Based on the play by Monzaemon Chikamatsu
Adapted/Translated by Ako Dachs
​Directed by Ron Nakahara and Ako
Music by Tsugahana Tsuruzawa

WORKSHOP Program

Monzaemon Chikamatsu (1653-1725) is often called the Shakespeare of Japan. His work - over 130 plays for the Bunraku puppet theater and the live Kabuki stage - form the core of the Japanese stage tradition even today.  Ako has translated and adapted three of Chikamatsu’s moving double-suicide plays, ‘Courier of Hell’ ‘Double-Suicide at Sonezaki’ and ‘Love Suicides at Amijima’ into one play, ‘Courier of Love’. The entire play is accompanied by live music played by the highly respected Gidayu-Shamisen player Ms. Tsugahana Tsuruzawa from Japan, as is the tradition in Bunraku and Kabuki. Co-directed by Ako and Ron Nakahara.
「恋飛脚」は近松門左衛門の「冥土の飛脚」を基に他の近松の心中物語のプロットを絡め、宝塚出身でニューヨーク在住の俳優/演出家のAkoが脚色し翻訳した作品。米国のアジア人中心のキャストで、演出はAkoと歌舞伎に憧憬の深いRob Melrose 氏 (ワークショップはRon Nakahara 氏)との共同演出。音楽は女流義太夫三味線の鶴澤津賀花を日本より迎かえ、英語の俳優と義太夫三味線とのコラボレーション。