Takarazuka Journal

The Gypsy Baron / Rhapsodic Moon
Moon Troupe, 2010

Stars: Kiriya Hiromu & Aono Yuki

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The Gypsy Baron

Gypsy is amazing in so many ways<3

I had been hearing a lot about the 6-minute pair dance in the beginning, set to the overture (I think?), and it really blew my mind. As usual, Marimo and Kiriyan move as if they are extensions of each other. They really are the perfect combi, and every time I see Kiriyan do a complicated lift I think of Mariko<3 I LOVE our top combi.

Many of the songs from Strauss's original score are only slightly arranged, I believe, and then some few songs were added. Much of it is in triple-time, which they mention in many interviews gave them some trouble singing and dancing at first, since it's a rhythm they rarely encounter. The chorus arrangements--all of the songs, really--also had that familiar operatic feel. I'll admit, I was quite stunned by the chorus vocals. They blend so well and sound AMAZING. The solos also sounded very good, and the duets were moving as well, although in one they have Marimo singing up at the edge of her range, which can get piercing. In general, though, they have her singing alto, and it's *beautiful*.

From the few photos I had seen, I wasn't sure how fond I'd be of the sets, but the pig house grew on me. It has a charming fairy-tale feel. And the ruins of Sterk's father's castle are just awesome! I love when they use the rotating stage during the play half♥

I adore the costumes, particularly Sterk's and the gypsies'. Lots of blacks and reds and fun designs. The exception being Tamakichi's - She has a long open vest/jacket that hangs straight with no patterns or lines to it at all, and so she looks like the villain in an Arabian tale. (^^; That, or a stork.

I also love Kiriyan and Marimo and Masaki's hair pieces, extensions, and wigs.<3 Kiriyan's in particular is this perfect wild mane that hangs halfway down her back and looks like something out of a medieval romance novel. You really want to be the maiden with that head in your lap. It fits her character perfectly.

( Summary )

( Actresses & Small Complaints )

Rhapsodic Moon

I just-I..... Yes. It's as loud as people had warned me. But I was expecting the loud colors (we always wear yellow and orange in the specials, after all), and the loud music wasn't as bad from my habitual balcony seat.

I fell in love with the opening with the orange neon outfits. Because it was so Tsukigumi, and because there was Masaki, in the nibante place. It was rather incredible; I don't think I can even explain it. I just sat there and thought about the past four years worth of revue shows, and opera-glassing Masaki back somewhere, moving slowly up. And now, here she was. Granted, sharing with Mirio, but still. There. Right there. It's an *amazing* feeling -- I'm sure I had a very stupid grin on my face the entire time.

Overall, though, I have to admit I'm not really a big fan of Nakamura Kazunori-sensei, or his revues. Still! I looked on the bright side; no chansons.

If you want more info on the various scenes, I've added it to the TakaWiki. But, in summary:

Prologue: LOVE
Castle Shining Under the Moon: Pretty Marimo dancing. Baaaaaad wig, Kiriyan. Mini-Death Mirio, who apparently sometimes turns into mini-Phantom. I have not seen this, but I'm told her face is too small to pull off a half-mask properly. (We all agreed that for the same reason, Masaki should not be allowed anywhere near a half-mask.)
Moon Dance: SUIT MASAKI♥ (Club ladies, you are crazy. She looks just fine in a suit.) Singing Masaki in a spotlight♥ Nibante Masaki♥
LUZ Moonlight: I was not fond of the chuzume, despite the Masaki nibante-ness. BUT. Marimo's scene? Where she sang a solo all by herself in front of the curtain because she is just. That. Awesome? *LOVE!*
CARAVAN & Desert Moon: Intellectually, I know I should love these scenes. I certainly adored the bit with the duet dance. I'll give it some time.
Finale: Giving Sonoka that vocal solo, instead of having her dance in CARAVAN & Desert Moon is a criminal act. Firstly, no Sonoka dancing!? Secondly, this song does not fit her vocals and, oh dear. :( Line dance was the usual. I spent much of it thinking Hanahi Mira was Mippou, which tells you how tired I was by that point. Black tailcoat otokoyaku dance was sexy, but also seemed to lack something. I suspect that was the exhaustion, though. Finale duet dance to "I Will Survive"? Too amazing. Doesn't hurt that Rizu-chan picks up the song with Kijou Mitsuru, after Kiriyan stops singing and starts dancing♥♥
Parade: NIBANTE. NIBANTE.

Altogether, an enjoyable revue, and one I won't mind watching multiple times. But not one that made my heart swell so much it felt like it might burst. At least, if it weren't for NIBANTE MASAKI. That alone will make this revue memorable for me. ;)

Hollywood Lover
Moon Troupe Bow Hall, 2007-08

Stars: Ozora Yuuhi & Shirosaki Ai

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( Quick-quick Summary: )

What I Thought:

Another show I have been hoarding for a rainy day, for so many nostalgic reasons.

I'll be honest, I wasn't even certain if I would like it, or if it would be too much like Last Party, which I didn't really care for all that much. But it surprised me. I felt like, especially in the second act, it contained some genuinely touching scenes which transcended the usual angst-fest of a Takarazuka Love Tragedy. When Amane-san gave the photo to Yuuhi, I started crying.

( Read more... ) I liked the ways that Ueda-sensei managed to make well-worn scenarios fresh.

The farewell speeches were.... I think Koshino Ryuu was the worst off. She fell apart and made mistakes that set Yuuhi off in stitches♥ She was all: "I can do it, I can do it. [GIANT MISTAKE]" And Yuuhi was all: *warm smile* "Ganbatte!" Tsukigumi♥

The Last Play / Heat on Beat!
Moon Troupe 2009 Tokyo
Nov. 27th, 2009

Star: Sena Jun

[ TakaWiki ] [ Sanspo Sumire Style Stage Graph ]

Summary:

( spoilers behind most of the cuts )

What I Thought:

Just want to get my first impressions down before I see it again, so this'll be quick.

This is Tsukigumi. The suit troupe. The gangster troupe. The western musical troupe. The troupe of ridiculously hot tangos. The troupe that I fell in love with. All of the things that I love about Daichi Mao's troupe, and Tsurugi Miyuki's troupe, and Amami Yuuki's troupe, and Kuze Seika's troupe, and Tsubasa Makoto's troupe, and Shibuki Jun's troupe, and Sena Jun's troupe. The people might be completely different, but something intrinsically Tsukigumi is always there. That's why--although of course I'm sad about the retirements!--I'm not devastated. It will still be Tsukigumi♥

( Read more... )

On the Revue:

I've added in the little blurbs for all of the revue acts on the TakaWiki.

( Read more... )

Many thanks to lliri_blanc for checking it over for me. :)

Round-Table
Elisabeth -Rondo of Love and Death-
Moon Troupe Grand Theater Performance

Members: Koike Shuuichirou (Director/Script Adaption), Yoshida Youko (Music Director), Kiba Takeshi (Interviewer), Sena Jun, Koshino Ryuu, Kiriya Hiromu, Hanase Mizuka, Isshiki Ruka, Ryouga Haruhi, Ken Ruisu, Kiryuu Sonoka, Mihou Aya, Aoki Izumi, Shirosaki Ai, Ryuu Masaki, Asumi Rio, Hazakura Shizuku (Moon), Nagina Ruumi (Cosmos)

( pages 1 - 12 )

Really rough. Slight spoilers for the show, also probably confusing as hell if you're not familiar with Genji. But also really, really interesting, I think. :)




Members
Adaptor/Director: Oono Takuji
Interviewer: Kiba Takeshi
Senka: Ban Akira, Isono Chihiro, Rika Masumi
Moon Troupe: Sena Jun, Koshino Ryuu, Kiriya Hiromu, Hanase Mizuka, Ryouga Haruhi, Kiryuu Sonoka, Aoki Izumi, Shirosaki Ai, Hazakura Shizuku


Kiba: From November 7th to December 11th, Moon Troupe's Grand Theater performance is The Floating Bridge of Dreams, adapted and directed by Oono Takuji. Ono-Sensei directed Moon Troupe's The Glow of Sunset in Asuka in '04, but this is his first personal Grand Theater show. There is an account in the diary of Murasaki Shikibu (the author of The Tale of Genji) that The Tale of Genji was read in the imperial palace on November 1st, 1008. The Takarazuka Revue has done many kinds of stage adaptations of The Tale of Genji, but for this anniversary year they have taken up the ten Uji chapters about Hikaru Genji's descendents in the next generation. In '73, Sakai Sumio-Sensei created a ballet entitled Ukifune and Kaoru no Kimi, but the production this time is very typical of Oono-Sensei -- tailored into a bittersweet, beautiful piece. Ban Akira-san, Isono Chihiro-san, and Rika Masumi-san from Senka are making special appearances.

Oono: When I read The Tale of Genji this time, I felt that the interesting points--the points that would unfold into a stage adaption--were surprisingly abundant.... To be honest, I found The Tale of Genji's position as an irresistible, must-be-read work of literature disagreeable, and I really didn't care for it. But I suppose it really is true that people's viewpoints change as they age (laugh). The tradition of adapting The Tale of Genji for the stage stretches on endlessly, from Zeami all the way to Houjou Hideji. Although nothing can compare to the readings of those kinds of masters, the story is still one that is read differently from age to age.... I think if you see this performance you will see the interpretation that can be done in the present.

( Read more... )

The Floating Bridge of Dreams
Moon Troupe, 2008

Top Star: Sena Jun

[ TakaWiki ] [ Sanspo Stage Graph ]

( Summary: )

What I Thought:

When Hankyu announced that there would be no new top musumeyaku for Moon Troupe for a while, they said that they were going to use the opportunity to showcase the talents of a variety of musumeyaku in the troupe. I think a lot of people were skeptical, but... this show convinced me they weren't entirely blowing hot air. I thought it was a very interesting (and wildly different) adaption of the Ukihashi Chapters of Genji, and I thought Ono-sensei did a marvelous job writing in a lot of largeish musumeyaku parts: Kosaishou no Kimi, Ukifune, Onna Ichi no Miya, Kobai no Naka no Kimi..... As a huge fan of Hanase Mizuka and Shirosaki Ai, I was really happy with it.♥

Okay, Jen, great, you say, but what about the show? We know you hate Takarazuka Genji adaptions, and you always fall asleep in the middle of Asaki Yume Mishi.

( Read more... )

So, yes. I worried I wouldn't love it, and then I worried I'd only love it because of who was in it, but.... I don't think that's the case at all. I loved it as itself -- I really rather cool story that was staged beautifully with enough dancing in the aisles to keep you awake between all of the angst. Also, political plotting.♥ You win, Ono-sensei!

(The revue will have to wait a bit... this took me three hours. ^^;;)

Magician no Yuutsu
Moon Troupe, 2007

Stars: Sena Jun & Ayano Kanami

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

Where to even begin? Well, I suppose I'll do this one a bit like I did MAHOROBA. This means it's going to be full of spoilers, so I'd avoid it if you want a surprise when you first watch it.

( Read more... )

I know they say that original shows in Takarazuka are written with the cast in mind, but I think that's more apparent for some shows than for others, and probably some playwrights are better at it than others. This show was perfect for this cast, particularly for Asako, Mihoko, and Kiriyan. Mihoko! I didn't really go into her role much in the summary, but her voice was low and not hoarse exactly, but a little rough. And all of her songs tended to be in a lower range than usual as well, and I think it must have been her natural range because it was gorgeous. There weren't a lot of solos in this show, and when there were solos, they were often little scraps of them (for Kiriyan and Mihoko). There were several duets, though, and lots of really, really catchy group numbers. And all of the songs were actually right for the voices of the 'siennes singing them. Oh, I love when they do that.

The stage work was completely fun -- great lighting and lots of uses of all the mechanics (rotating stage, trap doors, etc.). I loved the sets, particularly what they did with the stairs.

The costumes weren't very elaborate, but I liked Asako's black velvet suit and Ai-chan's green dress in particular. And Eri's leather jacket outfit and Yuuhi's vest and combat boots and open-necked shirt and... yeah. .....Ahi's outfit needs to be seen to be believed.

The Energy 5

Cosmos - Black Rose of the Desert: Kuon Maya & Toono Asuka
Moon - LUNA: Yamato Yuuga & Hanase Mizuka
Flower - Asaki Yume Mishi: Ayabuki Mao & Fuzuki Miyo
Star - Golden Pharaoh: Asazumi Kei & Hisato Rie

( Black Rose of the Desert )

( LUNA )

( Asaki Yume Mishi )

(  Golden Pharaoh )

Wow. Two shows I didn't really care for as honkoen that I enjoyed/loved as shinjinkoen.

Higher Than the Sky of Paris / Fancy Dance
Moon Troupe 2007

Leads: Sena Jun & Ayano Kanami

[ TakaWiki Page ] [ TCA Pictures Shop ] [ ENAK Sumire Style Stage Graph ]

Well. My Moon Troupe. Don't expect an unopinionated review here. ;)

( Impressions of PariSora: )

( Impressions of Fancy Dance: )

( Iri/Demachi: )

Rome at Dawn

ENAK Sumire Stage Graph

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Shop Pages
[ TCA Pictures ] [ Takarazuka Video ]

( Cast )

( Summary )

What I Thought:

I criticize what I love. I figured I'd better get this up quickly, before people got the wrong idea from last night's post. ;)

Yes, I think I'm one of the rare few who actually.... really liked this show. Sure, it has it's flaws, but let's be honest, most shows do. Despite the lack of action, the songs grew on me as the show went on. I think "Ai Sareta" will be in my head for weeks now. I loved the hair choices for this show, particularly Kiriyan's complicated 'do (how many hair pins did that poor woman use?). The Roman costumes were an enormous improvement over the ones for Mariko's sayonara show in '98 (Emperor), so I decided to forgive them the white boots, button-sleeves, and odd toga color choices. And I have this soft spot for Zuka doing really simple stage sets. Hayama-sensei's choreography for the musical was rather hit-and-miss, though as usual it made the revue show perfect.

But Jen's top three reason's for loving this show?
3) It's Roman! (I studied Latin for six years in junior high and high school.)
2) Yoshizaki Eri playing Asako's mother and Tom's lover.
1) Yuuhi! Yuuhi everywhere! (In a complete turn-around from the usual pattern, Yuuhi had more stage time and singing than Kiriyan. Well, it was close, anyway.)

( So, the cast was.... )

Les Bijoux Brillants

I thoroughly approved of this one. Mmm, Tom tangoing with Natsukawa-san. Dark!Yuuhi in a pony-tail. Playing Spot-the-Masaki. Asako in a very hot shredded number with chains. Kiriyan in a turban.

Tom as etoile was... bizarre. But I can go with it. Of course, I followed this show with my nine-billionth viewing of BaraFuu, and no one can beat Aria's etoile.

And, lastly, as wao_wao pointed out... the costumes from the poster appear to have gone missing. I guess they decided not to use them. This always strikes me as amusing. It's like Rika's costume in Kuroi Hitomi: the one in the poster never shows up in the show.