Takarazuka Journal

Long delayed, loooong delayed, A-"R"ex review.

A-"R"ex
Moon Troupe Drama City, 2007

Stars: Sena Jun & Ayano Kanami

[ TakaWiki ] [ Takarazuka Precious ]

I was really, really looking forward to this show from the moment that I first heard about it -- my bachelor's degree is in archaeology and things like this make me purr. Then I heard that it would be a really small cast, and I love shows with small casts. Then I heard that Masaki would be playing Hephaestion, and deafened you all with it. <3

... And then people actually started to go see it and it seemed that hardly anyone liked it.

But I perservered.

And, boy, am I glad that I did.

First of all, to explain the circumstances, it's a show by Ogita Koichi, who is rather famous for his rather trippy revue shows. He's done a few actual musicals, but of them, even Orpheus in Spiral was pretty trippy. He likes that kind of cryptic, dreamlike, sometimes downright confusing plot and dialogue that some people would call clever and some would call a sham. ...I suppose I fall into the first category, which is why I enjoyed A-"R"ex.

You'll notice I left out a summary. That's because it's rather hard to summarize. The "plot" consists of the life of Alexander the Great, from his father's death to his own, but most of it is told in voice-overs or narration from Aristotle. What we, the audience, see is a rather psychadelic set of dialogues between Alexander and the gods (and also his mother and a few other characters). Lest you miss the implications, most of the ensemble cast is dressed like hippies. Things discussed include predestination, what the favor of the gods means, what the gods are, etc. etc. A reluctant, taciturn Alexander is persuaded to go to war, and then to march further, and further, and further....

This wasn't really a musical. There was dialogue, but no action. It was an artsy play with some songs. It doesn't hurt that the singers were some of the best that Takarazuka has to offer, including Yashiro Kou, Izumo Aya, and Ayano Kanami.

I heard a lot from people about this being another of Asako's angst shows, but to be honest, I didn't see it. Her Alexander was taciturn and a little sour, but he didn't whine, and we were mercifully free from the fish-mouth, wide-eyed, wild looks of "suffering" that Takarazuka lead otokoyaku tend to sport. Even more refreshing, there wasn't a lot of shouting, to make SURE WE KNEW THEY WERE SUFFERING INTERNALLY. The only time Alexander broke down was for a few minutes in India, and considering the circumstances, I forgive him. Actually, I really liked the interpretation, though I found it hard to believe that someone whom Hephaestion is always assuring us "doesn't hate women; he hates people" could have the kind of charisma that Alexander was famous for.

Another interesting aspect was the breaking down of the fourth wall. Izumo Aya's character Athena would wander in from time to time and scold others, telling them to hurry up and change their costumes or get to their places. All in all, it was very Oggy-like.

Well, I'll stop there. Over all I enjoyed it, and it's something that I know I'll be watching again and again to catch bits that I missed, but I don't think it's the kind of show that will appeal to most Takarazuka fans.

Elisabeth
2007 Snow Troupe

Leads: Mizu Natsuki & Shirahane Yuri

[ TakaWiki ] [ TCA Shop ] [ ENAK Sumire Style GRAPH ]

To be honest, I wasn't sure if I wanted to see this show, at the same time that I was dying to see it. Since I first fell in love with Takarazuka, Mizu was one of my magic trio (Rika, Yuuhi, Mizu). It's been kind of hard watching everyone suddenly become a fan because she's a top star now and because she happened to get to play Death. I know, it's not rational, but that's the way it is. Because of that, the DVD has been kind of low on my priority list. I really wanted to see Hoshikage first, but I haven't been able to afford it yet. But Julie brought Elisabeth over with her, so of course I gave in to the temptation in .2 seconds flat. ;)

And of course, I was really worried. I wanted to like my top combi together, but I'd heard lukewarm things about Shirahane Yuri's Sissi.

So...

( What I Thought )

Overall, I found the changes they made interesting. Often I couldn't say: "Oh, I liked the old way better", or "Oh, I like this way better". I think this new round of Elisabeths is going to be just different enough that they're not comparable with the first five productions.

A Magician's Misfortunes
Moon Troupe Tokyo shinjinkouen

Stars: Ryuu Masaki & Yumesaki Nene

I've already summarized the show here, so I won't bother with that so much.

This was my first live shinko, and I was nervous as hell for a lot of reasons, including the fact that it was Masaki in the lead. Masaki! The poor thing had been working herself to the bone for the past week, at least, with two performances a day and extra rehearsals until 9 or 10 at night for the shinko. Yet she still had amazing energy and a beautiful smile early every morning and late every night. I don't know how she did it. Anyway, the day of the shinjinkouen she arrived smiling, much to the relief of the ladies in the fan club. She seemed relaxed and rested. There was a 1:30 regular show that day, and then the shinko started at 6:30.

Masatsuka Haruhiko (the playwright/director of the regular show) was also directing the Tokyo shinko. This is interesting, since Inaba-sensei directed the Takarazuka shinko. I wonder.... Anyway, I actually caught a glance of him and the stage magician and a few of the other staff exiting the theater one night after shinko rehearsal (sorry to people hearing this story for the millionth time).

I ended up with a fairly good seat - 2nd floor, 5th row, seat 33, which is as close to SS-seki as I've ever been. <3

( Read more... )

Overall? Loved it. Can't wait for it to be broadcast so that I can actually catch more of the underclassmen. I am a little sad that it was so short, but I got over that. Just to have been there, to watch Masaki and the rest of the 87ths at their last shinjinkouen performance -- that's why I was really there. The fact that it was a terribly funny play, with some great songs? Just a lucky, lucky bonus. :D

( demachi )

MAHOROBA
Moon Troupe, 2007

Stars: Sena Jun & Ayano Kanami

[ TCA Pictures Shop ] [ ENAK Sumire Style ] [ Takarazuka Precious ]

This here be a thorough summary, yo. Because the official summary fails in so many ways.

So. Take the gorgeous choreography of Sha Tamae, mix in gorgeous, moving music complete with shamisen written by a famous (and young, and cute) shamisen musician, the retelling of Japanese mythology, gorgeous, gorgeous costumes reminiscent of Susano-o, and Moon Troupe at its very best. And there you may have an inkling of MAHOROBA's greatness.

For me, its only major failure is that it is too short.

( Summary -- And a warning, because I haven't brushed up on my Kojiki in a while. ;) )

I loved the choreography even more than I was expecting to, and the costumers did a great job with costumes that really showed off Sha-sensei's choreography -- lots of long, silky and billowy sleeves and pant legs for the slower numbers and the storm numbers, and just plain cool outfits for the faster battle scenes and warrior dances. The still photos don't really do them justice -- you have to see them in action! Lots of large group numbers, which is always fun. One scene blended into the next at a non-stop pace, and the music carried you along through it all. The music was also in a good range for all of the singers.

A show I could have gone back to see again and again and again.

For the DVD, I hope they give us a lot of wide-angle shots and save the tight close-ups for the alternate angles. Because as much as you want to see the face of your favorites, the impact of seeing it all in front of you is pretty amazing. I actually tended to not use my opera glasses so that I could see it all.

My only two complaints... Although Ban Akira had some nifty things to do, it seemed odd to pull her into this show for only this part. And Masaki and Yuuhi were almost always in the same scenes.... So I missed Yuuhi almost completely. ^^;; Okay, one more complaint: Why is the whole things so catchy!? I kept finding myself on the verge of bouncing in my seat. Very embarrassing.

Also, I'm trying to mention everyone's favorites in here, but let me know if I've missed someone you want to hear about. ;)

Hallelujah Go! Go!
Star Troupe Bow Hall, 2007

Leads: Yuzuki Reon & Hizuki Hana

[ Takawiki ] [ Takarazuka Precious Review (photos) ]

( Summary: Beware spoilers not in the wiki summary )

What I Thought:

I can't hope to reach the glory and adorableness of arlecchinic's review, so I'll fall back on bullet points. ;D

+ Loved the disco music. Loved the disco dancing (particularly the big group numbers -- I could watch that opening over and over and... oh. I have) and loved Ema Naoki singing a disco medley.
+ Loved all silly group songs involving Miki Chigusa
+ Kawai Mizuho's shadow solos killed me. Every time. Where has that woman been hiding a voice like that?!
+ Loved Ema Naoki just in general, actually. She's so cool, even in a silly-looking afro and genormous glasses.
+ Yuzuki Reon was born to play a disco dancer from the 70s.
+ Ayaka Rei... woah. Was expecting to like her, but wasn't expecting to end up absolutely loving her and her character.
+ Loved Chigu's outfits. *g* Oh lord, there are no words.
+ The mini revue finale was love. Dance, dance! And they gave such a lovely number to Chiga Teruko.
+ Chie and Hizuki Hana made excellent partners.

- The collars on those leisure suits weren't nearly big enough. ;p
- The dialogue got really preachy at times, and I started just fast-forwarding through large chunks. Not really unusual in a Takarazuka show, I know, but just once, just once...
- The solo songs, particularly the angsty ones, were a little... boring. More fast disco dancing, please!
- The weird bits at the beginning and the end with Dennis Jr. marrying a woman who looks exactly like his mother were... unnecessary. Really.

* Ume. Hm. She managed to make Brenda a likable character, and I particularly liked her "mysterious girl" bits at the beginning. But there was something so very... I don't know. I can't even figure out what exactly it was. Not Hizuki Hana-like enough?
* Kazu Ryouka is adorable and love. But Brian is a flat pancake. :/ Still, she's pretty when she angsts over her best friend's girl! I did like that whole bit. They were so cute together.
* Chiga-san's speech at the end had me tearing up completely. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to leave Takarazuka after over forty years.

All in all, I loved it! Hoshigumi underclassmen, if my heart wasn't already won, it is now. See, I knew there was a reason I loved Hoshigumi. <3 Takarazuka, I have reached the firm decision that you need more disco shows.

Well, this is not exactly Takarazuka, but it's certainly Takarazuka-related, so...

Slouching Toward Hollywood

Bobby Russell: Nagatsuka Kyouzou
Mary O'Hare: Kuze Seika
Dennis Pratt: Tsutsui Michitaka

[ Daily Yomiuri Article on Lee Kalchiem & the Japanese show (in English). ]

After wandering around Shinjuku for a bit, we managed to find the Kinokuniya Annex and, after a brief detour on the 6th floor, made our way up to the 7th, where the theater is. It was a smallish theater, but although our seats were in the fifth row, they seemed further back with the way the stage and seating was set up. Still... fifth row!

The play itself was different from impressions I had gotten from reading English reviews. I'm not certain if it was the translation, or this staging, or if it's always been this way and I just misinterpreted other things, but for much of the show Russell came across as if he was using Dennis; his age and experience taking advantage of Dennis's naivete. Still, by the end of the play I definitely began to feel for the older character. Kuze was great as Mary! Although I felt pangs of anxiety over seeing someone with such marvelous posture adopting a hunch for the entire thing, I had to love her crazy Mary. Especially the scene where she attempts to mold herself into the potted plant out of total embarrassment. So adorable!

Nagatsuka was an interesting actor, but I couldn't help noticing that he fumbled quite a few lines. It is a fairly long play, and he has the majority of the dialogue, so I imagine it's difficult to memorize them all. Certainly, his Russell was very believable. From the very first scene, with him standing on the desk admiring his noose, to the end, I enjoyed his performance. I really liked Tsutsui as well. Though in the beginning his delivery seemed a little flat, by the end of the play I really enjoyed his character. Certainly, his scene alone with Kuze (and the plant!) was one of my favorites in the show.

At the end, Kuze also treated us all to an adorable two-handed wave. I think that alone was worth the price of admission! ;)

I mentioned this show in my other journal, but didn't nearly do it justice, so I'll try again. And I have to say a huge THANK YOU again to junklover for helping me to get tickets and to find my way to the place and for a million other things.

The Unlimited World
Studio BeMine

Cast: Harusaki Tomoka (New OSK), Asaka Sakurako (New OSK), Ouka Noboru (New OSK), Takase Mao (New OSK), Morino Konoka (New OSK), Namiki Kazumu, Isshiki Suguru, Mimori Aika, Aki Tsukasa, Moegi Kawana

Scene 1: Birth A, Birth B
Scene 2: Harmony
Scene 3: Confrontation A, B
Scene 4: Fusion
Scene 5: Flight
Scene 6: To the Unlimited World
Scene 7: Encore

It was an hour long show, mostly dancing, although there were a few songs as well. And, it was marvelous. OSK dancing really is the best! No doubts in my mind. I've only seen a few OSK/New OSK shows, but I think this is my favorite. And maybe it's because junklover managed to get seats right up next to the stage, and maybe it's because Ouka Noboru was in it.... But I don't think so. I think it really was just an amazing, amazing show.

You know what? I don't think I'll be able to do it justice this time around either. Maybe if I repeat "amazing" enough times, you'll get some sort of idea.... Hm, how to put it into perspective? I saw it the same day I first saw Hanagumi's Black Lizard. And I completely forgot about Hanagumi. Takarazuka who?

I think the scene where they more all-black outfits and did some rather funky/gymnastic maneuvers while dancing was my favorite, but I can't quite match it to the list of scenes.

Anyway, there were slow dances, and fast dances, funky choreography, suits, tuxedos, lovely dresses.... *happy sigh*

And afterwards I went to demachi. It's very different from Takarazuka. How did junklover put it? They're more approachable. She was marvelous and helped me make my way through the crowd to where a rather astonished Ouka Noboru agreed to let me get my picture taken together with her. Wow. How cool is that? :D