namstrops × Unlock Dancing Plaza
“The Grasshopper and the Ants”
Director’s Program
Sep.14(Sat)13:00, 16:00
Sep.15(Sun)11:30, 16:00
Approx. 70 minutes
Reception Open: 60 mins before the show
Doors Open: 30 mins before the show
Performed in Japanese only
【All seats reserved】
Advance Tickets: ¥3,500
Same-day Tickets: ¥4,000
Advance Tickets U25/Student/Disabled Discount: ¥2,500*
Same-day Tickets Disabled Discount: ¥3,000*
U18 for advance and Same-day: Free*
Uzumaku Pass: ¥1,000
Clap Mates*
If there are remaining seats on the day, you can watch the performance for free who aged 19 to 25, or those with a valid student ID.
*Please proof required on the day of the event
This action-filled musical about adolescence is set in the year 1940 during the Showa Era, when steadfast politician Takao Saito from Izushi Town lived. It tells the story of a modern-day high-school student who travels through time and discovers jazz music. Produced by Yomiuri TV, the performance premieres as a staged reading.
Burdened by the pressures of studying, high-school student Masaki listens to the jazz standard Bugle Call Rag, and is suddenly overcome with drowsiness. When he awakens, he finds himself in a jazz cafe in the year 1940, 84 years before his time. He meets Aiko, who is the same age as him, before holding a jazz concert for her father, Takao Saito. Before he knows it, he becomes swept up in the vortex of history.
This work is written and directed by Yomiuri TV’s Koichi Okamoto, with Eiji Minoda, also from Yomiuri TV serving as producer, and Oriza Hirata as co-director.
The principal roles are played by Yasunari Fujibayashi, who is currently appearing in Kamen Rider Gotchard (TV Asahi), and Sae Sakimoto who appeared in Super Invincible Class (Nippon Television). Yomiuri TV newscaster Kyozo Tatsuta plays the role of the cafe owner, while Tomomi Maruyama, who appeared in Laughing Matryoshka (TBS), takes on the role of Takao Saito. Ayumi Unno provides the live saxophone performances within the play.
Wheelchair Seats
For wheelchair seats, or the person requests to be accompanied by a caregiver.
Before purchasing tickets, please inquire at the Festival Center counter or fill out the inquiry form.
Childcare Services (Reservation Required)
Date: All Performances
Childcare services will be provided free of charge. For details, please click here.
No admission for preschoolers
namstrops × Unlock Dancing Plaza
“The Grasshopper and the Ants”
Horikawa Honoh
“Fires on the Plain”
Toru Iwashita (dance) × Kazutoki Umezu (sax./cl.) Improvisation Session
“Be all ears (From the poem of the same title by Shuntaro Tanikawa)”