Oct 28

Justin’s Japan: ‘Ghost in the Shell’ returns, ‘Allegiance,’ Jake Shimabukuro

"Allegiance," a new  Broadway musical starring Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga (left) and George Takei (second from right) premieres at the Longacre Theatre Nov. 8. (Henry DiRocco)

“Allegiance,” a new Broadway musical starring Tony Award winner Lea Salonga (left) and George Takei (second from right) premieres at the Longacre Theatre Nov. 8. (Henry DiRocco)

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.

From Broadway to anime to J-pop, November is just as colorful as the leaves gliding through the air. Add to that a cutting-edge Noh-inspired stage spectacle, a classical collegium performance and the return of the undisputed ukulele master, and you’ve got an irresistibly epic rundown.

This month’s highlights include:

Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 12:00 p.m.

We Are Perfume: World Tour 3rd Document

Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue

$18

This new documentary follows the veteran all-girl pop trio on a two-month international live tour (which made a stop at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom last November). While traveling around the globe to cities across Asia, Europe, and the United States, audiences will see Perfume’s powerful live performances and catch never before seen behind-the-scenes footage. Witness the group’s single-minded approach to their performances – the joy, anguish, and struggles, not only in the music, but also in fashion and pop culture.

Nov. 2 & 8

The Anthem of the Heart

Village East Cinema, 181-189 Second Avenue

$14

From the creative team behind Anohana, The Anthem of the Heart tells the story of Jun, once a happy young lady with a tenacious personality. Jun has torn her family apart by saying something hurtful, and her ability to speak has been sealed away by the Egg Fairy in order to stop her from hurting others. Now, Jun lives in the shadows and avoids the limelight. But when she is nominated to become the executive member of the Community Outreach Council and appointed as the main lead in the council’s musical, Jun will have to find her voice and the wisdom to temper her words. Presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

Nov. 3, 5-8

Hagoromo

BAM Harvey Theater, 651 Fulton Street (Brooklyn)

$25-$70

An angel’s garment, possessed of mysterious powers, falls to a remote island on Earth, where it is found by a poor fisherman. To get it back, the angel offers up her greatest celestial gift: a dance of incomparable beauty. Dance icons and former New York City Ballet principals Wendy Whelan and Jock Soto, contralto Katalin Károlyi and tenor Peter Tantsits, and puppets by Chris Green come together in this inspired reimagining of a Japanese Noh theater classic. With choreography by David Neumann, costumes by Belgian fashion icon Dries Van Noten, and an original score by Nathan Davis—performed live by the International Contemporary Ensemble and Brooklyn Youth Chorus—Hagoromo merges genres to send a stranded spirit back to heaven.

For the complete story, click here.


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