Backstage Journal is a short Kageki feature where very young cast members write anecdotes about what’s going on behind the scenes of the productions. They’re not very deep, being full of emojis and more like blog entries than articles, but they are a good way to get to know the newest actresses in each troupe.

This one is by Flower Troupe member Natsuzora Momomi (of the 86th Class), and was published in the February 2003 issue.

Backstage Journal – Natsuzora Momomi (Elisabeth, Flower Troupe 2002-3)

Hello everyone! My name is Natsuzora Momomi and this is my first time writing a Backstage Journal. Flower Troupe, which has the most fun on and off stage, is currently in the middle of its Tokyo run of Elisabeth 🎵 And now~! (please read this in a Lucheni voice!)

“Happy new year…”

This happened the morning of opening day, January 2.

Natsuzora: Miyuu-san (Mihiro Seisa)! Good morning! Congratulations [on the new year]!”

Mihiro: …Thank you.

It’s still a mystery to me what “congratulations-worthy” thing had happened…

Since it’s the new year…

This happened during dress rehearsals on the morning of opening day. During the cafe scene in act 1, someone didn’t quite match…Yuuko-san (Ayakaze Ran) got mixed up and came out in her hospital uniform from act 2!! The nurse must have gotten a holiday from the hospital for new year’s…

Visiting the sick…

Yoriko-san (Tachibana Riya) caught a cold. Masa-san (Mizuki Mai), who lives in the same dorm, nursed her while she was miserable with a fever. The next day, this is what Yoriko-san said. “Yesterday, Masa was the one who came over to see me the most of all <3” Masa-san didn’t “come over”, she “lives there”! Yoriko-san!!

The worries of a revolutionary!?

The revolutionaries start wearing whiskers starting partway through the show. However, if they start talking too vigorously or move too much, sometimes the whiskers will fall right off. Rise (Mochizuki Rise) apparently termed this “Rapid Balding Disease”. Revolutionaries…you work so hard 😥

Even the gloves are tailor made…

Saaya (Hatsuhime Saaya) broke the ring finger of her right hand. It happened when she accidentally shut it in a door during rehearsals for the Tokyo performances. Luckily, she happens to be left-handed, so it hasn’t caused too many issues in her daily life, but because of the way her finger is taped up she can’t wear the gloves for her costumes. So the costume staff made her an “Easy-wear glove”. They switched out the ring finger with the thumb part of another glove of the same kind so that she could slip her ring finger in: a truly ground-breaking achievement. By the time this issue of Kageki comes out, I expect Saaya’s finger will be healed. Pease look out for injuries!

Two in one!?

I’m sure you’re all well aware of ‘Osugi and Piko’¹ from TV. One day, Tonton (Tama Mayura) told me something shocking. Somehow, Tonton had always thought ‘Osugi and Piko’ were one single person named ‘Osugito Piko’. I was so surprised that I decided to include it here.

This is the Backstage Journal resulting from my 3 years’ experience in the middle school newspaper club. Did you enjoy it? I still have tons of material, but I’m going to leave it hear for today. Look forward to next time!

That’s all from Natsuzora Momomi 😃

1 – Twin ‘tarento’ celebrities who made regular appearances on Japanese tv at the time.