2014 / Musical skits of Japanese children’s stories to be performed by Grateful Crane at Little Tokyo’s culture center, Jan 25

The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in partnership with the Grateful Crane Ensemble presents musical skits of Japanese stories on Saturday, Jan 25 at 11 am and 1 pm at the JACCC’s Doizaki Gallery in Little Tokyo.

Classic Japanese children’s stories such as “Saru to Kani” (“The Monkey and the Crab”), “Tsuru no Ongaeshi” (“The Grateful Crane”) and “Urashimataro” (Fisherman Taro) will come to life on stage.

Presented for the young and young at heart, these famous stories—as well as children’s “book songs” by Grateful Crane’s musical director Scott Nagatani—will take children and adults alike on a journey back to old Japan, where a greedy monkey, a grateful crane and a young fisherman will tell their stories and sing some songs along the way.

Adapted for the stage by Soji Kashiwagi, directed by Keiko Kawashima, with musical direction by Scott Nagatani, the three-story show and songs will feature Grateful Crane cast members Haruye Ioka, Kayley Kawana, Keiko Kawashima, Darrell Kunitomi, Kurt Kuniyoshi and Helen H. Ota.

“These stories were brought over from Japan by the Issei and told to the Nisei who passed them on to us,” said Soji Kashiwagi, Executive Producer of Grateful Crane. 

“Some are funny, some are kind of sad, but they all carry messages and aspects of the Japanese culture that we’re passing down from one generation to the next.”

The Doizaki Gallery is located on the first floor of the JACCC, 244 South San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo, downtown Los Angeles. 

Tickets are $5 for children, $10 for adults.  Appropriate for ages 5-12.  45 minute show.  Reservations required.  Pay at the door. To make a reservation, call the JACCC at (213) 628-2725.  www.jaccc.org