Event Announcement

Gettysburg: An American Story Distilled Through Japanese Noh

Charity Randall Theater

September 14, 2019

7:30pm-10:00pm

Please join us and the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures for a poetic exploration of the ill-fated friendship between Confederate General Lewis Armistead and Union General Winfield Hancock. In this unique noh drama, Playwright Elizabeth Dowd and composer David Crandall reimagine the conflict at the center of American history as Japanese noh, creating something unprecedented: an intertwining of voices from our country’s painful past with noh’s poetic forms, a synthesis of the extraordinary music of noh with choral concert music, accompanied by violin, harmonica, and the drums of noh. Through this synthesis Gettysburg gives audiences an opportunity to consider the larger and lasting significance of America’s war against itself.

Developed by Theatre Nohgaku with the mission to share noh's beauty and power with English-speaking audiences through the creation of new works that transcend the boundaries of culture and language.

Noh, originating in Japan more than 650 years ago, is one of the oldest continuously evolving stage arts in the world. It combines highly stylized dance, chant, music, mask, and costume with intense inner concentration and physical discipline, resulting in a uniquely powerful theatrical event.

We will purchase a limited number of open seating tickets for NCTA alums. If you want to bring a few students with you, please let Patrick know as we could purchase some tickets for students who accompany you to the performance.

For tickets, please contact Patrick at: hughespw@pitt.edu

Deadline for contacting us for free tickets: Wednesday, September 11

Please check out this brief introductory video in the link here.

Please check out this Informational Guide for more details here.

For more information online: Please see the link here.

For Tickets: Please see the link to buy online here. 

Also if you are new to noh theater...

Noh Before You Go: The English-language Noh Play “Gettysburg” at Stephen Foster Memorial, Sept. 14, 2019

In Pittsburgh, we’re all familiar with the Battle of Gettysburg and the stories of valiant soldiers on both sides of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle. But what’s Japan’s medieval noh theater got to do with it?  Join Elizabeth Oyler of the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures for a crash course in the noh theater and some background about the creation of the play “Gettysburg.” And then be in the “noh” and join us for the play on September 14^th!  You are also cordially invited to a “Breakfast Breakdown” session to discuss the play on the 15^th at the Panera in the Galleria, Mt. Lebanon, at 9:30 AM. For more information about the performance and related activities, please contact Elizabeth Oyler at eaoyler@pitt.edu.

For those interested in attending the performance, please consider attending a pre-performance introduction to the noh theater and the play “Gettysburg” at one of the following locations/times:

Sept. 3, 7 PM, Sewickley Public Library

500 Thorn Street

Sewickley, PA 15143

Sept. 4, 4 PM, Mt. Lebanon Public Library

16 Castle Shannon Blvd

Pittsburgh, PA 15228

Sept. 4, 7 PM, Carnegie Public Library of Pittsburgh, Squirrel Hill

5801 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217