990, he has been entertaining audience as an actor, emcee, voice talent, and samurai martial artist. Yoshi formed a unique theater company, Samurai Sword Soul (SSS) in 2003, and has been seeking for the ultimate entertainment performance through the spirits of samurai and sophisticated sword fighting. Film: “The Beaver”(Dir. Jodie Foster), “Beneath Fiery Sky”(Dir. Nick Hayes/Cannes Film Festival), “An Ideal Marriage”(Dir. Ted Sharks/NYC Indie Film Award Grand Prix) “8:46”(Dir. Jennifer Azano), etc. TV: “Blacklist: Redemption”(NBC), “Billions”(Showtime), “White Collar” (USA), “Samurai Sportsman” (OLN) “The late night with Jimmy Fallon” (NBC), “Japanizi Going Going Gong” (Disney XD), “Big in Japan” (Greece, Sweden, Portugal) Theater: “Deadly She-Wolf, Assassin at Armageddon!” (Japan Society/Mandell Theater/La MaMa). www.yoshiamao.com

Fumiko Tanakadate (Taiko Artist) Fumi is a taiko artist and pianist based in New York, who has a unique combination of expertise in European Classical music and a background in traditional folk dance and music from her hometown in Japan. Having studied extensively with Kaoru Watanabe, Fumi performs as part of Néo, Watanabe’s new project that binds the nostalgic sound of Japanese traditional music and the complex jazz improvisations. Fumi has collaborated with Kenny Endo, Ryutaro Kaneko, and KODO members (Chieko Kojima, Yuta Sumiyoshi), and performed at Joe’s Pub, ShapeShifter Lab, Nublu, National Sawdust, and the Met. As a classical pianist, Fumi has performed in Japan, US, Austria, and Spain. BA, Wesleyan University; MM, Manhattan School of Music. www.taikonyc.com photo (c) Bryson Kim

MOMOTARO (Peach Boy): A Quest of a Hero Comes from the Giant Peach is supported by the Mental Insight Foundation and The Nancy Quinn Fund, a program of the Alliance of Resident Theaters/New York (A.R.T./New York).

5/8 Performance for School Groups is also supported by The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership and the United States-Japan Foundation.