See What I Wanna See
by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, Michael John Lachiusa, Takashi Kojima

See What I Wanna See Book Cover
See What I Wanna See Cover

Highlights

90 mins Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle) Bare Stage/Simple Set

Synopsis

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.

Press Reviews

"[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

Characters

Character
Cast Breakdown: 2 women and 3 men, with doubling.
Kesa and Morito

Kesa Morito

R shomon

The Janitor The Theif The Wife The Husband The Medium

R shomon

The Preist Aunt Monica A CPA An Actress A Reporter

Kesa and Morito

is set in medieval Japan

R shomon

is set in 1951, New York City

Gloryday

is set in the present, New York City

Videos

See What I Wanna See

Publication

ISBN-13 9780822221692
ISBN-10 0822221691

See What I Wanna See is a play written by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa and published by Concord Theatricals .

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Rating

3.6

11 ratings · 18 reviews

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