Contemporary Japanese Play Reading Series: Trance by Shoji Kokami

In this absurdist comedy by Shoji Kokami–one of Japan’s most prolific playwrights–three friends reunite under bizarre circumstances 15 years after they were in school together. As the handsome but troubled Masa battles delusions that he is the emperor of Japan, the psychiatrist Reiko and drag queen Sanzo struggle to bring him back to reality while trying to curb their own long-repressed desire for him. For this reading, OBIE Award-winning director Ken Rus Schmoll leads a cast of American actors. Catch the irreverent yet poignant comedy that drew raves in its English-language debut at London’s celebrated Bush Theatre. English translation by Amy Kassai. In English with Japanese subtitles *Includes a post-performance talk-back with artists and playwright Shoji Kokami who will participate from Tokyo via high- speed digital network on our cinema screen.