Takarazuka Journal

SHIZUKU!!!

... Or, Arisa, now. It seems like she might be getting back into the limelight after all. According to the blog of a photo studio she went to, she came with two other members of Kusano Hitoshi's talent agency (although she's not listed as a talent of the company in their blog).

Possible huge yay? Um, really amused that one of the guys listed as a talent in this agency is this great hulk of a man who apparently is an athlete and a pianist. Also hugely amused that now that she's back to her real name (Nakajima Arisa), googling her pulls up the other famous Nakajima Arisa (different kanji), a pro-wrestler.



In NOT great news, Marimo apparently injured herself in the final rehearsals, and now she's replaced in two of the revue numbers. :(
But I hear there is dancing in the aisles, even up in the balcony!



Will be playing catch-up on a bunch of things on Sunday, cross my toes! Tomorrow is RIKA LOVE!♥

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 )

Okay, this is going to be a bit more of a wavy line between the live-filter and the regular reviews, but I'm not filtering them, because I don't like to filter my reviews. (I'm tired, and suspect that makes no sense.) I'm going to do one of these for each performance, because I watched them very differently.

Warning: I arrived in the Mura around 9:45, after taking a particularly torturous night bus for 11 hours, so I wasn't entirely among the living for this performance.

(Photo: Grand Theater tachimi view - i.e. standing-section, back of the first floor.)

Elisabeth
2009 Moon Troupe
June 7th 11AM performance

Leads: Sena Jun, Nagina Ruumi, Kiriya Hiromu
Switched roles: Ryouga Haruhi (Elmer), Aoki Izumi (Stefan), Asumi Rio (Rudolph)

[ TakaWiki ] [ Daily Sports Online stage photos 1 & 2 ]

Summary:

Hah. If anyone really needs one, I'll direct your attention to the Takarazuka Wiki *points*. Really, there are no changes to scenes or dialogue, only a little blocking (possibly some of the Black Angel choreography?). I only have a dim recollection of the 2007 performance of Elisabeth, but have the 2005 imprinted on my brain, so it may actually be unchanged from the 2007 blocking as well. So, despite the exciting rumors of new scenes.... nope. I'll go over the finale selections at the end.

What I Thought:

I'm going to start like a broken record, and apologies to everyone who's heard this spiel several times already over the weekend. I'm going to translate the Kageki round-table conversation soon, because I think it gives some very interesting insight into things people have picked out about this version. Now, the fact that you have to read the round-table to pick them up perhaps shows that they didn't succeed in their goals very well? But, regardless, I thought it interesting. (And I'm paraphrasing the hell out of it, because I've only had time to skim the article.) Basically, Sena Jun's goal for the show was "simplicity". She wanted to take Death back to his roots; not drown the character in layers. The same for the show -- Koike (the adaptor/director) and Yoshida (music director) spend some time talking about how they want to focus on the music for this version.

Me. My head place was all on Ryuu Masaki, because I've been her fan for four years, and I'm so damn proud of her getting this part in a Grand Theater show as only a ken-9. So this Sunday review is in large part going to be the Masaki-version. In fact, I had my opera glasses on her and her alone every time she was on stage so that I wouldn't miss a single expression. So... I didn't see most of the other cast. But I definitely heard them. (And knowing the show by heart after helping to sub it, I can follow the action pretty easily by sound alone.) And, damn, they sounded good. So if sound was the goal for this production, I think they achieved it. Everyone sounded great, particularly as a whole. Maybe individually they weren't the best Takarazuka actresses who have ever played the parts, but I'm convinced now that Koike knew what he was doing and what he wanted when he cast the show.

( First impressions: )

Overall I left with no surprise impressions (though I admit to having enjoyed Ruumi's voice more than I expected I would). I was ecstatic over Masaki, enjoyed hearing/seeing some actresses I love in some parts I liked, but felt kind of flat. I was tired, I'd missed most of the big scenes, and I hadn't even really looked at the other principles yet. The general "sick of this show" ennui hadn't really been lifted as I hoped it would.

More on the rest of the cast and the actual show when I talk about Monday's performance.

I can't quite believe how quickly Kinsmen finished. Sunday was raku... I wish I could have been there. I met an old fan club friend (who actually is supporting Yuzurun now) on Sunday in Tokyo, and she looked at me in a puzzled way and asked me, "Isn't it raku?" ... What can you say to that? For the hardcore enthusiasts, things are pretty black and white. Heh, my other club friends keep telling me there must be eikaiwa jobs in Osaka; why am I in Gunma of all barbaric places. And when I try to explain that I like my employers, they wave it away as inconsequential. XD

Anyway... much delayed:

The Two Noble Kinsmen
Moon Troupe Bow Hall, 2009

Leads: Ryuu Masaki & Asumi Rio, Hazakura Shizuku

[ TakaWiki ] [ Asahi Review w/ Photos ]

Koyanagi-sensei's adaption is an interesting one. (I'll assume anyone reading this has read at least a short summary of the original Fletcher/Shakespeare play. If you haven't, google it!) The first act follows the original Palamon/Arcite/Emilia storyline pretty closely, and the Palamon/Jailer's Daughter storyline is not changed much either. I think the biggest change is with the Schoolmaster and countrymen/maids and their Morris dancing, which has turned into a playwright and players, with the Wooer getting more of a personality as being a member of the players as well. In the second act, the show deviates quite a lot more, though it wraps things up to a similar conclusion.

I was surprised. Masaki had the voice-over intro at the beginning, and didn't share it with Mirio at all, like I've heard done in other double-lead Bows. In fact, in some ways it really didn't feel like a double-lead. Not that *I'm* complaining! <3

( Summary: )

( What I Thought: )

A traditional Shakespearean setting of the show, all-in-all, which actually made me really happy. I enjoyed it, and enjoyed it more each time I saw it, and was getting towards loving it. But I suspect if you're not a fan of any of the actresses in it, you might find it overall unimpressive.



OMG. LUCHENI!!!! She is going to blow everyone away.<3 Rehearsals start on the 6th. Everyone, mark your calendars.

Apasionado!!
Moon Troupe, 2008

Top Star: Sena Jun

[ Taka Wiki ] [ Sanspo Stage Graph ]

( What I Thought: aka ramblings that talk about everything and nothing )

Me and My Girl
Moon, 2008 (Hakataza Theater)

[ TakaWiki ] [ Takarazuka Precious Opening Night Review w/Photos ]

Stars: Kiriya Hiromu & Hazakura Shizuru

So... I was pretty blah about the whole revising Me and My Girl. I continued to be blah, even after I heard Masaki was going to be playing Gerald and Jackie in the Hakataza version, except that I'd been dying to see how she handled a female role. Just, keep that in mind. I know it's colored my review.

( What I Thought: )

So, a cute production of a cute show, but if you're going to get a Takarazuka version of Me and My Girl I still would rather recommend the 1995 production staring Amami Yuuki and Asano Kayo. This one was lacking a spark of... something. If you want to see Kiriyan blind you with her comic talent, get Ernest in Love.

*hums the contented hum of someone certain Hankyu is going to provide good entertainment to* Oh, Hankyu. You never fail.

I've been getting Kuraran vibes from the whole Shizuku situation, even though the differences between Ai-chan and Hanase Mizuka are pretty big. I don't know, it could be mere convenience since Shizuku played Sally in the shinko. Still, I can't believe I'm the only one who voted for her in the TakaWiki poll; where is everyone's belief that Hankyu will manage to turn any situation on its head?

Okay, so we were all wrong. *grin* Have faith in Hankyu, young jedi.

2008/05/17

月組主演娘役について

Concerning the Lead Musumeyaku of Moon Troupe

On this occasion, Moon Troupe lead musumeyaku Ayano Kanami will be retiring on the eve of the final Tokyo performance of "Me and My Girl" (July 6th, 2008), but for a short term after her retirement, a fixed lead musumeyaku will not be created, and we will go to a flexible casting for the performances.

For the casting of the productions, then, different musumeyaku will be displaying their varied personalities, and we expect to be able to give our guests appealing performances rich in variation. Please continue to give us your support.

Furthermore, the roles which have already been decided are listed below.

*Hakataza Performance "Me and My Girl" (8/1 - 8/24), Sally: Hazakura Shizuku
*Nissay Theater Performance "The Great Gatsby" (9/1 - 9/23), Daisy: Shirosaki Ai

---

Actually, all unholy glee in Hankyu's mechanizations aside, I think these were good casting choices. Shizuku is cute and "fresh"; she'll make a good Sally. Ai-chan has proved that she does dark elegance and 1920s/30s well; she'll make an excellent Daisy.

Well, well, well. They had the transfers after all. *does the transfer dance*

What to think of Yuuhi? I guess this is a big sign that she won't be a top star, but probably also a sign that she won't be retiring with Asa (to put that rumor to rest)? And of all the troupes, I think Hana will suit her very well. <3<3 And her lead also makes more sense now. (I guess this means either Kiriyan or Ahi will likely be the ones with Jackie. <3)

Remi and Nene, meaning they won't be competing against each other for roles anymore. *glee* Go, Remi, go! You can do it!!

Junya-chan to Sora. ???

And that adorable Shizuku to Tsuki. I guess I can deal with that. She looked so cute with Un in her photobook, I want to see her with Masaki. <3