WIT Life #245: Count Down My Life
Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers 
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
Last night I went to go see the US premiere of the Japanese rock musical Count Down My Life, which was featured as part of the 17th New York International Fringe Festival. I was especially excited to check this show out as I had heard that the director and playwright, Ikko Ueda, is from Kumamoto, which is where I spent my time on JET. 28-year old Ueda has created a partially autobiographical play that tells the story of a playwright (referred to only as “a man”) who is striving to win an award those younger than 30 are eligible for. It begins with him turning 29 and realized that gives him exactly a year, after which point he will give up on his dream of becoming a success and return to his hometown. In his struggle to write an award-winning play, the man is visited by several people, including a mysterious fan, who help him in his endeavors. Through these encounters, he begins thinking about the meaning of life, in particular the reason why he was brought into this world and what he can contribute to it through his work.
The cast of five (and the five musicians providing the music) convey a power greater than their small numbers, and I really enjoyed the more over the top numbers such as “Drugs!” This song has the three female performers parade around as pills of various colors that the depressed playwright is encouraged to take to stimulate his imagination. Certain aspects of the story required suspension of disbelief, but I was being so entertained by the music and movement that I was more than willing to do that.
I had the chance to speak with Ueda after the show (and mentioned how proud I was about his Kumamoto connection!), and congratulate him and the cast on their wonderful work. He has been living here in New York since last fall under a fellowship from the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Japanese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists. While talking with Ueda he told me, “During my time here, I’ve noticed that Japanese arts like Kabuki and Noh are famous, but I want Americans to know about modern Japanese theater, about which there is little awareness. I hope that through this show the audience is able to enjoy and appreciate Japanese-style musical theater.” Mission accomplished!
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