Tao: Seventeen Samurai

Wednesday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Center Concert Hall
$40, $35, $20; Five College, GCC and 17 & under $15, $12, $10

Following a successful, sold-out world premiere run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, TAO’s brand new production, Seventeen Samurai, takes you on a journey to ancient times. Evoking the traditional disciplines of strength, pureness of mind and the spirit of the fearless Samurai warrior, athletic bodies combine with explosive Japanese drumming in a new and innovative choreography. With TAO’s extraordinary precision, energy and stamina, it’s no wonder they consistently perform at hundreds of sold-out shows. TAO has proven that modern entertainment based on the timeless, traditional art of Taiko drumming entertains international audiences again and again.

Tao: Seventeen Samurai

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4 Replies to “Tao: Seventeen Samurai”

  1. Tao’s performance was powerful, fun, and gorgeous! It seems that they have augmented the visual effect since the last time they were here and increased dance elements. The beautiful costume and elegant movements really accentuate the unique experience they offer to the audience based on the powerful sound. They’ve also retained a few of the funny vignettes. I especially liked the one based on the tradition of Japanese street performance. But their main attraction is still the energetic rhythm created from strong taiko beat in perfect unison that hits you right in the stomach and it was marvelous as ever in the last night’s performance. Most of all, they really look like they are having fun themselves and their enthusiasm is contagious. While much of their presentation is artistic, they definitely have not forgotten that the purpose of their show is to entertain the audience. In their clear recognition of taiko as entertainment and their success in perfecting it as such, I think that Tao towers above other taiko troupes. Thank you for bringing them back and I look forward to their next performance at FAC!

  2. Artistic, athletic and adventurous describes Tao’s performers and the show which was an invitation into a rhythmical soul experience like none I have ever experienced. Every action was captivating, the music lyrical and the humor and engagement of the performers delightful. DO NOT EVER miss the opportunity to be with these amazing human beings. Bravo to the entire company for creating a masterpiece of human physical and soul possibility unleashed and held by the resounding beat of the Taiko drums..

  3. Dtto for all the compliments voiced by the two earlier commenters, but I would like to add that it would have been helpful to have more information about how the Taiko drumming was developed, and what was its original purpose, in China and in Japan. I rushed home to call up Taiko on Wikapedia and found out a lot of information that I wished I (and others) had had, before and during that wonderful performance. And yes, I particularly liked the additional dance and the playing of other instruments – flute and koto, in particular, of course. This added SO much to the performance, which was “just” drumming the last time they came (which was excellent but got a bit tedious and repetitious, the last time they were here.

  4. The program director who attended the Seventeen Samurai with his clients said the performance & music was wonderful. His clients enjoyed themselves so much they didn’t want the evening to end.

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