In this feature, performers recommend shows to fit a particular mood. The October 2022 column featured Serika Toa, Kizuki Yuuma, Suwa Saki, and Oto Kurisu.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of the feature it can contain major spoilers.
the REVUE THEATRE
Stars present the perfect show for every moment!
Serika Toa, Cosmos Troupe
When you want an exciting fun time…
Ocean’s 11
First of all, I’ve been in it 3 times, so it’s a show I have a deep connection to, but it’s based on a famous Hollywood movie, and I think it’s amazing that its first stage adaptation was in Takarazuka! Every single song is so exciting, the opener, ‘FATE CITY’ is just great, there’s a magic show-within-a-show, and the stage tech is full of exciting tricks as well. The plot moves quickly, with a proper love story and cool suits scenes for the otokoyaku. Maybe it gets restaged so often because it has everything in there. I think it’s one of Takarazuka’s masterpieces.
Kizuki Yuuma, Senka
When you want The Feels…
TOP HAT
I was just in this this year with Flower Troupe. The Top Combi’s romance overwhelmed me with Feels and even as someone performing with them I thought it was just so wonderful. The way Yuzuka Rei can get so close makes me wonder if she calculates it or if it comes naturally…it’s sinful to think about (laughs). All her movements are so cool, and Madoka-chan (Hoshikaze) is just lovely as well, so I’m totally a fan of them as a couple now (laughs). As an actor I have to keep a calm core inside myself, but those two still gave me Feels, so I think you might feel the same if you try watching.
Suwa Saki, Snow Troupe
If you want to feel boiling passion…
Don Juan
I still remember the day I walked in to the first day of rehearsals at ken-4 to be handed a huge pile of sheet music (laughs). The songs were really hard, but I think the spirit of challenge and desperation and passion made the rehearsals really come together well. Even after the performance started, we all did flamenco practice together every morning and it felt like we were experiencing what it was like to be young together. My absolute favorite scenes were the bar scene starting with ‘Les Fleurs du Mal’ and ‘Jalousie’. I was so drawn in by the way Don Juan grows as a person over the course of the show, going from a cruel man to someone who, for the sake of love, finally can…
And Nozomi (Fuuto) is so good at being cool! The choreography in each scene is amazing, and I think the passion on the stage will make you want to watch it over and over again!
Oto Kurisu, Flower Troupe
If you want to experience the ‘life force’…
Tarantella!
This revue is themed around spiders, full of enchantment and with its own message, so if you want something that will just grab you and not let go I think you should watch it! The music and choreography is all wonderful, and it has anything you could want, suits scenes, Spanish scenes, modern dance scenes…
Not to mention Miho Keiko and Mirai Yuuki: I respect them and love them so much, and hearing them sing so powerfully together gave me goosebumps. I saw it live in the theatre, and I’ve watched the DVD too many times to count as well. It’s full of points that make me think ‘I love how they presented this!’, so every once in a while I just want to dive in again.