If the thought of attending Noh drama makes you want to just say no, maybe you should talk to Mae Smethurst first. The oldest of the three forms of Japanese theater Noh drama has been continuously performed since its beginning in the 15thcentury. Nevertheless "Aoi no Ue," the classic Noh play that will have a single performance at the Charity Randall Theatre Friday night, is as familiar as the evening's news, Smethurst says. "An astronaut who drove 900 miles to get revenge is the kind of story we're talking about," she says. "Aoi no Ue" is the tale of Lady Rokujo, a woman spurned who becomes a demon seeking revenge from the woman who the stole her lover, Prince Genji. The play is the centerpiece of an evening of performances by the respected Noh performer Hisa Uzawa and the troupe of Noh actors she put together for a U.S. tour, packaged under the collective title "Noh at Night." The evening also includes a short dance segment from "Hagoromo," ("The Feather Robe") another Noh play, about a man who discovers a beautiful feather robe on a beach. The robe belongs to an angel who needs it to return to heaven. The man promises to return the robe if she will dance for him. Smethurst is a professor of classics and an adjunct professor of East Asian Language and Literature at the University of Pittsburgh, has spent more than three decades studying this form of Japanese drama. She has written three books on Noh drama. She and her husband, Richard Smethurst, a University of Pittsburgh professor of modern Japanese history lived in Japan for 16 years. During their time in Japan both Smethursts have developed a fondness for Noh drama. "He dragged me to Japan and I dragged him to Noh," she says. "I believe I am the professor of the economic history of Japan who has seen the most plays," Richard Smethurst adds. It's an acquired taste, Richard Smethurst says. "But if you like string quartets or small group jazz, for me (Noh) has the same effect." Those who attend Friday night's performance should not go expecting an evening of fast-paced action or the high-flying gymnastics of Chinese opera or kung-fu movies. Over its six or seven centuries of existence, this longest continually performed form of theater has developed into a stylized, ritualized form performed with minimal scenery and props. In some plays a fan can be used to represent a weapon, a saki cup or a pipe. A pine tree, real or painted, is always placed upstage at the back of the playing area. To the sides of the stage bamboo is painted. Actors enter stage right across a bridge that connects to the backstage area. Simple objects and shapes can represent a tree, a hut or a boat. "Noh is very slow. If you take a video of it and fast forward it, it looks normal," Mae Smethurst explains. "It would help the audience to know that in Noh the feet are supposed to stay on the stage as much as possible, which is different from the West. Here you want to maintain contact." Despite -- or even more because of -- the ways in which Noh differs from Western drama, Point Breeze resident and avid theater-goer Elizabeth Seamans is looking forward to attending the "Noh at Night" performance. "I'm most likely to go to something that's a little more interesting than standard plays," says Seamans, who counts less-traditional companies such as Quantum Theatre among her preferences. "Those are the things that float my boat," Seamans says. "Noh is in that category." Noh drama offers visual appeal in he costumes are magnificent and masks. Three actors in "Aoi no Ue" will wear masks in their portrayals of a distraught woman, a medium and a demon. "Music is important to the movements of the performers," Richard Smethurst says. "Drummers make calls, sounds and this tells the actor where he or she should be." Musicians -- three percussionists and a side flute player -- perform with the troupe. "Music both is and isn't used as background, is and isn't used to create rhythm. It has a number of functions," says Mae Smethurst. A large taiko drum, beaten with two sticks creates a steady, regular rhythm that helps the dancers. The other two drums accompany the text and signal changes in tempo or strength Friday night's performance is also an out-of-this-world bargain, Mae Smethurst says. Theater-goers in Japan can expect to pay as much as $100-$150 to see a good Noh performance. Top price for Friday night's performance is $15.

All things Japan If you've got a yen for Japan, but not the money to travel there, don't despair. A surprisingly full schedule of events planned for the Pittsburgh area allow you to enjoy and experience many aspects of Japanese culture without experiencing jet lag. 'Jump to Japan: Discovering Culture Through Popular Art' What: This traveling show was created to appeal to kids. But adults interested in experiencing contemporary and traditional Japanese culture may be tempted to borrow, rent or recruit a small fry to give them an excuse to visit. Hands-on activities encourage exploration in creating moving images of anime (animation) or the still images of magna (comics). Kids can try on traditional Japanese costumes, learn Japanese numbers and letters, and create woodblock prints and traditional scrolls. Those who visit between 11 a.m. and noon Saturdays can learn the basics of the Japanese paper-folding art of origami during informal hands-on sessions. Presented by: Children's Museum of Pittsburgh When: Through May 12. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays Admission: Included in general admission of $9; $8 for ages 2-18 and senior citizens Where: Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children's Way, North Side Details: 412-322-5958 or www.pittsburghkids.org 'The Prints of Tsukioka Kogyo' What: The more than 70 colorful woodblock prints in this show illustrate Japanese Noh performers and performances. Created by Tsukioka Kogyo in mid-19th century and early 20th-century Japan, the prints illustrate Noh performers and stage decor from an audience perspective. Several prints look to the stage from a backstage perspective. If you're a newcomer to Noh, it's worth your time to see this show at the Frick before attending "Noh at Night." Explanatory signs and the works themselves will add to your appreciation and understanding of the performance. Viewing the prints either post-Noh show or as a freestanding event can be a pleasant experience if for no other reason than to view the skill and technique of a master printmaker. Presented by: The Frick Museum of Art at the Frick Art & Historical Center When: Though April 7. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Admission: Free Where: The Frick Museum of Art at the Frick Art & Historical Center, 7227 Reynolds St., Point Breeze Details: 412-371-0600 or www.frickart.org 'Modern Japanese Prints 1868-1989' What: More than 200 woodblock prints survey the changes in Japanese life and culture that took place between 1868 and 1989. These master prints from the late 19th-century Meiji period through the late 20th century also illustrate the developments in the art and production of the prints. Prints in the exhibit were drawn from the museum's collection, as well as those of four private Pittsburgh collectors. Want more information• Presented by: Carnegie Museum of Art When: Through April 15. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays Admission: $10; $7 for senior citizens; $6 for children and students Where: Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland Details: 412-622-3131

CLASSES, WORKSHOPS Many organizations offer classes, workshops and information sessions for those interested in learning first hand how Japanese arts and crafts are produced. Here's a selection of opportunities: Origami sessions, Bonsai demonstrations What:

Informal Origami drop-in sessions led by members of the Origami Club of Pittsburgh at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offer quick lessons in how to fold squares of paper to create flowers and butterflies. Origami sessions are at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 3 and April 7. During Bonsai demonstrations, the conservatory's bonsai manager, Kevin Haughey, works on a bonsai while answering questions and demonstrating techniques used in trimming and taming these miniature trees. Demonstrations take place at 11:30 a.m. March 17 and April 15

Presented by: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens When: Conservatory hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays through Thursdays and 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays Admission: Included in conservatory admission of $9; $8 for senior citizens and students, $6 for ages 2-12; free for younger children Where: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Schenley Drive, Schenley Park Details: 412-622-6914

Ikebana Classes What: Learn how to create the elegantly streamlined Japanese flower arrangements forms in "Ikebana -- Art of Japanese Flower Arrangement, a two-session class offered through Community College of Allegheny County's Community Education division. Students learn basic forms and techniques of the Sogetsu Ikebana School. Presented by: Community College of Allegheny County 's Community Education When: Two sessions, 6:30-9 p.m. March 14 and 21 Admission: $35 plus $20 materials fee Where: North Allegheny Intermediate School, Cumberland Road, McCandless Details: 412-369-3703

Upcoming events 'Allure of Japanese Glass' What: Learn what the latest wave of Japanese glass artists are producing in glass. The Pittsburgh Glass Center's first international exhibit is being organized by Japanese glass artists Jarumi Yukutake and Tomoko Aoki. The show will display the work of 17 contemporary Japanese artists who work with glass. This exhibit will mark the first time that most of these emerging Japanese artists will be showing their work in the U.S. Presented by: The Pittsburgh Glass Center When: May 4-Oct. 21. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays Admission: Free, but donations welcomed Where: The Hodge Gallery, 5472 Penn Avenue, Friendship Details: 412-365-2145, ext. 201; or

Tekkoshocon V What: Fans of anime and other aspects of Japanese pop-culture are anticipating the start of this three-day convention dedicated to Japanese animation and Asian culture. It's a chance for fans to watch screenings, meet with artists and performers, compete in games, indulge in a little karaoke and stock up on hard-to-get merchandise at vendors' booths. Many attendees create and wear ensembles that transform them into their favorite Japanese anime or pop-culture character. Presented by: Tekkoshocon V When: April 13-15. Hours: TBA Admission: $45 for advance registration, available on-line. At door day rates: $20-$45; $10 for ages 7-11; free for age 6 and younger. Those age 12 and younger must be accompanied by someone age 18 or older Where: Pittsburgh Expo Mart, 101 Mall Blvd., Monroeville Details: www.tekkoshon.com Additional Information:

'Noh at Night'

What: An evening of performances by the Noh performer Hisa Vzawa and the troupe of Noh actors Presented by: The Asian Studies Center of the University of Pittsburgh's University Center for International Studies When: 7 p.m. Friday Admission: $15; $10 for Pitt and UPMC staff, faculty and students, senior citizens and age 12 and younger Where: Charity Randall Theater in the Stephen Foster Memorial on the University of Pittsburgh Campus, Forbes Avenue at Bigelow Boulevard, Oakland. Details: 412-624-7529

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---