On stage, one of Japan's biggest Kabuki stars changes roles in an instant. Offstage, it took decades

Onstage, Danjuro Ichikawa, one of the biggest stars of Japan’s Kabuki theater, is a virtuoso in switching roles. In his latest production, he plays 13 parts, including a princess, a sushi chef and a fox. He hobbles offstage as a feeble old man, then dashes back on moments later as a fierce warrior. He gets in a few sword fights, dies tragically more than once, and takes flight on wires. But offstage, he’s wondering if it’s time for the often rigid role of a Kabuki star to change. Danjuro has made efforts to update Kabuki in “Hoshiawase Jusandan,” at the Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo through July 24, trimming longer scenes and modernizing some dialogue.