A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

See What I Wanna See

Full-Length Musical, Drama

Words and Music by Michael John LaChiusa
Based on short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa
As adapted by Takashi Kojima

A musical about lust, greed, murder, faith and redemption, based on three short stories by the Japanese writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa.

  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Literature), Period, Docudrama/History
See What I Wanna See

Details

Summary

See What I Wanna See, a musical about lust, greed, murder, faith and redemption, was named by New York Magazine as one of the Best Musicals of 2005 and nominated for nine Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical. It is based on three short stories by the Japanese writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa and unfolds like a classical Japanese screen painting. In Kesa and Morito, set in medieval Japan, two lovers sing of the ecstasy and torment of their illicit affair and their determination to end it that night. R Shomon, set in 1951, New York City, follows the investigation of a crime of passion and the witnesses' contradicting versions of the event. An innocent bystander, a cunning thief, a flirtatious wife, a psychic and even the ghost of the murdered man are all caught in a web of deceit. Gloryday, set in present-day New York City, introduces a priest during a crisis of faith after a terrible tragedy strikes the city. Disillusioned and angry, he plays a practical joke and posts an anonymous letter in Central Park, declaring that Christ will appear, rising from the pond. On the day of the miracle, a storm blows through the Park, and only the priest sees his lie become a truth.

History
See What I Wanna See was presented by the Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Mara Manus, Executive Director) in New York City, opening on October 30, 2005. It was directed by Ted Sperling; the set design was by Thomas Lynch; the costume design was by Elizabeth Caitlin Ward; the lighting design was by Christopher Akerlind; the sound design was by Acme Sound Partners; the musical staging was by Jonathan Butterell; the orchestrations were by Bruce Coughlin; the musical director/conductor was Chris Fenwick; the music coordinator was Seymour Red Press; and the Production Stage Manager was Heather Cousens.
Performing Groups

    Media

    “[Michael John LaChiusa] wrote just the sort of show I want to see: a chamber musical of constantly changing textures and intense colours about infidelity, faith and different versions of the truth.” — The Stage

    “The score is exceptional… Here is a truly innovative show.” — Broadway World

    Music

    Music Samples

    • Musical Style Contemporary Broadway
    • Dance Requirements Minimal
    • Vocal DemandsDifficult
    • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
    • Chorus Size No Chorus

    Licensing & Materials

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    Authors

    Michael John LaChiusa

    Michael John LaChiusa

    Michael John LaChiusa – composer, lyricist and librettist – established himself as a powerful presence on the American musical theatre scene after winning Off-Broadway’s 1993 Obie Award for his musicals First Lady Suite and Hello Again. Six years later, LaChiusa was represent ...

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    Ryunosuke Akutagawa

    Ryunosuke Akutagawa

    Ryunosuke Akutagawa committed suicide in 1927 at the age of thirty-five, but he accomplished much during his short writing career. Excelling in the finely crafted short tale, Akutagawa also wrote poetry and several acclaimed prose works. After honing his skills on mostly impe ...
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    Author

    Takashi Kojima

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