Takarazuka Journal

Oh, look, I'm skipping ahead because this is even less likely to all stay in my head than other things. ;)

Broadway Musical Live 2010
New National Theater, Tokyo
Nov. 14th

Cast (* = Takarazuka OG)

Male Singers	Female Singers	Chorus
Ishii Kazutaka Oka Kojiro Konishi Ryosei Sakamoto Kenji Toi Katsumi	Ayano Kanami * Shijo Rui * Shizuki Asato * Doi Yuko Hosaka Chizu	Ishii Masato Kojima Ryota Tamura Yuichi Yokozawa Kenji Sahane Yuna * Shuto Moemi Hinata San * Honda Ikuyo Makise Kai * Mizuki Mai * Yamada Yumiko

It was basically two and a half hours of non-stop, amazing singing, with a small fifteen minute intermission in the middle. It wasn't really advertised at all, despite the OGs in the cast, which is kind of unusual (usually they have fliers to former top star's OG things in the Tokyo Theater). I wouldn't have known about it if M hadn't posted about it. Originally it was scheduled for only one performance, but they added a second at 6:30, so I guess it must have sold out fairly quickly. To be quite honest, I think Kanamin basically blew everyone else out of the water, although Ruirui amazed me in being nearly as strong. I fell more than a bit in love with Sakamoto Kenji and Oka Kojiro.

There were only two disappointments. One was that in the tentative program they had posted online, they said someone would sing "Stars" (Les Mis), which I adore, but that got changed. The other I'll get to in its own time.

( I spent three hours on this. Why? XD )


Oh, yes, and there were a ton of OGs in the audience, to judge from all their blog posts, but I'm afraid the only person I spotted was a young Hanagumi otokoyaku and I'm still not sure who she was, other than that the Hanagumi fan ladies I was with recognized her and ran over to talk to her. (I spotted her as looking very much like an otokoyaku before they took off, but wasn't 100% sure.)

...I keep remembering things to add. Despite the disappointing performance, I still bought Zunko ♥senjafuda♥. I've never seen an OG selling senjafuda before. They're from Diana. Which reminds me that Wataru sent, like, three enormous bouquets. One to Zunko, one to one of the male actors (though I can't remember now which), and one to .... now I can't remember if it was Kanamin or Ruirui. Oops.

*squints* Is that really... Zunko? You'd think it would be, since she has second billing, but it sure doesn't look like her to me?

http://www.cnplayguide.com/stc/CNK55464.html

And these are the dates that Maori gives (she also says there'll be a tour):

東京　新国立劇場～4月7日～13日
大阪　シアターブラバ　4月27日～30日
東京北千住　シアター１０１０　　5月20日～23日
名古屋　中日劇場　　　　　　　　5月29, 30日

Well, I'd rather do this when I have time to give all the details but I just don't think I'm going to have a chance anytime soon. So better the bare outline than nothing at all? XD

T4 - First Concert
March 15th, 12 PM performance
Tokyo International Forum, Hall C

Performers: Shibuki Jun, Kozuki Wataru, Ayaki Nao, Takashiro Kei, Hoshina Yuri, Otori Rei, Shijou Rui, four male back-up dancers and singers, and the choreographer (Honma Kenichi).

[ Official Page ] [ 5 tiny pictures ]

I think the best thing about this concert was how well tailored it was to the individual personalities of the four stars. You could really get a sense of who they were. ...Insane ones and demure ones. ;)

( Read more... )

And the good news? At intermission they had a note that there is going to be a DVD. Tentatively planned release date for the end of April. :D

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.

Cinderella Rock
Moon Troupe Bow, 1998

Leads: Yamato Yuuga & Saijou Mie

[ TakaWiki ] [ TCA Pictures ]

( Cast: )

( Summary: )

What I Thought:

You know, I'm not sure if I should admit this, but I actually liked this show. However, it was pretty borderline. It was my love for the actresses that kept me into it, after I started wincing at each new "comical" moment. When the lead musumeyaku character's name is Madonna Carey, you know you're in trouble. And, I, er, ah, fast-forwarded through all of the songs. Even some of Saijou Mie's, and usually I like her singing. The songs and costumes were just spectacularly awful. No, I take that back. There were a couple of redeeming costumes: Yoshizuki Eri's dresses and wraps kept me endlessly entertained, Keiju Mana's makeup and wig were spectacular, and Cydo's beat-up jumper he appeared in for the first number was cute. Ah, the first number! I liked the first number! Okay, there were a few entertaining songs in there I didn't fast-forward through. Most of them Eri-san's.

Some of the characters were pretty awesome, even under the cheap jokes. Yoshizuki Eri as the evil stepmother was a touch of brilliance. Koshino Ryuu's gay costume rental shop owner killed me. Repeatedly. As did the evil stepbrothers: Kiriya Hiromu and Kusunoki Keika. Ryuu and Keika together... oh god. I couldn't breathe for a few seconds. Yamato Yuuga's Cydo (I know, should be Sid, but the poster on the stage says "Cydo") was a cute guy, and a likable character. Pretty impressive for a ken-3, even if she did do the cyclops eyebrow thing a little too often. Mie's character, on the other hand... Well, I loved how bitchy she was, actually. It was refreshing. I wanted to cuddle poor Misato Maya in this show. It just doesn't pay to be the evil lady's footmat, darlin'. All of the band members were cute, and as I said, Keiju's makeup and wig were amazing. Shijou Rui played the little boy again. No comment on Samba-Elvis!Daddy. No comment on Guille's family, except to say that they needed to kill the taco gag. Oh, and the granny was pretty cool. Oh, I give up. I have so much love for these actresses, I can't even dislike their awful characters. *grins* Not even drunken, homeless, Santa Claus-suited Misa Noeru.

I would say... this show is LUNA-esque ridiculous. Just... very odd components all thrown together. I can see it being a secret favorite of some fans. ;)

( Whee! )

Beware! It's the Return of the Old Review Format! (Just 'cause.)

I kinda felt like Rika looked after I finished this show...


The Blue Sky of Provence
Moon Troupe Drama City, 1999

Leads: Shibuki Jun & Mihara Shiho

[ TakaWiki Page ]

( Cast: )

( Summary: (Here there be spoilers) )

What I Thought:

This isn't my favorite Rika show by a long shot. It's not a bad show; it's just not the kind of setting and plot that really appeals to me. In a way, the complete depression of this show reminds me of the early 70s shounen ai manga like "Kaze to Ki no Uta", and I never really got into those either. How much depression and schoolboy angst do you need? I was surprised, because compared to the many copies of "Buenos Aires no Kaze", this video is relatively rare in auctions. But I guess it calls out more to the Japanese fans. Heck, maybe a lot of you would really love this show too.

I was also terribly disappointed that they had all this vocal talent and didn't take advantage of it. Mihara Shiho didn't get a single solo, and only one duet with Rika; a rather lack-luster song. Similarly, Hatsukaze Midori didn't get a solo either, only one really obnoxious song with the other schoolboys at the very beginning. The songs themselves were mostly reworked Sondheim, and while not performed badly, weren't really that great either.

( read more (Here there be spoilers as well) )

( Hehe )

Never Say Goodbye
Cosmos Troupe, 2006

Leads: Wao Youka, Hanafusa Mari

[ TakaWiki ] [ ENAK Sumire Style Photo Album ]
[ TCA Pictures Store ] [ Takarazuka Video ]

( What I Thought: )

Slapstick
Moon Troupe Bow Hall, 2002

Based on the lives of early Hollywood silent comedians.

[ TakaWiki ]

Store Pages - video available 50% off until Feb.!
[ TCA Store ] [ Takarazuka Video ]

( Cast: )

( Summary: )

( What I Thought: )

( Pics )

Why I love my Tsukigumi #435934789347804958903485....

Seal of Roses Shinjinkoen

Quite the cast for this shinjinkoen performance. I've added the names to the TakaWiki entry.

The scenes cut from this performance, in comparison to the regular show, included the section of the prologue prior to "Vampire Requiem", the first act, several of the dance entries from the second act, and Francis rescuing Hans from the beginning of the third act.

( Review )

Am so brain-dead that I'm not even going to attempt work or grading until I can go home and nap. In the meantime...

Ozora Yuuhi Dinner Show "Spark!!"

[ TakaWiki Page ]

Main: Ozora Yuuhi
Others: Shijou Rui, Otoki Sunao, Ayana Oto, Ryuu Masaki

Wow. I have so much love for Yuuhi-kun. I can see why she probably won't ever make top, because she's not the most talented singer or actress (Although, my, does she do angsty well). However, she has great stage presence. (For anyone living under a rock or new to my journal, Yuuhi and Mizu are my two favorites of the current 'siennes.)

Anyway, the title was "Spark!!", which Yuuhi explained not only meant the sparks like you get off of fireworks, but also the spark of ... well-dressed, well-cultivated taste? Okay then, if you say so, Yuuhi. I think the talking bits were actually some of my favorites, because I never realized how amusing Yuuhi can be when she sets her mind to it. She was much more relaxed and comfortable than Kiriyan was during her dinner show, cracking jokes with the audience and with the younger 'siennes. I learned a lot about her, too. She teased Ruirui a bit, because during her last dinner show, Rui was her backup as well, but as an otokoyaku. She teased Hiromi because her big sister (Ayaki Nao) was in the audience. Everyone teased Masaki, because she was by far the youngest there (Her running gag was acting all self-important). My favorite bit was when Yuuhi came out in her sparkly purple number and began talking about how she had spent her whole Takarazuka career in Tsuki, and she was so, so sick of having to wear yellow during all the specials. So this time, she got to wear purple. Oh, so much love for Yuuhi. Particularly in a uniform. And in black leather. Mmmm....

The music was mostly a selection from musicals. List here. I was a bit sad that the Aerosmith song wasn't aired for copyright reasons, but really, what more do you need than Lion King and The Flinstones?

Also, good heavens, where did all the men come from? I've never seen so many men in a Takarazuka audience. Ever.


The cool thing about the DVD that I got this Sky Stage program on was that it included an hour of Sky Stage News from last July. *glee* And at the end was a section with Masaki and some Tsukigumi musumeyaku (yes, I'm one of those terrible people who rarely pays attention to the poor musumeyaku) interviewing people about Golden Steps: Hayama-sensei (who always seems to end up in these interviews. She does seem cool.), Asako & Kanami, Yuuhi & Kiriyan. They cracked me up, and I am now a total Ryuu Masaki fan. Such a cutie, and how could I not love a baby 'sienne who uses "dragon" in her stage name?

Also, during the interview with Kiriyan and Yuuhi sitting side by side... I realized that Yuuhi has a bit of a lisp too. Two ladies with adorable sprinkles of beauty marks (usually hidden by stage makeup) and lisps. I love Tsukigumi....