So a partial cast list has been released for Shangri-La. And since it runs during the rehearsal period for The Pimp, that seems to mean that Hokushou Kairi won't be moved to play Chauvelin. Which is a bit of a bummer, because she's my second choice for the role with her gorgeous voice. That also seems to be the last troupe accounted for which hadn't committed its star actresses during the spring in one way or another. But, well, I rule nothing out, to be honest. They like to throw us curve-balls just when we think we've got things figured out. ;)

Also, please, people who take retirements really hard (and I'm planning to maybe take my own advice), don't go checking the 'net around Christmas? Yukigumi starts rehearsals on the 26th, which means any further retirement announcements will probably be going up that afternoon (Japan time).

Yukariko cast went up on the 19th -- I wonder if this means they've started rehearsals? Hamlet cast starts rehearsing on the 29th.

Matsudaira is doing Dracula again this April-May, with Zunko. Did everyone know this and I simply missed it?

Maori-san went to Noru & Mami's Dinner Show last night. There were 517 people in the audience, she tells us. ;)

And I'm still surprised this news hasn't spread around more -- I guess it's not as much interest for people who became fans of the Revue after they retired? But Hanafusa Mari is returning to the stage at long last, and will be in a show with Wao Youka: Marlene Dietrich ~She Lived She Loved Forever~

Just some things...

( Average kenkyuuka of a new nibante for the past 20 years )

From which I think we can only draw one conclusion: Tsukigumi has always been weird.

Also interesting that the only other solid nibante to retire without making top in the past 20 years was also ken-17 when she retired, and her replacement was ken-12 and only nibante for one show. If the rumor mills are as right about Mizu's retirement in the summer '10 show as they were about Yumiko, and making a big assumption that no transfers happen, that means Kimu will be following the exact same pattern as Anju Mira. ;)

And, because I've seen a lot of folks talking about it -- ( Sayonara Shows for the past 20 years )

Take two♥

http://www.tabisabi.com/archive/moon.html

I think enormous-fuzzy-sweater Masaki has just melted me in ways I didn't know I could melt....

This time the photographer is Imai Mina, and they went to Hakone, forever known to me simply as That Place With the Big Mother****ing Spiders. (Long story.)

*sigh* Full points to the rumor mill -- Ayabuki Mao is indeed retiring at the end of Solferino, on April 25th. An as yet untitled dinner show for her in Takarazuka (3/11~12) and Tokyo (3/13~14) has been announced, and a sayonara show is planned for after the senshuuraku performances in the Grand Theater and Tokyo Theater.

http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/news/detail/4d15242c7ea144da01dec814d1c5c238.html

As many of you know, Oura Mizuki passed away of cancer last month. They held her owasure no kai (farewell party / wake) on December 2nd in Tokyo and over 3000 people attended. The theme was "Oura Mizuki's Final Performance". The photo of her on display was of her in a dress from a concert she had in 2007, with bouquet of flowers made exactly like the bouquet she had when she walked down the Grand Staircase of the Daigekijou when she retired in '91.

38 former members of Flower Troupe, including Takashio Tomoe, Anju Mira, and Maya Miki, sang the theme song "Heart's Wings" from Tender Green ('85) amidst tears. Overcome with emotion, Tsurugi Miyuki said, "Nacchan, who made so many people happy and gave so many courage, was the pride of our class. I thank god for having been able to meet you," in her memorial address. Takashio Tomoe said, "I still can't believe it. It's as if she's gone to New York City to work on her singing. Maybe it's best to go on thinking that."

The planned January performance "Natsume's Night Dreams" will still run, as Oura recorded her narrative parts while in the hospital.

Also present were Makoto Tsubasa, Shibuki Jun, and Kozuki Wataru.

[ source source source source ]

http://www.takarazuka-kentei.jp/

So... at first I was like "HAHAHAH NO WAY."

And then I thought about it, and the signed shikishi is very tempting. (Can we pick anyone, really, or are they going to narrow down our choices?)

And it would be fun to go with a friend and completely baffle the staff together.

Also, if all of the questions are like the sample ones, 2-kyuu is a piece of cake.

.... I can't afford it, but anyone want to take it with me in Tokyo? ;)

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... )

TOUYAN

How can anyone be so awesome? I don't post about her every update, because that would be over-load, but I always want to

She went to see the show today, and she is a *total* fan girl once more~ She gloats over getting eye-contact from lots of people, talks about crying over how great everyone is, and how sad she got just before the parade when she realized it was over already. *laugh*

Ahahaha, horse.

Hm, could any of our Chinese speakers help with the readings of the character names for The Bund / Neon Shanghai?

http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/revue/157/cast.html

I've put the Japanese readings up, but they just look so weird...

http://takarazuka-revue.info/tiki-index.php?page=The+Bund+%2F+Neon+Shanghai+(Flower+2010)

Oh, hey, look, relationship chart. *nods*

*gurgle*

http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/revue/158/poster.jpg.html

I'm just... gonna go... collapse over here.



Oh god, it looks so deliciously bad. I really cannot, cannot, cannot wait for vampire!Hamlet.

*points* I did it! I finished it before shonichi! :D Cookie, please.

Book One Summaries
Book Two Summaries

Based on the cast list revealed so far, and the poster, I think the Takarazuka version is going to be quite different in many aspects. But I don't regret reading it. As much as I poked fun at it, it was actually a pretty fun read, and it caused me to do a lot of research into the period. The romance I could give a pass, but the political manuverings and the battles were really fun.


Even if you don't want any spoilers and/or don't want to know about the books, I would recommend (if you're an ignorant American like me who never really learned much 18th century European history in school) to read a bit about the War of Polish Succession and the War of Austrian Succession. A little background knowledge never hurts, and it's really hugely fascinating stuff. ← (politics and history nerd)

And speaking of messages to fans which I rather love, December's Graph is full of all of the Tsukigumisei's farewell interviews, messages, and talks. Asako chose the other three senior members of the troupe, the ones who share a dressing room with her, for her farewell talk.

Hopefully someone will have the time to translate them for the community soon, but in the meantime:

From Sena Jun's Last Interview

There is a "combi" system, isn't there. Since Ayano Kanami left in '08 you haven't had a single partner. What do you think of that situation?

At first, I also was of various minds on it. I was subjected to a lot of criticism for it. But as a result of it, more musumeyaku were able to play an active role, and I think it opened up a lot of possibilities to show that this was a format that could also exist. After this, whether they do it or not, it is an option for them. I think that isn't a bad thing, since there are many views.

Lastly, a message for your fans, please.

I am entirely grateful for these past 18 years, where you helped to raise the otokoyaku named Sena Jun. You shared my joy in moments of happiness, and you shared my sorrow in moments of sadness, together we overcame it all... I think being able to give power like this to someone is amazing. To be able to convey my gratitude to everyone who did this for me, well, I hope to give you a good performance until the very end, so please come with me to the end.


And in Ryouga Haruhi's last interview, as lliri_blanc pointed out and translated, Ahi used her "message to the fans" corner to give a shout-out to the foreign fans♥

I think princesslucia did an amazing job with her summary of the press conference. There's only one thing I want to really add here, because I think it's a beautiful message.

Q．ファンの皆さまへ
A．言葉では言い尽くせない感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。宝塚歌劇がファンの方々に支えられていますように、私自身もファンの方々に支えられてここまで来ることができました。今はただ感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。お客様に元気や夢をお届けするのが私たちの仕事ですけれども、私はお客様からも元気や勇気をいっぱい頂いてきました。卒業する日までどうぞ宜しくお願い致します。

Q. A message to your fans
A. I'm full of too much gratitude to convey in words. Just as the Takarazuka Revue exists because of its fans, I've been able to come this far because of the fans who have supported me. Right now I'm simply full of gratitude. My job is to give energy and dreams to the audience, but I have also been given so much energy and courage from the audience. Please support me until my day of graduation.

I'm not sure if anyone posted this link before, but there are absolutely *enormous* photos of Tsukigumi raku on this blog entry, once you click on them. And the angle is different than the usual news photos, so I think they're interesting.

http://blog.livedoor.jp/enbublog-journal/archives/1229457.html

Also, EMAO (The Artist Formerly Known as Emao Yuu) is going to star in a movie about the Sakai Noriko scandal, due out next year. Which is just, wow. The dust from the scandal hasn't even all settled yet. o_0 The movie is titled "Setsuna" (A Moment), and is due out in January. Emao will be playing a female reporter chasing the story.

http://www.theaterguide.co.jp/theater_news/2009/11/25.php

Sakurano Ayane is retiring at the end of March, next year. I'm going to miss her terribly. I love the more adult-type musumeyaku. But even Ayane started out as a very young ken-4 top musumeyaku, and she matured amazingly. So I'm also looking forward to how the current lot grows.

It will make Yumesaki Nene the senior-most musumeyaku top star (in terms of time in the position). Now there's a terrifying thought. But, again, she's changed a LOT in just the past two years.


( Speculating, dangerously narrowing it down to four. )

I have to leave for work in five minutes and I'm starting to tear up. (Right, Jen, you're so cool and composed about retirements. *snort*)

http://jun-kanzaki.la.coocan.jp/jubilee/index.htm


(Gen, sorry, I think this means a definite *no* on Lion, as there's no way I can swing both.)