Katsura Sunshine: Traditional Japanese Rakugo Storyteller

• Event Date: Friday, September 20, 2013
• Time: 7:00 pm (CDT)
• Location: Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana, IL
• Cost: Free Admission

• Performance
• Family-Friendly tag

Rakugo is a form of traditional Japanese comic storytelling. After a history of 400 years, it remains immensely popular even today. Since a performer plays several characters in a story, the use of facial expressions and pantomimes is essential to capture the audience's imagination. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Sunshine began his career in entertainment as a playwright and composer of musical theatre. In September, 2008, he was accepted as an apprentice to the great Rakugo Master, Katsura Bunshi VI, from whom he received the name Sunshine. He debuted as part of his master's solo show in Singapore. Sunshine is the only foreign Rakugo storyteller.

In addition to the performance, his concert includes a brief introduction to Japanese storytelling and a Q&A session. This event is sponsored by the Japanese government, the Japanese Embassies in Ottawa and Washington DC, the Japan Foundation, the Spurlock Museum, and the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies at the University of Illinois.