The Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, the Japan Foundation and San Francisco State University will present “Backstage to Hanamichi: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Color, Magic and Drama of Kabuki” with lead actors Nakamura Kyozo and Nakamura Matanosuke of the world-renowned Shochiku Company at the McKenna Theatre on the SFSU campus, 1600 Holloway Dr., San Francisco, on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m.

The magnificent beauty and highly refined artistry of kabuki have made it a rare jewel among the great theater traditions of the world. Its actors must undergo years of rigorous training in order to master its three artistic components of music (ka), dance (bu) and drama (ki) before being allowed to perform before an audience.

In order to create the magic that is seen on stage, the kabuki actor is supported backstage by a team of unseen artisans and craftsman including costumer stylists, wig masters, musicians and prop masters.

“Backstage to Hanamichi” provides the audience with a rare glimpse into the traditional world of this centuries-old theater and the painstaking preparations that leads up to an actor’s grand entrance onto the hanamichi stage.

The lecture/performance includes performances of two kabuki dance classics: “Sagi Musume” (The Heron Maiden) and “Shakkyo” (Lion Dance), contrasting the lyrical style of the onnagata (actor specializing in female roles) with dynamic, acrobatic style in the heroic Lion Dance.

Tickets are available through the SFSU box office at (415) 338-2467. General admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Discounted tickets for students/faculty staff/seniors are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Co-sponsored by the Japan America Society and the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, the program will also travel to Los Angeles on Oct. 15, Seattle on Oct. 19, Portland on Oct. 21, and Denver on Oct. 24.

Visit www.creativearts.sfsu.edu and www.jflalc.org for more information.