Haruki Fujimoto

Haruki Fujimoto (藤本 治貴) was a Japanese-born theatre performer, dancer, choreographer, and teacher whose Broadway career spanned from 1966 to 1976. Born in Hiroshima, he received his dance training in Osaka at the Hanayagi Dance School before building a career in the United States. He earned certification as a Natori in Japanese dance and taught at Hollins University in Virginia from 1970 to 1990. He died on October 12, 2006.

Before reaching Broadway, Fujimoto worked in experimental and modern choreography, performing with the companies of both Donald McKayle and Sophie Maslow. His stage work also included national tours of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, The Music Man, and Funny Girl, as well as the original production of Chu Chem, which closed during its tryout phase before reaching Broadway.

Fujimoto made his Broadway debut in 1966 in the original production of It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman, directed by Harold Prince. A decade later, he reunited with Prince for Pacific Overtures, a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by John Weidman that employed a blend of kabuki and Western theatre techniques to dramatize Japan's emergence from 250 years of isolation. Fujimoto's contributions to the production were extensive: he served as kabuki consultant, dance captain, and assistant to the choreographer, while also playing several silent roles within the company, among them Kayama's servant, a rickshaw operator, and a dancer in the finale.

Most notably, Fujimoto created the role of Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry. The role was largely silent, with outside sound effects used to convey the Commodore's commands, but Act I concluded with a Lion Dance choreographed by Patricia Birch to dance music by Daniel Troob. The number, which foreshadowed the influence of America on Japan, drew specific mention in New York Times reviews by both Clive Barnes and Walter Kerr. The performance earned Fujimoto a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical in 1976, making him the only cast member of Pacific Overtures to receive a Drama Desk nomination, though co-stars Mako Iwamatsu and Isao Sato received Tony Award nominations. Fujimoto lost the Drama Desk Award to George Rose for his performance in a revival of My Fair Lady. His image also appears on the cover of the original cast album of Pacific Overtures.