This month, the glow lighting up Nagoya's theater scene is a rare, luminescent work entitled "the marble moons of gakki-machi."
Created for Transgender Awareness Week 2024, this powerful new play by Kory Alexander of Coat Rack Theatre casts a moonlit spell of love, loss, and societal reflection - diving deep into themes of visibility, resilience, and the complexities faced by the trans community.
A Story Woven Through Jo-Ha-Kyu
Known in Japanese as 楽器の街で月が弾ける, the play unfolds in the style of the Japanese narrative structure known as jo-ha-kyu (序破急) — or "beginning-break-rapid." This traditional storytelling device drives the play's emotional cadence from tender realism to surreal intensity.
The story begins on a weirdly comedic yet tenderly lighthearted note, introducing us to Ryu, a trans woman, and her partner, Maroon, as they share a sexy midnight photoshoot that subtly shifts into the slipstream of a dream: "What if society was held accountable for the online harassment and death by suicide of a trans woman?"
The story that follows drifts into absurdism, surrealism, and back to reality, creating a powerful, thought-provoking experience. The play uses this arrangement to explore the trans body, queer love, and disability, envisioning a world free of barriers — even the one between this world and the next.
A Celebration of Queer Love and Trans Visibility
The play balances serious themes with humor and light-hearted moments, celebrating the joy and comfort found in queer relationships. However, take note that the play explores themes of death by suicide that some viewers may find distressing.
This production draws inspiration from the tragic passing of Japanese TV personality Ryuchell, inviting reflection on societal responsibilities without directly referencing Ryuchell's life.
Innovative Staging and Production Design
This visually captivating production is filled with symbolic props and dynamic movement, each pulsing with deeper meaning. The actors’ bodies flow and shift, inviting audiences to explore the play's multiple layers by choosing where to direct their gaze and immerse themselves in its rich, evocative world.
With lighting by Ayumu Imai, sound design by Louise Dai, and photography by Becky Alp, the play's production team, led by Agus Ardisana, has crafted an atmosphere that brings this complex story vividly to life.
A Notable Cast
The talented cast includes Nagoya favorite Emily Bailey, local drag performers Clitolia Joroe and Karen, and an ensemble of diverse performers: Akemi, Furitsu Orukuro, Faith Evans, Miho, Steph Patterson, and Aoi. Voiceover artists Michael Joseph Murray, Zach Gault, and Sam Willet add depth to this multilayered production.
Trans Rights Are Human Rights
the marble moons of gakki-machi is more than a play; it's a call for empathy, visibility, and accountability. In honor of Transgender Awareness Week, Coat Rack Theatre invites audiences to engage in this celebration of life and the strength found in queer love.
About Coat Rack Theatre
Coat Rack Theatre is dedicated to supporting new voices and producing original plays in both New York and Japan. The company is currently accepting submissions for its 2025 Short Play Staged Reading Festival (deadline: March 1, 2025).
For more information on Coat Rack Theatre's past shows, upcoming projects, and workshops in acting, movement, and playwriting, visit coatrack.org
Talkback and After Performance
Stay after the performances on November 16 (14:00) and November 17 (15:00) for a talkback session with local Nagoya artist Yume, whose work is featured in the show's promotional materials.
Stickers and prints will also be available for purchase.
Keep Up With What's Going On!
Get our FREE weekly newsletter!
The Details
the marble moons of gakki-machi
Venue: Nanjare Theater
Dates:
Nov. 15 at 18:30
Nov. 16 at 14:00 and 19:30
Nov. 17 at 15:00
Doors open 30 minutes before each show, with no late seating allowed. The play runs approximately 75 minutes without an intermission.
Performed in four languages (mostly English) with Japanese subtitles.
Tickets
Advance: ¥2,000
Door: ¥2,500
Space is limited, so early reservations are recommended.
Tickets can be purchased with cash at the door or online through Peatix.
A portion of all ticket and art sales will benefit local mental health and LGBTQIA+ initiatives.
MAP
Leave a Comment