Tokyo Sonata scene depicts Kenji performing "Clair de Lune" from the Suite bergamasque at his audition with Megumi, Ryūhei, and his piano teacher watching. His performance is flawless. Peter Bradshaw of "The Guardian" gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, while Nick Schager of "Slant Magazine" gave it 3 out of 4 stars. Christopher Bourne of "Meniscus Magazine" said, "Kurosawa's latest film, "Tokyo Sonata", is his best in quite a few years, a truly frightening work that achieves its effects without resorting to tired genre mechanics." He also wrote that "Debussy's 'Clair de Lune' may well have never been put to
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune lune. It's a lovely moment..." The play opened Off-Broadway on June 2, 1987 at Stage II of the Manhattan Theatre Club, where it ran for two weeks. Directed by Paul Benedict, the original cast starred Kathy Bates and F. Murray Abraham. On October 14, 1987 it opened at Stage I for a six-week run. Kenneth Welsh played the part of Johnny in the Stage I production. On December 4, 1987 the play transferred to the Westside Theatre, and closed on March 12, 1989. Kathy Bates was nominated for the 1987-1988 Obie Award, Outstanding Performance. The play opened on Broadway on