Japanese 'Ryuji Sawa' at Theater for the New City, Nov.6-11

Producer Toshi Hirano of TKO Entertainment is pleased to present a limited engagement of Ryuji Sawa: The Return, a Japanese show incorporating dazzling elements of Japanese popular theater, including Kabuki dance, Taiko drumming, sword fighting, martial arts and instant costume changes. Ryuji Sawa: The Return, created and directed by Ryuji Sawa, will run from November 6 to 11 at Theater for the New City (155 1st Ave.) in NYC. There is no dialogue in the show, making it entertaining for audiences of all backgrounds and ages.

The cast of eleven is lead by Ryuji Sawa, a renowned Japanese actor in theater, television and film, who was born in a dressing room during a tour and debuted at the age of four. At the age of only sixteen, Sawa became the head of his own 40-member touring company, "Ryuji Sawa's Theatrical Group." "At the height of the rockabilly frenzy in the early 1960s, he combined rockabilly with Japanese sword fighting to create Rockabilly Sword Fight, an instant hit. In 1974 the musical Yume No Wataridori, a huge success, was written specifically for Sawa by Japanese writer and director Yoshiyuki Fukuda," state press notes.

The show features Ozora Takami, a 12-year-old Japanese fan dance prodigy who will play the role of a geisha in a Kabuki fan dance. Lighting design by Rie Ono.

TKO Entertainment, established in 1999, has produced Japanese musical and cultural arts programs throughout the United States, and was founded with the purpose of helping facilitate artistic and cultural exchanges between the US and Japan. Toshi Hirano, the President of TKO, is a performer, writer, radio personality and member of the New York Drama Desk Awards Committee.

There will be Kabuki dance and sword fighting workshops by Sawa on Sat November 3 & 4 in NYC. For info on the workshops please contact TKO Entertainment (212-206-1878 or info@tkonyc.com).

Theater for the New City – 155 First Avenue between 9th & 10th Streets in NYC. Limited Engagement: November 6 to 11. Performances run Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM & 8PM, and Sunday at 2PM & 6PM.

Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door and can be purchased by calling 212-352-3101 or visiting http://www.TheaterMania.com. $20 student rush tickets will be offered on the day of the show only (based on availability). $25 group tickets are available for parties of 4 or more – please contact TKO at 212-206-1878. Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Appropriate for ages 6 and up.  For more information on the show visit www.tkonyc.com

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