NEWS
Rhapsody on “Yoheho-bushi” and “Itsuki Lullaby” Returns
Jan. 11, 2026
A piece I was commissioned to compose for Kioi Hall a few years ago will be performed again, this time in a newly arranged version for a larger ensemble. It will be played as the finale at both concerts!
If you’re nearby, I’d be very happy if you could come and hear it.
Saturday, February 7, 2026 14:00
[Japanese and Western cultures resonating together]
Kumamoto Great Japanese Music Festival Executive Committee x Nippon Steel Kioi Hall Japanese Music
New Artists Exhibition meets Kioi Afternoon Concert
Venue: Sears Home Yume Hall (Kumamoto Civic Hall)
https://kioihall.jp/concert/20260207s1400/?date=2026-02-07&time=14:00
Sunday, February 8, 2026 14:00
[Japanese and Western cultures resonating together]
Kitakyushu Municipal Hibiki Hall x Nippon Steel Kioi Hall
Resonating Concert ~Eastern and Western traditions resonate through music~
Venue: Kitakyushu Municipal Hibiki Hall (Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
https://kioihall.jp/concert/20260208s1400/?date=2026-02-08&time=14:00
a New Performance "How to Make a Love Song"
Sep. 20, 2025
A multilingual performance・Language Barrier・Comedy・Hand Sign・Musical drama
"I have to write a love song by the deadline..."
"I don’t understand what you’re saying!"
"Will I make it to my best friend's wedding?!"
Dates October 28 (Tue) – October 30 (Thu), 2025
Venue SOOO dramatic!
Ticket Sales Livepocket website URL: https://t.livepocket.jp/t/ljvcf
Price ¥3,000 (Free seating)
Concept and Music: Yu Okuda
Storyboard and Direction: Ei Sugai
Dramaturge：Yuka / Yasuko Uchida
Tokyo Festival 2025 Open Call Program
Supported by Arts Council Tokyo (Grant for Accessibility)
In association with the Theatre Partnership Production of the 8th Edomachi-Taito Entertainment Festival
the original musical "H12"
Apr. 7, 2025
So thrilled to announce that the original musical "H12" will be revived in Tokyo from June 13 to 16!
I'll be playing the piano at every performance as the music director.
Fri. June 13 ~ Mon. June 16
at Sumida Park Theater SOU (1-1-10, Yokokawa, Sumida-CIty, Tokyo, 130-0003)
Book by Einoshin Ito
Music by Shiro Nishihira
Lyrics by Takuya Nagano
Directed by Takuya Nagano
Music Directed by Yu Okuda
Our new musical “Irreplaceable, A New Musical”
Aug. 17, 2024
So thrilled to announce that our new musical “Irreplaceable, A New Musical”will be performed at “The Emerging Artists Theatre (EAT) Spark Theatre Festival NYC” at the Chain Theatre in NYC from September 9-29, 2024.
Mon. September 9, from 7PM.
at Chain Theatre (312 W 36th St. 3rd floor, New York, NY 10018)
”Irreplaceable, A New Musical”
After his mother's tragic death, a music-loving teenager stops singing. Now in high school, he cares for his disabled grandfather, manages household chores, and works at a ballet studio. There, he meets a single mother and former TV director who wants to interview him for a movie about young carers.
Book: Ei Sugai
Music & Japanese Lyrics: Yu Okuda
English Book & Lyrics: Adam Mathias
Dramaturgy & Additional Story: Ayumi Okada and Yasuko Uchida
We are excited to present a 30-minute reading excerpt from our 90-minute musical on the festival's opening day! We can’t wait to see you there.
https://www.tickettailor.com/.../sparktheatrefest.../1329071
Our songs will be featured at the "Summer Song Theater Festival 2024"
Jul. 24, 2024
I'm thrilled to announce that the songs I wrote with my fantastic collaborators Ayumi Okada and Christian Duhamel—"My Head Turns Round and Round at Christmas" and "Fog on the Zattere" —will be featured at the "Summer Song Theater Festival 2024" in Houston, TX. this August!
“Fog On The Zattere” Demo Video has been released!
Jul. 13, 2024
So thrilled to announce that our second Japanese to English translation original theatre song has finally been released!
“Fog On The Zattere”
Music & Lyrics by Ayumi Okada and Yu Okuda
English Lyric Translation by Christian Duhamel
Performed by Tracy Sallows
From "On the Zattere", a musical novel that was self-produced and performed in Tokyo in December 2022.
This is the English version of the theme song sung by the saloon singer in the story.
English / Japanese subtitles are available, so you can enjoy it however you like!
We Presented our Holiday Song
Dec. 13, 2023
Our holiday song "My Head Turns Round and Round at Christmas" was presented at a holiday salon hosted by musical writers Arri and Janine in NYC. Please take a look!
This song was originally written in Japanese and later translated into English.
If you would like to see the Japanese version, please check here.
Please turn on the subtitle button if you like.
Currently in NYC as a Cultural Exchange Researcher (theatre division)
May 15, 2024
I am currently staying in NYC for one year from October 2023 as the fellowship of the “Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists 2023” sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, and the "U.S.-Japan Creative Artists Fellowship Program 2023."
Now updating the report of my residency here. (Japanese Only)