This interview with Makaze Suzuho about her West Side Story debut was published in Sankei West on January 11. The original article and accompanying photos can be found here. (Archive link here, page 2, page 3.)

Living with her comrades in the moment: West Side Story lead, new Takarazuka Revue Cosmos Troupe Top Star Makaze Suzuho

The Takarazuka Revue Cosmos Troupe was established in Heisei 10, and is now in its 20th year. In the 100th year of Takarazuka performing in Tokyo, Cosmos Troupe’s next Top Star is taking her first steps in Tokyo.

“It’s a marvelous quirk of fate. If I start thinking about it I’ll feel like crying, so I keep telling myself ‘Rehearsal comes first.“

The debut performance for new Top Star Makaze Suzuho and her partner Hoshikaze Madoka will be a Tokyo production of West Side Story. West Side Story is a masterpiece that was first staged on Broadway in 1957 and subsequently adapted into a film. It is inspired by Romeo and Juliet and tells the story of Tony and Maria, whose love affair is disrupted by the conflict between two delinquent gangs.

West Side Story was first staged by Takarazuka in Showa 43. It was restaged many times, and in this production, the first since Heisei 11, production staff have been hired from the United States in order to create a brand new Takarazuka version. Although she has never seen the Takarazuka version of West Side Story, while in Star Troupe Makaze appeared twice in Romeo et Juliette. “Watching the movie (of West Side Story), I felt they both had a strong message for the time they were created.”

She says what is most important for performing is living for the now, in each moment. That is also her personal motto. As she is now leading the new Cosmos Troupe, she feels a connection with her protagonist’s concern for his companions. “I think everyone involved in this production will be able to grow. I want to as well.”

In November of last year, when previous Top Star Asaka Manato retired, Makaze became the eighth Top Star of Cosmos Troupe. While she feels a lot of responsibility, she says “I think this troupe is made by the people who are here now. I’m not thinking that I need to act in a certain way.” She refuses to let herself be boxed in.

She also clearly told her acting partner “you aren’t my property, so I won’t be telling you to do things my way.” Makaze first became aware of Hoshikaze during the junior performance of A Song For Kingdoms. Although she had only just been assigned to a troupe, Hoshikaze confidently performed her first heroine role.

“I thought, we’ve really got an amazing girl here. We can understand each other’s point of view, and as we start taking on the show I think things will click naturally. I’m looking forward to it.”

Former Top Star Asaka demonstrated that ‘true growth comes after struggle’ until the last moment. Makaze has also felt this since her time in Star Troupe. As she was promoted starting very early on, “every production was an ordeal, it was like I was being battered by a waterfall. I couldn’t do as much as was being asked of me. I can’t count the number of performances where I was really struggling.”

At that time, she recieved guidance from directors and senior actresses. “So I wouldn’t be an embarrassment on stage… It was truly so kind of them. That is what made me what I am now, and it’s given me a lot of strength.”

She has hopes for this significant year. ‘” want a lot of people to discover Takarazuka and think, ‘ah, Cosmos Troupe is really good.’” Her appearances on music programs and other such opportunities to represent Takarazuka outside the company are increasing.

She is also looking to this production as a starting point. “I want to really feel the essence of Takarazuka and what’s important, and make a new start.” She cleans in order to wind down. “I’m really thorough in the areas I think are important.” Makaze is heading into her future as a Top Star who rejects boundaries.