New Yorkers with a Japanese theater jones can attend a one night only benefit night Saturday, July 31 for Kutsukake Tokijiro, a work-in-progress Japanese Yakuza (gangster) play helmed by Jun Kim of locally-based performing arts development group Kurotama Kikaku Company. The fundraising performance, which unveils at the CRS Studio Theatre, will be followed by a special sushi cocktail reception.

Following the success of the studio performance of the play last June, actor/director Kim, who is a native of Japan, and Kurotama Kikaku's aim is to develop the play with the goal of an Off-Off-Broadway production, creating dynamic theater through the performing arts. Kurotama Kikaku is associated with the theater ensemble Theatre de Moon and Kayoko Sakoh Dance. It has organized workshops and performances in both New York and Japan, and strives to collaborate with international artists to make, in their own words, “small but tasty theater.”

Kutsukake Tokijiro began its life as a popular Japanese Yakuza play by Shin Hasegawa in 1928. It explores traditional ethics and humanism in Edo period (1603-1868) Japan and expresses its three major themes “obligation and love,” “justice” and “loyalty and filial piety,” ideas deeply rooted in the Japanese populace at the time. This new production, translated by Keiko Tsuneda, is based upon a 19th century Japanese story, yet draws from influences as diverse as the Spaghetti Western, 21st century Japanese pop culture animation and Japanese folk songs, as well as the dance movements of noh, kabuki and modern dance, courtesy of choreographer Kayoko Sakoh, to create a quintessential J-pop theatre experience.

Kim’s previous acting theatre credits include the Obie-winning Benten Kozo, directed by Jim Simpson; heavenly BENTO by the Post Theatre; Natsu Matsuri by the Kabuki Theatre with kabuki legend Nakamura Kanzaburo and directed by Kazuyoshi Kushida; Marie Galante by Opera Francais de New York; and The Return of the Chocolate-Smeared Woman by Karen Finley. As a director, he oversaw The Uniform by Kobo Abe; Kayoko Sakoh Dance's Heart to Heart; a staged reading of Kutsukake Tokijiro in New York; and also served as assistant director for Curlew River, directed by Yoshi Oida. An original member of the Bat Theatre Company, in 2010 Kim established Kurotama Kikaku, his own performing arts company.

The benefit night for Kutsukake Tokijiro will be held Saturday, July 31 at CRS Studio Theatre, 123 4th Avenue, 2nd floor (between 12th and 13th Streets). Performance is at 7 p.m., followed by a reception at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. For more information on the show and to make donations online, visit www.kurotamakikaku.com.

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