Performing Arts

On May 1, 2019, Emperor Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne and ushered in a new imperial era named Reiwa. This fall, Japan Society’s 2019-20 Performing Arts Season starts by celebrating this momentous occasion with ancient court music, Shinto-based folktales and a modern noh play as part of our Emperor Series. The second half of our season features contemporary theater and dance as we look forward to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games. This season showcases both thousand-year-old pieces and contemporary premieres by some of Japan’s leading artists, connecting past, present and future through live performance.

EMPEROR SERIES: In celebration of Japanese Emperor Naruhito's ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, our Fall 2019 performing arts lineup is filled with programs around the theme of the emperor. Usher in the Reiwa era with ancient court music, Shinto-based folktales and a modern noh play originally created for the 123rd emperor’s enthronement.

Performances

- Play Reading
  
  Cooking Up
  Monday, March 30, 7:30 PM
- Theater
  
  Control Officers + 100 Meters
  Friday, May 8, 7:30 PM
  Saturday, May 9, 7:30 PM
  Sunday, May 10, 2:30 PM

- Dance
  
  Min Tanaka:
  I am in a body
  Wednesday, June 24, 7:30 PM
  Thursday, June 25, 7:30 PM
  Friday, June 26, 7:30 PM
  Buy Tickets

2019-2020 Performing Arts Season Funding

Lead Sponsor:

Corporate Partner:

ORIX Stewardship Foundation

Major Support: The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Doug and Teresa Peterson, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc.

Additional Support: Dr. and Mrs. Carl F. Taeusch II, Dean Jeanette C. Takamura, Mr. Alan M. Suhonen, Hiroko Onoyama, The Royal Little Family Foundation, Sarah Billinghurst Solomon and Howard Solomon, Mr. Norton Belknap, Dr. John K. Gillespie, Paula S. Lawrence, Dr. Stephen and Mrs. Michiko Levine, Susan M. McCormac, Pamela Perlman, Karen and Samuel Richardson, and Lyndley and Samuel Schwab.

Endowment: Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Endowment Fund and the Endowment for the Performing Arts, established with a leadership gift from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

In-kind Support: Transportation assistance is provided by All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.