Kabuki show debuts at Las Vegas Bellagio as MGM eyes Japan

Well if it's not done in English, I'd expect a lot of empty seats.

They are 20 years too late. Typical Japanese don't have that money to go, like me.

They think that Japanese are going to go to Vegas to watch Kabuki?

Kabuki is really good and doesn't need to be disgraced by casinos or Las Vegas.

I think a few of you guys don't quite understand. This isn't aimed at Japanese tourists. It's aimed at Americans. They want Americans and others who frequent Las Vegas to become interested in Japanese culture and head to their casinos if and when they make it to Japan.

We have been presenting Kabuki, in English, at the university of Hawai'i (and at other select universities) for years now, always to sold-out houses. This includes both classic plays (Chushingura, Kanjincho, Ibaraki) as well as fusion, or what we call 'imaginary kabuki' plays (Richard III, Revenge At Spider Mountain, The Emperor Of Mars).

That this production in Vegas enjoyed an audience of over 10,000 on Friday night is impressive but not completely surprising. Kabuki is a wonderful theatrical art form, full of life and energy. There is spectacle, but there is more, much more, for these are stories that delve deeply into the human condition -- love, sacrifice, the corruption of power -- themes that are universal.

Bravo on this initial success in Las Vegas, but the real question remains: Will traditional Kabuki prove as popular not only in Vegas but in the the wider US?

I think it can, but only if Shochiku, and its US partners, are willing to spend not just the money, but also the time to build an audience. If they are, then Kabuki could finds the US to be very receptive indeed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0y-TEZrFQ8

@cardsfan5 Ok, you are correct. Agin, I re-read arcticle and missed that part. Maybe I need English refresh course...

The revenue of Casinos across Asia is dropping and their investment in Casino was not paid off yet. Now the accumulated Japanese Families saving money was attraction for Casino operators. The Casino operators will target Japanese rich pensioners to play Pokies Machine games. The Pokies Machine is main income of Casino operator. Pokies Machine game is strongly addictive game and most of gambler addicts losing on Pokies machine than other games. The entertainment is bait of Casino operators to lure family to Casino. PM Abe will be most foolish leader in Japanese history if he let International Casino operators to suck hard working Japanese families’ saving money.

Of cause in English. French operas etc have all in English. Even, TV Japanese Anime are in English in USA. Entertainment centers in Vegas are full every day. No, not with hard working Japanese people's money in Japan.