This article about Yuzuka Rei’s Drama City show was published by Sports Hochi on October 7th; however, the page has since been removed with no archives remaining.
Even the original creator declares ‘It’s lovely!’ Opening of Flower Troupe member Yuzuka Rei’s lead show ‘Here Comes Miss Modern’
The Takarazuka Revue Flower Troupe musical Here Comes Miss Modern (written and directed by Koyanagi Naoko), with third level star Yuzuka Rei in the lead role, opened in Osaka’s Umeda Theatre Drama City on the 7th.
Yamato Waki’s romantic comedy manga was originally serialized in Weekly Girl’s Friend magazine from 1975-77, and has been adapted into a film and an anime. It is set in Taisho era Tokyo, and details the dramatic love story between tomboyish schoolgirl Hanamura Benio (played by Hana Yuuki), and her fiance, army Second Lieutenant Ijuuin Shinobu (Yuzuka).
Yuzuka, who is performing in her first outside theatre lead in her 9th year as a member of the Revue, says “it’s just THE shojo manga world. Full of dreams. It’s not just a cast full of pretty boys, there are all sorts of character types, and I thought it was just the thing for Takarazuka. And they gave me the lead! I was so happy.” She played a lively officer, exactly as the creator envisioned. Playing the titular ‘Miss Modern’ is Hana, who is from the 100th class and in her 4th year as a member of the Revue. About her, Yuzuka said “she’s naturally very lovable and charming – I totally fell for Benio.”
On the 6th, during the full dress rehearsal before opening night, Ms. Yamato, the original creator, was watching from the audience seats. She encouraged Yuzuka and Hana afterwards. Ms. Yamato, whose works Lived in a Dream1 and Natasha of the Rainbow2 have previously been adapted into Takarazuka productions, said with a smile “It was an excellent condensation of a long work, while still keeping the original source’s image at heart.” About Yuzuka, she continued “her proportions are unbelievable. She’s a living second lieutenant exactly from the manga. Just wonderful. Benio-san (Hana) was also just as I pictured. Everyone worked so hard on the show,” she concluded, deeply moved.
The Drama City performance continues until the 15th. It then moves to the Tokyo Nippon Seinenkan Hall from the 24th to 30th.
1 – Lived in a Dream, Yamato’s manga based on The Tale of Genji, had two Takarazuka adaptations, one in 2000 and one in 2007.
2 – Natasha of the Rainbow had a Takarazuka adaptation in 1996 (however, the story was left incomplete as the manga was still running at the time).